Zeiss Ikon Ikotron S3

Well, I asked the same question on other forum and even to the Zeiss-Ikon

archive with no answer yet, maybe I'm asking nonsense ... whatever, if there?s

people who can understand what and why I?m asking this, is on this forum.

 

A friend of mine, knowing my interest in photography and old stuff gave me a

lot of things that belong's to her father, who died two years ago.

 

One of the things he gave me is a Zeiss Ikon Ikotron S3 flash unit. I tested

and worked OK but since the user's guide is missing, I don't know what is it's

number guide to use it properly.

 

I asked to another friend who collects and sells old cameras and other photo

stuff and even if he didn't knows what's the number guide of this particular

flash, he said to me that is a very good one and that I should use it.

 

Can you help me?

 

Thanks!

PS: I'm asking this here because I plan to use it with my Rolleiflex and my Yashica. Also, because I noticed that in this formum people have a particular sensivity and respect with old stuff. Probably, in other places the answer will be "Put it in the trash" :-)

 

PS2: Another photo.

The guide number stated in the user's manual is just an approximation, anyway. I wouldn't trust it too much. You'd be better off using a handheld flashmeter and measuring the light output yourself.

Juan, that dial will tell you the GN and do GN calculations for you too.

 

Vlad, we don't all have flashmeters. Those of us who don't and who want to estimate a flash's GN just take some test shots with reversal film.

 

Given manufacturers' (but not, in my experience, Minolta) habit of exaggerating flashes' guide numbers, the best policy is to test every flash on arrival.

Thanks Vlad and Dan.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a flashmeter. Also, the central part of the dial is also missing (damn!), that's why I'm asking the Guide Number, to do my own table.

 

I received today an e-mail from the Zeiss archive telling me that they don't have that data. :-(

 

I'm wondering if I can measure the light output with my old Gossen Luna-Pro could be useful ...

Or maybe I should give up with this matter.

 

Thanks anyway!

No, you shouldn't give up. :-)<br>

If you don't have a flashmeter, maybe you could borrow one from a friend, or rent one. You don't need to buy one and use it on a regular basis, you just need it once, to determine the guide number.<br>

Another option would be to load an ASA 100 slide film, put the camera on a tripod, put a doll or something at a certain distance away from the camera and shoot at several apertures, in half stops increments. See what aperture gave you the perfect exposure, then base your calculations on that. For example, if you get a perfect exposure at f/11 and the subject was 3 meters away, then your guide number is 33.<br>

That a good a idea Vlad! I will do this tonight.

 

Thanks a lot guys!!