Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520

[Berndt]

Beside the Welta Perle, I posted on a different thread, I also found a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 at a local flea market in the neighborhood. Two german pre-war cameras at a japanese flea market in one day

Her is a picture an some specs. If somebody would have some more information ( year of release, which 520 model, etc. ), I would be happy. I know, here are a few Zeiss experts in this forum


Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 by bokuwanihongasuki, on Flickr

The camera is taking 6x4.5 cm pictures on 120 film.
Compur Rapid Shutter T,B,1-1/500sec, serial number 4158277
Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Nr. 2070644, f=7cm, 1:3,5

Thanks a lot and cheers from Tokyo,

Berndt

[hansz]

Nice catch, Berndt.

Tnx for the numbers, but there should be a body number too... one letter and 5 numbers max.
It can be embossed in the leather, or under the viewfinder when opened.

BTW, your Tessar is from a batch of 1500, early 1937.

Hans

[Berndt]

Hans, thanks for your quick response !!! But ... I can't find any body number. The leather seems to be original, because there are original engravings like "ZEISS IKON", "IKONTA 520" or "Made in Germany - Industria Alemana" but no number I also checked the viewfinder, but nothing there. Any idea, what 520 model that is ? I think, there are many as I checked at Google.

Thanks for your help,

Berndt

[hansz]

Hi Berndt,

It is called a '520', nothing more...

These cameras are known that they don't have always a bodynumber, but there are still 2 places where you can look:
1. Open the back and look on top of the back, about where the viewfinder is while closed.
2. Even more weird: take a look on the INNER side of the leather handle, we know of cameras that have the number hidden here...

The number 520 denotes the 4,5x6cm format on 120 film (16 pics).
The /16 (in 521/16) denotes the 6x6cm format (12 pics), and the /2 (in 520/2) denotes the 6x9cm format (8 pics).

Hans

[Berndt]

1. Open the back and look on top of the back, about where the viewfinder is while closed.

Found it !!! The engraving became a little weak over the time. So, it was easy to miss. The number is D13808.

Thanks for all the information, Hans !!! BTW, it is also possible to date cameras, having just a Zeiss lens ( like the Welta Perle, I also found ) ? I mean, just about ?

[hansz]

Oh yes - that is, the Carl Zeiss lenses, not the lenses bought by Zeiss Ikon from other companies, like Steinheil, Rodenstock etc.

A guy, called Hartmut Thiele has enumerated most lenses. Until 1945 the ranges are well known (with some missing parts). After the WWII up to +- #4500000 the number ranges are mostly reconstructed (in 1972 most production records were scrapped...); after that the production cards has been found.

We - at the Zeiss Historica Society - try to guesstimate the production by tabulating the remains... like yours, so thank you very much, sir!

If time is given to me, a lot of this work will be published on holoceen.nl.

Hans

PS forgot to tell, if the focal distance is measured in cm the lens is pre-1945. Later lenses are in mm. (Some cameras after 1945 are in cm, we think the older workers just could not say goodbye to old habits:-)

[Berndt]

Hans, you are a true expert !!! So, my camera is from early 1937 ? I am looking forward to using it I saw pictures in the internet, taking with this camera, which are fantastic: connealy.blogspot.jp/search/label/Zeiss%20Ikon%20Ikonta%20A%20520 Unbelievable for a 30s camera. And it is so small and compact.

Oh yes - that is, the Carl Zeiss lenses, not the lenses bought by Zeiss Ikon from other companies, like Steinheil, Rodenstock etc.

Wow ... so from when would a Zeiss lens Nr. 2002771, Tessar 1:2.8 f=7,5 cm be ? That's the one on my Welta. It might help, dating the camera then.

We - at the Zeiss Historica Society - try to guesstimate the production by tabulating the remains... like yours, so thank you very much, sir!

What an effort ... another "wow" again. If it is of some help, I can give you the data of my Super Ikonta and Nettar too.

[hansz]

Ok Berndt, here we go:

Your Tessar 2002771 is from a batch of 1000 2,8/7,5cm finished at November 30, 1936.
This particular Tessar was calculated January 18, 1932.
Of course the camera is a bit newer, also 1937.

Actually, within our membership we have people who are quite fanatic on this 520 of yours, - like you said - splendid pics in a very handsome format.

And yes, I'd love to have your other Zeiss Ikon equipment numbers as well!

Hans

P.S. on holoceen.nl I'm also scanning manuals/flyers of other brands (in the Other section)

[Berndt]

Your Tessar 2002771 is from a batch of 1000 2,8/7,5cm finished at November 30, 1936.
This particular Tessar was calculated January 18, 1932.
Of course the camera is a bit newer, also 1937.

That would fit to a japanese advert from 1936, where this particular Welta model is mentioned. It has obviously been offered with different lenses and shutters. Mine seems to be the most expensive one at that time, having a 2.8 lens and a rapid shutter.

Actually, within our membership we have people who are quite fanatic on this 520 of yours, - like you said - splendid pics in a very handsome format.

If some of them have pictures online, I would love to see them.

The big lack of all those folders is the missing range finder, I think. It is so damn hard, guessing the focus on short distances at the shallow DOF of a medium format camera. More miss than hit First I thought, scales in meters are better ( because I am used to meters not feet ), but I actually like feet better meanwhile ... simply because I noticed, that my foot is pretty much exactly one foot ( incl. ) shoes. That makes it easier to simply measure the distance by walking.

And yes, I'd love to have your other Zeiss Ikon equipment numbers as well!

So, here we go:

My Nettar has the serial number C66215, is equipped with a Novar Anastigmat 105 mm 1:3,5 lens and a Prontor-S shutter ( both without number ).

My Super Ikonta 531/2 has the serial number D86671.
Lens: Tessar 1:3,5 F=10,5 cm Nr. 2005858
Shutter: Compur Rapid, Nr. 4155969

Cheers from Tokyo,

Berndt

[hansz]

Berndt,

I published your numbers on the Yahoo ZICG group (Zeiss Ikon Collectors Group).
If you want to meet more Zeiss Ikon addicts, then the ZICG is the place to be!

Which Nettar do you mean? The 515/2, 517/2 or 518/2?

Hans

[julio1fer]

Hansz, I am not much of a collector, but here is the data of my Super-Ikonta 532/16:

Body serial number (?) H3146 (this code it is engraved in the back, on the leatherette, close to a short edge).

Lens: Tessar 8 cm, 2.8, uncoated, # 2297667

Shutter: Compur Rapid, up to 1/400

I had the notion that this camera was made around 1937-38.

[Berndt]

Which Nettar do you mean? The 515/2, 517/2 or 518/2?

Oh sorry, 518/2.


Zeiss Ikon Nettar 518/2 app.1952 by bokuwanihongasuki, on Flickr

If you want to meet more Zeiss Ikon addicts, then the ZICG is the place to be!

Hahaha ... thank you I am not exactly a Zeiss Ikon addict, but a few of those beauties certainly belong to every good camera collection, I think.

[Peltigera]

Hanz, reading this thread, I have finally found the body number on my Nettar 515/2 which I previously told you had no such number - V72884. I still cannot find a lens or shutter serial number - but the shutter is a dial-set Telma shutter and the lens a Nettar 11 cm.

I have also found the body number on my Bob 510 ( a 'grey' import to the UK - no "Made in Germany" as required for legal imports, focus scale in metres, not feet), C28669, shutter Derval number 231415.

Still cannot find a body number on my Nettar 515, though.

[hansz]

I had the notion that this camera was made around 1937-38.

Julio, tnx for the data; your 532/16 is from 1938-39.

Hans

[hansz]

Peltigera,

Tnx for the data.

I had the notion that this camera was made around 1937-38.

There are 515 cameras which lacked body numbers.
Did you look on top of the open backdoor?
And on the inner side of the handle...?

Hans