Zeiss-Ikon
1949 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta with “T” coated Tessar lens. CLA’d, Freshly Serviced!
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!
Imagine for a moment that you could one own only two cameras, one 35mm camera and one medium format. I imagine the 35mm camera would be a relatively easy choice, since you undoubtedly have one you use more than any other. It it’s easy because your favorite 35mm camera, be it Nikon, Cannon, Leica or even a humble Pentax Spotmatic, gives you distinctive lens qualities you like combined with a body that lets you work easily, quickly and instinctively.
A medium format camera on the other hand might pose a more difficult choice. The choices are varied and generally the cameras are large and heavy but the extra effort rewards you with an incredible leap in picture quality. While others might debate the pros and cons of many fine cameras, the choice for me is simple. I like simple things. I want a camera that doesn’t fight me for artistic control. I don’t need an automated camera that second guesses my intentions and then gets it wrong. I also believe that the best camera is the one I have with me. There’s no point in owning the latest Hasselblad if it’s at home...
So, if I could only have one classic medium format camera, then this would probably be it, the Zeiss-Ikon Super Ikonta A. It’s considerably smaller than a 35mm SLR yet it folds out to take 16 beautiful 6x4.5 exposures on a 120 roll film. Each exposure alive with all the vivid details, the rich tonal gradations, the lovely colors, that only medium format can provide. When it comes to photography bigger is better and this camera will produce a negative that’s more than three times larger than the average 35mm snapshot. It’s a negative that will provide smooth fine grained, high detail prints and lovely enlargements.
This is a quality German camera. It has a built in coupled rangefinder that never leaves you guessing about the distance or the focus. These cameras are true classics, and are popular with photographers as well as collectors because of their outstanding quality. If you haven’t tried one I recommend you do so, I think you’ll be pleased.
It comes complete with a used original brown leather case and leather shoulder strap.
The camera, serial number P76923, indicates it was produced in Stuttgart Germany in late 1949 / early 1950. As you can see, it’s in excellent condition. Additionally it’s been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted and it’s ready for immediate use. The bellows are supple and light tight. The rangefinder has also been serviced.
The synchronized Compur-Rapid shutter works well and all the speeds from 1 sec to 1/500th are appropriate. This shutter is flash synched and it has been tested and adjusted. It will fire with a normal electronic flash at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course convenient for fill flash.)
The T coated 3.5/75mm Zeiss-Option Tessar, a legendary four element lens, is clean and clear. There are no scratches, just some light cleaning wisps and it’s capable of producing lovely photos on modern color and b&w films.
All in all a fine collectable 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 that you had a classic camera with you...
