New Zeiss ZM

redpony · 03-06-2009

I've been lurking for a while here and just recently pulled the trigger on a Zeiss ZM with a 50mm sonnar. This community has been really helpful in making my decision and, two weeks in, I feel that I made the right choice.

I got back into photography after ten years (shooting video) and ended with a D300, which I like, but left me feeling that I was missing something. That started a chain reaction that has gone--Bronica SQ system, Mamiya 7, Nikon F100, Olympus RC, and now the Zeiss Ikon. Plus, of course, lenses. No remorse either as I like each of these machines.

I was considering an M6, which used hovers around the same price as the Ikon--Leica brand, sturdiness, quieter shutter--but as an eyeglass user I went Zeiss. Shutter is louder than the RC and the Mamiya, but is pleasant--maybe nostalgic in a way. So no worries there.

I debated planar 50mm. I wanted to start with a normal lens and like the 50 on my F100, but I felt it looked too similar (although great) to my mamiya 65. My lens is supposedly corrected for 1.5 and it has amazing bokeh for portraits, but gets really sharp stopped down. Sharper than my nikkors. And in B&W is shines (or glows). I like the compact size too.

A few recent shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidcomdico/3330860460/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidco...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidcomdico/3326997295/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidco...n/photostream/

ray*j*gun · 03-06-2009

Congrats on the ZM and returning to film. This forum is a great place to learn and a wonderful resource.........the members are very experienced and generous with their knowledge.

Good luck and nice pics!

bennyng · 03-06-2009

For a moment, I thought it was a thread about new cameras from Photokina!

In any case, congrats on your new camera. I think the Zeiss Ikon has a really great viewfinder, especially for if you wear glasses. I also find the framelines to be clean and uncluttered and the numeric confirmation especially useful.

Cheers,

ZeissFan · 03-06-2009

The unique thing about the shutter is that unlike some shutters, the sound and pitch don't change as you increase or decrease the selected speed.

As is true of most cameras, the use of the bottom half of a eveready case (or a half case) will further muffle the shutter sound.

The Sonnar is one of the classic Carl Zeiss designs -- much copied by others, as was its other designs. Apparently, plagiarism is the most profitable form of flattery when it comes to lens design.

morback · 03-06-2009

Nice, that's my setup...I feel the same way about the shutter. I decided to get the Zeiss after loaning my Mamiya6 to a friend while I shot on his Bessa R3. The shutter was much louder than the Mamiya's, but I liked it...As you said, it has a nostalgic feel.

redpony · 03-06-2009

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking forward to participating on the forum.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I had a moment of doubt when I thought about how wise it was to drop two thousand dollars into another film system. And then I found out that a film I enjoy, Fortepan, was no longer being produced and I had a mild panic attack. But it passed when I looked at my scans....

mllanos1111 · 03-06-2009

Oh I so know what your feeling! I also have a D300 and a F6, F3/T, FM2N etc.
I wasn't enjoying those cameras for street shooting and felt like something was missing. I sold all my expensive zooms in order to fund the ZI and I have never looked back. The other cameras have been sitting on the sidelines ever since. I'm so tempted to just off load my D300, 85 1.4 etc.
I bought the Planar since that's all i could afford at the time and it's a nice lens but I so want to sell it and buy the Sonnar.
I missed out on the black Sonnar that the orginal owner had and I've been looking for one ever since.
Enjoy the camera it's wonderful!

peripatetic · 03-07-2009

Welcome to the fold.

Interesting flickr photostream, added you as a contact, hope you don't mind. :-)

I don't mind spending money on film gear, because I reckon if I buy the good stuff it will last me forever.

I've started saving for an upgrade from my 5D to 5D2, but there is a very good chance that once I have sufficient funds I may end up trashing the idea and getting some more film gear instead. I just feel resentful of the constant upgrade treadmill.

And although I love the quality from the 5D actually using the camera leaves me cold. I always have a nice feeling while using the ZI; shooting is just more fun.

I am becoming a "figital" person. Film + scan, I have no room or patience for darkroom work. I still have a couple of gaps in the hybrid flow though.
Although I am ecstatic with my online BW prints from the (European) Kodak gallery online, I haven't yet found a good online colour lab.

redpony · 03-07-2009

Thanks for the Flickr add.

One of the interesting things about this forum is that it's one of the few places online where people are grappling with things that most thing are irrelevant--such as, the benefits of the darkroom vs inkjet output.

I too am staunchly hybrid, but I am spending some time in a darkroom and I think the prints look a bit more luminous and have more depth than from my 3800 (on Exhibition fiber). But it's certainly close. I'm finding that I like the time away from the computer -- I'm in front of one all day as it is. But there are so many steps were a bit of bad technique can throw everything off. I'd like to experiment next with digital negatives and contact printing--the ultimate hybrid.

astroman · 03-07-2009

I recently picked up a Zeiss ikon and love it.Ive had a leica M6 and sure the build quality of the leica is better but its also twice the weight.
The Zeiss ikon finder is much superior.

tribal.snake · 03-07-2009

i must be a werid one, i dump the leica for the ikon.
neber looked back

Shab · 03-09-2009

Congratulations for your choice!

Recently I also habe bought and Zeiss Ikonwith two lenses: Biogon 28mm 2.8 and Sonnar 50mm 1.5.

I also have an Olympus E-3 with some zooms, but I wanted to have something smaller, light, with textures in my street photographs... and it is the Zeiss Ikon! The last weeks I only take / make photographs with the Zeiss Ikon! It's a new experience.

Now I'm trying to learn to dvelop my B/W flims (Kodak 400 T-Max) and positive them in traditional way (no digital). At first is a bit difficult, I'm not able to have blacks and whites... there are a lot of grays, but I'm looking for more contrast on my photos.

Trius · 03-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shab

Congratulations for your choice!

Recently I also habe bought and Zeiss Ikonwith two lenses: Biogon 28mm 2.8 and Sonnar 50mm 1.5.

I also have an Olympus E-3 with some zooms, but I wanted to have something smaller, light, with textures in my street photographs... and it is the Zeiss Ikon! The last weeks I only take / make photographs with the Zeiss Ikon! It's a new experience.

Now I'm trying to learn to dvelop my B/W flims (Kodak 400 T-Max) and positive them in traditional way (no digital). At first is a bit difficult, I'm not able to have blacks and whites... there are a lot of grays, but I'm looking for more contrast on my photos.

If you are having trouble as you describe, you may need to adjust exposure (ISO/EI) then work on development as necessary.

sojournerphoto · 03-09-2009

Hi

Welcome. The Ikon's a great camera and the 50 Sonnar is a really nice lens. I've also got a 35/2 Biogon which is very different, but equally good. Great setup. I've found that I have not used the dslrs much in the last few months, although they'll no doubt get some more use in the spring when the weather fines up and things start growing again.

I scan and print using inkjet. For B&W the results from the HP Z series printers on Ilford Gold Fibre Silk are excellent. Hahnemuhle Photorag Baryta is also a fantastic paper, but very expensive and so I don't keep it in stock.

Mike

Shab · 03-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trius

If you are having trouble as you describe, you may need to adjust exposure (ISO/EI) then work on development as necessary.

I have put the correct ISO, and the exposure is ok in the film. But, I think my B/W at paper are a bit "low contrast", I'm looking for more contrasted photos.

Now I'm trying the kodak 400 T-max. I will see the results. A question: If I put ISO1600 at the camera and at the developing I put 50% plus the time, I would have more contrasted photos? (I thinki there would be more grain also, but...).

Sincerely, I'm really HAPPY with the Zeiss Ikon and its lenses, it's really a new experience!