Zeiss Ikoflex - The Other German TLR Camera

Рет қаралды 3,152

Күн бұрын

We all long for that Rolleiflex! But what if you can't afford one? What if I told you there's another German TLR camera out there? From an equally legendary brand?
Could this be the bargain of a century? Could the Zeiss Ikoflex be as good as the Rolleiflex? Or even close?
In this week's video, I showoff my beautiful Zeiss Ikoflex. Tell you a bit about it, and take a few photographs of some woodlands. As I at least pretend to be a landscape photographer.
Enjoy this week's video!
Love,
Oscar
P.S Beaware of the film bug! There I warned you.
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Filming gear
FujiFilm X-H2 & Fujnon 16-80 mm
Filter: Haida Pro-Mist varible ND (yes I'm a cool kid now ;) )
Analogue gear
Zeiss Ikoflex Ia
Rolleiflex F/3.5 (C-version I belive)
Film: Fomapan 400, rated as 800. Developed in T-max and scanned using Epson V600.
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#filmphotography #filmphotographygear #ikoflex #rolleiflex #landscapephotography #analogphotography
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Пікірлер: 14

@ghw7192 3 ай бұрын

I love TLR cameras. 4 Rolleiflexes, 1 Rolleicord, 2 Zeis Ikon Ikomtaflexes, 3 Yashicamats, a Mamiya C330.Professioal F, etc. Great review! Thanks!

@O.Persson 3 ай бұрын

Thanks! And what a collection! And I heartfully agree, TLRs are wonderful :)

@mrstandfast2212 6 ай бұрын

I own a Rolleiflex, and it is a top tier camera to use, producing superb crisp images. I also own a pre-war Ikoflex. My Ikoflex is the most basic specification, with an f/4.5 Novar lens and Klio shutter with a top speed of 175th sec. That's probably much slower after 80+ years. I truly love the images my Ikoflex gives. They are sharp when stopped down, and sharp in the centre but dreamy to the edges when wide open. With it's uncoated lens, the effect of dappled light is a treat. My example also has the lever focus as opposed to the more usual knob. I find this very accurate in use, easily as good as a knob. The Ikoflex is also very light in weight, which the Rollei most certainly isn't. I think it's fair to say that when comparing the two cameras, they are simply different rather than better or worse than one another. If I'm after clean and detailed images, the Rollei is my choice., If I'm after atmosphere, especially indoors using a tripod and cable release, the Ikoflex creates far more character. I tried both Portra and Kodak Gold in the Ikoflex, and the results were terrible to my eyes. It's strictly monochrome with a yellow filter for me.

@O.Persson 6 ай бұрын

That's some great insights! And I can only agree with you.

@bradwalton7599 11 ай бұрын

I have a Ikoflex II from about 1937, I still use it occasionally mine doesn't have the double exposure prevention, I have setup a routine every time I take a shot I wind to the next frame straight away.

@O.Persson 11 ай бұрын

That's really cool!

@paulodefeyter 3 ай бұрын

This is a really cool channel to follow. You keep it simple and you're NOT pretentious "I know it all" kind of guy. I'm glad I've pressed subscribe while ago. I also liked the contrast you got with the Foma 400, which is a film I dont like (I use the Retropan 320 and the Fomapan 100) . Do you care to share your developing process of this film as well? By the way, did you already shot the Retropan? I would like to know your opinion on that...

@O.Persson 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the support! I do try to stay humble, few things in life are hard-cut truths. There's almost always nuances to everything. I'm a bit of a foma fan-boy in general. I do believe I've shot all their currently available film, next up is to try all their paper 😆 My favorite is Foma 200, but 400 is just so versatile. Most of my film (featured on this channel) has been developed in Kodak T-max. With 135 and 120-film I do normal inversions, and on 4x5/9x12 manual rotary development in a jobo-tank. Kodak T-max has produced decent enough results for me. Not a favourite developer, I just have had a bottle that seems to last forever. Almost finished it now though, so going forward my main developer will be good old Rodinal (from Adox), and I'm about to order some Pyro 510 as well. Finally I have shot a total of 4 sheets of Retropan, made a video about it. The short version is that I liked it, but I need to shoot more of it, and see it on paper (need to renovate my darkroom). Have a great day!

@randallstewart1224 Ай бұрын

When I was seeking a TLR, I bought an Ikoflex (Ia or Ic ?). It had the common Tessar lens used by all, as well as little light meter, which functioned, but not that well. Mechanical functions were not coupled like most TLRs. I found it so off-putting that I returned in within the week. It will take a good quality photo, but it is the least satisfying TLR to use IMO.

@O.Persson Ай бұрын

To each their own. Not all cameras are for everyone. The Tessar is supposedly the better taking lens of the two. Ohh well, luckily you had the option to return it, I hope you found a camera you like. My Ikoflex mostly stands on the shelf, but every now and again I still take it for a spin. I actually prefer it over my Rolleiflex, even though the Rolleiflex is superior in almost all technical (and design) aspects. Have a great day!

@user-oj8ng7bh4x 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video it was so helpful! However i still have a question. I have one of those cameras qnd i got the right film for it. I did everything qs you said in the other video but the shutter button is locked. I dont know if the camera is broken or i do sth wrong. Do you have any more tips?

@O.Persson 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the support! I do think I covered all the shutter lock-outs in the video. There's a million and two versions of these cameras (some with the same name), and they do differ slightly. Try and find the manual for your specifik camera most can be found here (not my site but a great resource if you haven't heard about it): butkus.org/chinon/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_ikoflex_ia_iia_ic/zeiss_ikon_ikoflex.htm Sorry I can't be more of a help there. Hope you can get it working! Best of luck

@NandR Жыл бұрын

I almost bought one of these locally. I started with a Seagull 4A-109 chinese TLR that takes great photos, reliably. I got lucky with a Rolleiflex 3.5F "white face" for really cheap. But the value was too much to turn down when I got a nice offer. I wish I had kept it. I may get an Ikoflex still. I do love my Zeiss Ikonta though.

@O.Persson Жыл бұрын

They are fun to shoot with. And I myself have a soft spot for Zeiss/contax/pentacon, they made plenty of cool and innovative cameras. However the Rolleiflex is king of the TLRs with good reason, regardless of version. Personally I love the look of the white face ones. Big congrats on that find.