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Zeiss Ikoflex Ib

This camera was my birthday present a few years ago but since developing 120 film format in this area is something of a science fiction, i didn't have the chance to test this camera for a long time. But now I've got everything i need to develop and scan my pictures so here is a short review about this wonderful camera.

This is a very well build camera. The moment you hold it in your hands, you know that the engineers in Zeiss did not save on metal. The viewfinder is reasonably bright and all the controls are smooth in my sample. A common problem with this camera is the focusing knob that can become stiff because of the dry lubricants. I am lucky, mine focuses smoothly and the wheel to set the speeds rotates without any resistance.

Before you start using the camera, you need to read the manual. Really, there is no way you will manage to figure out how to load the film is you don't read the manual. After you practice it a couple of times, it becomes sort of obvious but in the beginning is difficult to figure out. It is part of the several interlocks that this camera has. I suppose that what the engineers had in mind when they were designing it was so proving a full-proof camera for the amateur. Unfortunately they ended up messing with the camera's ergonomics. For example:
a) Very awkward film loading
b) The shutter will not trip if you don't wind the film
c) the shutter will not trip after the 12th frame ( you will not be able to squeeze an extra pic from the film)
d) Separate knob for advancing film, separate for cocking the shutter.

These might not sound like a lot but it means that the camera is not always ready to take a picture. You have to remember to cock the shutter separately after each shot. But there are some interesting things about the camera's design also. I think the best thing is that both lenses can be unscrewed just by using your hands. No need for any tools, just turn them and they will unscrew. You can now clean them, or clean the mirror (be very careful with that, the mirror is silvered on the top side, use extreme caution !!) or by removing the two screws you have access to the shutter mechanism.

Eventually every camera should be judged according to the pictures it takes and the Ib takes wonderful pictures with a retro feeling to them. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Tessar 75 f/3.5 which performs really well. Despite some cleaning marks on the lens, the pictures are with plenty of details and very nice tones.

Wide open the lens has a funky swirl effect which i admit that i like it. It is definitely less prominent than the one of the triplet lens of the Zeiss Ikon 518/16.


Conclusion

I like this camera a lot. The ergonomics are not as good as the ones in a Rolleiflex but the build quality definitely is. It takes really nice retro pictures and it is build to last. It is my main medium format camera and i love the results i get from it so it is a keeper.
Highly recommended as an alternative to the expensive Rolleiflex-es.
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