Superb! 1955 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, Synchro-Compur & Coated Tessar, CLA’d, Freshly Serviced!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use

Nikon not included

 Imagine for a moment that you could one own only two cameras, one classic 35mm camera and one classic 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’s easy because your favorite 35mm camera, be it Nikon, Canon, 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 classic 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 which is small enough to always have with me. Considerably smaller than even most 35mm cameras, it fits easily into a jacket pocket, yet it folds out to take 16 beautiful 6x4.5 exposures on a 120 roll film. Each exposure alive with all the 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. 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.

This is the final post-war version of the Super Ikonta A which is considered by many collectors to be Zeiss-Ikon’s very best 6x4.5 camera.  This model 531 was produced in Stuttgart Germany in circa 1955. It is equipped with the desirable coated Zeiss Tessar lens and the top of the line Synchro-Compur shutter. And of course it has a built in coupled rangefinder that never leaves you guessing about the distance or the focus.

This camera has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. Everything works. The coupled rangefinder image is easy to see and works well. The top of the line Synchro-Compur shutter works smoothly and all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/500^th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the fast speeds are clean and snappy. This camera works with a normal electronic flash. The flash will fire correctly at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course very convenient for flash fill.) The coupled rangefinder has also been cleaned and it’s clear, bright and accurate. The bellows are supple and light tight. The viewfinder is exceptionally clear. The coated Zeiss Tessar lens is exceptionally clean. There are no scratches, no cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing very lovely photos with modern color and B&W films.

All in all an exceptionally fine 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 medium format camera with you...

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