1st Model Ikoflex with lever focus adjuster

[robweatherburn]

I have recently acquired one of the first lever-adjusting Zeiss

Ikoflex cameras, with a Tessar 3.8 - 7.5cm lens. Shutter speeds to

1/300th. The camera is in first class condition.

 

My question: can I reasonably apply the usual f16 exposure rule to

this 7.5cm lens? - or should I allow, perhaps, anoother stop - to

f11? That is, say 1/300th at f16 for front lit sunny subjects using

a 400ASA film? Shutter speeds here drop from 1/300th to 1/100th,

1/50th &c.

 

I notice there is a red dot between the f8 and f11 settings, and I

assume that this is the optimum aperture for this lens?

 

Many thanks for any comments and advice...

 

Rob Weatherburn

[User_1172872]

Look for another red dot on the focus scale. The two red dots indicate the hyperfocal distance for that aperture. No reason the f16 wouldn't apply. But at 1/250 the appropriate aperture would be f/22. The difference between 1/250 and 1/300 is less than 1/3 of a stop and who knows how accurate the shutter is today?

[robweatherburn]

Thanks Canon user - had missed that red dot on the focus scale. I'll run a few films through and see how the exposures work out. You're right - who knows how the shutter speeds after about 70 years?

 

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.

 

Rob

[stephen_haynes]

According to some Zeiss Ikon leaflets that I have (for Nettars and

Ikontas rather than Ikoflexes), the red dots indicate 'snapshot'

settings for use in average conditions with a shutter speed of

1/25. Unfortunately, they don't say what film speeds they have in

mind, but presumably on the slow side by modern standards.

 

I have what I think is the 1939 version of the Ikoflex I, with

uncoated 75/3.5 Novar. Picture quality is pleasantly soft, in terms

of both resolution and contrast, giving a nice 'period' quality. Your

Tessar should be sharper.

[william_klun1]

I have the model you are talking about, I paid less than $10 for it. After a quick CLA, I went out and shot a roll through it and my Rollei Automat of the same vintage for comparison. I must say I was quite impressed with the sharpness of the images. I was difficult to tell the difference between them even at high magnification. The biggest drawback to the Ikoflex is the lack of double exposure control. I think you will be very happy with your purchase!

[robweatherburn]

Hi Stephen/William - many thanks for your help. I bought this one for GBP5 - with a leather case - and the camera is in brilliant cosmetic shape. Both viewing and taking lenses look unmarked - the leather case needs some stitching - that's all.

 

That info about the red dots and 'snapshot' setting is useful. On a side flange of the viewfinder of my camera there is a scale of exposures in German - given for 18Din - 60ASA? If I figure it correctly, a 'Strasse eng' setting in sunshine reads 1.50th at f8 - 'weite Platz' at f11 - so the red dot would be the average I guess. The snapshot outdoor setting. Open landscape 1/300th at f5.6 - given we're using 60ASA film, so I think this pretty well falls in with the sunny f16 rule. Have to fish out my old Weston V and compare.

 

Thanks again - I'll give it a go. This camera is a little smaller than a Rolleicord I once had - or as I remember it.

 

Rob

[stephen_haynes]

You got it for a fiver? I paid 15 for mine and thought that was a bargain.

 

Now that I'm at home, I can give you chapter and verse. The instructions for

the Nettar 515/2 (a 6 x 9 model) say:

 

'The two dot system on aperture scale and distance ring makes camera ready

for snapshots within a depth of focus ranging from about 12 feet to infinity; set

shutter at 1/25 second.'

 

The Focal Press Guide to the Ikonta and Super Ikonta (1952) gives similar

information, but without mentioning the shutter speed. So, yes: the red dot

stands for the hyperfocal distance.

 

My folding cameras by Zeiss, Agfa and Ross Ensign all have the red dots, but

I've not seen it on TLRs except for the Ikoflex.

 

Have fun!

[robweatherburn]

Stephen - thanks for the additional info. I still wonder about the shutter speed - but wonder if it is the reciprocal of the film speed - ASA? Looks pretty much like it - and will try a film with the red dot method.

 

I have a load of Ilford XP2 - so probably on the upper limit for the camera - with top shutter speed of 1/300th - to cope in bright sun. Smallest f stop f22.

 

And yes - I'll have some fun trying...

 

Thanks again

 

Rob