Platinum RF
Well-known
Why Zeiss Super Ikonta 532/16 is cheaper than IV? The f2.8 Tessar is very good, why it is cheaper than IV?
Robert Lai
Well-known
With these old cameras, condition is everything. The older Super Ikonta B is likely to have a lot more wear on it. The key point is to check the bellows condition. The newer IV is likely to have an intact bellows. The older camera - who knows?
The Super Ikonta B gives you 11 frames on a roll of 120 film. The IV will give you 12 sometimes tightly spaced frames on that roll of 120.
The B may or may not have coated lenses. The shutter may or may not have flash synch. It all depends on the era and type of shutter used - Compur Rapid vs Synchro-Compur.
The B uses counter-rotating wedges to perform the rangefinding.
The IV uses a rod linkage to a more conventional rangefinder in the body.
The IV is basically the last of the line, and hence has value in that respect. It also has an integrated selenium cell meter, and the latest of coated optics in a Synchro-Compur shutter with the annoying EV locks.
The last of the line always costs more. Just price a Leica IIIG vs Leica IIIF, or a Nikon FM3a vs Nikon FE and you'll see the premium paid for having the last of the line. Or, a Rolleiflex "white face" 2.8F vs a regular 2.8F.
The Super Ikonta B gives you 11 frames on a roll of 120 film. The IV will give you 12 sometimes tightly spaced frames on that roll of 120.
The B may or may not have coated lenses. The shutter may or may not have flash synch. It all depends on the era and type of shutter used - Compur Rapid vs Synchro-Compur.
The B uses counter-rotating wedges to perform the rangefinding.
The IV uses a rod linkage to a more conventional rangefinder in the body.
The IV is basically the last of the line, and hence has value in that respect. It also has an integrated selenium cell meter, and the latest of coated optics in a Synchro-Compur shutter with the annoying EV locks.
The last of the line always costs more. Just price a Leica IIIG vs Leica IIIF, or a Nikon FM3a vs Nikon FE and you'll see the premium paid for having the last of the line. Or, a Rolleiflex "white face" 2.8F vs a regular 2.8F.