ikon see for mile & miles...

[back alley]

greetings and heartfelt palpatations...

the whole shebang showed up today!

the camera from popflash, the case from luigi and even the 50mm adapter from brian!

synchronicity...or what?

ok, first...thank you all again.
i am thrilled but more so honoured by your generosity.

thanks to frank for starting this whole thing (even though i was worried at first)
to ray g for his assistance in facilitating it to fruition.
to tony from popflash, great packing and shipping! ;)
to luigi for a great smelling case, fabulous box (it's a keeper) and he even sent along a hand written note.
and to all those who were a part of this.

i have no words other than thank you...

and the camera?
it very pretty.
it feels like a real camera.
it's quieter than the canon p so as far as i'm concerned it's a quiet camera.
it's not quite as wide as the p, it's taller and about the same depth, this is all by eye.
my ruler has dust on it.

it's way more bright and shiney than my almost 50 year old p.
and it doesn't feel significantly lighter.
completely different action on the film advance.

btw, i did take pics but i'm just too damn excited to load them into the computer just now.
i promise,very soon.

the lens is pretty cool. nice size, it's a touch bigger than the canon 35/2 but that's a good thing for my slender but rugged fingers. very smooth focus and the aperture ring moves easily but with firmness.
and i really like the focus assist knobby thing (tab?) it helps with the feel of focusing, like an infinity lock.

oh yeah, the finder!!
wow, bright and clear. my p looks a touch more hazy now.
pretty much the same view but no neck cranning with the zeiss.

ok, that's my (after 2 minute of playing with it) in depth review.
i'm sure there will be more to follow.

now i am faced with some serious decisions.
the gordy strap or the mclassic strap or luigi's great case?
i'm not sure i can handle that much change at once.
do i carry the 28 and 50 with me or just play with the 35 for now?
do i take a p as back up and risk insulting both cameras? ;)

do i call in sick tomorrow and just play all day??!!!

joe

[rover]

Awesome, I can hear your excitement from here. Congrats!

[VictorM.]

Hey, Joe, I'm unemployed for now...send it to me and I'll try to...oh wait...it's not a Leica. Sorry. Not interested. All seriousness aside, enjoy the new camera in good health.

[Honus]

Congrats, Joe. I look forward to seeing pics of the new gear. I also look forward to seeing pics FROM the new gear.

- robert

[ch1]

If you have Sunny 16 weather tomorrow - I think you have to call in and tell them "your under the weather"! :D

[ray_g]

Now all you can wish for is a "clear day" to go out shooting. ;)

We are all excited for you, Joe.

[RJBender]

Congratulations, Joe!

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/images/smilies/rolling.gif http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/images/smilies/wave.gif http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/images/smilies/slomo.gif http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrinbounce2.gif http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/images/smilies/rolling.gif http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/images/smilies/wave.gif http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/images/smilies/slomo.gif http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrinbounce2.gif http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/images/smilies/boink.gif

R.J.

[terrafirmanada]

Coooool Droool. That case smells good all the way over here (what color is it?). I'd love to see pics of the whole setup when you get the chance.

[MP Guy]

Cool! First things first. Call insurance company and get a policy on it!

[Little Prince]

Cool. Time to terrorize the streetfolk with that Biogon.

[back alley]

ok, after 10 minutes with it...

i put on the mclassic strap, the half case from luigi (no neck strap) and a (t.a.) silver mini soft release.

the mgrip actually fits but because of the raised bottom of the zeiss it sits at an angle on the body - there fore the case acts as a grip and it has a bump to 'grab' onto.
pics to follow.

i need to eat dinner as i'm starting to shake - low blood sugar.

joe

[peter_n]

Wonderful! Congrats Joe and thank you again for all you do for us here. Use it in good health! :)

[Alec]

i need to eat dinner as i'm starting to shake - low blood sugar.

Hey Joe, don't faint - it's only a camera! ;)

[Todd.Hanz]

congrats, lets see some pics dude!

Todd

[JoeFriday]

another Zeiss convert.. my job here is done :D

[yossarian]

If the weather is good, call in sick. Just like with surfing.

Fred

[sjc]

you deserve it man!

-s-

[XXXGRAPENUTSXXX]

Don't Ditch Work........I don't want my stock price to fall.

[back alley]

some quick digi pics


(the big white box on the top left turned out to be my canon 35mm brightline finder)

joe

aw, pics are in reversed order...

[Trius]

So Joe, did you have to visit the retail postal outlet, or was it delivered to your door? Do tell more details, but mostly WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[back alley]

they tried to deliver in the afternoon but the dog refused to answer.
it was taken to the local postal station where i picked it up after work.

it was a large parcel from popflash, a small but stantial package from luigi and a large package that had the 35mm finder in it.
in my mailbox was a small bubble wrap envelope from brian with the 50mm ltm adapter.

howse that trius?

joe

[Scarpia]

Enjoy it Joe in the best of health.
Kurt M.

[Stephanie Brim]

We luv ya, Joe.

Make us proud with the photos you take. ;)

[FrankS]

You deserve it Joe. Thank you for making RFF a sanctuary for us all!

[ChrisN]

Joe - great news! Well-deserved; enjoy it and share the pics!

[JoeFriday]

that's a hottie.. love that lens, too! I hope you got one that only takes good photos

[SolaresLarrave]

I'm green with envy, joe... but I'm also glad you're getting a nice rig after all the hard work we give you here! :)

Enjoy!!!

[amateriat]

(Imagining Joe playing "Isn't She Lovely" in the background while taking camera out of box)

Nice, nice, nice. Take camera (with Biogon), grab a few rolls of film. Load one, put rest in coat pocket. Put on coat, go out for a few hours. You know what to do while you're out there.

Congratulations!


- Barrett

[MP Guy]

what a gorgeous case. I want an Ikon just so I can use that case :)

[dgray]

Of course it would be totally unfair to take such a gift and use it against us in the contest!

[Stephanie Brim]

Everyone had to notice that Joe has disappeared...methinks he's not going to show up for the rest of the night. ;)

[Honu-Hugger]

Congratulations Joe, and thank you for posting the pics. Are we going to see one of you with the camera, perhaps the front of your head this time? :D

Not much to say that hasn't already been said by others, but your work here is universally appreciated by all and it has been our absolute pleasure to see you receive this. I hope it gives you much joy for a great many years and that the good spirit in which all of us wished upon you and the gift never diminish.

Kind regards,

[back alley]

i'm here!

i had a bite to eat and a nice little fondle with the zi.
i have been using the p's exclusively and the zi feels very foreign in my hands so i'm trying to get comfortable with it.

still trying to figure out the how of using it.
i definately much prefer using the mini soft release.
seems i do not push down on the shutter release with my finger tip but rather with the mid point of the first (finger) joint. so the soft release is needed.
i still can't use a neck strap (causes headaches from pressure on the neck) so a wrist strap is needed.
gordy's strap is going on the leica or one of the p's.

the half case is so good looking i'm gonna try using it at first and will evaluate in time.
the mgrip (from my traded p) is going on the m3, along with a black mini soft release.

so much change...too little flexibility;)

joe

[cp_ste.croix]

beautiful...you'll have to change your avatar i guess ;)

[back alley]

re change of avatar...

i'm thinking of the same shot but with canon p, leica m3 and the zi.

kinda like going from one extreme to the other but not...?

[dgray]

I was worried there for a while that the sign of appreciation for Joe's work here would ironically drive him to quit moderating! If your pictures start improving by leaps and bounds we'll know you've been spending too much time shooting and not enough time at the computer:)

[Stephanie Brim]

I like the idea. It'll kind of show your growth into both systems. :)

[back alley]

Congratulations Joe, and thank you for posting the pics. Are we going to see one of you with the camera, perhaps the front of your head this time? :D

Not much to say that hasn't already been said by others, but your work here is universally appreciated by all and it has been our absolute pleasure to see you receive this. I hope it gives you much joy for a great many years and that the good spirit in which all of us wished upon you and the gift never diminish.

Kind regards,

thanks for the kind words doug.

i will consider a pic of me with the camera ;), i just didn't want to ruin anyone's dinner:)
i'll see if i can wrangle someone into shooting it with my digital so it won't looked so posed as with a self timer, maybe someone at work tomorrow.

joe

[dgray]

Ouch, sorry, that last comment kind of came out wrong. I didn't mean to criticize your pictures as they are now at all - in fact I like your gallery quite a lot.

[back alley]

Ouch, sorry, that last comment kind of came out wrong. I didn't mean to criticize your pictures as they are now at all - in fact I like your gallery quite a lot.


no worries.

[Kyle]

I'm very jealous, Joe! The ZI is the camera of my dreams (even more so than any M) and that 35/2 Biogon is VERY nice. Unfortunately I just had to sell my copy of it. Enjoy! :)

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Joe- It looks like Santa doubled back and left stuff at the fireplace.

In fact, I think I can see the light from your grin all the way down here in SoCal.

[hugivza]

Enjoy and congratulations

[wlewisiii]

That's a really great set of pics to see. Even if it's Grey F8 kind of day tomorrow I'd probably call in sick... unless they knew I had that kind of toy coming :angel:

Enjoy it, joe. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you see with it.

William

[Stephanie Brim]

Heh. My boss knows that I'm in a contest to win quite a nice prize...and he knows that there is a good chance that, if I win, on the day after it comes I may be a bit under the weather. :p I have a feeling he'll tell me to get my butt in to work, though...and bring the camera to show off. ;)

[cp_ste.croix]

Well Joe, I look forward to the new avatar and to hearing the three cameras contrasted. As someone still saving for his first interchangable lens RF, It'd be nice to hear you feedback, as all your models have been at the top of my number 1 list at one time or another.


oh...and shouldn't it be ikon see for miles and miles ?

[back alley]

Well Joe, I look forward to the new avatar and to hearing the three cameras contrasted. As someone still saving for his first interchangable lens RF, It'd be nice to hear you feedback, as all your models have been at the top of my number 1 list at one time or another.


oh...and shouldn't it be ikon see for miles and miles ?


that's it!

i was so excited i couldn't remember!

thanksjoe

[back alley]

'unless they knew I had that kind of toy coming'

and that's the problem!
i think the only people who don't know about it were the ones who called in sick today.

ok, so i put the 28 on the adapter and then onto the camera.
it looks so tiny and cute and the view thru the finder was nothing short of magnificent.
it will hard sharing the camera with the 35 i think.
i also tried the 50/1.5 on it and it's very nice.
except it shows the 50 framelines and part of the 35 also. i don't think it's supposed to do that.
i need to read the manual.
tried the 100 also cause the beautiful 85/2 was traded for the m3 but i'm thinking this is a 3 lens rig - 28/35/50.
oh lord i need a week off!
joe

[dadsm3]

No matter what your prejudices are regarding RF brands, every RF lover has to admit that that camera in Luigi's case is a true beauty to behold. We should all be thankful that RF's of that quality are still being made competitively, and that there are still guys like popflash, and Luigi too, still in biz for us.
Well deserved Joe, this is still the gentleman's (and ladies, of course) forum, and you have a lot to do with that.
Mike

[Gid]

Joe,

I hope it brings you much pleasure. Well deserved.

Regards

Gid

[sf]

Goodie. Nice to read that you have it, finally, after all those miles and days of waiting.

You deserve it. Now, you must begin a posting extravaganza and let us enjoy that camera vicariously through you and the internet.

[dexdog]

Glad to know that you like it, Joe. Pictures soon, I hope. Enjoy!

[Brian Sweeney]

And (only one person commented on the thread title. It just "Popped-Out". I know all the little tricks you play!

Congratulations, Joe. You deserve it, and of course our respect for keeping this a fine place.

Frank G: In order to take better pictures, buy a camera that was manufactured during the month of Joe's Birth. Worked for me.

[rover]

Resting quietly on her new pillow, the ZI turns over pulls the covers over her lens and thinks, "Gee, this new guy sure snores a lot."

"You will get used to it" snaps P #1 gruffly. This was his first night on the night table, he thought the pillow was his forever.

[taffer]

RFF is Joe, we all know it and that's our way to say thanks :)

And I must say it's a beautifully shaped thanks ! ;)

How's it for you to use a metered RF after so much time with the Ps ?

[Brian Sweeney]

With Joe, he's probably looking at the meter LED's and thinking

"OOOooohhh. Pretty Lights! I wonder what they are for?"

That's what I think when I pick up the Nikon FM. And "Where did they put the Needle?"

[taffer]

A needle gives you A LOT of info, I love 'em. You can't see them at night though :rolleyes:

[jmilkins]

[QUOTE=Brian Sweeney]With Joe, he's probably looking at the meter LED's and thinking

"OOOooohhh. Pretty Lights! I wonder what they are for?"

..and how do you turn the ZI's alarm off in the morning? ;)

Great to hear that your "Just waiting for the mail " eon is over Joe.

[hoot]

Now aren't you glad we didn't get you a green-eyed redhead? The Ikon will age much more gracefully.

[Fred]

Nice one Joe, looking forward to the new avatar :)

Burn some film.

[back alley]

yes, the lights are going to give me trouble.
it already feels odd carrying a camera and no handheld meter in the bag.
but i want to try the zi on it's own. who know, perhaps i'll get used to it.

so, on the way home from work today, i stopped at my local camera store to show off the zi to one of the 'old timers' who really knows his stuff.
we pulled out the leica m7 with 35/2 from the showcase and started to compare.
first thing i noticed was how much heavier the leica was and i said so. the guy who knows his stuff said, 'i bet it's the lens'. huh, i said. he proceeded to remove the lenses from both bodies and damn! if the bodies were not about the same feel in my hands. the summi was way heavier than the biogon but with the bodies i could tell no difference.
the biogon is heavy enough as far as i am concerned.
the finder was not dramatically different but the zi did win out by a touch. body size was not much different when seated side by side. he liked that the frame lines had the focal length written in the finder.
he noticed a resemblance to the cle, as had i, but he liked that the zi was bigger. 'never could get used to the cle' he said.

i like to talking to people who hold no bias and who know their stuff.

i bought a couple of rolls of delta 100, a new big micro fiber cloth and a 43mm uv filter (a cokin glass hi resolution filter) and was on my way.

joe

[Kyle]

so, on the way home from work today, i stopped at my local camera store to show off the zi to one of the 'old timers' who really knows his stuff.
we pulled out the leica m7 with 35/2 from the showcase and started to compare.
first thing i noticed was how much heavier the leica was and i said so. the guy who knows his stuff said, 'i bet it's the lens'. huh, i said. he proceeded to remove the lenses from both bodies and damn! if the bodies were not about the same feel in my hands. the summi was way heavier than the biogon but with the bodies i could tell no difference.
the biogon is heavy enough as far as i am concerned.
the finder was not dramatically different but the zi did win out by a touch. body size was not much different when seated side by side. he liked that the frame lines had the focal length written in the finder.
he noticed a resemblance to the cle, as had i, but he liked that the zi was bigger. 'never could get used to the cle' he said.

i like to talking to people who hold no bias and who know their stuff.

i bought a couple of rolls of delta 100, a new big micro fiber cloth and a 43mm uv filter (a cokin glass hi resolution filter) and was on my way.

joe


When you get the M3 in hand, you will notice a significant weight difference (I know I did when I held both in my hand at the store). The M3 is very hefty. Also, the M3's finder is very nice, and many people love it, but it doesn't hold a candle to the finder in the ZI from my experience. I'm truly jealous of you, though. You have in your arsenal three of my favorite cameras. The M3 or M2 would be my choice if I wanted a 'classic' camera, the ZI would be my choice if I could only own one camera, period, and the P has always been my dream LTM cam.

Oh, regarding that MF you bought. If you're using it for cleaning lenses and stuff, when you wash it, make sure you wash it with LIQUID detergent (with NO bleach), on the most gentle cycle. When you dry it, do so without fabric softener and again the most gentle cycle (or air dry). My other passion is automotive detailing, and I own about 100 microfiber towels, and if they touch paint, they are all washed exactly like that. I don't know how often you'd need to wash a lens cloth, but I just figured I'd put that out there. If washed incorrectly, a cloth can leave marks on paint, which I'm sure can also be made on a lens element. I know that washing method seems a bit extreme, but better safe than sorry.

[back alley]

hey kyle!
i only wash my cloths (i only have maybe 6) in cold water with liquid detergent and then i air dry them only.

as for cameras, you will soon have the p, already have the m3 and my having the zeiss is a wonderful fluke and not something that would have happened on my own.
but you will love the p and honestly, i doubt that you could have found a better one.

i read that you're waiting on an m4=p, is that right?
how 'bout some details then...?

joe

[Kyle]

Yeah, I'm buying George S's M4-P. I just can't decide what I want and people put stuff up for sale and I have to buy it! :D

[back alley]

did i mention that i much prefer the tab/knobby bump on the zm lens to the concave tabby on the L 35/2?

;)

[Way]

You had mentioned in another thread about using a half-case to dampen the shutter volume.
How's that working for you? I'm hoping to decide on a second body soon and the ZI is very tempting!

Way

[back alley]

with the case on it is pretty quiet.
i have not shot in a churc like environment yet and i rarely do but today at the market i was shooting away in close proximity to lots of people and not one looked my way.

[ray_g]

with the case on it is pretty quiet.
i have not shot in a churc like environment yet and i rarely do but today at the market i was shooting away in close proximity to lots of people and not one looked my way.

Does Luigi make a case for the P?

[Kyle]

Does Luigi make a case for the P?

Funny you ask. I just sent him an email yesterday about it and received this email last night.

Dear Kyle,

I own the Canon P camera, then I can gladly make it
Upon a your request, and confirmed (paid for) order.

Despite it would be for me a new model, I ask you the
Usual, "flat" price for a my half case, of $ 155 + the
Desired strap ($ 42, or $ 58), + the preferred shipping,
($ 13 by Registered Air Mail, or $ 28 by Fedex).
Lastly, $ 2 ONLY if a fully insured shipping is required.


He then gave me options to how to pay, etc. But yes, he will make one if requested.

[ray_g]

Funny you ask. I just sent him an email yesterday about it and received this email last night.



He then gave me options to how to pay, etc. But yes, he will make one if requested.

Excellent ;)

.

[back alley]

ok, i'm about to admit something that will, pretty much for sure, show me to be a complete maroon!
i have lived in the frozen north for about 30+ years now.
i have never used cases cause i mostly don't like them.
i have used luigi's case cause it's expensive, great looking and he gifted me with it and i'm a polite respectful italian kind of guy.
the dumb part?
well, if i use a case when out in the cold...my hands don't freeze to the flippin' camera!!!

;)

[ray_g]

ok, i'm about to admit something that will, pretty much for sure, show me to be a complete maroon!
i have lived in the frozen north for about 30+ years now.
i have never used cases cause i mostly don't like them.
i have used luigi's case cause it's expensive, great looking and he gifted me with it and i'm a polite respectful italian kind of guy.
the dumb part?
well, if i use a case when out in the cold...my hands don't freeze to the flippin' camera!!!

;)

Or you could use gloves. ;)

[RJBender]

ok, i'm about to admit something that will, pretty much for sure, show me to be a complete maroon!
i have lived in the frozen north for about 30+ years now.
i have never used cases cause i mostly don't like them.
i have used luigi's case cause it's expensive, great looking and he gifted me with it and i'm a polite respectful italian kind of guy.
the dumb part?
well, if i use a case when out in the cold...my hands don't freeze to the flippin' camera!!!
;)

Joe,

Try on some neoprene shooter's gloves at your local sporting goods store.

R.J.

[back alley]

just so i don't look like a complete dolt...i do use gloves when i'm out in the cold. but with the case...i don't have to!
and i prefer not to, that's the good part.

joe

[Way]

Thanks! Looks like I'll save a lot of cash with the ZI! I think I'll ATTEMPT to wait
for the black body. It'll be a good contrast to my silver MP.

Way

with the case on it is pretty quiet.
i have not shot in a churc like environment yet and i rarely do but today at the market i was shooting away in close proximity to lots of people and not one looked my way.

[ch1]

just so i don't look like a complete dolt...i do use gloves when i'm out in the cold. but with the case...i don't have to!
and i prefer not to, that's the good part.

joe

I've never fully understood the "don't use a lower case" argument. Yes, it saves a little heft and size to "go nude" but the benefits - such as cold and drop protection seem to be reasonable tradeoffs.

But then again, oh horrors :eek: , I use UV/Skylight filters!

[Socke]

But then again, oh horrors :eek: , I use UV/Skylight filters!

You're such a sissy!

[back alley]

george,

i sleep in the nude also.

:)

[FrankS]

george,

i sleep in the nude also.

:)

That's just disturbing information, Joe.
For heaven's sake, wear a case or gloves from now on!

[back alley]

gee frank, and here i was thinking of doing some nude self portraits...

on a more serious note, the zi is repacked in it's box and then in another box and will be shipped back to california tomorrow.
kinda sad but i think it's best to get it right from the beginning.
i have 2 rolls of film taken with it that i need to process. no great art, just some snaps done as quick practice and to see what the lens looks like. i will post a few (no matter how poor) so you all can see for yourselves also.

so for now, it's back to the p and waiting on the m3.

thanks to victor m, i found some ltm to m adapters new and in canada for a good price, so i can shoot the m with abandon.

joe

[Stephanie Brim]

Sorry that you have to give the camera back so soon...but when you get it back again it'll be like opening yet another new toy. ;)

As for the nudes...that's *my* department. *evil grin*

[FrankS]

I don't know why, but I'm looking forward to one more than the other.

[wlewisiii]

Not going there. Nope. Not at all...

:angel:

What?

William

[Stephanie Brim]

If you guys could see the look I'm giving you right now... :D

[Way]

Joe,

So what is the problem with the camera? The 50/35 framelines?

Way

on a more serious note, the zi is repacked in it's box and then in another box and will be shipped back to california tomorrow.
kinda sad but i think it's best to get it right from the beginning.
i have 2 rolls of film taken with it that i need to process. no great art, just some snaps done as quick practice and to see what the lens looks like. i will post a few (no matter how poor) so you all can see for yourselves also.
joe

[sircarl]

I confess I haven't been following the rollout of the ZI too closely. But in the two accounts from new owners that I have read (Mike Elek and now Joe's), each of them have had to return their camera soon after getting it because of -- what I assume to be -- manufacturer defects. Any idea how common this has been so far?

And in case anyone wonders where this is coming from, it's from someone who has used, and adored, Zeiss lenses for many years, and who hopes the ZI will be a smashing success!

[Socke]

I confess I haven't been following the rollout of the ZI too closely. But in the two accounts from new owners that I have read (Mike Elek and now Joe's), each of them have had to return their camera soon after getting it because of -- what I assume to be -- manufacturer defects. Any idea how common this has been so far?

And in case anyone wonders where this is coming from, it's from someone who has used, and adored, Zeiss lenses for many years, and who hopes the ZI will be a smashing success!

I'm a bit woried, too. I'd exepected better QC from them. Two reports of defects are not much, but it's two reports from the only two owners we know here :-(

[back alley]

the only problem i had with the camera was that it did not focus at infinty, it was off.
i only noticed it because it was something that i check when i get any new to me camera.
i don't shoot landscapes/cityscapes very much, mostly street scenes at about 10 feet or less so for all practical purposes i could have continued to use the camera. but i thought it best to have it alligned properly while still new and so it would not be missed too much.
the rest of the camera semed fine. nice weight and balance and the lens felt lovely on the camera. it's a good size for focussing and very smooth to operate.
it's feels like a prestige camera.
joe

[back alley]

maybe, but with it being brand spankin' new i thought it best to hand it off to the experts.

i have done the p on my own.

[Pherdinand]

i have done the p on my own.

that's expected, you're a big boy now.

[back alley]

i should have seen that one coming...

[Pherdinand]

fits with my avatar, by the way. :)

How's your health doing? I reckon you have to be careful in extremely cold weather.

[back alley]

feelin' pretty good.
we are currently enoying one of the mildest winters on record.
hardly any snow.

i like it!

[back alley]

yeah, nothing but puddles everywhere;)

[Huck Finn]

the only problem i had with the camera was that it did not focus at infinty, it was off.
i only noticed it because it was something that i check when i get any new to me camera.
i don't shoot landscapes/cityscapes very much, mostly street scenes at about 10 feet or less so for all practical purposes i could have continued to use the camera. but i thought it best to have it alligned properly while still new and so it would not be missed too much.
the rest of the camera semed fine. nice weight and balance and the lens felt lovely on the camera. it's a good size for focussing and very smooth to operate.
it's feels like a prestige camera.
joe

Joe, some thoughts on your misaligned rangefinder . . .

I noticed in reading Erwin Puts' ZI review that he notes that "the optical construction of the finder has it sroots in the classical M3 finder and not the current M6 design."

So, I thought that I'd look to see what Erwin has to say about the finder of the M3: "The optical construction of the M3 range/viewfinder is different from that of all successor models. It is more elaborate to build, more sensitive to shocks and abuses . . . On the other hand, it gives a very clear (if not the most contrasty) life size view that is remarkably flare free when used in adverse Lighting conditions."

There must be a reason why Zeiss chose a more elaborate - & therefore more expensive - rangefinder design rather than adopting the simpler one that Cosina already had available. I have read elsewhere that the rangefinder of the M3 has greater focusing precision. So, it would seem that they chose the focusing advantages, the clear view, & the resistance to flare over the simpler design but may have done so at the expense of it being more "sensitive." No one has ever accused the M3 of being fragile nor has it ever been considered anything other than robust, so it must have seemed that this was not a high risk.

All of the above is pure speculation on my part, but it may bear watching. Just thinking out loud . . .

Huck

[back alley]

huck, have you read zeiss fan's zeiss blog?
he has the comparison diagrams to support what you are saying.

the zeiss was easy to focus and i'm eager to see the m3 next to it.

[ch1]

It will be interesting if you learn how the first ZI got out of alignment. Hopefully a one-off problem due to some ham-handed delivery guy and not a QC problem.