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Post by lulalake on Aug 29, 2005 16:45:14 GMT -5
Looking at this series of cameras, the Super Ikontas came in three formats: A (4.5x6), B (6x6) and C (6x9),which model would be the most desirable? I know that they were produced from the mid 30's to the late 50's. I've been using a Mamiya C330f for medium format but really like the idea of a folding camera that would be easier to carry in a camera bag. I also used/use the Mamiya c330s for 6x6 however a good folder is great to take around. I was looking for a Zeiss Ikon but a great deal came up on a Franca Solida III 6x6 and I got it for $40. It's not a "great" camera but it aint bad at all. Check out the "Shooting Infrared with Folders" article in the technique section. The full color one was shot with the Franka on Provia 100F. If you like the 6x6 format, no matter what you get I'd go for that format. I think one of the Ikons has a 6x6 mask although I don't remember for sure. The thing is, the less popular cameras, the Ansco, Franka etc are so inexpensive it might be worth your while to get one and experiment a bit with a folder. I went hiking in the Smokeys for the shot I mentioned with a folder and it was GREAT. (actually I took two, the Franka 6x6 and a Balda Pontura 6x9). I can't imagine lugging my Mamiya around for a trip like that. Cheers Jules
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Post by lulalake on Sept 1, 2005 15:09:09 GMT -5
This is the kind of input I was looking for, I really appreciate it. The Zeiss cameras are pricey, and not being familiar with those cameras you mentioned, I wasn't sure where else to look. I will start looking into them now. Oh Mike, you are either going to hate me or love me for this (hold on to your wallet) and go to eBay: Search "folding camera" (singular not plural) Look in the 30-100 dollar range, drool drool. Cheers Jules
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Post by doubs43 on Sept 7, 2005 0:43:39 GMT -5
Looking at this series of cameras, the Super Ikontas came in three formats: A (4.5x6), B (6x6) and C (6x9),which model would be the most desirable? I know that they were produced from the mid 30's to the late 50's. I've been using a Mamiya C330f for medium format but really like the idea of a folding camera that would be easier to carry in a camera bag. Mike, the "B" is likely the most common with the "C" next and finally the "A". Prices vary but a well preserved "A" will bring some impressive prices. The post-war "B" will also command a high price. Not many people really like the "C" because of the 6x9 format which just isn't as popular as the 6x6. I have a couple of pre-war Super Ikonta "B" models and a Super Ikomat which is the early "C". They are all nice cameras and quite capable if you get one in good operational condition. Following WW2, the Soviets took the Zeiss equipment back to Russia and duplicated the Super Ikonta "C" as the Moskva. The Moskva 1, 2 & 4 were essentially the "C" in 6x9 with the 4 being dual format capable using a mask for 6x6. The Moskva 5 had an improved body and rangefinder and lens/shutter assembly. The model 3 was for plates and sheet film. While quality isn't up to Zeiss standards, the Russians did a pretty nice job and a Moskva in good condition will take excellent images. I'm going to try to attach a link to a picture I took with my Moskva 4. Walker www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4429&cat=3660&page=1
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Sept 7, 2005 6:11:45 GMT -5
Hi, Sorry to put in a correction, but the Russians didn't take the tooling for the Super Ikonta as part of war reparations. They took the tooling for the Contax to produce the Kiev but the factory where Super Ikontas were made was the old Contessa Nettel factory in Stuttgart. The Russians never got that far west.
Peter
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Post by herron on Sept 9, 2005 0:05:19 GMT -5
The Mamiya TLRs were great cameras, but you are certainly to be excused for not wanting to lug them around. They are HEAVY. I have a couple of Zeiss folders, and they are really neat to travel with. I also have one of the early Mamiya-6 folders which, given my penchant for things Mamiya, gets packed in my camera bag a lot. I like the 6x6 format of it (and also of the Ikonta A and B) -- so the Ikonta's come out frequently, too, and the Ikonta's Tessar lens is really sweet.
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Post by heath on Oct 5, 2005 1:58:19 GMT -5
I have 2 folding rangefinders. One is the Moskva-2 as mentioned above. This is, in my oppinion, a very nice camera. I like the 6x9 format, especially for landscapes.
The other is an Ensign Commando. This is a dual format (6x4.5 and 6x6) using folding masks across the film gate. It also uses film plane focusing rather than front element focusing.
Heath
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 6, 2005 9:16:18 GMT -5
I had a chance to handle a really clean Super Ikonta (not sure of the model--it had a meter) and was really impressed with the viewfinder. I really really really want one of those but really, really can't afford it right now.
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melek
Senior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by melek on Oct 8, 2005 2:11:56 GMT -5
There are some (but not many) affordable Super Ikontas. The Mess Ikonta 524/16 has an uncoupled rangefinder and is the 120-roll film sibling of the folding Contina II -- both operate nearly identically, and both have very good coated Tessar lenses. The later Super Ikonta III and IV are very overpriced, as they have the same lens as the Mess Ikonta, which often sells for about $200 less. One of my favorites is a very old Super Ikonta C and a plain jane Ikonta C. Both have always impressed me with their super sharp uncoated Tessars, although the edge goes to the camera with the rangefinder. Both cameras can accept a mask in the film chamber that allows 16 6x4.5 photos. My short write-up on the Super Ikonta C. host.fptoday.com/melek/zeiss/sikonta530-2.htmlPlus a recent shot from the Super Ikonta C: pages.prodigy.net/mm-elek/cameras/9thstreetbridge_800.jpgAnd my long-in-the-tooth pages on my Ikonta C that shows the very impressive resolving power of the Tessar: pages.prodigy.net/mm-elek/Ikonta120.htmpages.prodigy.net/mm-elek/cameras/jinshanling800.jpgI paid $50 for the Ikonta and I think $175 for the Super Ikonta, which required a major overhaul. The lenses on both were very dirty but unmarked.
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 8, 2005 22:51:23 GMT -5
Hi Peter, According to my reference ("THE AUTHENTIC GUIDE TO RUSSIAN AND SOVIET CAMERAS" by Jean Loup Princelle, 2nd Edition, page 184, the Moskva I cameras were produced by ZKM using Zeiss tooling from parts originally created for the NETTAR or IKONTA. The Moskva II cameras were made with Zeiss tooling from parts originally created for the SUPER IKONTA 6x9 (530/15). On page 122, it's stated that "The first cameras produced are 'Moskva-1', actually Zeiss Ikon Nettar and Ikontas assembled in Krasnogorsk." The production was aided greatly by the German engineers sent to the USSR for that very purpose. The Russians may not have gotten as far West as Stuttgart but it appears that they reached places that had the tooling and parts to produce the Ikontas. Best Regards, Walker Hi, Sorry to put in a correction, but the Russians didn't take the tooling for the Super Ikonta as part of war reparations. They took the tooling for the Contax to produce the Kiev but the factory where Super Ikontas were made was the old Contessa Nettel factory in Stuttgart. The Russians never got that far west. Peter
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