Zeiss Super Ikontas

[jennyandernie]

A couple of questions about two of our Zeiss Super Ikontas.

First, anyone know why Zeiss designed the Super Ikonta B 532/16 to only take 11 frames on a 120 film ?

Second, our Super Ikonta A 530 has the little red window on the top of the back. The camera is a 6x4.5 format and takes 16 frames to a 120 film and as the film winds on the window is placed such that the film numbers shown are those for a 6x9 format of 8 frames per film. Consequently we have to guess the film position; this is not too bad as 4 full turns after loading puts the first frame in position and one full turn of the rewind knob advances to the next frames. However you have to try and remember how many frames you have shot. Anyone any ideas on overcoming this little problem ?

[jennyandernie]

Actually I think I have figured it out. There are two windows to show the film numbers. You wind on until the Arrow appears in the right hand window; that is ready for frame 1. For the next frame wind on until the number 1 appears in the left hand window. For the third frame wind on until the number 1 appears in the right hand window. For the fourth frame wind on until the number 2 appears in the left hand window. And so on using alternative windows.

A bit confusing I know and if there is a better way I would be very grateful to hear it.

[PeterW]

Hi Jenny,

The usual arrangement where you have two windows for 16 on 120 (or 127 for that matter) is to wind until No. 1 appears in the first window for exposure 1, then No. 1 in the second window for exposure 2, No 2 in the first window for exposure 3, number 2 in the second window for exposure 4 and so on alternating 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc till you get to 8-8 which is frames 15 and 16. Confusing at first, but logical enough when you get used to it.

Many makers of roll fim cameras in the 1930s used this system when they went to smaller size negs because the backing papers of roll films had only numbers 1 to 8 (and later also 1 to 12) on them, not 1 to 16.

The arrow at each end of a full-width line usually appears on the backing paper before the film is reached and was used as an indication to line up with a mark inside the camera, stop winding and close the back when loading on cameras where there were no windows in the back, but exposure counting on an external dial with an automatic stop before the next exposure. You then wound till No 1 appeared on the dial counter (an automatic stop on some cameras).

You may not get a full first exposure if you start with the arrow in the first window. The longitudinal arrow before some dots and then the number is just an indication to go slowly.

Just out of interest I have tried in the past to find out why Zeiss Ikon made the early 6x6 Super Ikontas to take 11 instead of 12 frames but haven't found a reasonable explanation yet. When these cameras the 531/16 and 532/16 first appeared, a lot of people were confused because they expected the /16 in the designation to mean 16 frames, but it's the Zeiss Ikon code for the frame size - in this case 16 = 6x6cm, but I'm sure you already know that.

If you want a full list of the Z-I frame size codes its on my website www.peterwallage.com if you go to Camera chit-chat and click on Zeiss Ikon numbers.

Continue having fun,

Peter W.

[jennyandernie]

Thanks Peter that is what I think I figured out. Why I said wind on for the first frame until the arrow appears in the right hand window was because I practiced with the camera back open and a used film backing and when the arrow was in that position the first frame appeared to be over the bellows. However you are more likely to right than me so I will go with your solution.

Ernie