SUPERB! circa 1935 Zeiss-Ikon Simplex, Brown 6x9 Bakelite Art Deco Camera, CLA‘d

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use

If you’ve seen our camera listings before you’ll know that we regularly service and sell prewar Leica, Contax, Super Ikonta, Bessa rangefinder cameras. Personally I love using these cameras but as a collector I’m also interested many other prewar models as well. Frankly, classic cameras don’t always need to cost a small fortune to be enjoyable. There are lesser known collectables that will deliver just as much fun and nostalgia as the high end cameras. And in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing they’re capable of producing lovely photos too.

With this in mind let me introduce you to a very nice example of what I’m talking about. In this listing we have a very lovely Zeiss-Ikon 6x9 Simplex folding camera in brown Bakelite. Some collectors classify the design of this camera as part of the “Art Deco” movement, while others categorize it as a “Streamline Modern” design. Whichever title you prefer is of course up to you, but it is without a doubt an attractive camera. It’s also a relatively hard to find because it was only Bakelite camera that Zeiss-Ikon ever produced. Because of the low production numbers and the low survival rate, the Simplex is a camera worthy of being added to your collection.

This camera is in exceptionally fine condition, especially considering it managed to survive WWII here in Europe and 80 years of history. (Usually these Bakelite cameras are inevitably cracked or chipped.) Additionally this camera has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. It also uses normal 120 roll film. . Which of course means that film is easily available for it. The shutter has been cleaned serviced. It works smoothly and all speeds are appropriate. The bellows are supple and completely light tight.

The lens has also been cleaned inside and out. It’s a 6.3/105mm Nettar Anastigmat. It’s based on the classic Cooke triplet and has three lens elements in three groups. The lens is well known for its lovely rendering and bokeh. It produces lovely photos with smooth, attractive backgrounds. The lens is in exceptionally fine condition. It’s clean and clear. There are no scratches or cleaning marks 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 medium format camera with you.