Beautiful ICAREX 35 CS, made by Zeiss Ikon in the mid 60's, works as well a 60 year old camera can. It's a tank of a camera, and it will not disappoint. The Tessar 50/28 four element makes gorgeous pictures. Sold AS IS, meter is NOT working, to the best of my knowledge, the camera is all mechanical. Handheld light meter will solve the problem.
shipment to the continental USA only
The ICAREX 35 CS is a classic 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, introduced by Zeiss-Ikon in 1968. This camera is renowned for its robust build quality, innovative features, and the collaboration between Zeiss-Ikon and Voigtländer, two legendary names in the camera industry.
Design and Build
- Body: The ICAREX 35 CS features a durable metal body, giving it a solid and reliable feel. The camera's design is straightforward, with a focus on functionality and ease of use.
- Weight: It weighs approximately 990 grams with the lens and prism attached, making it a substantial piece of equipment².
Lens and Mount
- Lens Mount: The camera uses a unique breech lock bayonet lens mount, which was specific to the ICAREX series. This mount was later adapted to accept M42 screw mount lenses in subsequent models².
- Lenses: The camera was compatible with a range of high-quality Carl Zeiss lenses, including the 50mm f/2.8 Tessar, 50mm f/1.8 Ultron, 90mm f/3.4 Dynarex, 135mm f/4 Super-Dynarex, and 200mm f/4 Super-Dynarex¹.
Viewfinder and Metering
- Viewfinder: The ICAREX 35 CS is equipped with an interchangeable viewfinder system. Users could choose between a waist-level viewfinder, a standard pentaprism, or a metered pentaprism. The metered pentaprism, which is a standout feature of the CS model, includes a built-in cadmium sulfide (CdS) light meter for accurate exposure readings¹².
- Metering: The light meter in the pentaprism is a through-the-lens (TTL) system, which measures the light that passes through the lens, providing more accurate exposure settings. However, the exposure can only be read with the diaphragm closed¹.
Shutter and Exposure
- Shutter: The camera features a cloth focal plane shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/1000 second, plus a bulb (B) setting for long exposures².
- Exposure Control: The exposure meter is uncoupled, meaning that the user must manually transfer the meter reading to the shutter speed and aperture settings. This slows down the shooting process but allows for precise control over exposure².
Additional Features
- Interchangeable Focus Screens: The ICAREX 35 CS allows users to change the focus screens, providing flexibility for different types of photography².
- Self-Timer: The camera includes a self-timer, which is useful for self-portraits and group shots².
- Flash Sync: It has a cold shoe for mounting a flash and PC sync connections for M and Auto flash modes. The X-sync speed is 1/60 second².
- Film Loading: The camera features an easy film loading system, making it user-friendly for both amateur and professional photographers¹.
Ergonomics and Handling
- Controls: The top plate of the camera is adorned with various dials for setting shutter speed, ISO, and metering. The controls are well-placed and intuitive, contributing to the camera's excellent ergonomics¹.
- Shutter Sound: The ICAREX 35 CS is known for its distinctive shutter sound, which adds to the overall experience of using this classic camera¹.
Historical Significance
The ICAREX 35 CS represents the last significant effort by Zeiss-Ikon and Voigtländer to compete with the rising dominance of Japanese camera manufacturers in the 1960s. Despite its high quality and innovative features, it struggled to gain a foothold in the market due to the competitive pricing and advanced technology of Japanese cameras¹.
Overall, the ICAREX 35 CS is a beautifully engineered camera that holds a special place in the history of photography. Its combination of robust build, high-quality optics, and innovative features make it a prized possession for collectors and photography enthusiasts alike.