Acquired October 2009

Continuing the idea of doing some larger medium format B&W without the bulk and weight of the Bronica SQ-A, this nineteen fifties vintage folding camera has been acquired. This macchina fotografica was also bought through certo6 who reconditions these nifty old cameras. Folded, this should fit in a jacket pocket. This camera is basically an East German Zeiss Ikonta.

This example is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105 mm, f3.5, four-element lens set in a Tempor shutter. Provided shutter speeds are B(ulb) and 1 to 1/250 seconds. It takes eight 6x9 cm frames on a roll of 120 film.

For a first test we completed a roll of Acros 100 on a sunny autumn afternoon. Gut sense is the Color Skopar on the Perkeo is a bit sharper, but we need to try it on a tripod.

In line with the above comment, on 04 November Ye Olde Photographer put a roll of Provia 100F through, taking shots around the house and nearby after what seemed like ages of waiting for some sunshine. Scans are done with an Epson Perfection 3200.

20 December 2009: YOP took some shots of the "Big Snow" that really wasn't at this location, although a mere 35 miles or so southeast of here, Philadelphia Airport recorded 23 inches!

February 2025: We were able to obtain a 40.5mm to 40.5mm female coupling which screws onto the front cell — there is a 40.5 x 0.75mm thread sneaked into what appears to be knurling on the outer diameter of the front-focusing lens cell! This provides a much more reliable connection compared with a slip-on fitting.

Further examples from the Ercona II:

• B&W shots in the UP Challenger gallery
• 3:2 format shots in the Maine 2012 Monochrome gallery
• Some shots in the WPPD 2011 Asides gallery
• B&W shots scattered in the Big Snow gallery
• B&W shots in the Duryea Day gallery