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TheoP
6th December 2009, 06:14 PM
I just bought a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 518 16 with a 75mm f/4.5 Novar lens for a really good price of £10, +5 for postage.

It is yet to arrive, I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with these and what I need to test before putting a roll of film in.

Obviously light leaks in the bellows is something to look out for, but what else?

Also does anyone know of any example shots anywhere? (I have looked on google, but I'm not sure if it is this camera or this lens etc)

I can't wait to use it, I'm hoping to take it to Paris with me in february, and Thailand in the summer. It's fairly heavy apparently, but I think it'll be worth it.

Sandeha Lynch
6th December 2009, 07:37 PM
These were shot with a 3.5 Novar on a 6x6 Ikonta, so a broadly similar set-up. The indoor shots were Neopan 400 uprated to 1600, dev'd in DDX.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/cycle_museum/th_060929_neo4_04_copy.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/cycle_museum/060929_neo4_04_copy.jpg) http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/cycle_museum/th_060929_neo4_06_copy.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/cycle_museum/060929_neo4_06_copy.jpg) http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/mid_wales/th_060929_neo4_01_copy.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/mid_wales/060929_neo4_01_copy.jpg) http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/mid_wales/th_060929_neo40_05_copy.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/Sandeha/mid_wales/060929_neo40_05_copy.jpg)

The Novar is a Rodenstock triplet, so good pedigree.

Bellows, shutter speeds, straight struts and clean rollers. There's nowt else to go wrong. :)

Mike O'Pray
6th December 2009, 08:11 PM
Sandeha hasn't replied on the weight issue and I can't directly as I have never had one but looking at pictures of them and having an Agfa Isolette now and in the dim and distant past a Kodak 6x9 folder, I'd be surprised if it is a heavy camera as cameras go.

I'd have thought lighter than some of the later Nikon 35mm "beasts" and people walk around most of the day with those slung around their necks.

Mike

TheoP
6th December 2009, 08:16 PM
Sandeha, thanks very much for uploading those. I'm now even more excited to get shooting with it!

Thanks Mike, your probably right. To be fair, I'm going to be backpacking with my life on my back, I doubt the weight of this camera is going to bother me too much, as long as I have fun with it.

Richard Gould
6th December 2009, 08:22 PM
Theo, I use an Ikonta with the nova lens, stopped down there are no issues,and as Sandeha says, bellows,(normally not a problem),straight struts etc, and as far as weight, german folders in general are fairly light so the best advice is to simply enjoy using a nice old camera,I know I enjoy using my growing collection.Richard

Mike O'Pray
6th December 2009, 08:25 PM
Sandeha's prints demonstrate the versatility of Fuji 120 Neopan 400 in DDX. Looks a great combo. I can only vouch for it in 35mm at the moment but Sandeha's experience of it and mine in 35mm has made 120 Neopan the next stop with my Agfa.

Mike

Steve Smith
7th December 2009, 08:10 AM
I have a 518/16 but it's at home. If you haven't had a reply tonight, I will weigh it and let you know.

The bellows are probably o.k. They seem to be made from a better material than the Agfa Isolettes which usually need replacing or patching up.

They take up a little bit more space when closed than the Agfas do too. The Agfa door sits flush to the body but the Zeiss Ikon's door bulges out a bit. This can be an advantage as the door can still be closed with a push on filter fitted. Mine usually has a yellow filter attached.


Steve.

Mike O'Pray
7th December 2009, 12:33 PM
Steve For what it is worth and for anyone considering an Agfa folder, the Isolette 1 will in fact close with a push-fit filter attached. It's tight but just manages it.

Mike

Steve Smith
7th December 2009, 01:15 PM
the Isolette 1 will in fact close with a push-fit filter attached. It's tight but just manages it.

That's interesting. I have an Ansco version of the Isolette III (Speedex Special R) and that will not close with a filter. I suppose it's a different lens.

The Nettar door seems to be made specifically for this purpose though. It sounds like with the Isolette, it's more a case of getting away with it.


Steve.

TheoP
7th December 2009, 05:30 PM
Thank you all for the help and info!

Andrew Bartram
10th December 2009, 10:02 AM
Theo

Take a look at my last blog post - warboyssnapper.blogspot.com

Andrew

TheoP
10th December 2009, 05:27 PM
Edit: Don't worry I found one
Thanks for the post Andrew! Really nice picture!
It has arrived and I've just loaded some HP5 film, all seems to be working nicely! I'll develop my first film next week some time and I'll upload some contact prints!
I can't wait to get out and use this beauty, it's so nice. Not too heavy at all, lighter than my FE I reckon.
Thankyou all for the help.

Richard Gould
10th December 2009, 05:34 PM
Should'nt be a problem, everyone who has ever deved 120 film should have plenty,got a few hanging around but I don't now how to get them to you,enjoy the camera, using an old folder is like nothing you have experienced before, I use plenty of them and they are simply great fun and great results,Richard
,

Dave miller
10th December 2009, 05:38 PM
It arrived today! Its all in mint condition apart from the case, but who cares about that! Only issue is that there is no take-up spool! The ebayer failed to mention this ofcourse. Any idea where I can get one?

PM me your address and I will post you one, or ask in a local camera shop if you have one.

TheoP
10th December 2009, 05:39 PM
Thanks anyway Richard and Dave, I found one, it was hidden in a bit of bubblewrap. A couple more questions, when developing 120 film, do you keep the paper? Also, I can't find the manual anywhere, and I don't know what the V, X and M controls are for on the lens. This is only on the signal nettar, so I imagine this means it is something to do with prevention of double exposure? But I have no idea what letter means what.

Richard Gould
10th December 2009, 06:12 PM
Theo,The x and m settings are forn the flash sync,x for electronic flash and m for the old type flash bulb, no longer made I believe, and the v is for delayed action, I would suggest that you leave the delayed actin alone as on a shutter that old it can damage the shutter if it sticks. when developing 120 film you must seperate the film from the backing paper,not to difficult as it only stuck on with tape at the start of the film,Have fun, you've got a great fun camera, as for a manual, try looking on orphan cameras,he seems to have manuals for most cameras, I have downloaded several for my collection, and they are free,Richard

marty
10th December 2009, 06:28 PM
Hi, Theo. The paper has to go: just start loading the film on the reel and let the paper go free on its way. The V, X and M controls are the sync types. X is for electronic flash, which goes off right when the shutter blades reach their full aperture. V and M are for bulbs, since bulbs take longer to reach full brightness they are ignited slight before the blades reach full aperture. They only differ in how much delay from the maximum aperture, that is 5 ms for F and 20 ms for V. Which one to use depends naturally on the bulb type. I guess this is mere academy since bulbs nowadays can be found only as antiques. You'll likely use only the X sync with any electronic strobe.

Cheers, Marty.

Bob
10th December 2009, 06:36 PM
Manuals should be available online. Search for Zeiss Ikon Nettar 518/16 manual and you should find some: try here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/zeiss_ikon.htm or here: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html.

It is worth sacrificing a roll of film to practice loading the film on the reels and to see how it is constructed - doing it in the pitch-dark for the first time ever would be fraught at best...

Dave miller
10th December 2009, 06:43 PM
As an aside flash bulbs are still made, at least in the larger sizes.
See: http://www.meggaflash.com/

marty
10th December 2009, 07:56 PM
As an aside flash bulbs are still made, at least in the larger sizes.
See: http://www.meggaflash.com/Good to know, thanks for providing the link.

Cheers, Marty

TheoP
10th December 2009, 09:28 PM
Thanks everyone for the info. I can't wait to get this first roll developed!

TheoP
12th December 2009, 01:36 PM
First film got developed yesterday, looks alright but I wound it on too far by accident so only got 5 frames off it, and one of those is horribly out of focus, but we'll see on monday for the rest!

Dave miller
12th December 2009, 03:26 PM
First film got developed yesterday, looks alright but I wound it on too far by accident so only got 5 frames off it, and one of those is horribly out of focus, but we'll see on monday for the rest!

No stopping you is there? :)
It's very easy to miss the starting point on older cameras like this :( but practice improves the hit rate. ;)

TheoP
12th December 2009, 03:36 PM
No stopping you is there? :)
It's very easy to miss the starting point on older cameras like this :( but practice improves the hit rate. ;)

Haha nope, no stopping me.
Yeah its gonna take getting used to. I had a walk today to pick up a filter for it (which turns out to be a voigtlander push on filter, which is no use), but it gave me a chance to have a nice walk around town, and I think I got an excellent shot and having borrowed a light meter, the exposure might even be bang on! Its so frustrating not having a darkroom at home, but I have a completely free day in there on monday, its gonna be good.