Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520/2

Style, film format	Folding 120 roll film, zone focus
Lens, shutter	Uncoated 10.5cm f/4.5 Tessar, Compur-Rapid
Photo quality	Excellent
Ergonomics	Despite its size, very easy to hold

This camera came to me from Scotland for about $55. I think it's one of the best deals I've ever gotten, and here's the reason why:

The Ikonta 520/2 uses 120 roll film. Fitted with an uncoated 10.5cm f/4.5 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens in a Compur-Rapid shutter, it can take either eight 6cm x 9cm or 16 6cm x 4.5cm shots. Skip the smaller negative and go for the 6 x 9. If you haven't seen a print from one of these cameras, then you're in for a real treat.

The Tessar lens -- one of the classic lenses of all time -- captures fine details that escape the naked eye.

Sure, you have to guess on the focusing distance, but after a few tries, you'll realize that it's not that difficult to do.

All I can tell you is that the photos from this camera put modern cameras to shame.

Any tiny photo that I place here won't give justice to the resolving ability of the Tessar lens. Check out these two photos that use Zoomify:
• American Club in Hong Kong (This was taken from the 17th floor of a nearby apartment building.)
• Panorama from Hong Kong's Peak (This was created from three photos taken about 10 minutes apart from three different locations on the viewing platform.)

See a photo that I took at the Great Wall.