Mess Ikonta 524/2 operation

[yefeihe]

Hello, Folks,

I recently acquired a Mess Ikonta 524/2 6x9 folder with a Tessar lens. It will need a CLA so I haven't put film in it to test. I have a question regarding its operation. Does it have double exposure prevention? Does it have auto framing, or do I have to use the ruby window? I noticed that every once in a while, the film advance knob feels different, and sometimes I can feel a slight click after rotating the knob a few times. I wonder if that's the auto framing mechanism at work. Can't really tell as I don't have film in it.

Thanks,

Yefei

 

[Steve M.]

Yes, it has double exposure prevention. That's the click you hear when you wind it on. I would recommend Focal Point for a CLA. They did one on my Ikonta IV and it was primo afterward BUT I would also say shoot a roll before you do anything. It might be fine just the way it is. The little sliding door on the back (no ruby window) is just to see if it has film in it.

 

[sevo]

IIRC Zeiss Ikontas below the Super series have no auto framing, so that you will need the to use the red window. In doubt, that is easy to check as it would have a frame counter if it had auto framing (though the counter may fail and be hard to notice when stuck). But the Mess Ikontas (like all later Ikontas) have double exposure prevention in that the trigger is locked until the film has been transported.

Oh, and the sliding door should hide a ruby window - sometimes the plastics window has been removed or was lost.