2 ZI on the way :)

[EdwardKaraa]

I think I must be going crazy, but I just ordered 2 brand new Zeiss Ikon ZI bodies, one of each color. With the combined price and that of the M6, I could have almost bought a used M9. I hope I won't regret it, but I really like what I'm getting with the combination of the ZM lenses and various films.

 

[Austerby]

Congratulations - enjoy and share your results and experience please.

 

[noimmunity]

I think I must be going crazy, but I just ordered 2 brand new Zeiss Ikon ZI bodies, one of each color. With the combined price and that of the M6, I could have almost bought a used M9. I hope I won't regret it, but I really like what I'm getting with the combination of the ZM lenses and various films.

The viewfinder on the ZI is treat!

I've had all the japan-manufactured ZM lenses at one point and have found all of them excellent.

Eventually you will have to get the ZM C Sonnar!

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Thanks guys! I'm really looking forward to peeking through that viewfinder that I've heard so many people rave about 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Certainly, the C-Sonnar is the lens that persuaded me to start taking 50mm seriously again. For most of the rest... well, the word that springs to mind is 'bland'. Though I do like Frances's 50 Summarit.

Cheers,

R.

 

[kshapero]

Certainly, the C-Sonnar is the lens that persuaded me to start taking 50mm seriously again. For most of the rest... well, the word that springs to mind is 'bland'. Though I do like Frances's 50 Summarit.

Cheers,

R.

Most of the rest --- you mean other 50mm's?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Most of the rest --- you mean other 50mm's?

Dear Akira,

Yes.

Cheers,

R.

 

[thegman]

Congrats, the ZI is probably my favourite RF. They are fantastic cameras, especially for 35mm and 28mm lenses.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Thanks to all! As for the Sonnar, I was aware of its qualities when I made the decision to get the planar instead. The 3D and high micro contrast the Planar is giving me are simply phenomenal. Subjects seem to jump out from the photos 🙂

 

[goo0h]

Where on Earth did you find a new ZI? I thought they were all pretty much seriously backordered....

 

[goo0h]

Yes, I love the Planar too. I may one day get the Sonar, but not in a huge rush right now.

 

[kxl]

Congratulations - I have 2 ZI's myself, both black. I also used to have both a Sonnar and a Planar; traded the Sonnar for another lens and kept the Planar - just a personal preference.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Where on Earth did you find a new ZI? I thought they were all pretty much seriously backordered....

Really? I was not aware of that, seriously 😀

I found the black one at Zeiss Thailand, and the silver one at SH Photo in Germany. I like to order from Germany because even when they don't have the goods, they just phone Oberkochen and 24 hours later they get fresh goods from the factory 🙂

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Congratulations - I have 2 ZI's myself, both black. I also used to have both a Sonnar and a Planar; traded the Sonnar for another lens and kept the Planar - just a personal preference.

Thanks! I know one of the attractions of the Sonnar is its classic dreamy rendering with under corrected spherical aberrations wide open, while it gets very sharp stopped down. The Planar gives punchy images even wide open and has a lot of 3D. I personally have no interest in the dreamy wide open look to be honest. I can put some vaseline on the filter if this is what I want (not that I ever did it).

 

[jonmanjiro]

Congrats! My travel kit for the last few years consisted of two black Zeiss Ikons and several lenses. I recently sold off the second ZI body and bought a Leica M7 to see for myself what all the fuss was about. There are a few things I like about the M7 over the ZI, but overall I prefer the ZI. If I knew then (when I decided to sell the ZI) what I know now, I would have kept the second ZI body and passed on the M7.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Congrats! My travel kit for the last few years consisted of two black Zeiss Ikons and several lenses. I recently sold off the second ZI body and bought a Leica M7 to see for myself what all the fuss was about. There are a few things I like about the M7 over the ZI, but overall I prefer the ZI. If I knew then (when I decided to sell the ZI) what I know now, I would have kept the second ZI body and passed on the M7.

To be honest I also wanted to get the ZI all along but a friend recommended the M6 so I gave it a try. I'm afraid if I like the ZI, I will have no need for the M6. My impression is that it feels good in the hands and oozes quality but everything inside dates from the stone age. Being all manual, some of the advantages of shooting RF are diluted, but I know this comment will get me flamed 😀

 

[Shab]

I think I must be going crazy, but I just ordered 2 brand new Zeiss Ikon ZI bodies, one of each color. With the combined price and that of the M6, I could have almost bought a used M9. I hope I won't regret it, but I really like what I'm getting with the combination of the ZM lenses and various films.

Congrats!!

I have a ZI and a M9, are very diferent cameras, I love them!

Which Film are you using with the ZM Lenses?

Sonnar and PLanar, are really good lenses!!

 

[bwcolor]

I did the same in 2009, but ordered a 35mm and 21mm kit to get the lenses and 21mm viewfinder. I wear glasses and find the Ikon to be perfect for 35mm and the slower 50mm. The viewfinder is the best of the best. Great choice and a good value.

 

[kossi008]

I also think that you can own the 50 mm Planar and C-Sonnar side-by-side. For me, what tipped the scales towards starting with the Planar was actually the min. focus distcance (0.7 m vs. 0.9 m on the Sonnar).

That being said, it doesn't mean that I will never get the Sonnar. Quite on the contrary, I will eventually need a 2nd body, and here in Germany, they basically give away the Sonnar for €100 extra with the body, so who could pass on that?

 

[Nelson Tan]

I just added the ZI to my camera bag, and while I love the AE and bright viewfinder, I find the focusing on my Leica (M2, M3) easier. Perhaps it's due to the contrast, but I find it more snappy on the Leicas. Maybe it'll get easier as I use the ZI more, but that's my initial impression. The weight of the ZI and the AE makes it really nice to shoot in the streets though!