Has the price of the ZM jacked up?

capito

capito

silver halide punk
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I've been eyeing the ZM for quite a while now and have decided to get one after moving into the new house.

The prices have remained relatively stable for almost years, but just 2 weeks ago I noticed that pretty much all vendors I know of have increased their prices by 300-400€.

Is this because of the weak Euro? Does anybody think that it might go lower again?

- Chris
 
They jumped earlier this year in North America along with the prices of the ZM lenses. I think the old price for a body was about $1,400 US and now they are $1,600 at Pop Flash.

I think I would look for a well cared for used example and save some serious money.
 
Hi, I just finished selling/shipping a ZI. Yes, the price of NEW ZIs has gone up quite a bit in the last 2 yrs --> as I recall from ~1100usd to ~1400usd to the current ~1600usd. The current price increase came just after Christmas IIRC. The good news, though, for a prospective BUYER of a pre-owned ZI is that USED ZIs depreciate by close to 30-40% from the cost of a new ZI; i.e., 1600usd to ~1000-1100usd. And that's if they are still in excellent, almost like-new shape! As with most commodities, the initial buyer takes the biggest chunk of the depreciation, and the ZI is not different -- that said, well used ZIs in good shape tend to hold their value.

So, as Paddy and Mfogiel suggest, go for a good condition, USED copy. You will save a lot.
 
There was a small price increase some time ago (it's a good camera :) )
But also consider that vendors can sell for prices over the RRP. In New Zealand, I've seen things like a 80% price increase over the USA advertised price of some of the newer cameras. The olympus EP-2 retails for $2400nzd here, overseas it costs a fraction of that price. These prices get standardized over the NZ market. So I find that it is much more economical importing.

When I went to buy my 1.1 nokton, I asked a dealer how much it would cost if I bought it through them - they quoted $2200nzd. I Ebayed it new for $1200nzd afterward.
 
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What I don't quite understand: apparently, the price of the Bessas hasn't risen, they also have remained quite stable.
And if the price is so high for a ZI, getting a used M6 really is an option.
 
Well, a second hand Zi will be cheaper than a M6. But remember that they are different cameras. Just because it's a leica doesn't make it better -_-

If you want a RF with AE go for the zeiss. If that feature doesn't bother you then you may as well consider the M6 as both cameras have their own strengths and weaknesses.
 
I would add, if you want to shoot 28 mm lenses and wear glases, go for the ZI instead of the M6. It's what I did.

Regarding a new ZI, I have never understood their pricing policy. You get the body only for 1400 €, but the bundle with the Sonnar costs 1450 €? That's great for everyone who wants the Sonnar, but for Planar people like me, it makes no sense at all. Which is why I snapped up a ZI for a special promotion price when the opportunity arose.

By the way, the prices here in Germany have been stable since April, so I don't really know what price increase you are referring to.

EDIT: One place even shows a 100€ price drop wrt April. Where do you shop?
 
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kossi008 said:
By the way, the prices here in Germany have been stable since April, so I don't really know what price increase you are referring to.
Click to expand...

I'm also in Germany. Photographica in Denmark had a ZI + Planar offering in eBay for 1300€ two weeks ago. The same combo now costs 1700€.
I also looked at the FotoMundus (which Nigel linked to) webshop, where I had the feeling that the prices had changed, but I'm not sure...

Kossi - which place are you referring to with the 100€ price drop?
 
I am referring to SHphoto, and I also compare prices at AFA. But behold, this means I consider a price of 1400 € for the body alone as standard, so 100 € down brings you to 1300 € for the body only. (SHphoto also has a black one for 1200 €)

In the case of that Danish seller I'd say the 1700 € (for body plus Planar) are a normal price, and 1300 € would have been quite a bargain.

EDIT: I just looked at the mundus link. I bought from them in April, and I think it was only 50€ less. So apparently, they have this offer from time to time...
 
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Damn the Foto-Mundus! It push second hand prises low. I planned to sell my ZI about a year ago, but then find Foto-Mundus prise and so find every buyer candidate too.
 
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I have also noticed the prices rising during this year. In March i bought a C-Biogon 21mm for 799€ from SH-Photo, now it´s 949€. Just over a month ago i got a ZI -body from Foto-Mundus for 849€, even their price is now 100€ more...
 
Let's not go overboard and confuse bargains with regular pricing.

949 € is the regular price for a ZM 21/4.5, period. Everything else is a bargain, so consider yourself lucky.
 
Against my original plan, I just sniped a used ZM for a bit less than 700€. Ooooohhh, exciting, exciting! Now I just have to hunt around for a lens!
 
or you can buy a hexar RF ($500-700$ value), and modify the framelines to be like a ZI..(if you buy a ZI for it's framelines)

I just modify my Hexar RF to have a ZI-like framelines here :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96051

not to hijack your thread, just offering another option.
I want to buy ZI as well, but not for it's build quality or shutter (it's cosina, right?), only RF framelines and baselength of ZI that attract me..)
 
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