OddCameras.com
ICA Icar 180
The ICA cameras were produced between 1909 and 1926. ICA was a merger
of four reknown camera makers: Hüttig AG, Dresden, Kamerawerk Dr.
Krügener, Frankfurt/Main, Wünsche AG, Reick (near Dresden) and Carl
Zeiss Palmos AG, Jena. They joined their forces to become the
Internationale Camera AG (ICA), Dresden. In 1926 ICA, Dr. Ernemann,
one of the best German camera makers, Goerz and Contessa-Nettel merged
to become Zeiss Ikon, Dresden. Outside of Germany they kept selling
ICA named cameras for some years, so there could be ICA cameras with
shutters and lenses from 1928 or so.
Because of its name, the Icar 180 model must be a new model, after the
1909 merger. The 4 merged companies kept producing some of their old
lines under their old model name. I could not find out which company
made the Icars, as Zeiss made "Icar" lenses, it might have been the
Zeiss Palmos camera making plant.
The Icar 180s are folding plate cameras, built like very compact field
cameras. Film size is 9x12. These cameras are above the entry level.
They feel solid, are easy to manipulate, but do not have double
extension. The lenses are interchangeable, a feature which is not
common on this type of camera. I own 2 of these. Here is the first:
Lens: Zeiss Icar 1:6.3 13.5cm, F6.3-36,
interchangeable lens/shutter unit
Shutter:
Ica Compound 1-1/100 B T (nw)
Weight: 839gr.
Size: 157x110x45
Some photos:
A nice set,
somewhat worn from use, with a case, several holders, a push-on filter and
a 120 roll film back.
Camera closed. Tripod socket on the bed.
Seen from the right.
Brilliant finder with spirit level, can be switched to landscape format.
There is no wire frame on this camera.
Seen from the left. Distance scale. The tab has to be pressed down to move
and blocks itself when released. Tripod socket for landscape format on the
housing.
Lens and shutter.
Lens/shutter unit deposed.The lens/shutter blocks
can be switched between the Icar, the Toska and the Ideal, but my Toska
has a smaller hole in the front standard. So some blocks are too big to
pass through the hole. One could easily widen the hole by 2mm and they
would fit.
Rise/fall and shift movements are possible, risen and shifted left a bit.
Back, hood open.
Ground glass deposed.
As there was a roll film back, some photos of it:.
It slides into the back instead of a plate holder. Red window covered by a
little slider.
Film advance.
Holder open and insert taken out. Note the simple, but effective light
seals made of gummed canvas.
Insert inserted.
Seen from the film plane, dark slide out.
And now the second model:
Lens: Zeiss Novar
Anastigmat 1:6.8 13.5cm, F6.8-36,
interchangeable lens/shutter unit
Shutter:
Ica permanent 1-1/100 B T (working)
Weight: 845gr. w/o ground glass, but with a holder
Size: 160x114x40 w/o ground glass
Some photos:
It came with a leather case and holders, but no ground glass and hood. I
looks less used.
Seen from the right. This one has a wire frame.
And from the left.
Lens
and shutter.
Unit deposed.
Rise/fall
and shift movements are possible.
Holder deposed..
The
camera opens via a button on the left side, near the top. Lower the
bed until it clicks into place. Squeeze the tabs on the front standard
and extend, there is an automatic stop. You can either use the finder
and the distance indications or the ground glass to focus. Set shutter
speed and aperture, cock the shutter if it's not a permanent one. Put
a film holder into place, lift the dark slide and take your photo. Do
not forget to put the dark slide again. To shut the camera, push the
front standard to the end of the bed, press the hinges of the bed and
it will close.
These cameras are
about a century old. The lenses are uncoated and the shutters are simple.
Nevertheless they are a good entry into large format. The cameras are
leightweight and very compact seen the film size. 9x12 film is still
made. These cameras are very cheap, simple to use and can give a
lot of fun.