Late-era Zeiss Ikon SLR with interchangeable Tessar 50mm f/2.8 in Icarex bayonet mount.
The Zeiss Ikon Icarex 35, produced from 1966 to 1972, was a professional-grade West German SLR using the Icarex BM (Bayonet Mount) proprietary lens system with Carl Zeiss optics. It was Zeiss Ikon's attempt to compete in the SLR market against Nikon and Canon, offering a robust build quality and excellent Zeiss glass, but it failed to gain market traction and Zeiss Ikon exited the camera market shortly after.
Icarex BM bayonet mount, 35mm SLR, focal-plane shutter (1 second to 1/1000s plus B), CdS TTL metering (on metered variant), bundled with Carl Zeiss Tessar 50mm f/2.8, accepts full Icarex BM lens range.
The Icarex 35 offers excellent Carl Zeiss optics and German SLR build quality in a camera overshadowed by its commercial failure. The BM bayonet accepts Carl Zeiss lenses including Distagon, Skoparex, Dynarex, and Tessar designs. A collector's camera representing the last effort of Zeiss Ikon as a camera manufacturer.
Test shutter function at all speeds. Inspect viewfinder and mirror condition. Confirm Icarex BM bayonet engagement and release with the Tessar lens. Check light seals. Verify the metering system (if present) responds correctly — CdS cells in cameras of this age often need recalibration.