3,000 Zeiss Ikons Since November

[orkspace]

From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:

(May 13, 2006) — Zeiss back with new camera

Executives from Carl Zeiss AG of Germany were in Rochester on Thursday to present George Eastman House with a milestone camera for its technology collection. The new Zeiss Ikon 35mm rangefinder is the company's first camera in more than 30 years.

Zeiss has a history of excellence in optics and a devoted following among professional photographers. The company pulled out of the camera business in the early 1970s but recently introduced a new model for photographers still interested in film.

An executive said the company has sold 3,000 cameras since November.

...

Pretty cool. 🙂

 

[grantray]

Gald to hear that. One of my B&H guys said today they still have Limited Editions and have only sold two bodies so far. One those was me. Good news for me, because I want a second body. I love this camera.

-grant

 

[back alley]

i want a black one...

 

[grantray]

Yeah, I figure the chrome body for color film and a black body for B/W.

 

[ch1]

Gald to hear that. One of my B&H guys said today they still have Limited Editions and have only sold two bodies so far. One those was me. Good news for me, because I want a second body. I love this camera.

-grant

Grant.

Sorry, but not surprised to hear that B&H has only sold two of these cameras. B&H isn't really a camera store anymore!

Notice for All Here: B&H is NOT a camera dealer! At least anymore.

They now advertise heavily on NYC radio stations that they are an all-round electronics dealer. One of there current ads has a conversation like this:

1: I hear you went to B&H for a tripod.

2: Yeah, but instead I got an I-pod.

1: An I-pod instead of a tri-pod? At B&H?

2: Oh yeah, they have all the I-pod models.

1: Wow! Got to get to B&H for an I-pod!


Same with HDTV's, computers etc,

B&H now considers itself an "electronics store". It is trying to maintain market position against the "invasion" into NYC of such chain sellers as Best Buy!

I figure that many of you outside NYC still think of B&H as a "camera store", But check out their website and print catalog - I think you are in for a rude awakening! 🙁

 

[grantray]

I just walk past that stuff on the way in and head for the RF and used sections. I also avoid that store like the plague on Sundays.

BTW, going to my first Yankees game on June 5, vs. the Red Sox. I'll let you know what I think if I remain sober enough to remember.

-grant

 

[ch1]

I just walk past that stuff on the way in and head for the RF and used sections. I also avoid that store like the plague on Sundays.

BTW, going to my first Yankees game on June 5, vs. the Red Sox. I'll let you know what I think if I remain sober enough to remember.

-grant

1) While I am not Jewish, I do very much respect the fact that they are closed Saturdays. Sadly, this may be a "killer" for them if they decide that the likes of Best Buy are now their competition (e.g. open 7-days). I guess "nothing stays the same" in NYC so what can you do?

2) OMG, the Red Sux are coming back? And we need pitching! Can anyone here throw a baseball? 😉

 

[boarini2003]

It's really great to hear that the Ikon is selling. With the complete digital domination of photography in recent times, it's good to see something film sellling.

 

[darkkavenger]

I want one too 😀 I'm glad that the camera is appreciated and that it creates a safe emulation & competition in the field of high-end film cameras 🙂

 

[Bertram2]

An executive said the company has sold 3,000 cameras since November.
Pretty cool. 🙂

Hmm, not bad for a new niche product in times of dead film ? 😀

Seems the Zeiss folks have done their market research homework pretty fine ?

And why do i think the new ZI-D , which I suppose to be in the drawer already, ready for marketing, will have Nikon imaging technology inside ? Photokina 2006 will tell us.
😀 😀
bertram

 

[Fred]

i want a black one...

Now Joe, thats just greedy 😀 You gotta leave some for the rest of us 😛

I used to prefer black, but having recently got a new (very old stock) Bessa R in silver for a day to day camera it's sorrta grown on me. I do feel slightly more conspicuous though than with my black M. At least the sliver version looks good with either black or silver lenses mounted.

Can't help wondering how many R2a/R3a M7 and MPs sold in the same time though. A sales chart would be interesting, just for curiosity thats all.

EDIT:

Really good to see a celebration of a new film camera in these times.

 

[back alley]

i want black because it's the only other colour available...then i can carry the 25 & the 50 at the same time.

😉

 

[VinceC]

I think they've proved that $1,200 to $1,400 US is a viable price for high-end niche consumer products.

It'll be very interesting to see how they approach digital.

 

[Avotius]

I hope they sell 10000 more and take a big enough chunk out of leica to make leica sweat a bit then come out with a sub 2000 dollar rangefinder...

 

[Huck Finn]

I hope they sell 10000 more and take a big enough chunk out of leica to make leica sweat a bit then come out with a sub 2000 dollar rangefinder...

Avotius, I think that those numbers were first reported in March & that they also reported at that time that they were scheduled for max production capability (500 per month) for several months out, so they would seem to be on the way to achieving your goal. 🙂

 

[Buze]

What I would really love to know is /who/ buys the Leica/VC/Zeiss cameras. We all know what they are worth, we all know they use a "dead" technology (film, ewwww) but still some people come up with new models, new lens etc.. So /someone/ must be buying them. Is it JUST for the japanese market and us on rff ? 😀

If you look at VC, I went to the only high street shop that sells that in London, and they have no stock (Didn't even have a hood for my 40mm). I don't think they sell 5 cameras a month... So who buy these ?

I'm curious really; I hope there is a huge market somewhere in Japan, where people have realized digital was not the new world order and owning a neat film camera was the cool thing to do...

 

[ch1]

What I would really love to know is /who/ buys the Leica/VC/Zeiss cameras. We all know what they are worth, we all know they use a "dead" technology (film, ewwww) but still some people come up with new models, new lens etc.. So /someone/ must be buying them. Is it JUST for the japanese market and us on rff ? 😀

If you look at VC, I went to the only high street shop that sells that in London, and they have no stock (Didn't even have a hood for my 40mm). I don't think they sell 5 cameras a month... So who buy these ?

I'm curious really; I hope there is a huge market somewhere in Japan, where people have realized digital was not the new world order and owning a neat film camera was the cool thing to do...

I think it is all relative. Remember, it took six-months to sell 3000 ZIs. For a mid-priced film RF that's pretty good. Now, imagine how may digital cameras were sold by any one of the well-known makers in the last six months. You're looking at tens of thousands!

 

[ywenz]

Grant.

Sorry, but not surprised to hear that B&H has only sold two of these cameras. B&H isn't really a camera store anymore!

Notice for All Here: B&H is NOT a camera dealer! At least anymore.

They now advertise heavily on NYC radio stations that they are an all-round electronics dealer. One of there current ads has a conversation like this:

1: I hear you went to B&H for a tripod.

2: Yeah, but instead I got an I-pod.

1: An I-pod instead of a tri-pod? At B&H?

2: Oh yeah, they have all the I-pod models.

1: Wow! Got to get to B&H for an I-pod!


Same with HDTV's, computers etc,

B&H now considers itself an "electronics store". It is trying to maintain market position against the "invasion" into NYC of such chain sellers as Best Buy!

I figure that many of you outside NYC still think of B&H as a "camera store", But check out their website and print catalog - I think you are in for a rude awakening! 🙁

Go to www.bhphotovideo.com ( note the URL ). What do you see on their main page? All audio/video/photo links hmmppp yeah.. ok

 

[Bertram2]

I hope they sell 10000 more and take a big enough chunk out of leica to make leica sweat a bit then come out with a sub 2000 dollar rangefinder...

.....which would mean a complete new design and a production running is Asia.

bertram

 

[leafy]

.....which would mean a complete new design and a production running is Asia.

bertram

If the Chinese could copy the Leica M back in the '50 '60, they can certainly do it now 🙂