Excellent! 1936 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 6x9, Tessar lens, CLA'd, Freshly Serviced!

This is a freshly serviced 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 (G76229) indicates that it was produced in Germany in 1936. 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. (Mask not included.)

This 85 year old camera is in exceptionally fine condition. It has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The quality Compur shutter works smoothly, all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/250^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 viewfinders on these cameras tend to get hazy with time, so we’ve disassembled it and removed the tarnished silver coating. The result is a crystal clear optical viewfinder that’s easy to use.  

The lens is Carl Zeiss f4.5/10,5 cm (105mm) Tessar. The Tessar is a superb design with four elements in three groups. This lens is in exceptionally fine condition. There are no scratches or cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and B&W films.

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 classic camera with you.

Here are some examples of what you can expect from this camera. (These photos were produced by some of our clients with 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