Speed indication disappears in sunny day.

[Iridium]

Hi,

I used for the first time my new Zeiss Ikon ZM during a normal sunny day and I found very annoying that the speed indications and the left side of the frame disappears quite easily. You have to cover partially the viewfinder window to see the indication. I know that the indications in the viewfinder of a rangefinder getting weak with the sunlight. I have used a few rangefinders, but I never faced this problem so easily in a normal sunny day.

Moreover, I didn't read at any of the threads this matter as an important minus of this camera.

Is it a problem for you or you have used to it? Does the same happen with a Leica M6 or a Konica Hexar RF for example?

 

[mfogiel]

If you cannot read the speed indication in the Ikon, it means you do not need to, because there is lots of light. I have shot many rolls of film with mine and I do not care. It is no different in practice than with the Leica M7. However, Ikon's viewfinder IS much bigger and brighter than that of the Leica M7 (and the Hexar too), and this DOES make a lot of difference. By now, I have learned to understand by the sound of the shutter if I am using 1/30th or slower, at which point I check the speed if necessary.

 

[Beemermark]

It is no different in practice than with the Leica M7. However, Ikon's viewfinder IS much bigger and brighter than that of the Leica M7 (and the Hexar too), and this DOES make a lot of difference..

Funny, the Zeiss might be a better VF, but I have no problem reading the shutter speed in either of my two M7's. Never had a problem seeing the exposure lights either.

So for manual exposure it is important to see the LEDs, and if your shooting slow film (which I usually do), it is very important to see if the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent camera shake.

 

[ZeissFan]

I think LEDs that are at the bottom of the screen are easier to see than those on the left or right edge.

I have several 1970s-era SLRs, and one of the problems that I encounter is that when the light dims, I can't see what shutter speed is indicated.

The LED display on the Zeiss Ikon has always been a bit of a love-hate relationship with me. While I appreciate the entire scale to the left, it can be hard to see. On the other hand, since I'm usually shooting on automatic, I just want to see if I'm within a handholdable range and also to ensure that I'm not beyond the limits of the exposure system.

 

[akiralx]

So for manual exposure it is important to see the LEDs, and if your shooting slow film (which I usually do), it is very important to see if the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent camera shake.

But if it's too bright to read the LEDs then having too slow a shutter speed to handhold, even with a slow film, is not likely to be an issue.