Photographica Pages

An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff

Zeiss Ikon Adoro and Tropen Adoro

The Adoro was of Contessa Nettel design, and when they merged with Ica, Goerz and Ernemann to form Zeiss Ikon in 1926, it was carried over into Zeiss production. The Adoro line was carried in the Zeiss catalog until 1934.

The Adoro is a drop bed folding plate camera, constructed on leather covered wood. It has double extension bellows, with a bed which can be lowered for wide angle lens use, front rise and fall, rear swing and tilt and rack focusing. It was available in 6.5 x 9cm, 9 x 12cm and 10 x 15cm sizes, only with Zeiss Tessar lenses and Compur shutters.

The Adoro was also sold in a tropical version, known as the Tropen Adoro. The body was built from teak, which was most resistant to warping from humidity. The leather on the front and rear doors, as well as the bellows are brown. The Tropen Adoro was available in 6.5 x 9cm, 9 x 12cm and 10 x 15cm sizes with Zeiss catalog numbers of 230/3, 230/7 and 230/9 respectfully. The tropical model was also brought in from Contessa Nettel, but lasted until 1936.

The Contessa Nettel Tropen Adoro in 9x12cm, which was offered as a Zeiss product after the merger.

The rear view showing the brown leather focusing hood.