Zeiss Ikon Folder from wife's Granddad

[graywolf]

I would say that table is suspect. Models of the same series usually came out within a year or so of each other.

It does not really matter when they bought that particular camera, likely at least 60 years ago, but that it did belong to them and it surely is a family heirloom. Enjoy it, and remember all the happy memories that must have went with it.

 

[hanskerensky]

Some Ikonta folders like i.e. the 521/16 were produced during a long time period (1937~1953).

Production of the 521 probably started in 1938

I also saw a japanese webpage with a 521 which was stated as produced in 1948. Its serial number also started with the letter P. and it also has a Novar 1: 4,5 7,5cm lens. Have a look here :

http://www005.upp.so-net.ne.jp/chatvert/zeiss/vfcam/ikonta521.html

Ikonta's are nice and good quality cameras and many of them are still used actively today by enthousiasts.

 

[farlymac]

As with anything Zeiss folder, it's hard to pin down a production date because they made so many variations of each model. Over the time span of the Ikonta A manufacture, there were at least three lenses, and four shutters available, and Zeiss would make a camera with any combination in order to hit a price point. So a lot of the production charts out there will have vagaries that can't be explained except by the maker of the chart going by surmised information.

I have a 520 Ikomat that is very similar, but has the two-window back, and lacks the double exposure preventer (introduced on the Ikonta). It also has a Zeiss Tessar lens in a Compur Rapid. And I am in the process of overhauling a 521/2 which has the preventer, and have found you can overide it by pushing with a finger the paddle actuator at the front of the camera (just in case you really want to do a double exposure). It's also a bit smoother release doing it that way, instead of relying on the multi-link action.

PF

 

[jnoir]

With old folders, one can override the double exposure prevention as you discovered (but this may make harder keeping the camera stable) or, if it has the capability to receive a cable release, by using it.

 

[djonesii]

Scanned first roll

Scanned first roll

I have scanned the first roll, and I need to review what I did, and shoot another.

The results are such that I really don't want to share them. I shoot pretty fast, and did not take full metering into account, and learned a bit about that red window.

more to follow ......

 

[djonesii]

the first roll with care

the first roll with care

As I said above, I did not take much care with the first roll after the camera came back from repair.

I took a vacation over Thanksgiving, and did take much more care with the next roll.

The spacing works perfect when following the labels on the film backing, the lens seems well calibrated, and matches the meter in my G3 pretty well.

All in all, the lens make sharp contrasty images when well focused. The next time I'm in France, I'll be on to my Family Portrait project.

As it turns out, I got a box of negatives that my Wife's grandfather would have taken. Many are 6X9, and many are 6x4.5.

On the back door of the camera is pressed,
Zeiss Ikon Film
6X9 cm B2 2/14 x 31/4 in

Does any one know if a conversion is possible, or just a replacement of the rear door. Clearly, the camera is shooting 6x45.

 

[farlymac]

That is very interesting. It's obviously a 6x4.5 door, but why it's stamped for 6x9 is strange. Even the pressure plate is too small for 6x9. And the spacing between the spools would be greater also. Weird.

PF

 

[pschauss]

6x9 is the Zeiss Ikon film size not the frame size. Both of my Ikonta A's have that stamped on the inside of the back.

 

[RichL]

Glad to see the camera is working out for you, thanks for the picture. Did you ever get the flash connection problem figured out?

 

[djonesii]

flash cable ...

flash cable ...

Never did get that sorted, on the other hand, never did work hard on trying to do it.

I need to dig into my cable box and see what I can come up with.

If not, more research!

Dave

 

[djonesii]

back like a bad penny ....

back like a bad penny ....

The Owners son came in from France, so I shot a roll with my Children and mother-in-law