lubitel
Well-known
Hi all!
I saw an old Zeiss Ikon folder in a store today, in a very nice optical condition, for 45 Euros. I am very tempted to buy it, although I have never used one. I did try out a folder from Beyer once, but it had a bit of a light leak, and the results werent that exciting. I also use a Lubitel 6x6, the quality of the photos is quite good I think. Is the folder worth 45 bucks when it works properly? Can I expect photos that are at least as sharp or better than the ones from Lubitel?
Thank you.
I saw an old Zeiss Ikon folder in a store today, in a very nice optical condition, for 45 Euros. I am very tempted to buy it, although I have never used one. I did try out a folder from Beyer once, but it had a bit of a light leak, and the results werent that exciting. I also use a Lubitel 6x6, the quality of the photos is quite good I think. Is the folder worth 45 bucks when it works properly? Can I expect photos that are at least as sharp or better than the ones from Lubitel?
Thank you.
lubitel
Well-known
oops, I guess I put this in 35mm forum. sorry.
R
Roman
Guest
Well, whetehr it is worth the money completely depends on what model it is, what lens it has, and in what condition it is (Does the shutter function? Is the bellows light-tight? Is the lens free of scratches, haze and fungus?).
The price would be average for a working Nettar with Novar-Anastigmat lens, good for a working Ikonta with Novar-Anastigmat, and a real steal for a working Ikonta or Super Ikonta with a Tessar lens.
Never having owned a Lubitel myself, my guess would be that a Novar-equipped Zeiss would be about the same, a Tessar equipped one better, quality-wise.
Roman
The price would be average for a working Nettar with Novar-Anastigmat lens, good for a working Ikonta with Novar-Anastigmat, and a real steal for a working Ikonta or Super Ikonta with a Tessar lens.
Never having owned a Lubitel myself, my guess would be that a Novar-equipped Zeiss would be about the same, a Tessar equipped one better, quality-wise.
Roman
lubitel
Well-known
I'll have to check all those details and post them, but I think it is a tessar lens.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
True, the novar might be the same quality lens that the one on the Lubitel. The only difference is, the Zeiss folders are quite different category than the Lubitels, much better made. Ease of use, precision and durability comes into the price as well, especially in case of old cameras.
I'd say the condition of the folder is what's most important in this case. I have bought a 6x9 with a Tessar and Compur - the camera however was completely rotten, rusted and all, impossible to restore. I saved the lens and the shutter but it was not a great deal for 30 euros. OTOH, i have bought a 6x6 super ikonta in very very good shape with the lower-quality novar lens. Even wide-open and close to wide-open, it produces excellent results. (I did have to readjust the focusing, though.) I am very happy with it. Especially that it cost me 20 euro only.
I'd say the condition of the folder is what's most important in this case. I have bought a 6x9 with a Tessar and Compur - the camera however was completely rotten, rusted and all, impossible to restore. I saved the lens and the shutter but it was not a great deal for 30 euros. OTOH, i have bought a 6x6 super ikonta in very very good shape with the lower-quality novar lens. Even wide-open and close to wide-open, it produces excellent results. (I did have to readjust the focusing, though.) I am very happy with it. Especially that it cost me 20 euro only.
Mike Kovacs
Contax Connaisseur
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I haven't held a Nettar but the Ikontas are very well made. There are two things that could make your purchase a bad experience - badly leaking bellows and a crooked/loose lens standard.
Bellows can be patched but if they are bad enough to need replacement, it can easily add a lot more money to the total cost. The good news is that Zeiss Ikon used very high quality bellows.
A camera with a crooked or loose lens standard is tough to fix. The result will be out of focus photos on one side of the frame.
Dirty lenses, improperly collimated lenses, shutter CLAs etc are all a simple matter to fix and I do this work myself regularly for my personal cameras.
The Novar is a very good triplet lens. By f/8, I doubt that the Tessar will perform any better. If it has the Tessar with a high-end shutter, jump on it! If its prewar with an uncoated Novar, 45 Euros is on the high side. I have a prewar Ikonta 6x6 with the Tessar and its a gem of a lens.
!
I haven't held a Nettar but the Ikontas are very well made. There are two things that could make your purchase a bad experience - badly leaking bellows and a crooked/loose lens standard.
Bellows can be patched but if they are bad enough to need replacement, it can easily add a lot more money to the total cost. The good news is that Zeiss Ikon used very high quality bellows.
A camera with a crooked or loose lens standard is tough to fix. The result will be out of focus photos on one side of the frame.
Dirty lenses, improperly collimated lenses, shutter CLAs etc are all a simple matter to fix and I do this work myself regularly for my personal cameras.
The Novar is a very good triplet lens. By f/8, I doubt that the Tessar will perform any better. If it has the Tessar with a high-end shutter, jump on it! If its prewar with an uncoated Novar, 45 Euros is on the high side. I have a prewar Ikonta 6x6 with the Tessar and its a gem of a lens.
lubitel
Well-known
Okay, I checked again - it's Zeiss Ikon with Nettar Anastigmat lens f6,3 for 39euros (not 45 as I thought). If the lens is crooked, and bellows are leaking is that easily seen?
thank you for your replies
thank you for your replies
Mike Kovacs
Contax Connaisseur
Crooked lens - not necessarily easy to see but you can check for play.
Bellows - go into a darkroom/closet, hold a small flashlight (torch) in the film gate and inspect the outside of the bellows, especially the corners.
I don't think a Novar f/6.3 Nettar is worth half that kind of money but I am accustomed to US/Canada pricing. Does it have the Klio shutter with only a few speeds?
Bellows - go into a darkroom/closet, hold a small flashlight (torch) in the film gate and inspect the outside of the bellows, especially the corners.
I don't think a Novar f/6.3 Nettar is worth half that kind of money but I am accustomed to US/Canada pricing. Does it have the Klio shutter with only a few speeds?
lubitel
Well-known
speeds go from T,B to 1/125 or 1/100 dont know what shutter it is
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
It's a bit expensive for european prices too. OTOH, it's from a shop, so they could offer some warranty period on it...
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Pherdinand said:
I'd say that this is the key. Can you get even a week's right of return? Then take it out and put a few rolls through it. If you've got a good one, that's not a terrible price, but for that price I'd expect to be able to return it if it is a dog. Just shoot some 100 speed film on a nice bright day and see what comes of it, then decide to keep it or not.
William
Little Prince
Well-known
Top shutter speed of 1/100 or 1/125 might be a little restrictive. Think about it.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
I agree on that; and, handheld an 1/50 is getting tricky, so practically you end up with one single safe shutter speed.
lubitel
Well-known
Thank you all for your input.
Ivan.fotografia
Newbie
I hvae a Nettar 518/16, 6X6 with Novar Anastigmat 75mm, f4.5 and it is a very good camera. Not a superb Tessar, but very, very good. It's a small camera, near a small SLR.
The photo-quality? Well:
The photo-quality? Well:
