Zeiss Ikoflex IIA Twin Lens Reflex
Photo thanks to Gary - [email protected]
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The above ad will answer many questions about the Ikoflex TLR cameras. These models are especially desirable among both collectors and users because of their Zeiss optics and general standard of construction. Unfortunately, you won't see them at prices near those of the new ones shown in the ad!
Camera is in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear on the enamel. Shutter speeds seem fine. Coated Opton Tessar lens is clear and clean. Viewfinder is clear.
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (Mark Langer)
[1] Re: Ikoflex III -- anyone know about it?
Date: Mon Apr 27 08:09:30 CDT 1998
Bbadger ([email protected])
wrote:
> Anyone have any experience with an Ikoflex III? There's one with a 2.8 coated > Tessar that looks interesting, but I know nothing about the camera.
If it is really an Ikoflex III (easily identifiable by the giant Albada
finder), it is a TLR made in 1938 and 1939. A friend of mine has one, and
says that it is a capable performer, although the f2.8 Tessar is not at
its best wide open. The lens, as far as I know, is uncoated.
They are quite desirable among Zeiss collectors. I've seen them go for
anywhere between $300 and $800, depending on condition. If it is to be a
"user" camera, you might be better off with a Rolleiflex E or F.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Langer
Email address: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998
From: Marc James Small [email protected]
Subject: [Rollei] 2.8A Reprise
At 12:11 PM 4/29/98 -0400, Dante A. Stella wrote: > >The 2.8A is supposed to be plagued with >mismatches of the front and rear parts of the cells (this is in one the >Ian Parker book). Maybe someone can elaborate. >
This has been pretty well beaten to death on the List, but here we go
again. After the War, when F&H decided to match the Prewar Ikoflex III by
using an f/2.8 lens, they contacted Zeiss to purchase some. This being
before the final split between Zeiss East and Zeiss West, the order was
shunted to Jena, where lenses originally made for the Ikoflex III were in
storage. CZJ coated these lenses, then sold them to F&H, who produced
7870 2.8A's (PR155) between 12/49 and 2/51.
In service, it turned out that SOME, but not all, of the Tessars were
mis-matched; that is, rear elements had become switched in storage so that
the wrong elements were re-assembled when the lenses were put into the
shutters. F&H complained to Zeiss who replaced the lenses with 2.8/80
Zeiss-Opton Tessars made at Oberkochen (West Germany). Approximately 40%
of the original 2.8A's seem to have had defective lenses.
F&H did a massive recall and almost all of the CZJ Tessars were replaced,
making a 2.8A with the original CZJ Tessar a bit of a collectible.
A second batch of 2,000 2.8A's (PR155/1) were made between April and August
'51; all of these had Zeiss-Opton Tessars.
Save this message, folks: I get tired of repeating the tale!
Marc
[email protected] FAX: +540/343-7315
Date: Fri, 04 Dec 1998
From: Matthew Phillips [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Rollei] Off topic: Ikoflex
My recent purchase of a Zeiss Ikoflex has led me to do a little reading on
this camera line. Today I received a 1954 Ikoflex brochure. In it were two
bits of trivia that came as news to me:
A) By 1954 the Ikoflex Ia and IIa had fresnel finder screens. (Didn't it
take several more years for Rollei to bring out their fresnel screens?)
B) "The IKOFLEX cameras are made in the GOERZWERK in Berlin West by Zeiss
Ikon". Since I don't have Marc's book in front of me, I can't recall if he
mentions this, but I was surprised to see Zeiss Ikon still manufacturing
cameras in Berlin as of the mid-1950's.
While the ZI Ikoflex clearly was playing second fiddle to Rollei, I find
them fascinating in their own right, especially in light of the innovations
that pre-dates those made by Rollei. Can anyone suggest some additional
reading that would expand on the material in the Zeiss Compendium? Any
interesting articles from Zeiss Historica?
Thanks,
M.Phillips
Date: Fri, 04 Dec 1998
From: Marc James Small [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Off topic: Ikoflex
Gubas, Larry. "Ikoflex Cameras". Zeiss Historica Journal 5:1 (Spring,
1983), pp. 4 - 8.
Marc
From Rollei Mailing List;
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001
From: Marc James Small [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Rolleiflex 2,8A Lenses....
J Patric Dahl�n wrote:
>So, you say that the CZJ lenses were made before the war? Sorry about this >stupid question, but I'm no expert on the Ikoflex cameras.
The Ikoflex III was the world's first 6cm by 6cm TLR with an f/2.8 lens.
It dated from the later 1930's. Lens production had gotten ahead of
camera-body production so, when the War ended retail camera production by
Zeiss Ikon, the remaining 2.8/8cm CZJ Tessars were stockpiled at Jena.
These were then sold to Franke & Heidecke a decade later for the 2.8A.
The tale that is told is that the lenses were coated in 1948 or '49 and
that some of the lens elements got mixed up, leading to inadquate
performance on about 1/3 of the CZJ lenses. F&H then recalled the entire
lot of 2.8A's and replaced the lenses with new-production Zeiss-Opton
2.8/8cm Tessar T lenses made in Oberkochen. The second batch of 2.8A's
came with Oberkochen lenses from the get-go. Hence, a 2.8A with a CZJ
lens is a bit of a collector's oddity.
Marc
From ZICG Zeiss Interest Group Mailing: Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2003 From: Edward Meyers [email protected] Subject: Ikoflex I've rediscovered the Ikoflex with tessar lens. Seems that it's much easier to focus than with a Rollei...for me. I'm far-sighted and the Ikoflex seems to be designed for people like me. Tessar is a wonderful optic, also. And since the Ikoflex is not popular prices are still pretty low. Ed