help-- buying a Super Ikonta

broadie · 12-10-2005

Hi all,
I need some help--I was planning on buying a Super Ikonta IV for my girlfriend for Christmas, and I found one for a nice price on sale by an online vendor, but it's been a week now and I've gotten no response to my order, so I'm thinking I should start looking elsewhere before it's too late.

So I was wondering if anyone here can recommend a good place to buy a Super Ikonta III or IV (I think these later models would be the easiest and most reliable for her to use) that would be a proper gift for someone to photograph with (CLA'd and fully functional and ready to shoot). I recall reading some threads with people very knowledgeable about these cameras, so that's why I ask! Your help is appreciated! Cheers,

Broadie

ikophot · 12-10-2005

Ask the seller how the camera handles frame spacing, can be a problem with these cameras

ZeissFan · 12-10-2005

If you cannot find the Super Ikonta III or IV, I (and ikophot) can recommend a nice Mess Ikonta (524/24) as a good alternative. It uses the same excellent f/3.5 75mm coated Tessar lens. The difference is the uncoupled rangefinder and the lack of a meter.

ikophot · 12-10-2005

Yes the messikonta is a good alternative, and you dont have to worry about framespacing issue, it has a red window. I have an IV that overlap frames, I use to wind past the start arrows and its get better results then.

FrankS · 12-10-2005

Are you really sure this is what SHE wants for Christmas?

iñaki · 12-10-2005

I would take a look at www.certo6.com he has one IV and two III for sale.
He has an interestig web, repairs folding cameras (not only a CLA), and has a lot of folder cameras (CLA´d by him). He also sells in "you know where". I haven´t bought from him (yet)

P C Headland · 12-10-2005

I've got no idea where you are, but Peter Loy in London has got one that might meet your requirements. It's not the cheapest around, but then everything does (supposedly) work.

I recently bought a 5x4 (RF!) from them, I got excellent service (email and phone), and the camera was as good if not better than described.

Paul

broadie · 12-10-2005

Thanks all for the suggestions.

FrankS, you bring up an extremely good point. But yes, I am fairly sure it is what she wants and not what I want. We had a look at one in this camera shop in Paris and she absolutely fell in love with it, and it really would be a great camera for her since once folded it is extremely portable, for placement in a purse and such. We turned that particular one down but I am going to surprise her with one as a gift. So I am in the States, and that certo6 seller looks promising, they have a III for sale, so I will look into that.

Thanks again RFFers!

broadie · 12-10-2005

And I should mention that she has rocked medium format already, with an old rolleicord, so this is right up her alley.

Any more advice that pours in is appreciated. Enjoy the weekend...

portia · 12-10-2005

what a thoughtful guy, lucky girlfriend of yours! I have bought from the owner of certo6.com on the auction site we all know, and I would certainly not hestitate to buy from him again. The problem is actually how NOT to buy, since he seems to have lots of good stuff.

geraldfinnegan · 12-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadie

Hi all,
I need some help--I was planning on buying a Super Ikonta IV for my girlfriend for Christmas, and I found one for a nice price on sale by an online vendor, but it's been a week now and I've gotten no response to my order, so I'm thinking I should start looking elsewhere before it's too late.

So I was wondering if anyone here can recommend a good place to buy a Super Ikonta III or IV (I think these later models would be the easiest and most reliable for her to use) that would be a proper gift for someone to photograph with (CLA'd and fully functional and ready to shoot). I recall reading some threads with people very knowledgeable about these cameras, so that's why I ask! Your help is appreciated! Cheers,

Broadie

Try www.certo6.com Heis one of the Einstein's of Folder Cameras and sells some thru Ebay. He may have what you want if you email him. I bought an Ercona II from him (East German Zeiss Ikonta C) and was very satisfied.

broadie · 12-28-2005

So this story has a very happy ending.... Jurgen of certo6.com came through and my girlfriend now has an extremely nice super ikonta III. Great experience from that seller. Thanks again everyone for all your help and recommendations!

iñaki · 12-28-2005

Thank you, It´s nice to know the result,

but I hope it´s not the end: I would like to see some photos taken with/of that camera