Recently i bought a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16 (6x6 format) and noticed that there was a 5 pointed star (also called asterisk) behind the serial number on the body (see red arrow).

I have read about that Star before but this was the first time i actually saw it on a camera.

Mr. Bernd K.Otto writes about that Star in part 2 of his article "Die Entwicklung der Ikonta/Super Ikonta".

You can find that Star on folders (yes, only on folders) which were produced by Zeiss Ikon in Stuttgart (Contessa Werk) in the first years (1945 to 1949) after the second world war AND were partly made of parts from pre May 1945 production which were still lying in storage.

btw The serial number starts with an "O" . this indicates the production of the body somewhere between the years 1943 and 1945. However its Tessar lens has a red T on the name ring, indicating a lens with (early) coating. Coated lenses on cameras for the public appeared after WW2.

Tags:   Zeiss Ikon Folder Serial Number with Star Asterisk Stuttgart Contessa Werk Red T Coating

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Vredeborch Kera Junior
German 120 format Rollfilm camera.
Produced around 1961.

And with a nicely illustrated instruction sheet which probably was written for a predecessor, the Felica :-)
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See also camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kera_Junior

Tags:   Vredeborch Kera Junior German 120 type rollfilm camera Dutch manual Instruction Sheet Any White Field Tag by Flickrs SpamTagBot

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Voigtländer Perkeo II
MF Folder produced in Germany from 1952 till 1955.

Lens : Color-Skopar 1:3.5 80mm
Shutter : Compur-Rapid

Image from first Testfilm (Fujifilm Reala 100) after a shutter/lens cleaning.

Scanned with a Plustek Opticfilm 120 at 2650ppi. Downscaled to 1325ppi.
No sharpening. No IR-Dust reduction.
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Farmhouse on a Riverdyke near Geijsteren (NL)

Tags:   Voigtländer Perkeo II Color-Skopar 1:3.5 80mm Lens Compur-Rapid Shutter Fujifilm Reala 100 Plustek Opticfilm 120 Test Film Landcape Maas near Geijsteren NL Farmhouse River Dyke Any White Field Tag by Flickrs SpamTagBot

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Deckel Synchro Compur special type MX/CR00-126, leaf shutter as used on an Agfa Isolette III with the 4,5/85mm Solinar lens. Production year around 1951~1953.

This is the first Compur shutter i opened from which i'm absolutly sure that it wasn't opened before (i.e. for servicing). So this one is still in the default factory condition and a great way to study especially the amount and state of the lubricants used by Deckel at that time.

Possible Speed settings on this shutter : B, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500
No Selftimer
X or M Flashsynchronisation

Warning :
The Flash synchronisation and Escapement Adjustment are rather tricky and unless you have some experience and the rigth tools best is to refrain from a DIY job involving these parts.

Tags:   Deckel Synchro Compur MX CR00-126 Leaf Blade Shutter used Agfa Isolette III Solinar 4.5 85mm Any White Field Tag by Flickrs SpamTagBot

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Minolta XD-7
Japanese 35mm SLR produced c.1977 to 1984

My second XD-7 and just a little bit older then my first one.

A chance find on an unexpected flea-market while visiting a Christmas market in nearby Germany.

In great and full working condition and with a nice MD Rokkor 50mm 1:1.4 lens.

Its original case is great as it is easily divided into 2 parts.

Luckily the volunteer at that market didn't know the actual value and I got it dirt cheap :-)

Tags:   Minolta XD-7 Notes Japanese 35mm SLR 1:1.4 50mm MD Rokkor Lens Half Case

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