Hi, I am interested in getting a used 6x9 camera if I can get one that's fairly convenient, durable and reasonable. Someone is offering a Zeiss Ikonta C (521/2, from 1950s) with a 105/3.5 Tessar lens with Compur Rapid shutter, nice condition, just overhauled. They'd like to get $275 for it. It's a fairly rare model. Since I'm just beginning to research this I think I'm going to hold out for a slightly later one (with in-camera rangefinder and synchro compur), but not sure how often they come along or how much they tend to go for. Anybody know these cameras? Thanks, Lisa

-- Lisa Kernan (lkernan@library.ucla.edu), October 07, 2001

Answers

this sounds like an awful lot of money to me. if you're paying a big premium for hte f/3.5 lens, do you need that extra speed? is the lens a carl zeiss jena tessar or a zeiss-opton tessar? the latter would be coated and give better results, especially in color. there will definitely be a cost associated with the rangefinder/synchro combination, as these are both relatively rare and sought after by both collectors and users. a super ikonta with rangefinder and f/4.5 jena tessar can be had for less than $275. if you just want a user, the russian moskva is essentially an exact copy of the synched super ikonta c, and they're pretty reasonably priced and easy to find. optics are good, and mechanical quality ought to be good enough to be reliable. the ikonta rangefinders are pretty squinty and awkward to use, but still helpful with the limited depth of field you have to work with.

rick :)=

-- Rick Oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com), October 09, 2001.

Thanks Rick, It's the Opton Tessar, and the Ikonta Cs are later than the Super Ikontas. I'll pass--good advice--I'm not a collector, just looking for a bargain in great optics and handling in a 6x9, and don't know much about 'em. I'll investigate the Moskva, although I do tend to be fixated on Zeiss and Schneider optics (is this a mistake?)... Lisa

-- Lisa (lkernan@library.ucla.edu), October 09, 2001.

no, that's not a mistake at all. zeiss in particular, and that zeiss opton tessar is a very good lens. but you'll probably be surprised how good the russian optics are for the money, and if you decide you like 6x9 you can still keep looking for that synched super ikonta (don't hold your breath waiting for a bargain though).

rick :)=

-- Rick Oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com), October 09, 2001.

Hi: Different type of camera, but have you looked at the Mamya Universal (23/33?) rangefinder 6x9 big,ugly, tough. Or a little 2x3 Crown Graphic? Still big though. Dean.

-- Dean Lastoria (dvlastor@sfu.ca), October 10, 2001.

Dear Lisa, You may want to investigate the Kodak Medalists. The earlier version is uncoated but the optics are reputed to be great in both the I and II. I recently purchased a Medalist I for $100.00. The only catch is that they take 620 film, but respooling 120 film is a relatively simple matter.

-- Eric Onore (eonore@aol.com), October 10, 2001.

Thanks everyone, Decided to take Rick's advice (thanks!) and am now awaiting my "excellent plus" Moskva 5 to arrive from the Czech Republic... $95 including shipping. Love that ebay. Assuming all goes well, I'll be looking for advice soon on how best to get to know it without getting too compulsive with test rolls... By the way, I just ordered some Tri-X 120 from Universal Distributors online, they have good deals & I used them before. Later,

-- Lisa Kernan (lkernan@library.ucla.edu), October 13, 2001.

Hi,

I have a Carl Zeiss Jena ICA Dresden half plate vintage camera in a brown wood case / Compur, from early 1900's with a Tessar lens (1:4.5, 16.5 cm / Nr. 461147) in good condition with an original brown leather box / case and five ICA plates.

If interested please make an offer or at least weigh in with what you think it's value is. I have done some research and think I have a fairly good idea, but would appreciate another opinion from experts like you.

Thanks.

Rye

lindseyrose@mindspring.com

-- Rye (lindseyrose@mindspring.com), December 03, 2001.