Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 - Medium Format in the Palm of Your Hand

#Zeiss #Fomapan #MediumFormatFilm
In this video I go over the Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 medium format camera and share some photos I took with it. For my article on this camera visit: alysvintagecam...
Buy your own Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515:
ebay.us/zh2fzC
If you would like to contribute something to the upkeep of my site, channel and film supplies a donation can be made:
alysvintagecam...
Follow me on social media:
Facebook: / alysdigitalandfilmphot...
or
/ alysvintagecameraalley
Instagram: / alysvintagecameraalley
Instagram Black and white work: / avca_bw
To see my vintage cameras: alysphotograph...
To read my reviews in print visit my blog: alysvintagecam...
My Portfolio: alysphotograph...
.
.
.
.
.
.
My Equipment
Video Lights
amzn.to/3p5wubW
Light meter
amzn.to/38o2gKx
Camera for video
amzn.to/3f5CsaO
Alt Camera for video
amzn.to/3rnxOt1
Video Mic
amzn.to/37GqH7b
2nd video camera
amzn.to/3nBEwcw
tripod
amzn.to/3mC0n27
Audio Recording
amzn.to/3nBP2k1
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps to support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[@ChrisTDownTheRabbitHole]

Cute little thing! One of my favourite simple jems that i use from time to time.

[@ganzonomy]

I love these little folders. They're so small, but they can pack a punch. I just scored a kodak jiffy series ii 620 camera for $3 in Rochester. Gave it a good cleaning and it's going into regular service. Keep up the great work! Jason

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you Jason. I think I have one of those. I’ll have to look. But after using this one I am inspired to break out all the folders I’ve had in my cabinet for years.

[@ganzonomy]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6TKgmSjbamom7c There's the cleanup

[@1973sonvis]

Hi, Aly. I use an external viewfinder, there are plenty of them cheap on Ebay. I also use a cheap laser distance measurer for home use, though it is hard to use outdoors in full daylight for distances over 3-4 meters. But indoors it works perfect up to 10-15 meters. Keep it up! 👍🏻

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Oh ok. Cool. Thanks.

[@anthonymiller8979]

One thought on the fall off of the lens. On some of these older folders the lens may not be parallel to the film plane any longer as mechanisms wear of get stiff or if simply not opened fully in haste. Kind of like having tilt or swing on a view camera and how that can help or hurt focus. As for scale/zone focus cameras I often use a $25 DeWalt laser rangefinder/"tape measure" that fits on a key chain. Limited distance measuring (25' or 50') but great for closer subjects. Put the red dot on your subject and read the distance in feet or meters and set your lens focus ring to match.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you for the great tips :)

[@howardsandler7175]

Nice review. I have a few folders, including a Zeiss Ikonta 520, which is virtually the same as your camera, but with a post-war coated version of the same lens. With folders, I tend to do the same as you did for the second roll: stop way down and use fast film so small errors in focus don't show up. I recently bought an auxiliary "combimeter" rangefinder which is about the same size as a pack of gum. A popular model is the watameter. The problem with the Nettar and Ikonta is that they don't have a shoe to put a rangefinder in, so you just have to carry it in a pocket. Regarding the out of focus on one side, it's almost certainly due to lack of perfect parallel-ness of the lens and the film plane. If you lay the camera on its back on a level surface like the floor and lay a spirit level across the lens bezel you might find one side is lower than the other. You can very very carefully bend the struts and front standard to try to improve the situation. Then again, you might be happy with it as it is and just stop down.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. I’ve heard of the watameter. I’ll have to look into the combimeter. It would be good to have one on hand for these types of scale focus cameras because I’m so bad at it lol

[@spookisghostly4619]

I just bought a Fuji super Fujica from the 50's so I'm looking forward to getting some nice crisp 6x6 images it's such a beautiful folder and it has a coupled rangefinder

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

I love that camera. Someone sent me one and I was so excited, but the shutter is stuck 😭 so now it just sits on my shelf. Such a great gem. One day I’m going to get a replacement.

[@a.garland5003]

Hi Aly , another great upload ,really enjoying them . Just wish we had your good weather in the U.K.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you! What’s the weather like there right now? We are heading into hurricane season so it’s been really windy and hot. Not looking forward to it :(

[@a.garland5003]

Grey and wet not the best for photography at the moment 😩

[@neilpiper9889]

Ensign made similar 12 on 120 and a 16 on 120 folding cameras from the 1930s to the 1950s in England. Great cameras.

[@canoedoctor]

I've been thinking about this little Zeiss. For scale focusing, get one of the laser distance measuring tools. Plenty available at the hardware stores, you only need one that measures to 30-50 feet as anything accurate for further than that is irrelevant for the camera. You can get them for $20-50

[@andrewrothman7805]

I just discovered your channel and really like the content. Another couple of compact medium format folders you might like are the Super Fujica Six, and the Mamiya Six (not to be confused with the more recent rangefinder of that name). They both have coupled rangefinders and brilliant lenses. The Mamiya has some versions that shoot both 6x6 and 6x4.5. The key with the Mamiya is to try to find one with a Sekor lens instead of the more usual Olympus lens. The reason is that the Olympus lens tends to have bad haze on it which can't be removed. Really dynamite little cameras, especially the Fujica. Bonus: both cameras have an auto-stop function (like a Rolleiflex), so you don't need to bother with the red window. Keep up the great work!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks so much! Those are two cameras I’ve always had my eye on but never pulled the trigger. I appreciate those tips. I’m going to look again

[@andrewrothman7805]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley I highly recommend Japan Vintage Camera, owned by Jeff Guthrie. All his stock is fully refurbished and reasonably priced, and shipping is free. Here's a video of my actual Super Fujica Six I bought from him: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXCY3mqgNWlnM0

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

@@andrewrothman7805 awesome. I will check it out.

[@EdwardIglesias]

I love those little cameras. I have a Kodak Tourist which I thought was medium format but unfortunately shoots 620 film which is probably why I got it so cheap.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

I have many Kodak folders too. Sometimes the 620 can fit 120 film. Depends on the size film area.

[@TheFilmFellow]

Really enjoyed that video Aly! Well done!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you 😊

[@nmd1211]

You can get an attachable viewfinder / rangefinder that you can put in the cold shoe. Easy to use and a good option for the distance challenged! I bought a Voigtlander, from Certo6 on eBay. He refurbished it. It was perhaps a bit pricey, but don't recall. Check out his website and shoot him off an email and he should get back to you. I have a number of folding cameras, and they are a real pleasure!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Oh that’s good to know. Thank you. That would be a huge help.

[@andrewhowarth4578]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley You can also get an electronic from virtually any hardware store to measure the shorter distances where focus gets problematic - I have a small Bosch version that stays with me whenever I'm shooting a scale focus camera that cost about $40 but they're available even cheaper. Andy www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic-distance-meter-with-laser-pointer-67802.html

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

@@andrewhowarth4578 thanks for this

[@Dr.GeoDave]

Interesting, the little red window for monitoring frame number is closer to the top on the model I have is dual and at the top of the back cover. That causes issues with image overlaps or gaps between images. It’s as if 120 film paper backer standards have changed.

[@mueslimuncher1950]

I suggest you invest in a rangefinder to accurately measure distance so you can nail the focus. They are widely available on ebay.

[@nelsonm.5044]

For scale focusing I just walk, I know that one of my step is 3 feet and I use a small aperture to have a deeper depth of fie ld

[@lawsonpix]

I figured a few ways to focus. You can get a "Rowi Rangefinder" or similar brand. Or you can bring an autofocus camera out with you and hit the shutter button and the lens will read the distance. You'll need a lens with distance markers on it. So an 80s or 90s film SLR or early DSLR lens. Or you can bring out a manual focus film camera that has a focusing screen. (hopefully you know what I mean) Focus and read the distance on the lens.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Great ideas. Thanks Bill. I’ve used the idea of bringing a second lens along. I may have to look into the Rowi Rangefinder. I like that.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Great review of a great camera! Zeiss Ikon's are awesome cameras and certainly inspired me to get out with mine again this summer! Also, solid pronunciation of my last name!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Yes did I finally get it??

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley You are close! And it is the most common mispronunciation! Correct is Lowks (with the ow being short).

[@Dwarvenchef]

Nice clean look 👍

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

thank you

[@MrMarkpoole]

I have a similar camera. It's a Zenobia. 6x4.5 folding camera. Shutter speeds 1-1/500 plus B. F stops of 3.5-22. Similar in size. It could be another option for you.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

cool I will look it up. thanks

[@charlespitts5901]

If you can go $150 then look for a 531a. Same camera with a coupled rangefinder built in. Most have the better tessar lens.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I appreciate it

[@stuarttrenholm5355]

Do you have an ig page I can follow

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Sorry I an just seeing this question. You can find me on social media under Aly’s Vintage Camera Alley. Links are always in the descriptions of my videos :)