Rookie Needs Help

[bertil.david@wa]

Dear RF Users,
I know you've been discussing it a lot lately, but going through all the RFF pages, I must say that I'm a little confused about an important choice I have to make.
I've been saving money for an M7 kit (body+50 sum.) for quite a while, and now that I finally got the money, the ZI comes along.
I really digged the M7 that I tried, but was not able to test the ZI as no shop has it here in Paris where I leave.
Well, some advice from you guys couls really help.
Thanx,
Bertil

Welcome to Rangefinder Forums.

Buy what your heart tells you to buy. If you can't afford the M7, or you fell that it's just too much money, go for the Z1. However, you should really try to get your hands on one in a shop to see if you really want it.

[darkkavenger]

Hello Bertil, and bienvenue here!

I am neither a Leica nor Zeiss-Ikon expert (yet, 'cause I'm saving for either one of them), but I would say that the Zeiss-Ikon is much cheaper than the M7 for almost equivalent performances. However, in certain critical conditions, a Leica lens should perform slightly better at largest apertures. Now I'm just going to hold back and let the pros discuss while I haunt the "Soviet RF" area! I'm a Zeiss fan but how can one not love the Leicas as well! I wish I was rich!

salut,
Max

[Scarpia]

Keep in mind Bertil, that you should be able to use Leica lenses with the Zeiss body. This will give you the best of both worlds and save you some money at the same time. Welcome to RFF.
Kurt M.

[ZeissFan]

In a price-per-euro comparison, the Zeiss Ikon compares very favorably with the Leica. For the price of the Leica M7 body (san lens), you can buy the Zeiss Ikon and two lenses.

If you're a photographer who will only shoot everything at f/2.0 or f/1.4, then you might want to continue to save your money for the Leica.

The Leica's metering system is more advanced than the Zeiss Ikon. The Leica offers TTL flash, while the Zeiss Ikon does not.

The Zeiss Ikon probably is easier and quicker to load, although the rewind crank is on the bottom of the camera. The effective baselength of the Zeiss Ikon is wider than the Leica.

The Leica represents the last of a breed: handmade German cameras with meticulous attention to detail. The Zeiss Ikon is somewhat different -- made in Japan under rigorous quality control.

I've created a small site on the Zeiss Ikon (http://elekm.net/zeiss_ikon). On one of the pages is a link to a table that compares the technical specs of the Zeiss Ikon, M7 and Bessa R2A/R3A.

On first touch, the Leica will feel heavier and more sturdy. The Zeiss Ikon will feel lighter, which some people incorrectly and automatically translate to a less durable camera. Time will tell.

Either of these cameras will be fine. But I would urge you to try both, if at all possible, because how they feel in your hands will help you make up your mind.

[Huck Finn]

Bertil,

My only suggestion is that you write an e-mail to Hasselblad, who is the Zeiss Ikon distributor. I have found them to be extraordinaily helpful & to be very prompt in their replies. I'm surprised that in a big city like Paris that you have not been able to find one of these cameras.

You can reach Hasselblad in Sweden by e-mail via info@zeissikon.com. They should be able to direct you to a dealer who has one in stock.

You can also find information about the Hasselblad distributor in France at www.zeissikon.com, who should also be able to direct you to a dealer in Paris.

Let us know how things work out.

Best of luck,
Huck

[bertil.david@wa]

Thank You Guys for your help.
The lenses are everywhere but there's only been a few ZI bodies in Paris that didn't stay long. Hasselblad France say that they should be in the shops about mid february.
I'll try to get my hands on one before I take a step.
It is true that for the price of the M7 kit I can get the body+2 lenses (including lens shades and a viewfinder).
I only shoot in available light, so I guess that lenses aperture is an important issue.
I'll post some pictures soon.
Thank You very much again,
Bertil

[bertil.david@wa]

It took me a while but I think that I'm gonna go for a black ikon and a 50mm planar as soon as I can get my hands on one. thank you all again for your help
bertil

[back alley]

thanks for checking back in and keeping us posted.

i think you would be happy with either camera/lens but you will not be unhappy with the zeiss.
it is a fine camera, the meter seems accurate and the lenses are sharp. there are user reports of the zm lenses being just as sharp as if not better than leica m lenses.
as to sharpest at open aperture i think that still remains to be seen.
joe

[AGN]

I wish I had this decision to make.
Welcome to the forum.
Art

[tedwhite]

Just want to make sure. The Zeiss Ikon body is an M mount and therefore lenses made for Leica M cameras will fit and work just fine? Also, what are the framelines for the Zeiss Ikon?

Ted

[Huck Finn]

Yes, the Zeiss Ikon body is M-mount & all lenses made for Leica M cameras will fit & work just fine. I use a mix of Zeiss & Leica M-mount lenses as well as Rollei & CV screw mount lenses with LTM/M-mount adapters.

The ZI frame lines are 50, 35, & 28/85, providing very uncluttered views.

[tedwhite]

Huck, I'm sending you a PM.

[bertil.david@wa]

Ordered a black ikon+50mm from PopFlash a couple of days ago.
It left LA airport to Paris yesterday at 9am.
So excited

[Kyle]

Awesome, you won't regret your purchase.

Just curious, did you get the lens hood for the 50/2?

[bertil.david@wa]

Damn I forgot!!

[Grober]

I handled the Z1 for the first time this past weekend and was impressed; especially with the bright, clear viewfinder. I could live with the odd bottom rewind crank but, as it turns out, NOT the 85mm frame in the viewfinder. My primary camera is the M7 with a personal favorite being the 75mm Summicron. The 85mm frame might be OK when one uses the 90mm but it's definitely a no-go with the 75. So I'll stick with my M7 as my preferred film camera and await digital developments sure to happen this fall at Photokina.

On a positive note, I bought the new ZM 25mm Biogon a few weeks ago and couldn't be more pleased with the results I've seen so far. Very good mechanical functionign as well except for the poorly designed lens cap that came with it: plastic and VERY hard to grab and remove with large fingers. I put it back in the box and bought a cheap, aluminum screw-in cap that functions 1000% better and also never falls off at the worng monent.

Summary: suck up your nerve and buy a new M7 and the Leica lens of your choice (for me the 75mm 'Cron) but, over time, add to your kit a few of the new and very good Zeiss optics.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by bertil.david@wa

Damn I forgot!!

Buy the Voigtlander LH-5 hood. It looks nearly identical from my comparison shots over the net and it fits perfectly. Plus its $40 cheaper than the Zeiss hood.

[bertil.david@wa]

thank you for the tip kyle
i'll go for the cv hood as soon as my camera arrives.

[bertil.david@wa]

it arrived yesterday thanks to PopFlash. amazing viewfinder.
what do you use to clean lenses by the way?

[tedwhite]

Lens Kleaner. Kodak or any brand for cleaning camera lenses will do. Plus lens tissue.