Near Mint! 1935 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 6x9, Tessar lens, FRESHLY SERVICED

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

Forget the socks… what he really wants for Christmas is a Classic Camera.

Did I hear you say you were looking for an exceptionally fine classic medium format camera with a coupled rangefinder? One that you can easily slip into an unused corner of your camera bag or back pack? A camera that will increase in value as the years go by? And most important of all, a lovely camera that will deliver outstanding photo’s....?

Well, this week we have another freshly serviced Super Ikonta (serial number Z23090). It has a built in coupled rangefinder that never leaves you guessing about the distance or the focus. It’s a lovely camera that easily slips into a jacket pocket or a back pack and yet folds out to take 8 beautiful 6x9 exposures on normal 120 roll film. Bright exposures alive with all the vivid details and lovely colors that only medium format or larger can provide. When it comes to photography, bigger is better and with this camera you can create a negative that is about 6 times larger than the average 35mm snap shot. So whether you’re interested in very large prints, very fine grain, rich tonal gradations or lovely colors, this camera will do all of that and may just become your favorite photographic companion.

Additionally this camera is also capable of producing 6x4.5 negatives. An original reduction mask in mint condition is included.)

This is a quality prewar camera in exceptionally fine, near mint condition. Its serial number and that of its lens indicates that it was produced in Dresden Germany in 1935. It was produced at a time when the world looked incredible different than it does now In addition to its exceptional condition, this Super Ikonta has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The Compur-Rapid shutter was an expensive, top of the line shutter and it works smoothly. All speeds (B, T & 1 sec - 1/400th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the faster ones are clean and snappy. Rather unusual for such an early prewar camera, the shutter is flash synchronized. (Originally this would have been for flashbulbs.) However we’ve readjusted it and the camera now works with a normal electronic flash. It’s been tested and the flash will fire correctly at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course a very convenient feature for flash fill.)

The coupled rangefinder array has been cleaned and it’s clean, accurate and easy to use. The viewfinder on this camera is all original and very clean and bright. The bellows are soft, supple and completely light tight.

The lens is a Carl Zeiss f4.5/10,5 cm (105mm) Tessar . The Tessar is a superb design with four elements in three groups. This lens is exceptionally clean. There are no scratches, no cleaning marks. There are no separated elements, crystallization or other problems and it’s capable of producing beautiful photos with modern and black & white films.

It comes complete with its original Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta box, which is quite rare. An original Zeiss-Ikon 6x4.5 reduction mask. The original orange tipped, Zeiss Ikon shutter release cable (which fits into a special holder mounted under the lens.) And a worn original instruction manual (in German).

All in all, a wonderful classic camera. The perfect camera for photographers with a historical interest. (Also an excellent choice for WWII reenactors.) Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing you had a classic medium format camera with you.