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The Nettars...... What can I
say.. Allthough they are very simple low-level cameras, they still have
a place in my heart for several reasons. First of all they are
very easy to find in excellent condition, and what's even better; they
often work perfectly. Secondly they are the kind of medium format camera
that all newcomers in my opinion should be forced to use as an entry
level student camera. It's simple, easy to overlook and you get to know
the basics in a simple way because the Nettar is a simple camera. You can find a Nettar for very little money,
and don't think that the Novar lenses can't deliver sharp
pictures. They can !. You just have to work within the limits that the
Nettars have, and be creative in using the possibilities that they also
offer. The Nettars folders forces you to make
decisions, allthough without too many choices, and they force you to learn 2
extremely important things: depth-of-field scale focusing and using a
manual handheld lightmeter; both very essential skills you will always
need to master. Why?. Because no chip or electronic circuit can ever
replace the eye and human touch of a creative photographer. Ever !. So go out
and play with a Nettar !!.
The Zeiss-Ikon Nettars
were a very successful series of cameras, maybe one of the most
successful Zeiss cameras. They were introduced in the late 30's and were
manufactured in a number of versions until the mid-late 50's. They were
equipped with a number of shutter/lens combinations, and with several
different topcovers. Of course the ones fitted with a Tessar are more
desirable than the ones with Novar lenses, but don't underestimate the
Novars.
Nettar
515/16
(1937-1941)
VF
Serial no.: R 71079 *
Format: 6 X 6 on 120 roll film
Optics: Novar Anastigmat 1:6,3 75mm
Shutter:
Vario B +
1/25, 1/75 and 1/200 sec.
This early Nettar has got something beautifully simple about it. I dont
think a medium format folder gets much more simple than this, and its
precisely the simplicity that makes it both attractive and beautiful.
The ornamented strap lugs, designed chrome parts and foldable wind-knob are
truly small pieces of art,
and the folding viewfinder makes the Nettar a very compact 6 x 6
folder indeed. You don't get many options with the Vario shutter, and
the f 6,3 Novar lens needs some light, but there is no reason why You
shouldn't be abale to make some intersting shots with this camera. Note
that the lens/shutter baseplate still has got the fixture for a prism
viewfinder. I haven't tested whether a prism will actually fit in the
housing when the camera is folded, and it could be that the baseplate
with prism bracket have been a surplus part from other cameras.
Nettar
II - 517/16 (1951
- 1955)
VF
Late model
Serial no.: O 9555
Format: 6 x 6 on 120 rollfilm
Optics:
Zeiss Novar Anastigmat 1:6,3 75mm
Shutter:
Vario B
+ 1/25, 1/75 and 1/200 sec.
All the Nettars basically share the same body, but the top covers were
changed and re-designed over the years. This 517/16 has go the square
viewfinder housing and this model is very commonly found 8in Denmark at
least). Apart from that it's in fact identical with the 515/16 shown
above. Please note the beautiful knobs and tripod mount on the bottom
plate. Isn't that just pure art ?. Both knobs releases the film spools
when loading/un-loading the camera, and ingeniously simple they are
spring tensioned mounted on the same powerful long blade-spring. A very
rugged construction.
Nettar
II - 517/16 (1951
- 1955)
VF
Early model
Serial no.: U 30457
Format: 6 x 6 on 120 rollfilm
Optics:
Zeiss Novar Anastigmat 1:4,5 75mm
Shutter:
Pronto B
+ 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/200 sec.
This
version of the almost indestructable Nettars has got the curved, rounded
topcover, and the slighty more expensive 1:4,5 Novar lens and a Pronto
shutter. As You might have guessed by now, the camera body and the
folding mechanism are the same as on other Nettars. Why change a good
thing ?. The technical simplicity af the Nettars combined with a
design that have proven to be extremely reliable makes the Nettars one
of the Zeiss-Ikon all time greats, and despite the fact that they were
quite "low end" it's remarkable how many of them that are still fully
functional, and how they are capable of giving pleasure and fun to
photographers more than 60-70 years after they were designed. I
dare you to pick one up at the local garagesale or fleamarket, and test
the functions. Statistically there's a good chance that it'll be fully
functional. |
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