is there a way to get 12 exposures from a Zeiss Super Ikonta B 532/16?

[yossarian123]

I just picked up a 532/16 on ebay for a good price - seems to be working OK except for stiff focusing. The big downside for me is film economy - losing that 12th frame really bugs me. I'm not familiar with how the frame counter mechanism works - is there a way to trick the camera into that 12th shot?

 

[D.O'K.]

I wasted a lot of time (and film!) trying to find a way some time ago, without success. I'd be pleased to learn what I missed...

Regards,
D.

 

[johannielscom]

There's two ways but I cannot recall either of 'em since I simply take that lost frame for granted. The image quality is so terrific that I'll gladly take that 1/12th loss.

If you've only just won it and haven't shot it or seen your own images from it, I suggest you take the lost frame for granted and see what your feelings will be in six months time 😉

Happy shooting!

 

[yossarian123]

First roll was scanned yesterday - it's an uncoated lens but still a real cracker. The VF is a bit squinty and that didn't help my focus accuracy. But yeah, it's definitely a keeper.

 

[johannielscom]

🙂 I own a pre-war uncoated version and a post-war coated version and I love them both dearly. They are so great to carry and shoot!

 

[farlymac]

According to my sources (the Zeiss group on Yahoo), what happened is Zeiss screwed up the film transport design, and after finding out late in the development cycle, they didn't want to spend the money to fix the problem. So they just eliminated the twelfth frame from the counter mechanism.

Another problem with the film transport is a small brass transfer gear in the ratcheting mechanism that gets stripped easily, likely from folks winding too hard, or maybe trying to get that twelfth shot. They probably made good money stocking repair houses with that part.

PF

 

[Platinum RF]

After the 11th frame, turn the film advance knob roughly the same or bit less angle or distance, you can release the shutter from the shutter release button, you have to use your hand to trigger the shutter

 

[hanskerensky]

After the 11th frame, turn the film advance knob roughly the same or bit less angle or distance, you can release the shutter from the shutter release button, you have to use your hand to trigger the shutter

Guess you mean from the release lever at the actual shutter itself as the Release Button is normally blocked during the free moving film transport run after the 11th image.

 

[Platinum RF]

Guess you mean from the release lever at the actual shutter itself as the Release Button is normally blocked during the free moving film transport run after the 11th image.

Correct, I have no problem to get 12 exposures by using this way.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

My favorite folder (have a post-war with coated lens) - and I didn't mind the loss of one pic:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zorki_2007/sets/72157644181181429/

 

[Dante_Stella]

Oddly, the BX had no issue with a 12-frame counter. I always thought it strange.

It could be two other things:

1. On a system like Zeiss' that frame-spaces based on turns of a winding knob (rather than a roller that senses film travel), you have to build in a margin of error for thicker films, which would have progressively wider spacing as you got to the end of the roll. This is obviously not an issue with red-window cameras.

2. Just being conservative. All Fuji GS645 series cameras shot 15 frames. Some early GA645s did too. Then they must have realized that the roller sensor was accurate enough for 16.

Dante