Film cameras
Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta IV User manual
User manual for Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta IV. 35 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Zeiss Ikon
- Model / document
- Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta IV
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 35
- File size
- 5.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUPERIKONT/ IV
1 Adjusting knob with 6 Struts for closing the
dial of the exposure calllera
meter. 7 Shutter tensioning
lever Film speed adjusting 8 Locking bar for knob of the exposure carnera back meter. 9 Shutter speed
Pointer of the expo- adjusting ring with
sure tneter . light value scale
i 0 Adjusting ring for Button for opening the rangefinder the car-lrera 11 Adjusting lever for
Obiective lens of the Iight value and
viewirangefinder diapl-rragm
Continuedon paqe 34.
,W.y?Wi ,View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
-
l
THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUPER IKONTA IV
12 Distance scale 19 Knob for opening
13 Depth-of-field ring the exposuremeter
14 Flash contact socket 20 Filrn wind knob
15 Shutter speed scale 2l Body shutter release
16 Lever for synchro- with thread for
contact and delayed cable release
action mechanism. tno'
17 Diapnragrnscale , :? 3t"-o:I-. 25 trrallle counter
18 Eyepieceof view/
24 EYePiece.of view/ ;;;;;it"d;; (obj.c-
tive" lens ,,, rangefinder
rangefinder)"f 25 Fihn window
Someof tbe ligures ref er also to tbe front-oiew on
tbe front flap.
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X fi,tf ,l/",fr n
Tbe most important features of tbe supERIKoNrA IV
The lens is a zrrss rEssARf : z.s/zs mm which for
many years has been famous all over ,the world. It
is, of course,coated and colour corrected and yields '
black and white as well as colour pictures of unsur-
passedbrilliance and definition.
The built-in rangefinder is coupled to the lens and
.ib. ensurescorrect focusing. It is combined with the
,,%. oiewfinder, which mearisthat the distancesetting and
the image field can be observedsimultaneously.
The red dot settingincreasesthe versatility of the
camera and makes it ready for action any time you f.,# want to take candid shots.
The built-in pboto-electricexposuremeter ensures
' , the correct exposure time for black and white and
*! colour films even in poor lighting conditions.Thi;
experiencegathered in 20 years of making photo-
electric exposuremeters has borne good fruit in the -'d SUPER IKONTA.
The Syn&ro-Compurshutterwith light oaluescanbe
set to shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/roo second
and time exposures of any period. A synchro-contact'n
;t enables coupling to all types of flashguns and there t is also a delayed action rnechanism built-in. I
The interlo&.ed shutter tensioninQ and film adoance'
combined with the frame counter sirnplify the ope-
ration of the camera and exclude double exposures
and blanks automaticalll'.
A No. 120 ro11 film should be used with the su-
j pER TKoNTA giving 12 negatives in the 21/E" x2rlc" fi(6x6 cm) size. d I
r,'View original page 6Page 8 · Read text
Openingand closingihe clmera
Span the back of the camerawith your hand, slightly
tilting it forward. \7hen the opening button (a) is
depressedthe camera will open and the lens snap
into the taking position (ill. 2). If the struts (6) do
not snap in completely press the front edge of the
baseboard downward with your finger.
To close the camera press against the upper sections
of botb struts (6) which makes the baseboard slide
upwards.The cameracan then be convenientlyclosed
until the lod< catches(ill. 3).
The camera can also be opened and closed in thd'
a taking position. Hold the camera with both hands
t l
as shown in illustrations13 and 14 on pages20 and tt l.
J t 2l and press the button (4) with the index finger. , 1 t
iJ r1 The lens will then snap into the taking position if
ri i i the camera is slightly tilted. For closing both struts
'r (6) are pressed inwards and the baseboard closed
with the other fingers. ' j '
t
The supsn TKoNTAcan be closedno matter whether
the shutter is tensionedornotor whatdistancethelens
is focusedupon. This makes the cameraalways ready
for immediate use. lVhen a filter is screwed in,
however, the camera can be closed only when the
lens is set to oo.#View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
Measuringthe ligbt value
Prior to each exposurethe light value necessaryfor
the exposure should be measured with the built-in
photo-electricexposuremeter. (lll. 4). You can rely
absolutelyon the reading even if the lighting con-
ditions are poor and no matter whether the camera
is loaded with bl4pk and white or colour negative or
reversalfilm.
First thing to do is to set the exposuremeter to the
speedof the film in use. The inner disc is turned by
means of the small button (2) until the black stroke
,ffmark at the right-hand window (seen in the taking r$i*
direction) coincides rvith the DlN-speed or that at '*.s
the left window with the ASA speed of the film in &
use. The disc can also be set to intermediatevalues.
If the makers of the film have used film speedratings
other DIN and ASA the corresponding than values +.a.,,,s page foundcan be in the table on 11.
i.,i
The speed of colour films cannot be determined as
with blackand white films sinceall filrn rating systems *,
are based on values obtained from black and white
film. The film manufacturers,therefore, give the "ri*..
speedof their colour films by comparisonwith black is,
1and white films, recommending,,tobe exposedlike . . .".
In general this method has proved quite reliable,
but to make quite sure, you can calibrate your *r
exposuremeter for the colour film used by exposing ,|
*s'*
www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
severalframes of the sameobject with different shut- ter speeds. To determinethe light value the flap of the exposure meter should be opened by pressing button ( 19) slightly to the left. The supER rKoNrA rv is then directed to the object so as it is intended to be taken. This will carrsethe white pointer (3) to deflect. By turning the adjusting ting (1) the small white cir- cular mark is moved so that it appears symmetri- cally on top of the pointer when looked at from above.The light value'required (red figure) can now be read off from the adjusting ring and will be foundView original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
opposite the red triangle mark placed on the setting
disc for the film speed.
If the exposure time is found to become longer than
1 second the shutter must be set to ,,B" (see page 12)
and the exposure times in seconds (black figures)
should be read off the adjusting ring. They are oppo-
site the various stop of the diaphragm placed on
the inner disc of $t, film speed windows. The figures
can be continued by doubling the last value. lf , for
instance, a measurement results in an exposure time
of 8 seconds at ,[ z 8, the exposure tirne should be
16 secondsat f :ll, 32 secondsat [: 16 and 64 se-
conds - or 1 mifiute - at [ :22. The light value or
stop and shutter speed measured shculd then be
transferred to the shutter of the sLrpER rxoNja rv.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 13 · Read text
Since this lever has a
limited travelling space
only the light value 1
can sometimesonly be
set by also turning the t
adjustirrg ring (9) on
which the light value
scale is placed.
$7hen the correct light
value has been set the
diaphragm and the
shutter speed are coupled. The amount of light ne-
cessary for the correct exposure of a film is always
determined by the size of the lerrs aperture (dia-
phragrn) and the time the light is effective(exposure
time). The figure of the light value denotesthe cor-
rect pairing of diaphragm and shutter speed for the
prevailing lighting conditions. If the shutter speedis
altered by one or two values of the scale after the
light value has been set, the coupling will set the
diaphr agnl automatically (17) to the correct ratio
ancl vice versa.
Settinstheshutterspeed
Turn the milled front ring (9) until its mark (black
dot) is opposite the shutter speed required. The
various shutter speedsare placed on scale(15). The
f igures engraved on this scale indicate fractions of
12
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a second (60 - tluo second, etc.). \Yith the setting
,,8" the shutter remains open as long as the release
knob (21) is depressed(see page 22). The shutter is
tensionedby p.rshingthe cockinglever (7) to the left,
until it stops (seerrfrom the taking direction). It is
immaterial whether the shutter speed is set prior to
tensioning or after it'.*.- -
i
Settin!tbediapbragm
Turn the same millecl ii,',g (9) until the red mark is
oppositethe stop required (scale 17).
tVith one light value once determined only such,
combinationsof diaphragm and shutter speedwhich'
result in a correctly exposednegative can be set. It
is recommendedto place the thumb on the light
value lever (11) and the index finger on the opposite
side of the adjusting
ring (9). (Seeillustr.6).
This manipulation pre-
vents an unintentional
changirg of the iight
value.
If , after having deter-
mined the .light value,
the stop becomes so
small that a time ex-
posure (shutter setting
.4 e t
E: i ,f' "i ;'1Le eK/cJt*re,
1 3 n
u ir cilView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
,,8") is indicated the exposuretime required is 2 se-
conds. If it is intended to use a snraller stop (to do
this pull out lever (11) as it is dcne for the setting of
the light value), the exposuretime required can be
read off from the exposuremeter as describedon page
10. This means, of course/that the light value setting
is out of action. Vhen the shutter setting is changed
from ,,8" to one pf the various shutter speeds,the
light value must also be re-set in the first place.
Melsuring the distance
The object distance is determined by means of the
built-in rangefinder. Looking through the eyepiece
(24) of the cornbinedview/rangefinder,you see the
image as it will be recorded by the camera but with
a light square portion in its centre in which the
14
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
outlines of the object will
appear double (ill. 7). By
turning the milled, ring
( 10) vrith the middle fin-
ger of the left hand these
double outlines in the
centre of the measuring
"tofield can be broughg
coirrcidence.(The best ob-
jects f or obtainirg an
accurate focus are vertical lirres, such as the edge of
a house,a tree, etc.) (ill. 8). As soon as the contours
coincidethe lens is accurately focused at the correct
distancerequired. Moreoverf the correct distancemay,
be read off frorn the blacl..distance setting mark oll'
the scale(12) of the lens ring (ill. 9).
Deptbof t'teld
When the lens is focusedon sornedefinite object dis-
tance it yields a sharp picture not only of the object
at this distance but also of those objects that are :
tnearer to the camera or further away from it. This
zone of sharp definition is called the depth of field
which, however, is rather srnall when the diaphragm
is fully open (stop f :3.5). The depth of field increa-
ses gradually the more the lens is stopped down.
The depth of field for any given lens aperture and
distancecan be read off from the depth-of-fieldring
1 5View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
(13). Diaphragm figures
will be found on the right
and left side of the distance
setting mark. The figures
on the distance scale (12)
oppositethese stop figures
indicate the extent of the
depth of field. The strokes
without figures beside the
triangular nrark indicatethe
depth of field at stop f z 4
and the strokesbetween8 and 16 that of stop f : 11. .
For instance: \When focused at 15 ft the stroke for
f :77 on the right-hand side indicates48 ft, that on
the left-hand side a little more than 9 ft. Focusedon
15 ft with stop [ :17 the lens will yield a sharp zone
reachingfrom approx. 9 ft. in the foreground,to 48 ft
in the background. The exact range of the depth of
field can be found in the iable on page 33.
A different way of utilizing the depth of field is this:
the range that is required to be sharp is measured
with the rangefinder, f irst the f oreground then the
background. The necessary stop to cover this p'arti-
cular depth of field is then determinedby the depth-
of -field ring (13).
A specialsnapshottecbniQue
The fact that the supER IKoNTA is always ready for
action especially when carrdid shots are concerned
1 6
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
increasesthe versatilitl' of
this carnera. Vhen the
prevailing light conditions
f;' aregoodand rapid sequcnce
shots have to be taken
it is no good losing time
with rangefinder reading
and distance setting. Ifr
r,i-lj!v this casethe red-dotsetting
should be used. Set the
diaph ragm and the distance lJ;' t, I / r ( /f^ lt H'#a&r@
to the individual red dcitsa'd everything from 13 ft
to ,,infinity" will be sharp.
when fast moving objeits have to be taken, a diffe-
rent method is advisable.Set the rangefinder to d:
srritabledistance.Then, by looking into the eyepiece
you approach your object until its clouble outlines
coincide in the rangefinder. Vhen the image field
required appears in the viewfinder you press the
button and expose.
Fla,sb DhutograybvanddeXayednctionreleas(
The speedsynchronized Synchro-Compurshutter can
be coupledto all types of flashgun.\7ith the Synchro-
lever(16), three different settings are possible(ill .12).
W ith tlte ,,X" seiling the shutter fires the flash at the
moment the shutter blades are fully open. Most flash-
bulbs can be fired by this setting when the shutter
speed does not exceed 1 - t /ro second.I-lowever,it
1 7View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
firlrstbe borne in mind, that
the flash duration of inost
'lro, second bulbs is appr.
so that you actually expose
t t/uo to I ns second.Electro- {
nic flashesmust always be
fired with the ,,X" setting.
The ,, A4"settinEallows for
the firing delay to peak of {
most average flashbttlbs.
This setting is, therefore, sttitablefor standard flash-
bulbs at all shutter,speeds.
When sel f cr ,,V " the delayed action mechanismis
switchedon. After depressingthe body shutter rele-
ase (21) this mechanisrnruns for about 8 seQonds
and then releasesthe shutter automatically at the
shutter speedto which it is set. Time exposureswith
,,8" setting cannot be made with the delayed action
mechanistn.If the shutter is set to ,,Y" and a flash-
gun is connectedto it the flash will be fired in the
same way as if set to the ,,X" position. Setting the
synchro-lever (16) to "V" must, on no acount'
be done before the shutter has been tension- *$
ed by means of the lever (7) I This important
operation has to be done prior to any exposurewith
the delayed action nrechanism.
For flash exposuresset the synchro-lever(16) to the
required position. Connect the flash lead from the '
flarhg.rn to the flash contact socket (14, ill. 12).
g-f e lf,r,t{ t vv q pa -tr V,' YYLII-sf
.t[* ke{' ,tou&.e^ te
{t /
www.orphancameras.com fffLon. wov'(sView original page 19Page 21 · Read text
How to holdthe camera
The supER IKoNIA tv must be held as steady as pos-
sible during exposure/ if sharp negatives are to be
obtained. It is one of the advantages of the sqLlare
format that no weighty decisior-r is needed as to
whether to take an object with the carnera in a hori-
zontaT or vertical position.
Hold the camera r^rith both hands, the fingers span-
ning the camera body while the thumbs are on the
back. The middle finger of the left hand operates the
-fhe
milled ring (10) of the rangefinder. index finger
of the right hand releases the shutter (21).
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When looking trough the view lrungefinder with the right eye the camera must be held as shown in illustr. 13.In this case the left eye should be closed. It is, therefore, more convenient to use the left eye; for sighting through the eyepiece,since then the right eye need not be closed (ill. 14). Instantaneous expo- sures of a longer duration than 1/s, second and time exposures should always be rnade from a tripod or some other firm support. The srrpER TKoNTArv has a tripod bush at the base of the carnera.View original page 22
Page 23 · Read text
Hsw to relensethe shutter
The shutter is releasedby completelydepressingthe
body shutter release knob (21). Do not press but
squeezethe button gently without a jerk, taking up
the slackin the releasingmechanismslowly. Releasing
the shutter is possibleonly if :
1. the film is corAectlyadvanced (see page 22)
2. the shutter is tensioned(see page 13).
Ftlmaduance
After every exposurethe film must be advancedone
frame by turning the film wind krrob (20) uritil it
stops ill. 15). The sarne movement automatically ad-
vances the frame-counter (23) by one figure. The
frame counter indicatesthe number of the film frame
which is ready for exposure.Since the film can be
advanced only when the shutter release has been
depressed (21), while on
the otherhand releasittgthe
shutteris only possiblewhen
the film has been advanc-
ed, double exposuresand
blanks are excluded.
22
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Loadingthe camerd For the srrPER TKoNTA IV standard roll film No. 120 is used. The camera can be loaded in daylight, but do it in the shade and never in bright sunshine, even yqdr own shadowwilldo. The back of the canlera can be open- ed after the locking bar (8) has been pulled out. T'he full film spool is inserted into the spoolcharnberbelow the setting knob of the expo- suremeter(1). Ill .16.Pull out the spring loaded prong at the undersideof the camera. The spool must be inserted so that the tapered end of thc red backing paper points toward the empty (take-up) spcol. Break the gummed seal of the film and draw the tapered end of the backing paper across the fiLn gate until you can slip it into the longer slot in the core of the empty take-upView original page 24
Page 25 · Read text
spool.Pull the red backing paper taut by a few turns
of the film wind knob (20) until the two triangular
marks on the paper (or, with other makes of film,
a doubleheadedarrow) are exactly oppositethe two
white marks on the film guide of the carnera(ill. 17).
The backing paper must lie flat between the flanges
of the take-up speol and must on no account chafe
them. Then clos6 the back of the camera and push
the locking bar (8) completely home. The film wind
knob (20) should now be turned several tirnes until
it locks automatically. The film counter is thus set
to " \" and when the shutter is tensioned (Z) the
supERTKoNTAtv is ready for the first shot.
i
Unloadlngtbe camera
After the 12th exposurefturn the film wind knob (20)
until it locks. The frame counter now shows a red
dot. The camera back can then be opened, ,which
makes the frame counter (23) snap back automa-
tically into its initial position (black dot). The lower
spring-loadedprong is then ptrlled out and the spool
removed cautiously (in the shade, never in bright
sunshine).Seal the exposedfilm imrnediately.Before
inserting a fresh film remove the empty spool and
www.orphancameras.comView original page 25Page 27 · Read text
AC CESSO RIES 4l
Eoer-readycase
The practical ever-ready case protects the .Supen
TKoNTA from damage and dust. The camera is held
in its case by means of a screw and need not be
taken out of the case for taking photographs.
(illustr. 18). Order No. 1237116
zErssrKoNprecision flhers ;ip
For special effects zErss rKoN precision fllt..i
"..available in yellow, yellow-green/ orange, red and
blue (Ixolon) as well as U.V. filter. They are screrved
onto the lens mount and need not be removed when
the camera is closed (lens focused at oo). Dianreter
35.5 mm. \When filters are used the exposuretime
has to be extended in accordance with the filter
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.
