julianphotoart
No likey digital-phooey
Well, I can't believe it. Black Zeiss-Ikon. Picked it up today from Tony Rose. You know, he's a very nice guy. Anyway, awfully nice camera. I am cured of GAS. I feel much better now.
After all of 1/2 day with this camera, here's what I think:
1. The dual rangefinder image (or whatever you call it) is great. I guess because it's made differently than Konica and Leica, it doesn't shift around at all. It's either there or it's not, but it's always in the same place and the focusing therefore is confident. If the eye is centred, the image is bright and contrasty and very quick and easy to focus.
2. The weight seems just right. Not as heavy for sure as my M7 but then again the M7 is too heavy; as if Leica needs a physical sensation of heaviness to help justify the price.
3. The shutter is a fair bit louder than Leica, but only about 60% as loud as the mechanical Voigtlander shutter. I don't have an R2A or R3A to compare it with the Voigtlander electronic shutter.
4. The black paint is very nice. I personally like it much more than that other type of black -- is it black "anodized" or something?
5. The two round "feet" seem rubberized somehow making for a softer landing when putting it down on something.
6. Don't worry about the door opening accidentally. No way. It requires two distinct actions at 90 degrees to each other.
7. Viewfinder. Wow. My glasses are no problem except at 28mm. Then, it's only sort of a problem. Putting numbers on the framing lines is a nice touch.
8. The film advance lever is much lighter than Leica but crisp and sure.
9. With a lens on it, it sure feels well-balanced weight-wise. A reassuring but not wearying weight.
10. Haven't a clue about actual photography; I had no time after work.
Julian
After all of 1/2 day with this camera, here's what I think:
1. The dual rangefinder image (or whatever you call it) is great. I guess because it's made differently than Konica and Leica, it doesn't shift around at all. It's either there or it's not, but it's always in the same place and the focusing therefore is confident. If the eye is centred, the image is bright and contrasty and very quick and easy to focus.
2. The weight seems just right. Not as heavy for sure as my M7 but then again the M7 is too heavy; as if Leica needs a physical sensation of heaviness to help justify the price.
3. The shutter is a fair bit louder than Leica, but only about 60% as loud as the mechanical Voigtlander shutter. I don't have an R2A or R3A to compare it with the Voigtlander electronic shutter.
4. The black paint is very nice. I personally like it much more than that other type of black -- is it black "anodized" or something?
5. The two round "feet" seem rubberized somehow making for a softer landing when putting it down on something.
6. Don't worry about the door opening accidentally. No way. It requires two distinct actions at 90 degrees to each other.
7. Viewfinder. Wow. My glasses are no problem except at 28mm. Then, it's only sort of a problem. Putting numbers on the framing lines is a nice touch.
8. The film advance lever is much lighter than Leica but crisp and sure.
9. With a lens on it, it sure feels well-balanced weight-wise. A reassuring but not wearying weight.
10. Haven't a clue about actual photography; I had no time after work.
Julian
