Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex II 852/16
Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:56 am
About 6 months ago I saw in one local auction site this camera, well preserved and with a Tessar, about $50 sold AS-IS, the seller said he could it fire twice and no more. So I started to read about this model and I realised that probably the seller didn't know how to use it (RTFM!) and I though why not (it was risky, another city and I couldn't check it myself but the seller has good reviews) and one week later came, I followed the manual and "clicked".
It took me so long to test it because after doing the complete service, buying a new mirror (Martin Seelig services are recommended, custom made) I decided to clean the 2 front lenses separately, I began to unscrew the holding front ring and I got it stuck, no way to go back and/or forward and I put the camera on 'stand-by' until I get a solution. The tip was made from a repairman here in Moscow, where I go sometimes, he firstly was able to take the front ring back (better and stronger spanner than mine) and explained how to do it at home. It seems someone painted black the inner thread so I had no chance to take it out before cleaning it. This was my second camera for servicing after trying the Pearl III so I was quite unhappy with my skill/luck.
Now the pictures, some days later the Fix-it guide, so far a light leak in some frames, I guess its not a big one and only if the camera is at certain position regarding the sun, I will look for it. The film was expired 1999 Tri-X 400, shot as 100, developed as 400.
The roll was shot in two days during my bike morning ridings, I used a lens hood (32mm push-in standard for many cameras of that time)
Near my home there is an old hospital and inside has a forest to walk in, some constructions are not reformed. The photo should be one stop darker as far I remember.
Light, shadow and infinite test.
I was going to shoot Bolshoy Teatr but a football fan from Egypt started to ask me about the camera
I tried this photo already with the Superb but it went not so good as this one.
This is the first time the light leak appears. Close focus, I can't avoid taking a couple of shots overtime I see it
Roma charging battery He agreed when I asked him for this photo.
Second time for the light leak, last one has not.
Last two shots were for an street band.
About the camera, very hard to focus, image is clear and bright, but the focusing knob should be wider/bigger to focus more accurately, I had to use an external rangefinder to be sure everything was on place. Shutter is erratic, I could measure only one constant speed, others were crazy, I need to service it again. Shutter release is on the right top, so you need to use the left thumb, first click is the double exposure mechanism and you need to continue going down until the second click for the shutter, I do the first click and the hold the thumb until I have the final composition.
I think the hood was crucial for having such good results in terms of tone range (mostly all the histogram covered), please let me know if Im wrong.
Mike, finally I found a Tessar which please me
Thank you for reading and watching.
It took me so long to test it because after doing the complete service, buying a new mirror (Martin Seelig services are recommended, custom made) I decided to clean the 2 front lenses separately, I began to unscrew the holding front ring and I got it stuck, no way to go back and/or forward and I put the camera on 'stand-by' until I get a solution. The tip was made from a repairman here in Moscow, where I go sometimes, he firstly was able to take the front ring back (better and stronger spanner than mine) and explained how to do it at home. It seems someone painted black the inner thread so I had no chance to take it out before cleaning it. This was my second camera for servicing after trying the Pearl III so I was quite unhappy with my skill/luck.
Now the pictures, some days later the Fix-it guide, so far a light leak in some frames, I guess its not a big one and only if the camera is at certain position regarding the sun, I will look for it. The film was expired 1999 Tri-X 400, shot as 100, developed as 400.
The roll was shot in two days during my bike morning ridings, I used a lens hood (32mm push-in standard for many cameras of that time)
Near my home there is an old hospital and inside has a forest to walk in, some constructions are not reformed. The photo should be one stop darker as far I remember.
Light, shadow and infinite test.
I was going to shoot Bolshoy Teatr but a football fan from Egypt started to ask me about the camera
I tried this photo already with the Superb but it went not so good as this one.
This is the first time the light leak appears. Close focus, I can't avoid taking a couple of shots overtime I see it
Roma charging battery He agreed when I asked him for this photo.
Second time for the light leak, last one has not.
Last two shots were for an street band.
About the camera, very hard to focus, image is clear and bright, but the focusing knob should be wider/bigger to focus more accurately, I had to use an external rangefinder to be sure everything was on place. Shutter is erratic, I could measure only one constant speed, others were crazy, I need to service it again. Shutter release is on the right top, so you need to use the left thumb, first click is the double exposure mechanism and you need to continue going down until the second click for the shutter, I do the first click and the hold the thumb until I have the final composition.
I think the hood was crucial for having such good results in terms of tone range (mostly all the histogram covered), please let me know if Im wrong.
Mike, finally I found a Tessar which please me
Thank you for reading and watching.