Just bought one from Japan. Can't wait to get ahold of it.

I recently acquired this identical Zeiss Ikonta camera with a Tessar 105 mm 3,5 lens. Your video review was very helpful and well done. Surprisingly, when you introduced the second Zeiss I recognized I also have a similar model Contessa. I share your admiration of the quality and design of these cameras. The shutter on mine is stuck and there is no film size stamped on the pressure plate. I don't intend to take photos with it at this time. Thank you.

This is the best video I’ve found for this camera so far. Thank you! I have the same one and can’t wait to try it out.

Nice job resewing the leather. I can't seem to get the stitches so neat, but have been using braided fishing line as thread as it is super strong. I have a couple Zeiss Ikonta or Super Ikontas. They sure yield good photos with little size or weight.

Thank you for a wonderful review! My husbands father passed and we inherited this camera and can’t wait to shoot with it.

Definitely a nice presentation regarding the Ikonta 521/2 and with a lot of knowledgeable tid bits that many youtubers overlook - for example insuring that the film is flat along the gate by winding on just before the exposure. Also, the Gossen Pilot is a gem of a battery free light meter for daylight photography.

Mine Is the 521/16 and has been for over to decades. Great reve!

j ai un C 530/2 des années 1936 a 1937 avec un objectif Tessar 105 f 4.5 et obturateur Compour-Rapid 1/400 i love this camera

Looking for the manual for the Ikonta 521/2...particularly the DOF table. Thanks.

Dear Don, What a refreshing channel you have. I have a few super ikonta,s myself. As for the filters. 42.5 mm screw filters fit on my super ikonta,s. But then the other way around. the ribbed ring is actually an external thread. I thought there was also an internal threaded lens hood at the time. And the pressure plate on my 1937 and 1951 cameras also shows the inch sizes. I think this was for all markets. Regards, From the Netherlands, Wilma

Thank for your informative post.

Everyone should have a folder in their collection. Always enjoy using my Mamiya 6 Automat. A bit clunky and not the best image quality but full of character.

What an awesome camera Don. I am sure it gives you lots of fun shooting with it. I have a Kodak 620 camera with a Anastigmat lens. It needs a bit of TLC though as the transport mechanism has a flaw. I know the camera can take great pictures though.

I heritated from my grand dad a pre War Zeiss Ikonta. Actually he "liberated" it from a German officer during Paris uprising in August 1944 (lol) I use it from a personnel project - I have shot 1 600 pictures with it so far. The only issue is the pressure plate which needs to be repaired - may be welded actually. On the four corners, only one remained attached to the body. That issue causes some pictures to get blur. My question: Is the pressure plate could be easy fixed? Thanks for your answer.

Thanks Don for this great video. I just got bought a 521/16 and excited to use it. What brand/model of rangefinder did you show in the video, as I'm looking for something like it?

Good morning, sir... The pressure plate of my Zeiss Ikonta got loose and had falled. Would you have any idea how to reattach it ? Best Regards.

I got this camera yesterday, but doesn't know yet is my camera still can taking a picturr or not. How can I identify is my camera still working or not?

how did you thin it down?

Can I use 35mm film with converter spool on this camera?

My Ikonta has 2 windows for film frame numbers. One is labeled 6x6 and the other, like yours, is labeled 6x9. How do you make the camera shoot 6x6?

I do not wish to bother you too much with my questions but I have three more. The struts of my Zeiss Ikonta couldn't open fully. They got stuck by lack of lubrifiant (which it is unavoilable after 90 years) I used it like that for a short while. That incident blured all the bottom and the left corner of the picture frame. I gave two or three drops of 3 in 1 oil. Since then, the bellow opens perfectly. However, I feel the camera has lost a bit of its sharpness. I guess the struts is no longer exactly parallel. Can they be repaired ? Was I right to use 3 in 1 oil ? I read some reviews advising against the use of that brand of oil. Now I am considering to give one of two drops of oil to the cocking lever too stiff. Is it a good idea? Best Regards.