Zeiss Ikon Ikonette
German 35mm film viewfinder camera, c.1958-60
Lens a Novar-Anastigmat 45mm 1:3,5
A WORD OF WARNING !!!
So while investigating the facts about the Ikonette I learned from the McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006 that most Ikonettes were recalled by Zeiss Ikon probably because of Lightleaks.
However, in my Test Film I did not find any lightleaks, even not in the sprocket holes film areas.
While investigating further I found an very interesting article about the Ikonette by author J.W.Fokkelman in the Dutch photohistoric magazine PHT 1996 #3 (page 78).
It states that the Ikonette was recalled because of the Shutter Release/Film Transport Lever mechanism not being fully foolproof.
When, after the Shutter Release (short stroke, see red arrow), the Lever was again actuated BEFORE it had returned in its upper position the mechanism could be damaged.
In the same article it is stated that the lens/shutter combination of the recalled Ikonettes were re-used in the Colora camera production and that it is why some of the Colora's have a blue painted shutter DOF-scale.
So, when you have a still functioning Ikonette take care to NEVER start the Film Transport (long stroke, see green arrow) when the Lever is NOT in its upper rest position !
Guess I was lucky during the shooting of the test film :-)
