Zeiss Ikon Kolibri (1930–1935)
The Kolibri (German for "hummingbird") was Zeiss Ikon's first try at the miniature camera market, introduced in 1930. It was not a success. The camera shot 16 frames of 3×4 cm on 127 roll film, a format Zeiss Ikon itself had invented. The 3×4 cm format would later find real popularity in the Baby Ikonta, but the Kolibri never caught on with buyers.
At the time, Zeiss Ikon's compact offerings were the Kolibri and the plate-based Ermanox, and neither could compete with the Leica. The Kolibri predates the Contax as one of Zeiss-Ikon's miniature cameras. It is a compact "vest pocket" design, typically fitted with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/3.5 lens. Rarer versions carried the Tessar f/2.8, and an extremely rare "Night Kolibri" variant was made with a Biotar f/2. Two red windows on the back served the small image format. A supplementary Proxar close-up lens was available, allowing focus down to 30 cm.
Surviving documentation is thin. The camera was made in Germany between 1930 and 1935, and is known for quality craftsmanship. A Seawood Photo listing noted the example they handled was "optically beautiful for its age," with shutter speeds working down to 1/10th. Collectors today describe it as a rare vintage camera, though no reliable production figures or market values are documented.
Known Specs
- Format: 3×4 cm on 127 roll film, 16 exposures
- Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/3.5 (standard); f/2.8 rare; Biotar f/2 "Night Kolibri" extremely rare
- Focusing: scale focus; Proxar supplementary lens to 30 cm
- Film advance: two red windows on the back
- Production: Germany, 1930–1935
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