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Ikonta C image as sharp as Minolta Autocord?


paul_rogers1

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I've been pleased as punch with my Minolta Autocord but would like

an even bigger negative and wide aspect ratio.

 

Will a post-war Zeiss Ikon Ikonta C deliver the same edge to edge

sharpness I'm seeing with the Minolta: i.e., how does the lens

compare, and how is the Ikonta's film handling?

 

Assuming the Ikonta offers the image quality I'm looking for, what

specials issues should I look out for when buying one?

 

Thanks!

 

Paul

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The Autocord is actually somewhat reknowned among TLRs for good film handling. Even with a perfectly-aligned Ikonta C, which is a difficult thing to come by, film flatness won't be as good as with the Minolta. In terms of overall useability, the Autocord is simply in a different league than the Ikonta. If you want a really practical 6x9 rangefinder, you'd probably do well to look at one of the fixed-lens fuji models.
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I owned a Mess-Ikonta with Tessar 105mm for some time but sold it as the negatives were soft in the corners and center-sharpness were not up to my standards. If the Autocord is in the same league as a Rolleiflex with Tessar/Xenaer it should ouperform the Ikonta regardles of difference in format.

 

Stefan

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Thanks for the input! I'll stay away from the Ikonta and look for a Fuji 690. Too bad the Fuji commands 2x to 4x the price of an Ikonta. The Autocord seems to be in a class of its own with respect to minimum $$ for maximum image quality.

 

Regards,

 

Paul

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Paul,

You need to try old folders before you make a judgement. I think Moskva-5 can be a good choice. I have both Minolta autocord and Rollei 3.5E. In terms of sharpness, my Moskva-5 comes up on top. I also found a good use for my Rollei 3.5E that delivers soft, creamy, and glowing images. Sometimes, I don't need a sharp image and really like undoctored images having the quality of oil painting.

 

Richard

 

Richard

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I've never had "problems" with my 6x9 Super Ikonta C 0f 1934 as well as my 6x9 Super Ikonta C MX from 1955. Both in mint condition with excellent+ pictures.Both have the 6x4.5 masks and the MX with an unfilled registration card.

 

Sometimes, they go bad due to mistreatment by a previous owner. At one time, years ago, I had a Super Ikonta A MX but, the pictures were half out of focus due to a bad front standard. It was fixed, and I sold it to a photographer friend of mine that use to "bug" me wanting the 6x4.5 format.

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