How to open a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16?

A

aorr

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Hello everyone, as my first post here I'm somewhat embarrassed by the question I am bringing to you. I just acquired my Grandmother's Zeiss Ikon 521/16 and I can't figure out how to open the door on the front where the lens and billows extend out.


I was curious if anyone could provide some insight for me as to how to do this?

Thank you very much,
-Andy
 
you should have a small push button on the top plate just at the left side of the view finder (left side when looking in the viewfinder)

hope this helps.

stefano.
 
Ahha! Thank you Stefano!

I had tried pushing that little button many times but it never opened. After you suggested that I realized it didn't open because it's kind of sticky and doesn't want to spring open for me!

Thanks much!
-Andy
 
While I've got a thread started, I'm having trouble with my shutter-release that's on the body. Does this shutter release only engage if there is film in the camera? I've tried everything I can to figure out if the body shutter release is jammed or it just needs film in it. Tomorrow i'll try with the film and see if that will solve the problem! I hope so!

Also, does this camera have a lock on the film to keep it from rolling the film through too far after an exposure? I've read that it has a lock on it but I'm wondering how well it works? Any comments?

Thanks much!
-Andy
 
Andy,
shutter release needs to be armed by arming the shutter lever on the lens _and_ turn the knob on the right side of the top plate in order to move film to the next exposure. After you turned for half a turn you'll hear a 'click' and your shutter should work. No need to have film inside.

Hope this helps.

Stefano.
 
dabevalem said:
Andy,
shutter release needs to be armed by arming the shutter lever on the lens _and_ turn the knob on the right side of the top plate in order to move film to the next exposure. After you turned for half a turn you'll hear a 'click' and your shutter should work. No need to have film inside.

Hope this helps.

Stefano.
Click to expand...

Curious. Of course the only Zeiss Ikon I have is the 515/2, which is a 6x9.

I think you will enjoy using this camera. The Zeiss Ikons were all good to my knowledge. I certainly enjoy mine, and the Novar lenses are well respected. Hope you can show us some photos from the camera.
 
What I can say is that I really enjoy mine... even if I can't really say I use it every day...


Stefano.

U4839I1223738330.SEQ.0.jpg
 
Thanks for the help and the photo.

I still haven't been able to get the shutter release to function. The repair person at a local camera shop said he figured the mechanism inside the metallic case on the top of the camera might have a problem. I understand that there is a little pin-hole indicator window there and that it should turn to another color when the shutter is ready to work. This is not the case for my camera. Any ideas?

I've shot one roll of ISO100 and am working on another roll of ISO400 right now. I'm eagerly awaiting the results from the photo lab! :)

So, until I figure out the problem with the shutter release, I've been using my finger to trip the pushrod to the shutter release. It's not very smooth so I have to be very careful to take photos with higher shutter speeds (1/100) so I don't get any blur from camera shake.

I'll post photos as soon as I can! :)
-Andy
 
Last edited:
oftheherd said:
Interesting photo dabevalem. Is that cropped? I thought the /16 meant the camera was a 645.
Click to expand...


its an easy thing to assume oftherherd due to associating the number 16 with how many shots you get on 120 roll film using 6x4.5 format (i used to think that often myself). but when it comes to Ziess their model numbers are all over the place eh!

the first numbers are the model numbers and often refered to as the Zeiss catolog numbers used for the camera and the second number denotes what format the camera is. Ziess used the number 16 to referance a 6x6 camera (a number 12 would of been choice hey!) and number 2 for 6x9 format. i am sure ZF or someone knows for certain, but off the top of my head without looking it up i am not sure what they used for 6x4.5 but i think it may of been left blank. to make it more confusing they also used the A,B,C and D to discribe the format A for 6x4.5, B, for 6x6 and so on.

i should think the complicated system of model numbers they had for their cameras is due to the merger with the other companies in 1926 and the huge amount of cameras they carried in their catologs as a result.
 
Andy:
There is a small red indicator that shows next to the wind knob on my 512/16. It shows once you start to turn the knob. It really doesn't indicate that the shutter is ready to fire, just that you've started to wind the film. It does lock the body shutter release if it's not showing red, thus providing a bit of double exposure prevention. If the red indicator does not show when you turn the film knob, I'd say you've located the problem area.

John
 
Thanks John.

Yep, it seems I have a problem in that area then. I have yet to see any red dot there.

I suppose that's the least of my worries if all else works. I'll find out next Monday when I get the film back!

Take care,
-Andy
 
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