Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 - Test Run

A year or so ago, I was gifted a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520. It was one of the most configurations, having a Compur shutter paired with the brilliant Tessar 70 mm f/3.5 lens. It was in surprisingly good condition, but it did require a bit of a cleanup. The shutters still run slow on the slowest speeds, but with the shutter tester I am building, I could confirm that the 1/300, 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25 ran consistently and had a linear stop progression. Since I was going to use it in daylight, I figured it could be OK to spend a roll of expired Fujifilm Superia 120 from 2003 on this incredibly attractive little pocket camera.

Stats

Taken with the glorious Mavica FD91.

• Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 (1932-1937 pre-war model)
• Image format: 6x4.5 on 120 film
• Lens: Tessar 70 mm f/3.5 - f/32
• Shutter: Compur shutter (B, T, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300) with M sync
• Dimensions WxDxH: 125x85x40 mm (folded)

• Weight: 430 g

• Film used: Fujifilm Superia 100 ISO; shot as 25 ISO

• Scan: Epson V750 flatbed by Analog Space

Gallery

1/100, f/4, 10 m. Strabrechtse Heide. The position of the components is offset because of the orientation of the 120 film. This means that the viewfinder is on the left side when in landscape.

1/50, f/16, 10 m. Strabrechtse Heide. I did not have the sun shade in this picture; the seller sent it to me afterwards. Flaring is very prominent sadly.

1/50, f/8, 5 m. Plateaux. Here, the focus was set on 3 m. The Ikonta 520 has a zone focus system. It is not the most reliable nor the most convenient. Yet, it does work when you nail the focus.

1/50, f/16, inf. Den Bosch. Again, another well exposed image. I really like the fade in the water cascade, very dreamy.

1/100, f/8, 10 m. Den Bosch. Very happy with this picture. The lighting could have been better but it is what it is.

1/50, f/3.5, 3 m. Neerpelt. I exposed for the average EV value of the chair and the graffitied wall. It properly exposed for the wall, but overexposed the chair several stops.

1/50, f/3.5, 3 m. Neerpelt. Slightly out of focus, but this is so hard to estimate. I undershot the focal point a bit (green bridge is closer to the focal plane) but again very satisfied with this image.

1/50, f/3.5, 15 m. Strabrechtse Heide. The color rendering of the Superia is actually quite nice; it almost looks like a grainier Gold 200. Composition is decent but the two tree images really highlight the colors of the film.

Afterthoughts

DENSE

D E N S E

All images were at least a stop if not two or three EV overexposed. The diaphragm is smooth and works well. The shutter speed was not measured reliably, and as leaf shutters have a “effective time” coefficient, the shutter timings might be off by a stop. That being said: if I use this camera again, I will double the film speed so the exposure is slightly more accurate without having to mess with my light meters. My Gossen Profisix does have an EV compensation dial, which will probably work better. Finally, the one big disadvantage of this specific model is the lack of a rangefinder, the wonky viewfinder and the red window film advance.

I will also probably order one of those nifty Essential Film Holders. And a camera which can properly scan these in.

What now and a better camera

Ideally, I would look for a Super Ikonta B series. The A series are the 6x4.5 models, the B the 6x6 models and the C the 6x9 models (and the non-120 film D 6.5x11 models). All these cameras have coupled rangefinders, which is incredibly convenient. Moreover, the B series in particular has frame counters, which means that ISO speeds higher than 100 can be used. Using a higher speed film risks light leaks from the red window, which is unavoidable with the A and C models. Using a automated frame advance circumvents this issue. The later models of the A and C lines do have built-in dark slides, which helps. For the 520, I will probably buy a laptop camera cover sometime, to cover this camera with. Which, honestly, is also not ideal.

I have been looking for a folder that would check all of my boxes:

• Ideally 6x4.5 or 6x9
• High quality lens
• Good shutter
• X-sync
• Rangefinder
• Automated film advance

Some options would be:

• Konishiroku (Konica) Pearl III
• Konishiroku (Konica) Pearl IV
• Fuji 645 lines
• Plaubel Makina
• Certo Six
• Mamiya Six
• Agfa Super Isolette III
• Voigtländer Perkeo III
• Super Ikonta III 531/16 (B)
• Super Ikonta IV 534/16 (B)

But man, these are expensive. Some day though.

Camera-wiki and 35mmc.com were great resources.