monika_kluza Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 hi, i really hope you can help me!! usually i work with my sq-a bronica, but i'd like to get one "snap shot" mf camera which i can take with me just everywhere. now i have the chance to get a zeiss ikon nettar with a noval anastigmat lens...does anybody has any expeiences with that kind of camera? please tell me!! bye, monika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 There is at least one site devoted to these old Zeiss folders.I have the Nettar 515 that shoots a 6 x 4.5 format with two ruby windows. Lens is a Nettar Anastigmat f/4.5 75mm, with a Kilo shutter, T, B, 1 second to 1/175th. There are endless variations of these camera, with endless combinations of lens, shutters, and formats, and I never could find my EXACT model listed anywhere. Mine was first sold in Eugene, Oregon, and the dealer's decal is still on it. As nearly as I can determine, it is a 1935 model, give or take, and the lens is uncoated. If you are going to get one from this era, be sureto check it over thoroughly, especially the bellows, the slow shutter speeds, and the delay timer. I'd run a roll through it, also. Only a few of these various models are worth much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 From what I've been able to find, that should be a NOVAR Anastigmat f/6.3 lens, which was a low end lens even for that era. The rarer models seem to go for around $100 plus in top condition, and the low end ones from 10 to 25 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 Well, you did me a favor. In searching for info, I ran into my EXACT model listed for $45.00. All these cameras were introduced in '34 as budget model folders, and there really is a "TON" of them. Mine is a 515, and many models have hyphenated numbers like 515-2 or 515-16, and each is a different model. See if you can find such a number on yours, then do a Google.com search.. Happy hunting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 One final point: be sure to open up the shutter on T or Band look through the lens at wide open (f/6.3) to see if it'sclear, then close down the f/stop to see if it holds a circle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_chong Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 here's a chart of zeiss folders: http://www.wctatel.net/web/crye/z-i120.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akgraham Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 I get good use out of my Zeiss Super Ikonta (which is similar); it still works well. It is very portable. Great for snap shots, especially of people. Children and adults alike WILL look at the camera when they hear that bellows click out! Check the shutter works at all speeds, starting with fastest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvin_chao Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 In a nut shell - go for it. I too have a SQ-A, 50/80/150, speed grip, prism, a few backs, close-up lenses, light meter, and so on, blah, blah blah. Looking to pick-up a Polaroid back and teleconverter ... maybe some extension tubes. Love to work with it but it goes almost nowhere. Too big and bulky. I too was looking for a go everywhere "snap shot" roll film camera and have acquired two Nettars. One is a 517/16 and the other 517/2. The model number should be embossed on the leather on the back of the camera. Both from approx. 1950's. The /16 shoots 6x6 and the /2 shoots 6x9. No issues with film flatness experienced. The Novar lens is a triplet and is coated. It doesn't have the same clout as a Tessar but it doesn't command the same price either. Having used the Novar lens I find that is a good performer ... probably better than some people will give it credit for. Like any lens it is sharpest stopped down and is best if used with a lens hood (a B+W or Minox press fit 32mm seems to work). I have run Astia and NPH through the Nettars with good results. The scale/guesstimate focus was pretty easy to use. I have had success with subjects from as close as three feet. No real need for a rangefinder mechanism. My impression of rangefinders of a similar era are that they are not easy to use and may not be accurate anyhow. These folders of coarse have leaf shutters. Flash sync is like the Bronica in that it will flash sync at any speed. As advised already, check the bellows for pinholes (usually at the corners). The Nettars are as well made as the Ikonta's. It is only that the Nettars were fitted with "lesser" lens and shutter assemblies. Great fun to use. Sure there are "better" cameras out there than these old folders but for the price and the fact they will go everywhere all the time - you can't beat them. Oh yeah, when using an old folder it's true - the camera will make people smile. No prompting needed on your part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William D. Lester Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 I recently picked up a Nettar 518/16. Other than a shutter that sticks once in a while, I love it. Because of the larger negative, I feel it gives me a better result than my small Contax T2. Obviously, it won't replace my Hasselblad or Linhof systems either, but they won't fit in my pocket like this thing does. William D. Lester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 <img src="http://www.photo.net/photodb/image-display?photo_id=906067&size=lg"> I agree with all of the above. I have had a few of these previously, and currently have a 518/16 model which has a double exposure prevention lock (which can be by-passed by using the cable release port on the shutter housing...not the one on the shutter button on top). They are excellent and sharp when stopped down to about f/8 or more. I the attached photo was taken with a Nettar stopped down. On the original print, each cactus needle is very sharply defined. This photo would have been nicer in color, which I have not tried with the Nettar, but you get the idea. I am poor at guessing distances so I use a rangefinder (which, I agree, is not always accurate...I usually adjust them to be accurate for the close distances). Very good camera. You need a case if you want to use a neck strap. There are no strap lugs on the camera itself. eBay has these all the time...search under Nettar. The 517 and 518 are the later models. They even made a beautiful, and pricy, unit with a Zeiss Tessar lens. Just be sure the shutter works and there are no bellows light leaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monika_kluza Posted August 23, 2002 Author Share Posted August 23, 2002 hello everybody, thank you for the picture todd, it really gives me an idea of the sharpness quality. well, i'm proud to say ;o) that i just got a 6x6 zeiss ikon nettar anastigmat at ebay. f.1:4,5, 75mm and in a very good condition - let's hope... i'm sure there will come up a lot's of questions - be ready! bye, monika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patric_dahl_n Posted August 24, 2002 Share Posted August 24, 2002 I've owned two Nettars. One with a Novar 4,5/105 (coated)and the other one with a Tessar 4,5/105 (uncoated). The Novar lens wasn't made by Zeiss, but a nice lens if stopped down to 11-16. The Tessar was sharper in the corners, but I guess I had a bad example because sharpness didn't improve visibly by stopping down. It was very soft. I can't comment on the Nettar lens, but since it's a three element design like the Novar, I think it performs just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_harrison Posted August 25, 2002 Share Posted August 25, 2002 What I think about it is that it's an OLD camera, Monika. Don't understand why you would shoot snapshots on rollfilm: it's quality overkill. Carry a compact digital (I find a Coolpix 5000 perfect for this) or if you prefer film, something like a Ricoh GR1S/V or, if MF is essential, a Mamiya 6. Zeiss Nettars are charming antiques - mine was bought s/h for ten pounds in 1947, by my dad - but carrying one to use in earnest doesn't make sense. Many years ago I tested the Nettar (a 6x9 folder with 105 Novar) for maximum quality, on a tripod, shooting Pan-F at f16, and the 15x10 prints were sort of acceptable but in comparison with anything from a modern MF camera they were, unsurprisingly, crap! I think you'll be disappointed by the image quality (not to mention handling) compared with your Bronica or any other modern camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_bundick Posted August 25, 2002 Share Posted August 25, 2002 Someone in my office has one. Go for it! It will beat the pants off any P&S digital as far as quality goes, and you won't have problems with dead batteries. It will slip in your pocket and is just fun to use. I have used other folding camers and from that experience I think you would enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin carron Posted August 27, 2002 Share Posted August 27, 2002 Monika, I have a pre-war ZI Ikonta 6x4.5 (16 on 120) camera with a 75mm f3.5 Novar lens. The camera works very well and folds up to about the size of a modern compact. It is more rigid than the nettar and you can get versions with a better quality lens. For use I would look for one with the coated (post war) Tessar lens. The Ikonta was similar to the Super-Ikonta but without the rangefinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry_williams Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 Mine is a 518/16 does real fine, I dont have to wait for all the electronic gizmos to fire up like the modern cameras, and I dont have to prat about with it, just whip it out and "click" job done. Far better than them DIGITAL things ( yes I have 2 canon and fuji ) in fact I consider Digital a step backward in photography its a lazy way of using your brain and abilities, any fool can snap a digital but it takes professionalism, abilities and experience to use a REAL camera.GO for it buy the Nettar and any other oldies you see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artoartarrt Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Yeah, I agree with Anthony. You never want TOO much quality in the things you use; so to avoid that happening to you, be SURE to invest in the latest digital toy. If its quality is too low for you, just wait two years - it will be obsolete; or many be your computer will be, or maybe USB will be. The Zeiss will only work, with CLA, for another 50 years or so. Darn film! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanyahnke Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 <p>I have a 1937 Zeiss Ikon 515/16 that I enjoy very much. Here is a link to some photos I shot with it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/21981741@N02/sets/72157617108205020/</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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