Im in the market for a 120 6x9 folder. Been looking at the Zeiss Nettars, Ikontas, and the Moskva-5. Does anyone have any experience with these or know of any other decent models? Also I know the Zeisses with the Tessar in a Compur shutter are the most prized but how does the Novar Anistigmat lens compare IQ wise to the Tessar. If it was decent I might be satisfied going with a less sophisticated shutter. I want it for landscapes and occasionally portraiture.

Thanks in advance

I have the 645 Nettar and the Novar lens is nice, although, I have only put b/w through it so far.
I wish I had the Moskva-5 or the Voigtlander Bessa II or the modern Fujifilm/Voigtlander Bessa.

Moskva-5 is the talk because it is a copy of the Super Ikonta and so clunkyness there unlike the sleekness of the Bessa.

If you are not too concerned about the rangefinder part, also look for a Adox Sport. It is a 6x9 and sometimes when they show up on the bay, they are affordable.

As far as the rangefinder goes I just want it to be clear and accurate. It will be used strictly for b&w work. I love the look of the Ikontas but not so much the price :/ especially with the Tessar/Compur combo. And I kinda want the most speeds I can get... The moskva-5 looks pretty decent aswell but we all know what Russian quality control was like way back when.... decisions decisions. Ill keep an eye out for the ikontas and the moskvas.. when I find the right deal it will be one or the other.... or both? : D

Ps. Feel free to start threads... seems im doing all the blabbering around here lol

Hi there!

First I shoot digital and film (again). I saw the thread on here regarding Zeiss Ikon's, I happen to have two, my Dad's Ikonta 521 (1948-49) and I recently picked one up off ebay, just 208 numbers away in the production line. Both in great shape. I just shot some Kodak PRN 100 (yeah, lucked into some that had been frozen). Processing to be done yet. This is a great 6X9 if you can get one.

I have a K1000 (just refurbished by Calamet last year, it was my Dad's), a couple Yashicas, TL Electros (these need new seals on the film door areas, and I just learned how to do that), I've a 2X3 and 4X5 Speed Graflex'es. Digital Canon 50D.

I got back into film, strangely enough, because someone gave me a tin box that had some undeveloped rolls of 620 and 120 film from 1947. So, those will get processed soon to see what they can tell me.

I look forward to following discussions in the film area!

Ken (morph00)

I have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 517/2 with a Novar-Anastigmat 105mm F:6.3 in very nice shape:

I would have liked an Ikonta with a faster lens, but all in all I find that the image quality is acceptable (even though the corners tend to be a bit soft), partly thanks to the large negative. With 6x9 cm images you only get 8 shots per 120 roll.

Below is an image from the model airfield - an older gentleman receiving instruction from a more experienced club member. A scan of the whole image - HP5 developed in D-76 and yellow filter on the lens:


I have recently acquired an Ikonta 523/16 with a Novar-Anastigmat 75mm F4.5 that I look forward to try out. It takes 6x6 cm images and therefore gives 12 images per 120 roll.

Old folders like these are fun to shoot with, but you need a hand-held exposure meter and a good perception of distance, as only the more rare and expensive Super-Ikontas have in-built rangefinders. Consequently, landscapes are easier than (close-up) portraits.

I have also posted three images from Norway taken with the Zeiss Nettar 517/2 in this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/53503-cool-l...ml#post2513662 and more images of the camera here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/217364-gear-...ml#post2513667

Try Looking at Jurgen's website at certo6. He repairs, services and also sells old folders.
Do you want a coupled rangefinder or just a sportfinder? that would be a price consideration.