Zeiss Ikon Nettar Analogue camera





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Zeiss Ikon Nettar folding medium‑format camera, serial 166, produced circa 1930–1940, in good physical condition and tested and working, with a Telma shutter and a Nettar Anastigmat 105 mm f/6.3 lens for 6x9 negatives.
Description from the seller
This fascinating bellows-style folding camera is a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (probably 515/2 series or similar), a classic example of mid-20th-century German mechanical excellence. Produced by the renowned Zeiss Ikon of Dresden, this medium-format camera was designed to offer a perfect balance between portability and image quality, thanks to its compact design that allowed it to be easily tucked into a jacket pocket once closed.
The technological heart of this specimen is the Telma shutter, renowned for its reliability, which supports exposure times ranging from 1/25 to 1/125 of a second, along with the B (bulb) and T (time) modes for long exposures. Mounted on the shutter is a Nettar-anastigmat lens with a focal length of 105 mm and a maximum aperture of f/6.3. It is a triplet optical design which, although positioned as the more economical option compared to the famous Tessar, is capable of producing 6x9 negatives that are extremely sharp and full of character, especially when used at intermediate apertures such as f/8 or f/11.
Aesthetically, the camera presents in a classic black leather finish with chrome details and a leather bellows that remains robust. It features a detachable rangefinder/viewfinder and a small mirror finder mounted directly on the lens for waist-level use. It is an ideal piece for both collectors who want to display an icon of German industrial design, and for analog photography enthusiasts who wish to experience the magic of medium format with a solid, storied camera. The item is sold as a collectible piece; given its age, a servicing is recommended if you intend to use it for professional shots.
Seller's Story
This fascinating bellows-style folding camera is a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (probably 515/2 series or similar), a classic example of mid-20th-century German mechanical excellence. Produced by the renowned Zeiss Ikon of Dresden, this medium-format camera was designed to offer a perfect balance between portability and image quality, thanks to its compact design that allowed it to be easily tucked into a jacket pocket once closed.
The technological heart of this specimen is the Telma shutter, renowned for its reliability, which supports exposure times ranging from 1/25 to 1/125 of a second, along with the B (bulb) and T (time) modes for long exposures. Mounted on the shutter is a Nettar-anastigmat lens with a focal length of 105 mm and a maximum aperture of f/6.3. It is a triplet optical design which, although positioned as the more economical option compared to the famous Tessar, is capable of producing 6x9 negatives that are extremely sharp and full of character, especially when used at intermediate apertures such as f/8 or f/11.
Aesthetically, the camera presents in a classic black leather finish with chrome details and a leather bellows that remains robust. It features a detachable rangefinder/viewfinder and a small mirror finder mounted directly on the lens for waist-level use. It is an ideal piece for both collectors who want to display an icon of German industrial design, and for analog photography enthusiasts who wish to experience the magic of medium format with a solid, storied camera. The item is sold as a collectible piece; given its age, a servicing is recommended if you intend to use it for professional shots.

