Antique Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7 Camera. Germany, c. 1927-1939

Antique Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7 Camera. Germany, Circa 1927-1939

This antique Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7 camera, manufactured in Dresden, Germany, between 1927 and 1939, represents one of the finest folding field cameras of its era. This example is in excellent working and cosmetic condition, with an intact bellows free of light leaks, a fully operational Compur shutter, and complete double 9×12 cm plate holders. The metal body retains perfect alignment, and the bellows extension allows precise focusing both outdoors and in portrait photography.

Equipped with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/4.5 F=13.5 cm No. 965241 lens, one of the most celebrated optics of the twentieth century, the camera offers exceptional sharpness and contrast. The Tessar was designed by Paul Rudolph in 1902 and perfected by Zeiss in the following decades, becoming a reference standard for its capacity to combine definition, brightness and freedom from distortion. Mounted here in a Compur shutter, it provides accurate exposure times and full control between time, bulb and fast speeds.

This example carries on its side the distributor plate from Photo-Plait, Paris, a detail that adds historical and provenance interest. Photo-Plait was a well-known Parisian photographic house, founded in the 1890s and located on Boulevard des Italiens. During the 1920s and 1930s it distributed Zeiss Ikon, Voigtländer, Agfa and Kodak cameras throughout France, and is regarded today as one of the most influential European firms in the spread of technical and professional photography. Cameras that retain their original distributor plate, like this one, are especially sought after by collectors for their authenticity and their link to Franco-German photographic commerce.

Every element of this Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7 reflects precision and balance. Its metal body covered in embossed leather remains perfectly solid, the focusing controls move smoothly, and the folding viewfinder provides a clear image on the ground glass. It is an exemplary display of German industrial elegance combined with the French refinement of its distribution. It is rare to find examples so complete, functional and well preserved, especially those equipped with their original Tessar lens, a symbol of Zeiss optical excellence.

Its rarity, state of preservation and provenance make it a highly valuable piece for the demanding collector. It unites history, design and precision in perfect harmony, embodying the spirit of classic photographic engineering. Ideal for inclusion in a historical collection or for display in a contemporary decorative environment, this camera transcends its technical function and connects with the aesthetic emotion of a time when photography was art and mechanics in perfect synergy.

Measurements: 15.6 × 11.2 cm (6.14 × 4.41 in).

History of Zeiss Ikon

Zeiss Ikon AG was founded in 1926 in Dresden, Germany, the result of the merger of four camera manufacturers: Contessa-Nettel, Ernemann, Goerz and Ica, coordinated by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. The aim was to unify German camera production under a strong brand that would accompany the prestigious Zeiss optics. From its inception, Zeiss Ikon became one of the pillars of world photography, known for the mechanical precision of its products and the exceptional quality of its lenses.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the company produced a wide range of plate cameras, folding cameras and studio cameras, noted for their combination of advanced engineering and functional design. Models such as the Maximar, the Ideal and the Icarette marked a turning point by allowing easier transport without sacrificing optical quality. The Maximars were made in different variants (207/7, 208/8, 209/9), adapted to the 9×12, 10×15 and 13×18 cm formats respectively.

The success of the Tessar, created by Paul Rudolph in 1902 for Zeiss, consolidated the company as the absolute benchmark in photographic optics. Its formula, consisting of four elements in three groups, offered unprecedented sharpness and correction and remained in production for more than a century.

After the Second World War, Zeiss Ikon was divided between Dresden (in the eastern zone) and Stuttgart (in the western zone), continuing its legacy on both sides of Germany. Today, Zeiss Ikon cameras are regarded as icons of German precision and are essential pieces in any serious photographic collection.