25mm lens on a Zeiss Ikon

[kshapero]

Will a 25mm lens automatically bring up the 28mm frameline on a ZI? Or is it better to get a 28mm lens? Thinking of building out for my ZI, a three lens kit. 50mm ( I already have the C Sonnar), a wide angle and a 85/90 mm tele.

 

[sebastel]

the ZM Biogon 25mm will bring up the 28mm frameline, unless you have the mount changed.

cheers,
sebastian

 

[kshapero]

the ZM Biogon 25mm will bring up the 28mm frameline, unless you have the mount changed.

cheers,
sebastian

What does "have the mount changed" mean? Also would a CV 25mm do the same?

 

[sebastel]

leica chose the 35mm mount to show the 24mm frames in the M8, so exchanging the original mount of the 25mm ZM for a 35mm mount would make the 24mm frames appear on the M8 as well ...

as for the CV, I have no idea. but maybe looking up cameraquest might help?

cheers
sebastian

 

[sepiareverb]

I find the entire VF on my M7 .58 acts as a pretty good 25 frameline for the ZM25. Not sure what you see in the ZI- but what I've read seems to show that the 28 framelines are not all that close to the edge- it might work there as well.

In use the 25 & 28 ZM lenses seem equally good in color, crispness etc. It would come down to field of view and ease of VF use.

 

[back alley]

i like both the 25 and the 28 fov but if i had to choose one it would be the 25.
both lenses bring up the 28 fl on the zi.
the entire finder can be used for the 25 but the top and bottom of the frame are smaller than the fov of the lens.
i used the lens w/o the finder for about a year and it was fine, however, i now have the zeiss finder and it is amazing.
joe

 

[thomasw_]

i have used both the zm 25 and 28. i couldn't justify owning both, so i had to pick. i kept the 25 because of its slightly wider view than the 28 and because of its rendering. my 3 lens ZMs are nicely spaced in terms of their FOVs: 25,35,50. I found there was more of an interesting difference between the 25-35 fov than between the 28-35 fov. as i said, if i could justify owning them both, great for me, as they were both good lenses; but there is something in the rendering of the zm25 that made it the one for me in that decision.

 

[kshapero]

i like both the 25 and the 28 fov but if i had to choose one it would be the 25.
both lenses bring up the 28 fl on the zi.
the entire finder can be used for the 25 but the top and bottom of the frame are smaller than the fov of the lens.
i used the lens w/o the finder for about a year and it was fine, however, i now have the zeiss finder and it is amazing.
joe

I was kind of waiting for you to pipe in Joe.

 

[kshapero]

i have used both the zm 25 and 28. i couldn't justify owning both, so i had to pick. i kept the 25 because of its slightly wider view than the 28 and because of its rendering. my 3 lens ZMs are nicely spaced in terms of their FOVs: 25,35,50. I found there was more of an interesting difference between the 25-35 fov than between the 28-35 fov. as i said, if i could justify owning them both, great for me, as they were both good lenses; but there is something in the rendering of the zm25 that made it the one for me in that decision.

I think I will go the 25 route. Anybody had experience with the CV 25mm before I spill for the ZM?

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Yes, I just shot a bunch of film with the CV 25 (first edition, scale focus) mounted on a ZM and was gernally pleased, but certainly not blown away. Most shots were in focus, but I must admit my framing wasn't as accurate as I had hoped. It's a decent lens, but I think my beat-up SLR Nikon 24mm 2.8 is better. (And I almost always prefer rangefinder glass except in this case. My Contax G 28mm is fantastic.) I think if you shoot a lot with the 25mm, go for the Zeiss. If 25mm is only an occasional focal length for you, go for the CV.

Joe

 

[kshapero]

Yes, I just shot a bunch of film with the CV 25 (first edition, scale focus) mounted on a ZM and was gernally pleased, but certainly not blown away. Most shots were in focus, but I must admit my framing wasn't as accurate as I had hoped. It's a decent lens, but I think my beat-up SLR Nikon 24mm 2.8 is better. (And I almost always prefer rangefinder glass except in this case. My Contax G 28mm is fantastic.) I think if you shoot a lot with the 25mm, go for the Zeiss. If 25mm is only an occasional focal length for you, go for the CV.

Joe

good advice

 

[Roland X]

Will the 25mm ZM with its hood on ZI body block part of its view finder in any focal distance?