SUPERB! 1938 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 6x9, Tessar lens, & case, CLA'd, FRESHLY SERVICED!

This is a freshly serviced 6x9 Super Ikonta. It has a built in coupled rangefinder that makes focusing quick and easy and never leaves you guessing about the distance or the focus. It’s a lovely vintage camera that easily slips into a jacket pocket or a backpack and yet folds out to take 8 beautiful 6x9 exposures on normal 120 roll film. Bright exposures alive with all the 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’s about 6 times larger than the average 35mm snap shot. So whether you’re interested in large prints, fine grain, rich tonal gradations or lovely colors, this camera will do all of that and may just become your favorite photographic companion.

The serial number of the camera and its lens indicate that it was produced in Germany in 1938.It was one of the most expensive cameras in Zeiss-Ikon’s production line at the time. Everything about it exudes exclusivity and quality. The lens is a Carl Zeiss 10,5cm (105mm) Tessar mounted in a high quality Compur shutter. e fast 3.8/105mm Tessar. In 1938 it was simply one of the best 6x9 cameras that money could buy.

This camera marks one of the high points of prewar camera design. This 531/2 model features an exposure interlock housed in a chromed cover located under the film advance knob and a more elaborate shutter release linkage below the shutter compared to earlier versions. Overall, the camera sports the expensive professional look of the period which favored a black Moroccan leather with contrasting chrome accents. (Chrome in the 1930’s was considered a luxury item and it appealed to the affluent buyers of the period.)  Today it’s the perfect camera for artists, a landscape photographers or anyone with an interest in historical photography.

 Additionally this camera is also capable of producing 6x4.5 negatives if you have a suitable reduction mask in your collection. (Mask not included.)

This 81 year old camera is in wonderful condition. It has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The quality Compur shutter works smoothly, all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/250^th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the faster ones are clean and snappy. Unusual for this era, the shutter is synchronized for flash.  It’s been re-adjusted & tested and now works with a normal electronic flash. (Rather than flash bulbs.) Your 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 Albada bight-line viewfinder on this camera is all original. (As usual it’s a bit hazy, which is normal for a classic Super Ikonta however if you prefer, we can disassemble the finder, remove the silver coating and convert it into a clear optical viewfinder at no additional charge.) The fine Moroccan leather covering is lovely. The Zeiss-Ikon logo on the rear is clean and clear. The bellows are soft, supple and completely light tight.

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

All in all, a wonderful classic camera. 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 6x9 camera with you.

Search terms: 105mm, 10,5cm Tessar, Art Deco, Compur, medium format, rangefinder camera, 120 film, authentic WWII, WW2, reenactor, reenactor, signal corps, USAAF, war correspondent, war photographer,