Future of Zeiss Ikon?

[drjoke]

Given this rumor: http://www.zeissrumors.com/2011/04/no-more-ikon-sw-in-germany-and-no-more.html .

What is the future like for Zeiss Ikon? Are we likely to have new lenses or accessories coming? Perhaps, even an update to the Zeiss Ikon body itself?

I notice that last year Zeiss began offering filters, but it seems that only the SLR lenses (ZF.2 and ZE) are covered.

Is there a chance that Zeiss will rejuvenate its rangefinder line anytime soon? I have been using my Zeiss Ikon as the main camera for 4-5 years, and it has always been my happiest camera purchase ever.

drjoke

 

[Bob Michaels]

I fail to see anything in the ZI body that needs changing.

I also wish for nothing as far as lenses that ZI could realistically develop. "Realistically" is the key term. 85mm f2.0? The market is not large enough to support such. 28mm f2.0 or 35mm f1.4? Market is not large enough to support both ZI and CV.

Full frame digital ZI that sells for $1,999? Yea, that one is coming out of the same factory that makes gold out of lead.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Bob, you summed it up.

There is nothing on the ZI that needs making better. The lenses do what they need perfectly well. I have an 85/2 and it's great, but it was likely a vanity project. There isn't a significant market when you can buy 90/2.8 Leica's for much the same as an85/4 tele tessar.

Digital Ikon - not in the near future accroding to my last conversation. Very complex, users demand excellence and would need a suitable sensor partner.

Mike

 

[Roger Hicks]

Bob, you summed it up.

There is nothing on the ZI that needs making better. The lenses do what they need perfectly well. I have an 85/2 and it's great, but it was likely a vanity project. There isn't a significant market when you can buy 90/2.8 Leica's for much the same as an85/4 tele tessar.

Digital Ikon - not in the near future according to my last conversation. Very complex, users demand excellence and would need a suitable sensor partner.

Mike

Dear Mike,

The meter readout...

Cheers,

R.

 

[bwcolor]

+1 .. big time That is the one down side of the camera.

 

[The Meaness]

I agree with Bob. Considering the choices we have between Leica, Zeiss, and Cosina, it's hard to argue against the idea that we've reached market saturation for film RF products.

Can Zeiss or Cosina make anything new that will get us to run out and buy even a small batch of new lenses? The last new lens that came out was the CV 75/1.8 - and even though that filled a hole in the RF market (<1k and fast short tele), and the reviews have been excellent, the response has been pretty quiet.

Even if Zeiss and Cosina have DRFs developed right now, like Bob said they would hit the market too close in price to the M9... and even if they could come in around 4k (probably where Zeiss would want to be to undercut Leica), both companies have to be wondering how the mirrorless cameras like the NEX and X100 are going to continue to divide the already very small market of RF users who want digital.

Why bother? Both companies have other interests that are probably more profitable, and they've already cut in on Leica's game well enough.

 

[axiom]

The fact that the Zeiss Ikon system appears on the (new) front page as 1 of the 3 emphases seems (somewhat) assuring.
http://www.zeissrumors.com/2011/04/zeisscom-launched-website-redesign.html
http://lenses.zeiss.com/photo/en_DE/home.html

a digital ZI would be nice

 

[sojournerphoto]

Dear Mike,

The meter readout...

Cheers,

R.

Actually, yes, I'll grant that the Leica and CV approach is preferable.

Mike

 

[keepright]

Zeiss has a rumour site…? Who knew? (And why?)

And I was under the distinct impression that the Ikon SW had been discontinued ages ago.

I'll grant that the meter indicator could be better, but the great thing about having a modern film rangefinder without the historical 'legacy' is that there's really no need to upgrade. The camera is itself – it does what it needs to do.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Zeiss has a rumour site…? Who knew? (And why?)

And I was under the distinct impression that the Ikon SW had been discontinued ages ago.

I'll grant that the meter indicator could be better, but the great thing about having a modern film rangefinder without the historical 'legacy' is that there's really no need to upgrade. The camera is itself – it does what it needs to do.

Sorry... not quite clear on this. You mean, if you buy the latest (and only) model, you don't need to upgrade?

Quite unlike an MP, then.

Cheers,

R.

 

[35mmdelux]

ZI needs to produce a fairly priced 35mm/1.4 to get my interest.

 

[tlitody]

Maybe zeiss is thinking about a new digital Contax. The Ikon can't be selling many units whereas a new Contax would tap into that old brand name and all its devotees. It would sell much better than the ZI does now. I rekon it will have the sony FF sensor in it. Only question is, who will build it? Sony? Cosina?

 

[Luna]

The ZI is the perfect rangefinder camera.

 

[skírnir]

Note that the text and pictures in the description of the Tele-Tessar 85/4 actually describes the Sonnar 85/2. Is there still hope?

http://lenses.zeiss.com/photo/en_DE/products/ikon/teletessart485zm.usage.html

Also, it seems they have discontinued the ZK and ZS SLR lenses. I can't find them in their new pages.

The fact that the Zeiss Ikon system appears on the (new) front page as 1 of the 3 emphases seems (somewhat) assuring.
http://www.zeissrumors.com/2011/04/zeisscom-launched-website-redesign.html
http://lenses.zeiss.com/photo/en_DE/home.html

a digital ZI would be nice

 

[Matus]

If the shutter sound of the Zi is anything close to R3A than I would like the shutter to get a bit quieter and softer (sound wise).

I do not expect digital Ikon to appear any soon (if ever). M9 not only sells because it is the only FX RF, but also because it is made well and made by leica. Zeiss would have to offer a better (whatever that means) camera at least 25% cheaper for Leica fans to consider it. Not easy to accomplish I guess.

 

[Roger Hicks]

If the shutter sound of the Zi is anything close to R3A than I would like the shutter to get a bit quieter and softer (sound wise).

I do not expect digital Ikon to appear any soon (if ever). M9 not only sells because it is the only FX RF, but also because it is made well and made by leica. Zeiss would have to offer a better (whatever that means) camera at least 25% cheaper for Leica fans to consider it. Not easy to accomplish I guess.

First para: yes, a quieter shutter would be nice.

Second para: You might very well think that. I might very well think that. Zeiss themselves might very well think that (and have told me that they do, in fact, think that). But there are always those who are convinced that Kobayashi-san can wave his magic wand and make a full-frame digital rangefider for $2000.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Keith]

Another vote for an improvement in the meter readout ... it's the only minor niggle that I can really think of!

Maybe give the shutter 1/4000 capability!

 

[skírnir]

It would also be nice to be able to shoot without a battery; it's been a challenge to shoot in very cold weather.

 

[dfoo]

Yes, I agree with the above. I love my ZI, but the following could be improved.
- Cold weather shooting solution.
- Better meter readout. The current one is impossible to see in bright light.
- Quieter shutter.
- 1/4000 additional speed.
- High flash sync speed.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm loving the Zeiss lenses. Outside of some quality control issues... namely, loose barrel parts, etc, I think they are making some of the best lenses today.