Nice photos Alex. I like to use my Perkeo II for walkabouts which is about the size of your 521. It too has scale focus but also double exposure prevention and auto frame spacing. Those tiny little rangefinders that clip onto accessory shoes can be handy for photographers who aren't comfortable guessing. As for your thoughts on bellows, they certainly apply to Zeiss cameras of the Fifties. I have more than 20 bellows cameras and not one has a problem with bellows. The Achilles' heel of these cameras is invariably the lens shutter. It's nice to see the folders out and about.
Love the image at 5:02. I don’t mind scale/zone focus at all. I shot almost exclusively with my Lomo LC-A for about 10 years and got pretty comfortable with guesstimating distances.
Good review, Alex. I just got an Ikonta 521 6 x 4.5 folder from the Netherlands and put a roll of film though it without realizing how to manage the two number windows on the back. Apparently you wind the film to "1" on the right window, then "1" on the left window, then "2" on the right window and so on until you reach "8" on the left window. I got it as a replacement (and upgrade) to my little Zenobia 6 x 4.5 folder which I love but which has some fogging in the lens. If the lens on this camera is clear, it's a good companion to my Zeiss Ikon IKONTA 6 x 9 folder, which is great and takes excellent photos. Oh, as far as the focus ring is concerned, I'm pretty good at estimating distances, but I sometimes use a Bosch Professional laser distance meter.
Nice overview as always Alex. I’ve not had the chance to work with any folders yet, but I definitely do like the idea of them. Something you can tuck away flat in your bag or a big jacket pocket and still shoot medium format is a handy combination I think.
Nice video, great shots! Look out for a Zeiss 437 viewfinder - they come up on eBay. It clips into the little slot at the low (number) end of the aperture ring. You can then hold the camera at waist level and use the trigger release by your right thumb - after several years I still can't get used to a shutter release on the left hand side! There are three types: plain 437 for the A size negative, 437/2 for what you'd call C size and 437/16 for the B size. All will work 437 or 437/2 have small masks for rectangular negs while the 437/16 is for square (6x6) ones.
Good overview Alex. I like my agfa folders as I prefer zone focus. For me, the challenges with those are of that viewfinder, I can see the lens and that is very distracting. However, like anything it takes getting used to. I love the image quality that these old folders render. They're very easy to carry around, and very deliberate in their use, which is not a bad thing. I used one that was a 6x9 at a antique steam engine show this year and the results were glorious. I love to use fp4 Plus or acros in them, I have yet to shoot color print film through one. I own the agfa isolette 2 6x6 and the agfa Billy Record too 6x9
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I first learned photography back in 1969 with a Kodak Duo Six-20. I have that camera but the bellows are shot. I recently picked up another from Pacific Rim Camera on eBay for
Have one with a Novar 1.63 and Klio Shutter. It is more fun than digital. But with the present status of film and processing, that part is no fun. I will have to find the best way for that.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I wound up driving a ways to the last standing "camera store" in the area. Cramped with various goodies on the shelves and the usual cast of characters.
Scale focusing does take some getting used to, but after a few rolls even that doesn't seem to matter a whole lot. Very best wishes with all your shooting.
How are you counting frames on this? I have one with two windows and I assume that at 645 I should shoot when '1' shows in the first window, and again when it shows in the second?? And so on? If anyone can help it may save me from destroying the first roll of film
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I'm not sure, I take a guess that it is a 520A, it is 645 and looks just like yours, has no double exposure protection, no rangefinder, just two windows on the back for counting but I am confused because I guess the 120 film is generally marked for 6x9
@@jimcain2545 So I’m looking at another folder that can do 6x9 and 6x4.5, the 6x9 is the window closest to the source spool, the 645 is closer to the lens. Hope this helps.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto thanks for looking, I'll let you know how it turns out (assuming the camera works), and on the next roll I can work on exposure and focus lol
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto how do you know what year your camera is from? I have got one in a huge lot of items I bought. What is the price for this camera too? I have the original leather carry case too.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto also I can’t seem to get the lens to pop open I think the button you press to release it is stuck in the down position. I’m a collector of German ww2 items so I’m hoping mine is from the 30s or 40s
I have my Dad's 1951 Ikon Contina Tessar. The rangefinder is useless and I don't care - it shoots amazing pictures. I'd love to get the big brother/sister...someday. Any yea! Fits in a in a pocket - my Voigtlander VC II is the perfect companion.
Never rangefinder on this kind of camera. They are way too imprecise, slow and ambiguous. The fingertips of an out stretched arm to the side, to the armpit of the opposite arm tends to be the minimum focusing distance of 1.2 m in most men of about average height. The distance where focusing precision is most critical. All other distances is much easier to guess accurately enough (BC of larger DoF) with a little training, and far faster than a squinty RF.
@@AlexLuyckxPhotoSuper Ikonta is way overhyped. I own two. If I am using a rangefinder once in a while it’s always a RF with a longer lens than the viewfinder. That way precision is much better. External rangefinders are “long” and quite easy and carefree to clean. With a combined rangefinder and viewfinder you run the risk of breaking the whole camera if you make a bad move. What’s more the Super Ikonta focusing ring has you constantly rubbing the bellows which makes the otherwise fine bellows of the Ikonta line more prone to leaks in that area. You can of course just use the lens ring, but the previous owner(s) didn’t do that so the damage is done. And it’s makes using filter and shade harder. The M (messer) Ikonta is a better deal and camera on all accounts if you *have* to have a build in one. Just preset the desired distance and move the camera back and forth and quickly change to the viewfinder. Much faster than fiddling with the small, more wide angle patch on the super.
Hi! I just got one of these from my grandad, and I'm really excited to use it but I've never shot film before. None of the tutorials I can find are for folding cameras like these. Do you have any tips on where I can start learning? Thanks so much!
Do you have the same camera model he is using here? If so, my tip would be to check some other videos on the other super ikontas, they are similar, and then read about the sunny 16 rule. I am no expert, just learning to use one myself
![Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521 [TOWARY ŚWIATŁOCZUŁE 33]](/img/n.gif)
6x4.5 folders are great,funky,funny and so small to carry. Have fun.
Cheers!
Nice photos Alex. I like to use my Perkeo II for walkabouts which is about the size of your 521. It too has scale focus but also double exposure prevention and auto frame spacing. Those tiny little rangefinders that clip onto accessory shoes can be handy for photographers who aren't comfortable guessing. As for your thoughts on bellows, they certainly apply to Zeiss cameras of the Fifties. I have more than 20 bellows cameras and not one has a problem with bellows. The Achilles' heel of these cameras is invariably the lens shutter. It's nice to see the folders out and about.
Love the image at 5:02. I don’t mind scale/zone focus at all. I shot almost exclusively with my Lomo LC-A for about 10 years and got pretty comfortable with guesstimating distances.
Thank you!!
Good review, Alex. I just got an Ikonta 521 6 x 4.5 folder from the Netherlands and put a roll of film though it without realizing how to manage the two number windows on the back. Apparently you wind the film to "1" on the right window, then "1" on the left window, then "2" on the right window and so on until you reach "8" on the left window. I got it as a replacement (and upgrade) to my little Zenobia 6 x 4.5 folder which I love but which has some fogging in the lens. If the lens on this camera is clear, it's a good companion to my Zeiss Ikon IKONTA 6 x 9 folder, which is great and takes excellent photos. Oh, as far as the focus ring is concerned, I'm pretty good at estimating distances, but I sometimes use a Bosch Professional laser distance meter.
Thank you! The cameras won’t steer you wrong! Happy Shooting!!
Nice overview as always Alex. I’ve not had the chance to work with any folders yet, but I definitely do like the idea of them. Something you can tuck away flat in your bag or a big jacket pocket and still shoot medium format is a handy combination I think.
Thank you! They aren’t for everyone but great for compact carries and big negatives!
Nice video, great shots!
Look out for a Zeiss 437 viewfinder - they come up on eBay. It clips into the little slot at the low (number) end of the aperture ring. You can then hold the camera at waist level and use the trigger release by your right thumb - after several years I still can't get used to a shutter release on the left hand side!
There are three types: plain 437 for the A size negative, 437/2 for what you'd call C size and 437/16 for the B size. All will work 437 or 437/2 have small masks for rectangular negs while the 437/16 is for square (6x6) ones.
Cheers and thank you for the suggestion! I’ll keep an eye out! Thanks for watching 🍻
Good overview Alex. I like my agfa folders as I prefer zone focus. For me, the challenges with those are of that viewfinder, I can see the lens and that is very distracting. However, like anything it takes getting used to. I love the image quality that these old folders render. They're very easy to carry around, and very deliberate in their use, which is not a bad thing. I used one that was a 6x9 at a antique steam engine show this year and the results were glorious. I love to use fp4 Plus or acros in them, I have yet to shoot color print film through one. I own the agfa isolette 2 6x6 and the agfa Billy Record too 6x9
I would love to try some Agfa folders! And yes steam era events are perfect for these cameras!
Great video! I like my 521A too, but do not use it that much. Kodak Duo Six-20 is another great folding camera for 6x4.5 shots. 😊👍🏻
Thanks! I've heard good things about the Duo Six-20, will have to keep an eye out for one to try out!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto There is a Facebook group for everything: facebook.com/groups/265165968683228/?ref=share
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I first learned photography back in 1969 with a Kodak Duo Six-20. I have that camera but the bellows are shot. I recently picked up another from Pacific Rim Camera on eBay for
Have one with a Novar 1.63 and Klio Shutter. It is more fun than digital. But with the present status of film and processing, that part is no fun. I will have to find the best way for that.
I’m sure you will figure something out!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I wound up driving a ways to the last standing "camera store" in the area. Cramped with various goodies on the shelves and the usual cast of characters.
素敵な写真ですね！
@@nandemoart 優しいお言葉とご視聴ありがとうございました！
Scale focusing does take some getting used to, but after a few rolls even that doesn't seem to matter a whole lot. Very best wishes with all your shooting.
Cheers and thank you 🍻
How are you counting frames on this? I have one with two windows and I assume that at 645 I should shoot when '1' shows in the first window, and again when it shows in the second?? And so on? If anyone can help it may save me from destroying the first roll of film
This one only has one window on my camera. Which model do you have?
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I'm not sure, I take a guess that it is a 520A, it is 645 and looks just like yours, has no double exposure protection, no rangefinder, just two windows on the back for counting but I am confused because I guess the 120 film is generally marked for 6x9
@@jimcain2545 So I’m looking at another folder that can do 6x9 and 6x4.5, the 6x9 is the window closest to the source spool, the 645 is closer to the lens. Hope this helps.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto thanks for looking, I'll let you know how it turns out (assuming the camera works), and on the next roll I can work on exposure and focus lol
Great video my friend!
Thank you!!
Nice!
Have a good day!
You as well!
What year this camera made?
My version is from 1951.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto how do you know what year your camera is from? I have got one in a huge lot of items I bought. What is the price for this camera too? I have the original leather carry case too.
@@Alonelycheezit Mine is from the late 1930s. As for cost about 120$ on average for Novar optics equipped cameras.
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto also I can’t seem to get the lens to pop open I think the button you press to release it is stuck in the down position. I’m a collector of German ww2 items so I’m hoping mine is from the 30s or 40s
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I got it open. I have the novar optics too. Does that likely mean mine is from the 30s?
"Know when hold 'em..."😇
😉 or in the case of cameras, when to hold onto ‘em! Thanks for watching 🍻
I have my Dad's 1951 Ikon Contina Tessar. The rangefinder is useless and I don't care - it shoots amazing pictures. I'd love to get the big brother/sister...someday. Any yea! Fits in a in a pocket - my Voigtlander VC II is the perfect companion.
Awesome! Family cameras are great things to have around.
Never rangefinder on this kind of camera. They are way too imprecise, slow and ambiguous.
The fingertips of an out stretched arm to the side, to the armpit of the opposite arm tends to be the minimum focusing distance of 1.2 m in most men of about average height.
The distance where focusing precision is most critical.
All other distances is much easier to guess accurately enough (BC of larger DoF) with a little training, and far faster than a squinty RF.
Oh I can totally see that now that I've used a Super-Ikonta with a rangefinder and even that one is a hard one to get right.
@@AlexLuyckxPhotoSuper Ikonta is way overhyped. I own two.
If I am using a rangefinder once in a while it’s always a RF with a longer lens than the viewfinder.
That way precision is much better.
External rangefinders are “long” and quite easy and carefree to clean.
With a combined rangefinder and viewfinder you run the risk of breaking the whole camera if you make a bad move.
What’s more the Super Ikonta focusing ring has you constantly rubbing the bellows which makes the otherwise fine bellows of the Ikonta line more prone to leaks in that area.
You can of course just use the lens ring, but the previous owner(s) didn’t do that so the damage is done. And it’s makes using filter and shade harder.
The M (messer) Ikonta is a better deal and camera on all accounts if you *have* to have a build in one.
Just preset the desired distance and move the camera back and forth and quickly change to the viewfinder.
Much faster than fiddling with the small, more wide angle patch on the super.
Hi! I just got one of these from my grandad, and I'm really excited to use it but I've never shot film before. None of the tutorials I can find are for folding cameras like these. Do you have any tips on where I can start learning? Thanks so much!
Do you have the same camera model he is using here? If so, my tip would be to check some other videos on the other super ikontas, they are similar, and then read about the sunny 16 rule. I am no expert, just learning to use one myself
@@jimcain2545 oh i will thank you!!