Super Ikonta with extra hole in the back

[pete_ramaglia]

I was hoping someone could explain something to me. I recently

purchased a Zeiss Super Ikonta 530-16 (Super-Six)which appears to

date back to 1936. The camera is in decent condition and everything

works, but it has an additional film window on the back of the

camera. It looks like it was done by a camera repair person because

it was done very neatly. They even added a nice red lens over the

hole. My question is: Has anyone ever come across a camera where

someone added another film window? Was it to use modern films fo the

numbers lined up correctly? Since 530-16's have an exposure counting

dial why would someone do this? And how much does it de-value the

camera?

Pics can be seen at http://www.ramaglia.com/camera

[stephen hazelton]

If it's a camera that doesn't normally use red-window advance, I'd guess they were using a mask in there for a smaller format (6x6 on a 6x9 camera, or 6x4.5 on a 6x6 camera). See if the window location matches the film numbers for the proper format size- if not, that's the solution.

[pete_ramaglia]

Thanks for the reply Steve. This camera is a 6x6 and when I loaded a roll of 120 film in it the #1 lined up with the "NEW" window. I didn't see any numbers in the original window? Or perhaps I didn't advance the film far enough to find out?

[m_elek]

The Super Ikonta B (530/16) gave 11 shots on 120. This camera was modified so the user could get 12 shots on 120.

 

I would guess that the user was told to not use the camera's frame counter and autoframing mechanism and to simply line up each shot with the frame number appearing in the new window.

 

It looks well done, although it degrades the value of the camera. Any type of modification, which also includes adding flash synchronization, degrades the value of a camera unless it was modified by the camera maker.

 

On the other hand, you'll get accurate framing as well as an extra shot.

 

It has nothing to do with modern film. By the way, I don't understand the (Super-Six) in your first post.

[m_elek]

I'm going to change that to "In general, any modification by a third party degrades the value of a camera."

 

There probably are instances where third-party modifications increase the value, but those are the exception and not the rule.

[peter_ramaglia]

Mike,

In response to your mention of what "Super-Six" refers to.

The drop down front bed of the camera has the name "Super-Six" embossed in the leather. According to Pacific Rim camera this model designation was for sale in Europe only.

[john_carr4]

I received my 530 from my uncle's estate, when he passed away. He got this camera from his brother who won it in a poker game in France, when he was a soldier, during W.W.II.

I brought the camera to a camera store, to have it explained to me. A fellow customer saw it and said that it was probably taken off a German soldier, which I later found out was the case, because they were only sold in Europe, pre war.

When looking at the rear of the camera, you should use the left window, I was told. The other window was for a different format.