Medium Format Cameras:
Classic Fixed Lens Rangefinders:
Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta BX
Original Edition (1937-1952)
by Karen Nakamura
Overview and Personal Comments
The Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta is a big honking 6x9 medium format folding camera w/ fully coupled rangefinder. The Model BX second version added a selenium light meter. Its been referred to several times (see links below) as the "best medium format folder ever made. " Using the text or images on this website without permission on an ebay auction or any other site is a violation of federal law.
The unit I used to own (pictured here) came from an estate sale with a Carl Zeiss Jena lens (serial #2299423) Tessar 8cm (80mm) f/2. 8 lens. The shutter was a Compur-Rapid leaf shutter which goes to 1/400 sec. The camera is in good condition. The leatherette needs a bit of TLA in some areas but the bellows are solid and light-tight. The shutter appears to work at all speeds and the cocking/firing mechanism works smoothly. I sold it on February 9th (2003) to a gentleman in France.
Click on any image on this page to enlarge it.
The single-coated Tessar lens appears to be relatively clean and has the faintest cleaning scratches. Not bad for a 50 year old camera. The camera opens and folds nicely.
Inside the camera it has stamped Zeiss Ikon Film B-2 6x9 2 1/4 x 3 1/4" but they must have had too many schnapps on that day in Jena because the film gate measures 56 mm x 57 mm or standard
The German engineers thoughtfully put a steel protective cap on the selenium meter.
Date of Manufacture
1937-52
Focusing System
Coupled rangefinder design
Lens use helical focusing
Fixed Lens
80mm, f/2. 8, Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens
Minimum focusing distance = 6 feet
Right focusing (infinity on right side)
Shutter
Compur Rapid shutter 1 sec - 1/400
B settings
Flash sync at all speeds
Metering System
Selenium cell mounted on top middle of camera body, protected by a flip-up metal cap.
Full manual exposure. Measure EV values from lightmeter then transfer EVs to lens body using EV guide on camera top.
EV 5-40 (these numbers seem high and may not be the EV guide numbers we know of today)
Apertures
f/2. 8 - f/22
Hyperfocal marker at f/11
Flash
PC cable connection
Cold flash mount on camera top
Film type / speeds
Type 120/220 film (medium format)
Negative size: 56mm x 57mm (6x6)
Guide has markings for ASA 12to 800
Battery type
hah!
Dimensions and weight
5 3/4"w x 4 5/8"h x 4 5/8"d (open)
5 3/4"w x 4 3/8"h x 1 7/8"d (folded)
150mm. w x 118h x 118d (open)
150mm. w x 112h x 57d (folded)
1100g. (38. 9 oz)