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leif e
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I just sold my M4-2, waiting for a Zeiss Ikon or maybe an RD-1. I feel close to naked What am I? A fool?😕
leif e
leif e
A fool?
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back alley
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worse comes to worst and you can always buy another leica.
from my experience, the zeiss ikon will put that smile back on your face.
one look through that big, bright viewfinder and the world will unfold as it should.
joe
from my experience, the zeiss ikon will put that smile back on your face.
one look through that big, bright viewfinder and the world will unfold as it should.
joe
JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
Dunno, bought my first M back in 72. Have had many cameras since then, but after all these years I will echo something Tom A said in one of his article last year - there is really nothing that feels quite like the classic M body when you're taking pictures. The good news is, as Joe says, you can always find another one to buy!
davidbivins
Established
Yes, you can always find another Leica M body.
The Zeiss Ikon is a beautiful little camera, and the viewfinder is astonishing. It's a joy to look through. I found it difficult to "jump" into being on-axis so I could see the rangefinder patch but I'm sure you get used to getting to it really quickly.
The body is significantly lighter, though. One of the things I love about the M4 is its weight--twice as heavy at 600 grams (ZI is 300g). The M4-2 is 525g; lighter than the M4 but still significantly heavier than the ZI. For me, it's important because I feel that I can hold slow shutter speeds steadier.
I almost bought a ZI myself, but I ended up picking up a selection of M bodies instead. It was a better decision for me, but for the right user, I think the ZI would be ideal. I hope that's you!
The Zeiss Ikon is a beautiful little camera, and the viewfinder is astonishing. It's a joy to look through. I found it difficult to "jump" into being on-axis so I could see the rangefinder patch but I'm sure you get used to getting to it really quickly.
The body is significantly lighter, though. One of the things I love about the M4 is its weight--twice as heavy at 600 grams (ZI is 300g). The M4-2 is 525g; lighter than the M4 but still significantly heavier than the ZI. For me, it's important because I feel that I can hold slow shutter speeds steadier.
I almost bought a ZI myself, but I ended up picking up a selection of M bodies instead. It was a better decision for me, but for the right user, I think the ZI would be ideal. I hope that's you!
back alley
IMAGES
david, the zi is 500g.
Technical Specifications
Camera type Compact rangefinder system camera with focal plane shutter and TTL light metering system
Film format 24x36 mm on 35 mm film
Lenses Carl Zeiss T* ZM-mount lenses with focal length 15 to 85 mm. Can also use all other lens types with M bayonet
Viewfinder 0.74X magnification. Bright range- and viewfinder with bright line frames activated by used lens type. Displayed frames 28/85 mm. 35 mm, 50 mm. Separate frame selector lever for manual frame selection independent of mounted lens. Automatic parallax compensation. Diopter correction lenses -4 to +2 diopters. Standard setting at -1 diopter
Large base rangefinder Coincident-image rangefinder in the center of the viewfinder image. Measurement base 75 mm (effective 55.9 mm)
Exposure metering TTL center-weighted metering at working aperture. Metering range (at ISO100 and f/2) EV 0 to EV 19 (f/2–4s, f/16–1/2000 s)
Film speed range Manually set between ISO 25–3200 with 1/3 incremental f-stop
Exposure modes AE with aperture priority or manual. AE lock option. Exposure compensation +/- 2 f-stops in 1/3 steps set at shutter speed dial
Viewfinder display LED symbols for selected shutter speed along left side of frame. Warnings for out of range shutter speeds and low battery
Shutter Vertically moving electronically controlled metal type. Shutter speed: speeds with 1/12 f-stop resolution between 1/2000 s to 8 s in AE mode, full f-stops between 1/2000 s to 1 s in manual mode, B
Flash synch Synchronization at 1/125 s and longer shutter speeds
Film transport Manual advance with quick lever. Rewinding with rewind lever
Camera body One piece aluminium base structure. External metal covers. Tripod thread inch in base plate
Batteries Two 1.5V cells type LR44 or SR44
Dimensions 138 x 78 x 32 mm (5.4”x3.1”x1.3”)
Weight 500 g (1 lb 2 oz.)
Technical Specifications
Camera type Compact rangefinder system camera with focal plane shutter and TTL light metering system
Film format 24x36 mm on 35 mm film
Lenses Carl Zeiss T* ZM-mount lenses with focal length 15 to 85 mm. Can also use all other lens types with M bayonet
Viewfinder 0.74X magnification. Bright range- and viewfinder with bright line frames activated by used lens type. Displayed frames 28/85 mm. 35 mm, 50 mm. Separate frame selector lever for manual frame selection independent of mounted lens. Automatic parallax compensation. Diopter correction lenses -4 to +2 diopters. Standard setting at -1 diopter
Large base rangefinder Coincident-image rangefinder in the center of the viewfinder image. Measurement base 75 mm (effective 55.9 mm)
Exposure metering TTL center-weighted metering at working aperture. Metering range (at ISO100 and f/2) EV 0 to EV 19 (f/2–4s, f/16–1/2000 s)
Film speed range Manually set between ISO 25–3200 with 1/3 incremental f-stop
Exposure modes AE with aperture priority or manual. AE lock option. Exposure compensation +/- 2 f-stops in 1/3 steps set at shutter speed dial
Viewfinder display LED symbols for selected shutter speed along left side of frame. Warnings for out of range shutter speeds and low battery
Shutter Vertically moving electronically controlled metal type. Shutter speed: speeds with 1/12 f-stop resolution between 1/2000 s to 8 s in AE mode, full f-stops between 1/2000 s to 1 s in manual mode, B
Flash synch Synchronization at 1/125 s and longer shutter speeds
Film transport Manual advance with quick lever. Rewinding with rewind lever
Camera body One piece aluminium base structure. External metal covers. Tripod thread inch in base plate
Batteries Two 1.5V cells type LR44 or SR44
Dimensions 138 x 78 x 32 mm (5.4”x3.1”x1.3”)
Weight 500 g (1 lb 2 oz.)
x-ray
Veteran
The ZI is an outstanding camera. I've shot Leica M's profesionally for nearly 40 years and currently have 6 bodies including 3 MP's, M6, M3 and M2 (both the M2 and M3 are now retired. I also have a ZI and like the RF/VF better than any RF I've ever used. The accuracy and brightness of the ZI RF are outstanding and for my eyes it's easier to focus under marginal light that either of my .85x MP's. No one knows the long term durability of the ZI since it's not been on the market 50 years but my guess is it will last just as well and give no more problems than the Leica M. I've stated before on this forum that i would likely go all ZI bodies and glass over Leica if i were starting today with the knowledge i have now. The ZI is simply that good in my book.
Things I like about the ZI vs the Leica M:
1) RF / VF brightness
2) RF accuracy
3) back loading vs bottom, removing the bottom to load and what do you do with the bottom with both hands involved in loading the camera, hold it in your mouth.
4) lighter weight from magnesium body
5) some complain but I like the bottom rewind crank and rewind with my left hand (no I'm right handed) To me it seems natural.
6) closer to 1:1 maginfication and still retain the 28mm frame lines with out being pressed to the edge of the VF
What do I not like about the ZI vs the M:
1) No 75mm frame lines
Don't overlook the ZM lenses. I have both Leica and ZM and find myself favoring the ergonomics and optical performance of the Zeiss lenses.
Things I like about the ZI vs the Leica M:
1) RF / VF brightness
2) RF accuracy
3) back loading vs bottom, removing the bottom to load and what do you do with the bottom with both hands involved in loading the camera, hold it in your mouth.
4) lighter weight from magnesium body
5) some complain but I like the bottom rewind crank and rewind with my left hand (no I'm right handed) To me it seems natural.
6) closer to 1:1 maginfication and still retain the 28mm frame lines with out being pressed to the edge of the VF
What do I not like about the ZI vs the M:
1) No 75mm frame lines
Don't overlook the ZM lenses. I have both Leica and ZM and find myself favoring the ergonomics and optical performance of the Zeiss lenses.
NL2377
*scratches head*
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Im 99% sure that my next body will be a Z
davidbivins
Established
back alley - thanks. I got that info off a Google search. Shame on me! I'll know better next time.
I did play with it for a while and you can feel the weight difference. I was a little surprised it was as light as my search reported (which it actually isn't), but whatever. I posted erroneous information.
I'm still very interested in getting one at some point, and the lenses are very intriguing to me. I think I'll wait another year or two to see more reports before dropping the cash.
I did play with it for a while and you can feel the weight difference. I was a little surprised it was as light as my search reported (which it actually isn't), but whatever. I posted erroneous information.
I'm still very interested in getting one at some point, and the lenses are very intriguing to me. I think I'll wait another year or two to see more reports before dropping the cash.
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