Near Mint! 1938 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 6x9 (and 6x4,5), Tessar lens. CLA’d, Freshly Serviced!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

This is a freshly serviced top-of-the-line 6x9 Super Ikonta. It features a built in coupled rangefinder that makes focusing quick and easy. It produces beautiful photos on normal 120 roll film with all the details and lovely colors that only medium format can provide. When it comes to photography, bigger is better and with this camera you can create a negative that’s about 6 times larger than the average 35mm snap shot. So whether you’re interested in large prints, fine grain, rich tonal gradations or lovely colors, this camera will do all of that and may just become your favorite photographic companion.

The serial number of the camera (G82855) indicates that it was produced in Germany in 1938. Everything about it exudes quality and it was one of the finest cameras of its time. This 531/2 model features an exposure interlock housed in a chromed cover located under the film advance knob and a more elaborate shutter release linkage below the shutter compared to earlier versions. Overall, the camera sports the expensive professional look of the period which favored a black Moroccan leather with contrasting chrome accents. In the 1930’s chrome was considered a luxury item and was used to appeal to the affluent buyers of the period. 

 Additionally this camera is also capable of producing 6x4.5 negatives if you have a suitable reduction mask in your collection. These masks are normally difficult to acquire however this camera has its original mask and it is included.

This 85 year old camera is in exceptionally fine condition. It has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The Compur-Rapid shutter was the best shutter of its era and available to Super Ikonta buyers as an optional extra. The shutter works smoothly, all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/400^th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the faster ones are clean and snappy. The fine Moroccan leather covering is lovely. The Zeiss-Ikon logo on the rear is clean and clear. The bellows are soft, supple and completely light tight.

The coupled rangefinder array has also been cleaned and it’s clean, accurate and easy to use. The Albada bight-line viewfinder on this camera is all original. (As usual it’s a bit hazy, which is normal for a classic Super Ikonta however if you prefer, we can disassemble the finder, remove the silver coating and convert it into a clear optical viewfinder at no additional charge.)

The lens is a top-of-the-line  f3.5/10,5 cm (105mm) Zeiss Tessar. This lens in combination with a Compur-Rapid shutter made this camera the most expensive Super Ikonta available from Zeiss-Ikon in 1938. The lens is in exceptionally fine condition. It’s clean and clear. There are no scratches, just a few light cleaning wisps and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and B&W films.

It's ready to use and comes complete with an original brown leather case and reduction mask.

All in all, a wonderful classic camera. Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing you had a 6x9 camera with you.

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Here are some examples of what you can expect from this camera. (These photos were produced by some of our clients with Super Ikonta cameras acquired from us.)

https://www.petrakla.com/pages/1934-super-ikonta-c

https://www.petrakla.com/pages/1934-zeiss-ikon-super-ikonta-c-another