Just ordered a Zenobia 645... Any advice

[cameron.knight]

I just ordered a Zenobia 6x4.5. The auction listing said it is the C model from around 1950.

The seller had really good feedback and seemed more knowledgable about cameras than most of the estate sale people. It's supposed to be KEH bargain rating - functionally sound, cosmetically ehh.

So what should I expect? Are there any common problems?

Someone on this forum suggested that I buy a 645 folder, and it was just a push I needed to do it. I've been hesitant to buy one because the only other folder I've purchased was a Zeiss 6x9 and it has a foggy lens. It seems like this is a common problem with Zeiss folders, which made me hesitant to get another one. I even tried taking the lens apart and polishing it with cigarette ash. It worked on the front element, but I couldn't get the back element out.

I hope I have a better experience with this, but I was hoping someone here would reassure me! lol.

Here's a pic from the Zeiss folder. Several people have said they like it, but all I see when I look at it is a camera flaw, lol.

 

[Jack Conrad]

If you get the neo-hesper with clear glass you'll have a very nice Tessar type lens, but for some reason they're often afflicted with a build up of coating oxidation on the inner elements.

I love mine, but I've done an inordinate amount of work on it, and consequently have a sort of irrational pain induced sentimental attachment to it. 🙂

 

[Brian Legge]

Mine has the earlier Hesper lens. There is a very slight haze but its on part with what I have with other cameras from that time period. Not enough that it even impacts images so I hadn't bothered cleaning it.

Over all, its one of the more issue free cameras I've used.

 

[Robert.M]

Very nice little folding camera, mine have the neo hespar lens wich is a Tessar type
Here's a sample pic

 

[Sparrow]

I though Zenobia was a small central European country ...

 

[Robert.M]

Zenobia is an archeological site in Syria....but it's also the name of a Japanese camera made by Daïchi it was a copy of the Zeiss Ikonta 521

 

[cameron.knight]

Thanks for the info and the pic. After reading a ton of the feedback on the seller, I do trust the listing. He said the lens and bellows are fine and the shutter speeds "sound" right, which always make me shutter when I read that. (Pardon the pun)

He said the camera will ship tomorrow, so with a little luck, I'll have it before the end of the week. First roll through next weekend. Negs and scan by the following Tuesday!

 

[rumbliegeos]

It is a well-made little folder. Two things to get used to will be that the normal frame orientation will be "portrait", and that you will be releasing the shutter with your left hand. I had one of the later Neo-Hesper lens models, and the coatings and photo contrast were fine.

 

[cameron.knight]

Thanks for the tip rumbliegeos. The shutter release on the left huh? Just like the backward winding lever on my Rollei 35! Sounds good.

 

[shadowfox]

Cameron,

When I mentioned 645 folder, I was thinking Konica Pearl 🙂

More info written in my journal.

 

[cameron.knight]

Shadowfox ---- ohhhh, you're pushin' a brand huh! LOL. The only Konica Pearl I saw on ebay right now is listed for over $1000 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectible...725075847?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item19c7ba9387

I picked the Zenobia because of the price (under $80), the seller, and unfortunately the fact that it wasn't a Zeiss. I'm very comfortable working with scale focus because I really love my Rollei 35. It's not so hard.

If I end up loving my little folder, I'll be sure to buy more!

 

[shadowfox]

Shadowfox ---- ohhhh, you're pushin' a brand huh! LOL. The only Konica Pearl I saw on ebay right now is listed for over $1000 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectible...725075847?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item19c7ba9387

I picked the Zenobia because of the price (under $80), the seller, and unfortunately the fact that it wasn't a Zeiss. I'm very comfortable working with scale focus because I really love my Rollei 35. It's not so hard.

If I end up loving my little folder, I'll be sure to buy more!

😀

I definitely did not pay $1000 for mine. Keep your eyes peeled, they are out there, ebay is not the only place to get these.

But your Zenobia should do just fine, even if the bellow leaks light a little, I have a friend who sell little leatherette jacket for the bellows that works quite well.