2026-06-12 Zeiss Ikon Ikomatic A 126 Cartridge Camera

Zeiss sold three versions of the Ikomatic 126 cartridge cameras. Initially Bilora made the camera for Zeiss, as they had experience making 126-cartridge cameras. Later Zeiss Ikon took over manufacture and eventually sold more of their versions than of the original Bilora run. Bilora continued to make the camera under their name.
The three versions were the—

CF used flashcubes
F had connector for regular flash as well as a flash reflector
A combined both automatic aperture and a hotshoe

The A version was the only model that had an automatic light meter coupling to the aperture. You could see a red/green dot in the viewfinder—indicating either enough light for available exposures or having to switch to flash.

This is the Zeiss Ikon manufactured Ikomatic A. It had a Color Citar lens (the same as a Color Biotar). It was 40 mm and had a range from f/6.3 to an estimated f/16. It had two shutter speeds—30 sec for flash (lightening bolt symbol on front)) and 90 sec (A ) to couple with the automatic apertures. It also only has two distance settings— mountain or head shot.

The camera has a rather huge and very smooth back door release on the bottom at one end and a central tripod socket.

The top has a robust hot shoe and a really robust shutter rocking release. There isn’t a cable release socket.

The shutter release sort of hiccups up when the advance catches the hole punched in the film. Then a firm press will fire the shutter quietly. The firm press is shutting the aperture down to the correct setting for the light available. The 126 cartridges had a way of setting the camera for their ISO rating, but it only varied between ISO 100 and at most ISO 400.

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