New Ikon Problem

[Lincoln]

Hi Folks,

I recently ordered a Limited Edition Ikon with 50mm lens from B&H in NY. It arrived last night and I installed the battery, mounted the lens and attempted to install some film. Initially, I could see some numbers displayed in the viewfinder, but shortly there was nothing and I could not advance the film. I had ordered extra sets of batteries and changed to 2 different sets of replacement batteries(dated 2009) This made no diff'. $2500 order of camera and lens and it does not work. After lusting over this Ikon for a long time, I am pretty disappointed.

I know there were issues with the original units. This is to be expected in such a new machine. However, If B&H knew their stock may have problems, they should have
had them checked before they sent them out to loyal customers.

Yes, I think I was pretty thorough in reading the manual and installing the batteries.

Your comments are welcome,

Lincoln

 

[Avotius]

Something similar happened with me, installed batteries into a fresh new camera out of the box and the LED's wouldnt light up. Another one had a jammed shutter out of the box. Dont know what to say, send it back for a refund then buy from tony rose because he is cheaper.

 

[JoeFriday]

before proceeding with returning the camera, check one more time to make sure you have the batteries installed in the proper orientation.. if that does not help, I understand your frustration

 

[Mazurka]

Also make sure the battery contacts are clean and not bent or warped. Check the battery cover too: does it fit snugly? Is it in proper contact with tbe batteries?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Is this a known problem?

I was just about to order a Zeiss Ikon Limited Edition, but now have doubts.

 

[Lincoln]

Return

Return

Thanks for your comments, folks,

I'm pretty sure about my batttery installation proceedure. It sez in the manual that the plus side goes down in the hole and initially I could fire the shutter. I even installed the batteries backward to see if there was any change. The battery contacts were clean and seemed to make good contact. The spring contact on the bottom causes the battery to raise up slightly for good contact with the screw in cap. I'm not new to this type of gear. I'm not about to scratch the surfaces of the battery contacts for better contact. :-(

I have a contax G2 camera and my initial reaction to the Ikon was very positive. It is about the size of my G2 but feels a lot thinner. I like the feel, primo build and jewel like finish. The viewfinder is fantastically bright and setting manual focus is very easy and intuitive. Installing film is a little more 'fiddley' than my G2 , but not unacceptable. I still want the Ikon, but will buy it elsewhere. Too bad.....

Lincoln

 

[whitecat]

Whatever the solution, do pursue it. It's a nice camera.

 

[rover]

I have had a similar (no charge from a fresh battery) problem with Canonets and old cameras too. Do wipe the surfaces of the battery before installation. Sounds silly I know, but I have found that wiping the oil from my fingers off the surfaces is a cure to the problem (that I have had).

 

[Lincoln]

Thanks, Rover,

Thanks, Rover,

I did try your hint of wiping the contacts clean. I very carefully wiped the contacts as best I could with a clean cloth. There didn't appear to be any oil on the surface, but I wiped it anyway. Unfortunately, there was no diff'.

Lincoln

 

[rover]

That would have been an inexpensive solution, oh well. Worth a try.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Are all the Limited Edition silver? Or do they come in black also?

 

[back alley]

i have only ever seen silver limited editions.

 

[Trius]

Having watched the launch of the ZI/M, I clearly recall that the limited edition camera was only made in chrome/silver finish.

Also, the limited edition bodies were an early production run, so it's not all that surprising that there would be a problem. Yes, I would hope B&H would check it out before shipping due to the known issues of the early production run, but they are a volume outfit, so it's not surprising that they didn't. I agree to go with Tony or other specialist dealer. To my knowledge, Tony doesn't sell LCD TVs, boomboxes, etc. 😉

 

[Krosya]

Also make sure the battery contacts are clean and not bent or warped. Check the battery cover too: does it fit snugly? Is it in proper contact with tbe batteries?

Why would contacts have those issues if its a new camera?

 

[nasmformyzombie]

Also, the limited edition bodies were an early production run, so it's not all that surprising that there would be a problem. Yes, I would hope B&H would check it out before shipping due to the known issues of the early production run, but they are a volume outfit, so it's not surprising that they didn't.

As a volume seller there is no way B&H can possibly verify everything they sell before it ships. If you want that kind of personal touch you can get it from Tony Rose at Popflash. Also given some of the known issues with the early production run of the Ikon, why buy the now discontinued limited edition from B&H when you can get a later production model cheaper from Tony?

 

[Mazurka]

Why would contacts have those issues if its a new camera?

Exactly the same reason why the meter simply refuses to work on a new camera ... unless you can provide the actual cause for that to happen. 🙄 (Hint: Cosina/Zeiss bashing doesn't count.)

 

[Lincoln]

Source

Source

I bought from B&H because I trust them as a dealer. Grey market has always seemed a little shady to me. You send an Ikon back to Tony, and miraculously, he has fixed it. ???? What , he has a Zeiss tech on hand........ well, no, but we got you back up and running....... Who's to say. I am disappointed that this expensive camera was not ready to be delivered. My pro photography friend has ordered much photography gear without a problem-ever! Are we in a new era where they just push stuff off the shelves- regardless? If you were selling this camera, wouldn't you make sure every single unit worked perfectly? We're not talking about $25- barbeque units here.......

Lincoln

 

[Trius]

Most brand new camera designs have their share of problems. The potential for early failure seems to increase proportionately to the amount of electronics.

 

[Krosya]

Exactly the same reason why the meter simply refuses to work on a new camera ... unless you can provide the actual cause for that to happen. 🙄 (Hint: Cosina/Zeiss bashing doesn't count.)

I'm not bashing Zeiss or Cosina. Just wonder. Plus shouldn't each camera/lens from them be checked and signed for by an employee there to work fine? OK, RF can get knocked out of allignment during shipping, but this?
Some manufacturers don't have that final check before it leaves the factory, but Zeiss does and even make it a point to say so. Well, doesn't seem like a good quality control to me.

 

[x-ray]

My ZI limited edition has had no problems after a 100+ rolls. I have 6 M Leicas and my last a la carte MP came with a loose ISO dial. Look at the problems leica has with dead M8's and other issues that should have never left the factory. It's just the time we live in.