Zeiss folder

[Nikon Bob]

I just joined the ranks of med formant RFers by getting a real beater/ugly/ been through the wars Super Ikonta 531A. It must have been quite a machine in it's day but as a user I find it very awkward to use especially the shutter release on the opposite side of what I am used to. The shutter seems to work as does the rangefinder but the albada finder is next to useless from fading. The coated lens has promise so we will see how a roll turns out, if I have loaded it correctly etc. etc. . I hope these things grow on you after awhile like old screw mount Leicas. Anyone else use these on a regular basis?

Bob

 

[JoeFriday]

I've got a Nettar folder that I've taken maybe 3 shots with since purchasing it.. I'm so unfamiliar with it that I have to search for the shutter release every time I think about using it.. but having seen some of the photos from these old school wonders, I won't give up on it.. but I would never think of taking it out for 'grab shots'

 

[Pherdinand]

i do. but mine is a newer version 6x6 model, and it has a combined vf/rf, no albada finder. i can tell you, after i lubricated the focus a bit, it works like a charm -the shutter was fine- and even with a triplet 'novar anastigmat' lens it produces some great images. yes i did need some time to get used to it.
i actually would have preferred a 6x4.5 model myself, for the different format - have tlr for 6x6 - and the slightly smaller angle lens.

by the way, a guy is selling over here a 6x9 super ikonta for 'at least 200' euro, in great shape ready to use - if anyone is interested.

 

[Pherdinand]

ah, my shutter release is on the 'good side'. i use it for grab shots, it is a very-fast-to-handle camera.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Perhaps an acquired taste 🙂))...I love using mine every time I do which is not as often as I should. Loading film and setting the counter correctly did take a little work and a messed up roll of film or two at first, but almost makes sense now. I especially like to travel with it. I hope you enjopy using yours -- Jurgen Kreckel repairs them if necessary. I have not had any personal experience with his service but have heard good things...I'm keeping him on file for an eventual CLA of mine. Jurgen Kreckel's Web Site

 

[wlewisiii]

Mmmm... folders.... Yummy...

They are a bit of an acquired taste to be sure, but they are so much fun to blast around with. I carry my Moskva 5 all over and do grab shots with it all the time. Keep with it and you may find you like it. Perhaps not, too, but it is a style that deserves a good shot.

William

 

[Solinar]

I just joined the ranks of med formant RFers by getting a real beater/ugly/ been through the wars Super Ikonta 531A.

Bob

Bob that camera will never be any fun. You have to cock the shutter before each shot. Then there is that wierd film with a paper backing and numbers that you have read. There are only 16 shots to a roll of film on the 531A. The rangefinder prism has to be unfolded when in use and folded to stow the lens assembly. Plus, you never know, you may eveb pinch your finger while closing the front platform. Send it to me and I'll protect you from this insane acquisition. :angel:

 

[jan normandale]

Hi N-Bob

folders; wonderful fun! I've got two Voigtlander's and two Ikonta's. They are slower to work with than 35 mm but faster than large format so there's a plus.

If the camera lens is okay and the shutter release is too, then you can get large images which when blown up are very impressive. Check the slower speeds to ensure the shutter is okay. Usually one second is a test that flushes out any issues on shutter speed accuracy. I'd say you are ready to do some shots like Todd Hanz does. I have posted only my Mamiya 6 RF shots, I probably should post some with these cameras.

cheers, Jan

 

[Nikon Bob]

Meet Mr. Ugly.

 

[Pherdinand]

that is not ugly at all🙂 You should have seen the ikomat i've bought once. It was almost impossible to open it up. I had to throw it out, except lens/shutter (which had to be ripped out of the housing since all the rest was rusty)

 

[Honu-Hugger]

From the pictures that seems to have real potential, not bad at all.

 

[ZeissFan]

A little rough but not bad at all -- I'd rate it at about 80 without touching it.

And the lens should prove to be stellar. That's more or less the same lens as on the later Super Ikonta (III and IV) and Mess Ikonta, as well as the Rolleiflex Automats.

A very, very sharp lens. Congratulations on a great find.

 

[P C Headland]

With any luck, you'll get some great results. Run a roll of slide film through it and you should be hooked.

Of course, you'll then start thinking that a 6x6 folder isn't that much bigger (if at all), and has a bigger negative. A nice one with a combined VF/RF window. Maybe even a meter. You'll marvel at how it is no bigger or heavier than your 35mm cameras (Minox excepted).

Then of course you'll reason that a little more negative real estate wouldn't go amiss for landscape shots, and havng a camera that does 6x9, well that'd be nice ... 😀

Slippery slope.....

 

[Solinar]

That 531 is gem in the rough.

Try a little creme type black shoe polish and buff well with a brush, then wipe with a soft cloth before using. That's is a late 531, with a coated Tessar and Synchro-Compur, which is X-synch friendly.

 

[Nikon Bob]

With any luck, you'll get some great results. Run a roll of slide film through it and you should be hooked.

Of course, you'll then start thinking that a 6x6 folder isn't that much bigger (if at all), and has a bigger negative. A nice one with a combined VF/RF window. Maybe even a meter. You'll marvel at how it is no bigger or heavier than your 35mm cameras (Minox excepted).

Then of course you'll reason that a little more negative real estate wouldn't go amiss for landscape shots, and havng a camera that does 6x9, well that'd be nice ... 😀

Slippery slope.....

Seems Mr. Ugly is light tight and the rangefinder works as well as the shutter. Please excuse the no name shots and quick flat bed scans ( I remember now why I dislike flatbeds for scanning prints ). A slippery slope indeed. BTW the film was Kodak BW400CN (no filter) rated at 200.

Bob

 

[Solinar]

As Confusious said about the 531, "The genie is out of the bottle and now it is down the slippery slope." The photos really do have that nice Tessar look.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Bob,
Those look great, looks like you have a "shooter!"

 

[Nikon Bob]

I think I will lock this one away in the cupboard to keep temptation out of the way. The boss/girlfriend/wife has spoken and I agree that med format is still too expensive to branch into. I can see where you could get hooked on med format. Makes Leica look, well, small. Know what I mean?

Bob

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I think I will lock this one away in the cupboard to keep temptation out of the way. The boss/girlfriend/wife has spoken and I agree that med format is still too expensive to branch into. I can see where you could get hooked on med format. Makes Leica look, well, small. Know what I mean?

Bob

I should be use to this by now, but I am stunned everytime I get 6x6 chromes back and put them on the light table. Momentarily at least I wonder why I shoot with 35mm...(then I remind myself that most often these lovely chromes come from a ten-pound SL66 brick 😀).

 

[Nikon Bob]

I try and tell myself that med format is over kill for the end use i have. I need a reality check now and then but when you see the big neg and it's potential you just have to wonder. The slope gets really greasy from here on in.

Bob