26/06/2026
PROGEAR SPOTLIGHT: Zeiss Ikon Nettar II 517/16
Produced between 1951-57, the Zeiss Ikon Nettar II 517/16 is a charming medium-format camera with some old-school quirks.
While Nettar cameras were originally advertised for the amateur photographer, they share many parts with the more expensive Ikonta range and provide incredible sharpness and personality. Popping the lens in-and-out feels like a party trick, and allows the camera to be incredibly portable. This series is a great choice for anyone wanting the detail of medium-format without the hassle of a sizable kit.
The lack of visual aids for focusing adds a fun game of “guess-stimating”, and the absence of a light meter can be compensated for by a simple phone app (which was used for these images).
Shot by: CHARLOTTE
We currently have a similar camera, the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, in our secondhand cabinet. It has just been fully serviced, so check it out on our website or give us a call!
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Introducing: PROGEAR SPOTLIGHT.
Here at Progear, we aren’t biased by commission or swayed by hype. This new series is to showcase the potential of any camera, not just the new, flashy ones (although, we can’t complain about those either).
We’re photographers, too, and our philosophy is simple: celebrate craft, promote storytelling, and take great images. We believe that good photography is everywhere, no matter the camera. No AI to be found here.