Zeiss Ikon Ikonta

Subject: Zeiss Ikon Ikonta

 

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I have just picked up a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta foldable 6x6 523/16 (S/N V30717).Its fitted with a Novar-Ansastigmat f4.5:75mm lens with a Prontor-SV shutter. Lens seems to be coated(blue sheen when you look at it). Works fine and the slides are great. Can anyone give me any info on this camera.

 

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Thanks

Paul

Never even seen one, but check out Jim Thomas' excellent homepage "Classic Rollfilm Cameras" at http://www.trailerpark.com/tequila/hanshaw/camera.htm#list4. He has a review of an Ikonta, as well as a number of other classic folding cameras.

You have a Zeiss Ikonta B which was made between 1954-1956. It came with either the Novar in the Prontor shutter or the Opton Tessar in a Synchro-Compur. According to McKeown's it is a fairly uncommon camera, and in good condition could be worth between about $150 - $200!

You, of course, should consult that font of Zeiss arcana, THE ZEISS

COMPENDIUM by Barringer and <> Small, published by Hove in '95

and available through your village camera store (tell them to order

through Silver Pixel Press/Saunders).

 

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The blue cast on the lens may or may not be coating, though some of the

Novar lenses on the later Ikontas were coated. The Novar is a Zeiss

Ikon, and not a Zeiss, name: it represents a lens made on contract by an

outside company. Before World War II, Steinheil and Voigtlander were

the largest suppliers while, after the War, Hensoldt, a Zeiss subsidiary,

gradually became the main source for Novar lenses. The Novar lenses

are three-element lenses of adequate, though not sterling, performance.

 

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Marc