Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 Folding Camera From 1932
- Kamera Ostalgie
- Sep 28
- 4 min read
Hello, and welcome to the new blog, this little beauty above is going to be the subject of the first post, so it is in effect a bit of a trial run, lets take a look at the Ikonta 520.
Sometimes you get a true first impression of the quality of the camera by the case it is sat in, i.e. good quality case, good quality camera, this is such an example. The leather and workmanship of this case is first class and the camera inside likewise. The case is over 90 years old, now that is quality leather. Anyway what is inside?
Well, it's pretty neat, lets have a delve into its history.
The Ikonta 520 started life in 1932 in Dresden Germany, production continued up until around 1937. This particular example looks to be fairly early with its Derval shutter and 6.3 Novar Anastigmatic lens.
This example has lens number 1267629. The Derval shutter is the typical three speeder of its time with speeds of 100, 50, 25 plus T and B. So a simple shutter, which is still working perfectly and if using today has the important 100th of a second, which when the camera is loaded with 100 speed film makes using the sunny 16 rule nice and easy. Always a bonus.
The lens is the cheaper option lens but it is not to be underestimated, I used one for black and white landscape work in the 1980's with a Compur shutter and got some really nice results, so these cameras are still worth buying to use today, and are good value at the moment. The following lens and shutter combinations were available at the time :-
Novar 6.3/7.5 cm lens in a Derval Shutter
Novar 6.3/7.5 cm lens in a Telma Shutter
Novar 4.5/7.5 cm lens in a Telma, Compur or a Compur Rapid Shutter
Novar 3.5/7.0 cm lens in a Compur or Compur Rapid Shutter
Tessar 4.5/7.5 cm lens in a Compur or Compur Rapid Shutter
Tessar 3.5/7.0 cm lens in a Compur or Compur Rapid Shutter
The 6.3 and 4.5 Novars seem to come up for sale the most frequently today, but if you want a really useable and versatile folding camera to use, then what a find a 3.5/ 7.0cm Tessar would be in either of the Compurs! Prices are all over the place at present so diligent searching may be needed to get a bargain, but good ones at the right price can still be found.
Should you want to use one of these little folders, they take 16 images of 4.5x6cm on a 120 roll film, focusing is by guesstimate, so a separate range finder would be advantageous. Of course Zeiss being Zeiss produced various other similar Ikonta or Nettar models with slightly different formats including a 127 film model, so lots of choice if the format of the original 520 model is not just what you need.
The rear of the camera has two red windows, so number one is wound to the first window, you compose your picture, take the shot, then wind number one on to the second red window and so on. The windows are not protected with a sliding metal cover, so if planning to use one of these today, some form of protection needs to be rigged up to avoid the possibility of fogging.
I like these direct type of viewfinders, especially when wearing glasses, you just seem to be able to see and compose your picture better somehow.
It needs a clean, but these viewfinders are really useable today.
There are some nice little details on this Ikonta, the Zeiss Ikon logo being one of them. On some examples 'Made in Germany' was engraved on the side struts.
But here on my example 'Made In Germany ' is engraved on the camera back release catch.
The Ikonta 520 model number is stamped into the leatherette body covering on the back of the camera just above the hinge.
The inside of the Ikonta 520 is still nice and clean and rust free. Always a bonus.
Of course the chaps at Zeiss Ikon nudge you into using their own films. Just like Ensign did in England!
Well that is about it from me on the little Ikonta 520, if you want to find out more, there is a great article here Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520 - Shutterlogue which should keep you interested!
That concludes this post, it is a bit of a test post on the new blog site, I'm well out of my comfort zone here with this 2025 technology. Much rather be putting a film though the 1932 Ikonta, but there we go!
The Ikonta and Nettar cameras are probably the safest bet when buying an old folder to use, they seem to have aged better than most other folders and you rarely get a bad one, so go on, get onto E-bay and give one a go, I think you will really enjoy it.
Take care,
Phil
