ZM disappeared from Cameraquest

pau3 · 06-13-2006

Does anyone know why (almost) all references to Zeiss Ikon,
ZM and ZF lenses have disappeared from Cameraquest?

I hope it is temporary. I was saving money to get a couple of
lenses...

Pau

jaapv · 06-13-2006

Just mail Stephen and ask. Maybe he is putting black and white dots on them

pau3 · 06-13-2006

I hope it is an update, but that link does not work any more...

whitecat · 06-13-2006

I'm sure it will be right back online.....

Kyle · 06-13-2006

Also, don't forget about Popflash, for those interested in ordering any of the ZM lineup. Same great prices and service as CQ. The only thing that gives Popflash an edge over CQ is their prices include CA sales tax, while CQ does not. That saved me over $100 when I got my ZI and about $70 when I got my 25/2.8 ZM. If I lived out of state it would be really hard to pick between the two companies, they're both just so great!

MacDaddy · 06-13-2006

Us Georgia boys have no idea who these folks are, so how about a link or two? I've e-mailed Stephen to see if he'll say why there are no longer any links about Zeiss. Hmmm! Strange indeed!
Probably not for this thread, but would be interested in any thoughts from anyone who's actually BOUGHT and used a ZI camera and/or some of the lenses. I've got a silver 250th Anniversary Bessa R3M on order with Stephen and can't wait as it's in my current (Student) budget, but want to move up the "food chain" as I get experience and the $$$.
Let us ALL know about these camera shops in the meantime, please.
Thanks!

MP Guy · 06-13-2006

I have not spoken with Stephen about this. However I suspect it may be something to do with Zeiss being their own distributors now. Lets hope Stephen updates us.

Kim Coxon · 06-13-2006

Hi,
The link to Popflash in on the left as they are one of the major sponsers. I am certainly very pleased with my 25/2.8. It still needs a good workout but hopefully, I will achieve that this weekend on the London meet.

Kim

Kyle · 06-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

Us Georgia boys have no idea who these folks are, so how about a link or two? I've e-mailed Stephen to see if he'll say why there are no longer any links about Zeiss. Hmmm! Strange indeed!
Probably not for this thread, but would be interested in any thoughts from anyone who's actually BOUGHT and used a ZI camera and/or some of the lenses. I've got a silver 250th Anniversary Bessa R3M on order with Stephen and can't wait as it's in my current (Student) budget, but want to move up the "food chain" as I get experience and the $$$.
Let us ALL know about these camera shops in the meantime, please.
Thanks!

When I said CQ I was of course referring to www.CameraQuest.com. The link for Popflash is www.popflash.com. Tony Rose (from Popflash) is a great person to deal with, just as Stephen from CQ is.

BTW, if you want some good feedback from ZI users, check out this thread I started back in April. Almost everyone that has bought a ZI has been more than pleased with it. Also, the two ZM lenses I own are absolutely superb.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=22526

MacDaddy · 06-13-2006

Doh! I've dealt with Stephen at CameraQuest for over a year and he's always been beyond generous with his help and the things he sells are always top notch! I'll check the thread on ZI out-thanks for the link!
SOMEDAY I hope to move to a Leica, but not until my skills justify the investment! I'd be delighted to afford to move up to ZI equipment right now, but honestly admit I have a LOOOONNGG way to go to even justify THAT! When I get good with the R3M and the four lenses with it, maybe then..
Here's hoping I can start posting by Fall 2006! Then you folks can pick me apart like buzzards at the scene of some roadkill! ;o) (And I WANT it, so I can get better!)

Kyle · 06-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

Doh! I've dealt with Stephen at CameraQuest for over a year and he's always been beyond generous with his help and the things he sells are always top notch! I'll check the thread on ZI out-thanks for the link!
SOMEDAY I hope to move to a Leica, but not until my skills justify the investment! I'd be delighted to afford to move up to ZI equipment right now, but honestly admit I have a LOOOONNGG way to go to even justify THAT! When I get good with the R3M and the four lenses with it, maybe then..
Here's hoping I can start posting by Fall 2006! Then you folks can pick me apart like buzzards at the scene of some roadkill! ;o) (And I WANT it, so I can get better!)

My camera gear far outweighs my talent! I just have the luxury to spend extra money on nice camera stuff.

BTW, if you read the ZI thread I posted, you'll see a lot of people who own both Leicas AND the ZI and they use the ZI more. My M2 gets taken out occasionally, but the ZI gets taken out every day. I love it!

MacDaddy · 06-13-2006

Mike Johnson and Michael Reichman have both stated in recent posts on their respective sites that we've gotten to the point with our equipment where its capabilities far exceed ours as photographers!
But I STILL want a ZI or Leica with lenses—someday! ;o)

willie_901 · 06-13-2006

[/QUOTE= thoughts from anyone who's actually BOUGHT and used a ZI camera and/or some of the lenses. [/quote]

Look here:

http://elekm.net/zeiss_ikon

and

http://elekm.net/zeiss_ikon/

and

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=21801

Two months later, I can tell you I really enjoy using this camera.

willie

back alley · 06-13-2006

if i weren't so damn insecure, i'd sell everything but the zeiss, the zm lenses and the hex 90.

but i just know if i did then i'd drop the camera and someone would steal all the lenses

joe

sdai · 06-13-2006

Selling these "Zeiss" lenses probably doesn't suck in much money at all ... especially when you consider the volume - who actually knows how many ZM have been sold in the USA ... and on earth?

Kyle · 06-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdai

Selling these "Zeiss" lenses probably doesn't suck in much money at all ...

I hope this isn't another "The ZM stuff is just re-badged Cosina gear" claim...

sdai · 06-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle

I hope this isn't another "The ZM stuff is just re-badged Cosina gear" claim...

Nah ... but I suspect the demand is unexpectedly low and it simply doesn't make any economic sense to carry such an extra product line.

It's really not because this thing is a ZI, nor because it's made by Cosina ... in fact, one of my friends who operates a camera store chain even told his Leica rep never show up again - (brandnew) rangefinder (film) cameras just don't sell.

Kyle · 06-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdai

Nah ... but I suspect the demand is unexpectedly low and it simply doesn't make any economic sense to carry such an extra product line.

It's really not because this thing is a ZI, nor because it's made by Cosina ... in fact, one of my friends who operates a camera store chain even told his Leica rep never show up again - (brandnew) rangefinder (film) cameras just don't sell.

99% of the stuff sold through CameraQuest is rangefinder gear. So for Stephen Gandy it makes perfect sense to carry the ZM lineup.

I remember reading back in March or sometime around then that 3,000 ZI's had been sold and that there were three lenses sold for every body sold. Thats pretty impressive numbers for only being out a few months.

leafy · 06-14-2006

Showing information on the web is quite different from actually carrying them. Even if CQ do not carry them any more, the information can still be up there being displayed. Look at the various classic camera articles on his site, it is one of my favorite pastimes.

So what does the disappearing info mean? 1) either that CQ is making a total update on the information or 2) CQ stops carrying them and per request by Zeiss to remove relevant information.

Those are the only reasons I can think of at the moment.

MacDaddy · 06-14-2006

Got a personal reply back from Stephen at CQ just after midnight last night (EDT) and Zeiss has apparently been "strongly encouraging" non-direct sellers to bail out of the market. He has some stock left at the old prices, so if you want one get yer order in NOW before they're all gone! Guess Zeiss wants to kill the gray market and suck up all the lovin' themselves directly!

darkkavenger · 06-14-2006

Quote:

Zeiss has apparently been "strongly encouraging" non-direct sellers to bail out of the market

If this proves to be true, then that's likely to be a counterproductive move from Zeiss. I appreciate the freedom of choice when wanting to buy something, and I don't like being dictated where I should make my purchases.

dcsang · 06-14-2006

This makes no sense imho for a company that should WANT clientelle to be buying their gear. With the continued advance of digital technologies I find it hard to believe that folks that produce a film camera would want to LIMIT distribution.

I was still considering their lenses but if their distributors dry up (i.e. CQ, PopFlash etc.) then what's the point. I'm not about to order a lens in Euros from Zeiss themselves and pay huge shipping and taxes and duty (seeing as how it would be coming from Europe vs the U.S.A.).

This is a poor move on Zeiss' part imho.

Dave

ywenz · 06-14-2006

This move is crazy. Zeiss is done with. Time to jump onto the Leica ship.

Les Lammers · 06-14-2006

I think the gray market ZI's were sourced when Hasselblad was the distributor. It may be more difficult to obtain product in the future.

Flyfisher Tom · 06-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ywenz

This move is crazy. Zeiss is done with. Time to jump onto the Leica ship.

Yep, seems Zeiss management has gone insane. Even relative to Leica management standards