What a great video. My dear late mother was a professional technical photographer working for Dunlop Tyres in Erdington, Birmingham in the 1950's (a great achievement for a woman then). Her own personal "compact" camera was a folding Super Ikonta. It must have cost her an absolute fortune way back in the day. My mother and father emigrated to Canada (where I was born in 1958) but they came home in the 60's. However, she still used her Ikonta despite having purchased more modern 35mm cameras in the 70's and 80's and even a digital camera when they first emerged in the late 90's. Sadly, she sent her Super Ikonta away to rectify a minor fault to the folding mechanism shortly before her death in 2005. Unfortunately I could not find any record of who, or where, she sent it to after she passed. Someone, somewhere, has my moms beloved Ikonta. I hope that it is still serving them well RIP Mom x god bless
I have had a Zeiss Super Ikonta for years and have used it mainly as a portrait camera. It is an absolutely superior camera, and the lens is excellent. The camera requires careful thought like any non-automatic instrument. One can use it for fine portraiture as well as scenics. A fine example of Zeiss engineering and craftsmanship. Also, the Tessar has a special "feel." Thank you for this fine report.
Thanks for this good video on the 6x9cm Super Ikonta, it's well informed, no too much information to confuse those just getting into Analog Photography, and a good description of function. Your video has merit and I appreciate your making and your posting of it for the edification and enjoyment . I have the 532/16, and its a very nice camera indeed, and I am on the hunt for the 6x9cm model you use in this video, (or a Mocba 5, if one comes up as nice as your unit) to complete my medium format traveling folders, as the only 6x9cm I have currently is the Zero Image Pinhole 120, which gives 4.5x6, 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9 at F235, 40mm lens. Thanks again, I'll look for more of your work on like.
The Moskva 5 is not the "Ikonta" it's more of a upgraded or simpler version. You should get the Moskva 2 which it's nearly identical to the original zeiss
Hi, I appreciated your video, but I have what is clearly a A 531. But it has a back (with the serial number, etc.) that is marked 6x9cm, yet has the window (with the little slinging cover) in the right place for a 4.5x6cm format. I love the serial number O 388 with the 5 pointed star. I can't find anything on this combination, any ideas?
I have recently purchased a moskva 4 ( basically the same camera) i want to take it on a bicycle trip but im wonderung how the rangfinder will hold up to the vibrations
I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for taking the time to explain how it works. I was getting ready to write this comment with the constructive suggestion of showing some of your photos that you've taken with it, and then...bada bing, there they were. Haahaa, guess you anticipated my comment. I'm thinking of picking one of these up because of the ability to shoot 6X6 and 6X9 in the same camera. Brilliant! Thanks again!!
@@BernardSmith-z4x so I found out it needed to be cleaned and lubed, if you have any analog shop in your areas they might be able to service it for you. I personally can't, so I had someone do it for me.
Thanks for the video. I have one of those cameras that belonged to My granddad. Can You please write me the name of the tool that is necesary to measure the light? Also the name of the film that the camera use, so I can look for them. Thank You.
Many thanks for the message, a light meter is great for measuring light, lots on eBay, or you can load an app on a mobile. As for film the camera takes 120 film, I use forma 100, but lots of others on the market, as long as it is 120 size.
@@beforedigital Thanks for the answer, now I have this problem, the leather funnel has some holes, just in the leather, not in the fabric (in the corners mainly), and they let some light pass thru. since I want to use it, i think that extra light will ruin the photography. I was think cover the holes wit some electrical tape, but maybe you have a better solution. Thank you.
Do not worry, with some black (!) ”tesa® extra Power Perfect“ you can fix this carefully. Whatever you do or try, put it onto the _inside_ of the bellow ;-) It would not stick on the outside anyway… You could also try to put a single spot of hot glue onto the outside on the corner itself and paint it black with an ”edding“ marker once it cured. Hot glue is still flexible enough when getting cold and hardening.
Oh, and get yourself a decent modern light meter ;-) Something like a _Sekonic_ or comparable… Yes, there are stylish original _Zeiss Ikon Ikophot_ light meters from after the war. But unfortunately they are no longer very reliable because of their by now degraded selenium cell. „Jeder _Zeiss Ikon Ikophot_ ist inzwischen mausetot!“ ;-)
Hello I have the same camera... the problem is that the rear holes are good only for the 6x9 because on the modern film the 6x4.5 frames numbers are on the other side! So.. it's not possible to use it in the smaller format. I have the inner reduction frame.. but It is not possible to use it without to do a hole on the back.
Sorry, but I doubt that ;-) If I am not mistaken, the numbers would show up in the same line for „4,5×6 cm“ as for „6×9 cm“. With the film format reduction mask for „4,5×6 cm“ in place, you are supposed to spool the film until the _first_ number (1) shows up in your _right_ (!) red window (yes, the red window that is ”normally“ meant for „6×9 cm“ format). Don't forget to close the red window while shooting ;-) After that, for your second „4,5×6 cm“ shot, spool the very same first number (1) until it now arrives in the _left_ (!) red window that is inscribed as being for „4,5×6 cm“. Yes, you understood me correctly, with the film format reduction mask in place, every film number would show up _twice_ : First in the _right_ window and then again in the _left_ red window. Give it a try with a recovered black film back-paper you asked your film developers _not_ to throw away. Does it work now? ;-)
It is correct. You have to see the same number two times. Before in the larger format window, and the second time in the smaller format window. Thank you very much. It is easy and genial.@@anotherguycalledsmith
@@flavioserci6046 You are welcome, I am glad that I could help you ;-) Yes, these guys were very smart at that time! I already like _Ica Dresden_ a lot and just bought the other week an _Ica Icarette 488_ that was in MINT condition… somewhat sticky shutter that I could fix myself ;-) Just waiting for better weather and light over-here in Berlin. I simply love this early industrial design! Please enjoy your new Super Ikonta feeling and have fun ;-)
Hi, thanks for the video. Did you try to use it with color films as old lenses have sometimes trouble handling those ? Also do you think the version with the triplet lens woukd still be worth it ?
Compur shutters of this time normally have a Bulb mode that is left of the “1 second”… @1:35 it is unfortunately covered by the flash connector, but it should be there. But it has something that is even much more valuable - a “selfie” mode, back in the 1950s ;-)
Lovely camera fine review cheers. I just put my first roll of FP4 through my new to me Mess Ikonta. I’ve never shot 6x6 before I was genuinely chuffed to bits with the results from this camera video of the shoot on my channel soon if interested cheers mate
@1:44 I own the same Super Ikonta Type C. Film goes backwards unlike Kodak, Voigtlander and 35mm ones. Fresh film goes on the right side. I hope you were joking.
No, the shutter does not pops up, but the viewfinder does. The British Ensign cameras feature internal baffles to change the taking format. The Ensign cameras from the 1950's also have better anastigmat Xpres lenses, by Ross, better quality than Zeiss Tessars.
As of August 2023, you mean $700 to $900?!!! Also yours has the green flash synchro port. Cameras with Eastern Germany lenses have lower prices. Although some find those more reliable. Yours is made in Western Germany.
@1:47 Oh, you Englishmen driving all your lives on the ”wrong“ side of the road ;-) It is spooling into the other direction, - your left index finger is touching the spooling knob… ;-)
What a great video. My dear late mother was a professional technical photographer working for Dunlop Tyres in Erdington, Birmingham in the 1950's (a great achievement for a woman then). Her own personal "compact" camera was a folding Super Ikonta. It must have cost her an absolute fortune way back in the day.
My mother and father emigrated to Canada (where I was born in 1958) but they came home in the 60's.
However, she still used her Ikonta despite having purchased more modern 35mm cameras in the 70's and 80's and even a digital camera when they first emerged in the late 90's.
Sadly, she sent her Super Ikonta away to rectify a minor fault to the folding mechanism shortly before her death in 2005.
Unfortunately I could not find any record of who, or where, she sent it to after she passed.
Someone, somewhere, has my moms beloved Ikonta.
I hope that it is still serving them well
RIP Mom x god bless
I have had a Zeiss Super Ikonta for years and have used it mainly as a portrait camera. It is an absolutely superior camera, and the lens is excellent. The camera requires careful thought like any non-automatic instrument. One can use it for fine portraiture as well as scenics. A fine example of Zeiss engineering and craftsmanship. Also, the Tessar has a special "feel." Thank you for this fine report.
Beautiful picture @7:38 The slight haze gives it a soft dreamy glow!
Thanks for this good video on the 6x9cm Super Ikonta, it's well informed, no too much information to confuse those just getting into Analog Photography, and a good description of function. Your video has merit and I appreciate your making and your posting of it for the edification and enjoyment .
I have the 532/16, and its a very nice camera indeed, and I am on the hunt for the 6x9cm model you use in this video, (or a Mocba 5, if one comes up as nice as your unit) to complete my medium format traveling folders, as the only 6x9cm I have currently is the Zero Image Pinhole 120, which gives 4.5x6, 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9 at F235, 40mm lens.
Thanks again, I'll look for more of your work on like.
The Moskva 5 is not the "Ikonta" it's more of a upgraded or simpler version. You should get the Moskva 2 which it's nearly identical to the original zeiss
The format mask on my 531/2 is for 6x4.5
Hi, I appreciated your video, but I have what is clearly a A 531. But it has a back (with the serial number, etc.) that is marked 6x9cm, yet has the window (with the little slinging cover) in the right place for a 4.5x6cm format. I love the serial number O 388 with the 5 pointed star. I can't find anything on this combination, any ideas?
I have recently purchased a moskva 4 ( basically the same camera) i want to take it on a bicycle trip but im wonderung how the rangfinder will hold up to the vibrations
I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for taking the time to explain how it works. I was getting ready to write this comment with the constructive suggestion of showing some of your photos that you've taken with it, and then...bada bing, there they were. Haahaa, guess you anticipated my comment. I'm thinking of picking one of these up because of the ability to shoot 6X6 and 6X9 in the same camera. Brilliant! Thanks again!!
Thanks for watching, currently working on some more videos.
What a great review. Thank you Sir! I just bought a 530/2 and can't wait for the 6x9 Tessar goodness.
Amazing video, sadly my focus button seems to be stuck. Do you have any tips?
Mine is also very hard to move
@@BernardSmith-z4x so I found out it needed to be cleaned and lubed, if you have any analog shop in your areas they might be able to service it for you. I personally can't, so I had someone do it for me.
Great video. Dp they have self timer? I heard there is one but it is really hidden, something about pulling shutter release up. Thanks
It's around the lens and is about 10 Seconds if it works otherwise takes a Minute and 45 Seconds to finish if it's broken.
Thanks for the video. I have one of those cameras that belonged to My granddad. Can You please write me the name of the tool that is necesary to measure the light? Also the name of the film that the camera use, so I can look for them. Thank You.
Many thanks for the message, a light meter is great for measuring light, lots on eBay, or you can load an app on a mobile. As for film the camera takes 120 film, I use forma 100, but lots of others on the market, as long as it is 120 size.
@@beforedigital Thanks for the answer, now I have this problem, the leather funnel has some holes, just in the leather, not in the fabric (in the corners mainly), and they let some light pass thru. since I want to use it, i think that extra light will ruin the photography. I was think cover the holes wit some electrical tape, but maybe you have a better solution. Thank you.
Do not worry, with some black (!) ”tesa® extra Power Perfect“ you can fix this carefully.
Whatever you do or try, put it onto the _inside_ of the bellow ;-)
It would not stick on the outside anyway… You could also try to put a single spot of hot glue onto the outside on the corner itself and paint it black with an ”edding“ marker once it cured. Hot glue is still flexible enough when getting cold and hardening.
Oh, and get yourself a decent modern light meter ;-) Something like a _Sekonic_ or comparable…
Yes, there are stylish original _Zeiss Ikon Ikophot_ light meters from after the war. But unfortunately they are no longer very reliable because of their by now degraded selenium cell.
„Jeder _Zeiss Ikon Ikophot_ ist inzwischen mausetot!“ ;-)
Hello I have the same camera... the problem is that the rear holes are good only for the 6x9 because on the modern film the 6x4.5 frames numbers are on the other side! So.. it's not possible to use it in the smaller format. I have the inner reduction frame.. but It is not possible to use it without to do a hole on the back.
Sorry, but I doubt that ;-) If I am not mistaken, the numbers would show up in the same line for „4,5×6 cm“ as for „6×9 cm“.
With the film format reduction mask for „4,5×6 cm“ in place, you are supposed to spool the film until the _first_ number (1) shows up in your _right_ (!) red window (yes, the red window that is ”normally“ meant for „6×9 cm“ format).
Don't forget to close the red window while shooting ;-)
After that, for your second „4,5×6 cm“ shot, spool the very same first number (1) until it now arrives in the _left_ (!) red window that is inscribed as being for „4,5×6 cm“.
Yes, you understood me correctly, with the film format reduction mask in place, every film number would show up _twice_ : First in the _right_ window and then again in the _left_ red window.
Give it a try with a recovered black film back-paper you asked your film developers _not_ to throw away. Does it work now? ;-)
It is correct. You have to see the same number two times. Before in the larger format window, and the second time in the smaller format window. Thank you very much. It is easy and genial.@@anotherguycalledsmith
@@flavioserci6046 You are welcome, I am glad that I could help you ;-)
Yes, these guys were very smart at that time! I already like _Ica Dresden_ a lot and just bought the other week an _Ica Icarette 488_ that was in MINT condition… somewhat sticky shutter that I could fix myself ;-)
Just waiting for better weather and light over-here in Berlin.
I simply love this early industrial design!
Please enjoy your new Super Ikonta feeling and have fun ;-)
Hi, thanks for the video. Did you try to use it with color films as old lenses have sometimes trouble handling those ? Also do you think the version with the triplet lens woukd still be worth it ?
Good question , have only used with Black and white. I think this post war model is coated and would be OK with colour. Thanks for watching!
No problem with modern color film whatsoever ;-) Take a _Kodak Portra 160_ for example… You will be surprised!
A very useful 6x9 "Pocketkamera" :-)
Does the shutter have a T or Bulb mode for long exposures?
Pretty sure it has a B, Thanks for watching.
Compur shutters of this time normally have a Bulb mode that is left of the “1 second”…
@1:35 it is unfortunately covered by the flash connector, but it should be there.
But it has something that is even much more valuable - a “selfie” mode, back in the 1950s ;-)
Thanks for the info 👍 😀!
Lovely camera fine review cheers. I just put my first roll of FP4 through my new to me Mess Ikonta. I’ve never shot 6x6 before I was genuinely chuffed to bits with the results from this camera video of the shoot on my channel soon if interested cheers mate
That looks like a type II 531/2 And it looks prewar from the research I’ve done. Thanks
@1:44 I own the same Super Ikonta Type C. Film goes backwards unlike Kodak, Voigtlander and 35mm ones. Fresh film goes on the right side. I hope you were joking.
No, he was not, he is English ;-) They are even driving on the wrong side of the street…
i have the Super Ikonta C 530/2 (1936-37) with Zeiss Jena Tessar 10,5 Cm f 4.5 love tu use it with Fp4 it give very nice photo
This Camera was build in Stuttgart. You can buy on ebay sometimes the original lenshood.
My super ikonta 6x9 has the Zeiss Tessar Jena f4.5. Was it made in DDR?
@@astore3757 No. Ist was the Time befor WW2.
Nice review. Thank you.
nice review . . . . thanks
No, the shutter does not pops up, but the viewfinder does. The British Ensign cameras feature internal baffles to change the taking format. The Ensign cameras from the 1950's also have better anastigmat Xpres lenses, by Ross, better quality than Zeiss Tessars.
As of August 2023, you mean $700 to $900?!!! Also yours has the green flash synchro port. Cameras with Eastern Germany lenses have lower prices. Although some find those more reliable. Yours is made in Western Germany.
I only have a Soviet copy of Moscow 5 :-(
The Mockba 5 is good copy but not built as well. the 5 lens is nice also coated and properly newer. Thanks
@1:47 Oh, you Englishmen driving all your lives on the ”wrong“ side of the road ;-) It is spooling into the other direction, - your left index finger is touching the spooling knob… ;-)