This video is a follow up on my previous one in which I showed you how to use this wonderful 6x6 medium format camera! Be sure to check that out after you see what you can capture with this wonderful little beast!
How practical is this camera as a handheld beauty? Let's analyze some photographs that I have taken with various film stocks to find out.
My first ever attempt shooting in the street as you can see gave some immediate feedback which for anyone new to this might be off putting.
Fear not, not all first attempts strike gold and with practice you will become a pro using this camera.
It is a leaf shutter but even the slightest movements by depressing the shutter will have an impact on the final image. You can see this shot taken in the street. You can get around this issue by not using the shutter release at the top of the camera and instead using the leaf shutter release from below the lens. The absolute best way to capture tack sharp images is to place it on a tripod. It will need 3/8" tripod threads, you can find these quite easily on ebay or a good photography store.
Nevertheless if you are going for a real vintage vibe with no strings attached you can absolutely shoot away like this and capture some classic and authentic looking images. If you’re shooting landscapes, no one will know when it was taken for sure.
5 reasons to shoot with the Zeiss Ikon Nettar
1. It is light and elegant camera which is highly portable. The silver frame is sturdy and will stand the test of time. If well looked after it should last you a lifetime.
2. The camera will force you to think carefully about what you are shooting so you become far more careful and meticulous about what you shoot. You will enjoy the process, through which you will learn how distance, shutter and apertures work in tandem with each other.
3. Compositionally, you will carefully frame all your shots which over time will result in highly personalized work and hone your creative style.
4. The large 6x6 Medium Format Negatives will give you high density detail. This is particularly important if you want to sell prints of your work. The negatives will last a lifetime depending on how well they are kept, and you can always scan and rescan to whatever size you wish.
5. It is probably the cheapest way to medium format. You can fetch one of these cameras online for about £30 and you’re set. At the cheaper end, you can grab a roll of film for about £3.50-£4.
The camera will help you capture some highly nostalgic shots in black and white. So if you’re looking for a classic look this will be a great camera to start with
If you enjoy analogue photography and want to try out Medium Format before leaping into it fully, this is a cost-effective way to do so. When searching for your own Zeiss Ikon Nettar, make sure you buy a camera with excellent bellows and a lens which has been well looked after.
These two things are the most important when investing in such a camera otherwise you may end up with disappointing results. Simply ask the person you are buying the camera from how it has been kept.
If possible, go and see the camera before purchasing it or alternatively go to a film photography store where you may be able to pick up a well serviced and looked-after one.
All in all, this is a fun and classic camera. If you can shoot with this camera, you can shoot with any camera.
Overall, this is a fantastic camera to work with. If you dream to work with a 6x6 Hasselblad or even a Rolleiflex which will cost you thousands of dollars, pounds or euros this is an incredible investment.
As the great Peter Lindberg once said ‘ Many photographers are fetishists. They're always talking about the camera and not the pictures. I have an old nikon. It's perfect. Don't worry. It's not about the camera.
You can pick up a roughed up Zeiss Ikon 6x6 for as little as £15 which personally I would avoid or as much as £50 for an overpriced one. You can find one which has been well kept somewhere in between those two figures.
If you have shot with Zeiss Ikon Nettar, thinking about it or have film photography gems to share then let me know in the comments below, punch the subscribe button.