Zeiss Ikon 511/2 Simplex Bakelite Folder. 1935-1938.

I thought we would look at something a little different for a change. So lets take a look at what is I think Zeiss Ikons only Bakelite Camera.

It may not be everyone's idea of a serious piece of photographic equipment, but there is not a lot of information out there regarding the Simplex 511/2, so lets redress the imbalance a little. For me it is a real period piece, it shouts 1930's from every angle and looks really striking in its shiny dark brown Bakelite body, with stylish polished chrome side struts.

The detail in the moulded Bakelite body is fantastic. Germany was quick to see the possibilities of Bakelite and starting in 1914, Bakelite GmbH built theie Bakelite Plant in Flakenstraße in Erkner on the edges of Berlin. So I suppose Zeiss Ikon were bound to try Bakelite when it was produced just 120 miles or so away!

So what is the spec of this Bakelite beauty? Well it takes a total of 8 6x9cm images on a 120 roll film, or if we are being correct to the period and the country, Zeiss-Ikon BII8 film. So a pretty normal format for the time. The lens is a 10.5cm 6.3 Nettar Anastigmat set in a Derval shutter whose speeds are T, B, 25, 50, 100th with apertures of 6.3, 8, 11, 16, 22, and 32.

So nothing really outstanding lens and shutter wise, but adequate.

Focusing was from 2m to infinity and of course it was by guesswork unless you had a separate rangefinder. What a pity they did not develop it further, with a better lens and shutter. Some reports say that it was also available with a Telma shutter, but that seems to be it.

So what other features does the Simplex 511/2 have? Well, we have a swivelling viewfinder mounted on the back of the lens standard, so it can be used for landscapes and portrait formats, and of course it has the typical Zeiss pop up finder mounted on the body. Two tripod bushes again one for portraits one for landscapes and that is about it!

Its has some nice cosmetic retails though, lots of lovely moulding details and a rather unusual catch for opening the camera back, where the handle slides to one side. Neat!

The moulding details are very 1930's Art Deco in style, stylishly done!

But it is all style over substance I'm afraid! Fantastic to look at, but it won't help you take better pictures!

The camera back moulding from the inside is quite unusual though!

So is this camera a serious photographic tool? No. I don't think it is. Is it a camera typical of the period, yes, definitely. Would I go out and use one, no, its near the bottom of the list of cameras to try out with film. Do I like it though? Oh yes it's a cracking looking camera!

It is just a pity Zeiss-Ikon did not fit it with a Compur shutter a decent lens and some masks for 6x6 ! Oh well, opportunity lost maybe !

One thing I have not mentioned is, how well it has aged! This camera is 90 years old, the Bakelite body is still smooth and shiny, the bellows are as good as they were the day it left Dresden, and the other thing of note, the neat little catch that you press as you fold the camera away, then the smooth strut movement which is sublime. You can't beat German cameras for this type of attention to detail, it's second to none.

I hope you liked this post and found it of some interest. Its not going to be a post with millions of views like if I posted on Leica or Rollie, but I think these lesser cameras need to be looked at and evaluated nearly a hundred years on just the same!

What do you think?

Take care,

Phil