Choosing a ZI bundle to get started

[croweater]

Hi,

Firstly, I'm a newbie to these forums. I've been reading them on and off for a while, but finally got around to joining up.

My background is with SLRs, both film and digital. Lately I've been quite keen to get a rangefinder, so I ended up starting cheaply by buying a Zorki. While this does work, I'm finding it too frustrating to use (clumsy focussing, hard to see the patch in non-optimal conditions, etc etc).

So I'm now keen to get a much more usable RF. I was initially planning on a R3A/M but the more I read about the ZI the more I like it. I did consider a used M7 but I'm struggling to see the value in it compared with a ZI (other than resale, perhaps?).

Where I live in Australia, there are no local dealers with ZI, so I will most likely end up buying online, which means that I really need to choose carefully. Looking at (for example) B&H, they sell a few ZI bundles at quite good prices. However I'm a bit confused as to why the bundle which includes the 28mm Biogon also includes a viewfinder. Why is it included (or needed), I thought the ZI has 28mm framelines which would mean that an external viewfinder is pointless? (Sorry if this is a silly newbie question!).

I'm still deciding between 50mm, 35mm, and 28mm. I know that they all have merits, it's just a personal decision I'll have to make. At this stage I'm leaning towards 35mm.

My other question is does anyone know of a ZI dealer in Australia? I'm aware that Vanbar lists it on their website, but they're not exactly known for their competitive prices 🙂

 

[Richard G]

Camera Exchange, 377 Lonsdale St in Melbourne (03 9670 1929) have had Zi bodies and carry some of the Zeiss lenses. I haven't seen one of the starter kits there and they are not on Tony Rose's Popflash Photo site at the moment either. I don't know about Camera Exchange's prices, but at one time they were offering a pretty competitive price on the M8. The 28mm frame lines on the ZI are apparently very useable, but difficult perhaps for some with glasses. Search the threads on that. The 25/28 Finder is brilliant in both senses of the word. When the Australian dollar was down some months ago buying in Australia was reasonable. Now that it is up again, and the current Australian stock was acquired when the dollar was low, ordering online makes some sense. But for a body that might have problems the issue of warranty comes up. Popflash Photo and others have a good reputation for returns but this is not the same thing as repair under warranty. For a lens I'd be relaxed, but for a new camera I'd want the warranty made certain.

 

[mfogiel]

The ZI is "made" for the 35mm lens, this is where it excels. If you get the ZI+35/2 Biogon, you will get such a wonderful tool, that it will become a very high hurdle for any other equipment you might want to use. Just go for it. I would also recommend to shell out some more money and get a Luigi half case WITH GRIP for it. It makes for a great protection, silences furter the shutter and helps you frame vertically with ease.

ZI+35/2 Biogon

 

[payasam]

Even if means a few Au$ more, best to buy at home. I'd say that 35mm will be an excellent beginning. Later you can add an 85mm and call a halt.

Do I see Bum Dodging, mfogiel?

 

[jonmanjiro]

First off, welcome to the forum!

An R3A/M is a great camera, but a ZI is definitely the better camera if you mainly shoot 28-35-50 lenses.

The 28mm frameline on the ZI is fully usable if you don't wear glasses (maybe not so if you do), so I'm not sure why the ZI plus Biogon 28/2.8 bundle would include a 25/28mm finder. But hey, if the price is right, and the finder is essentially a freebie, go for it. You could easily sell the finder later for upwards of US$300 if you find you don't need it.

As for shops in Oz that carry the ZI, I know that one of our Sydney based members mentioned handling one in a shop there a while back. Can't remember for the life of me which one it was though. Could have been Mainline, but don't quote me on that.

Good luck in the hunt for a ZI kit!

 

[kshapero]

ZI w ZM 35/2 or CV 35/1.2. As sweet as it gets. Case with grip a good idea, too. Some good deals on RFF if you choose.

 

[croweater]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I can't really go wrong with a ZI + 35mm. Now I just need to work out where to buy it.

Someone mentioned Mainline but I'm fairly sure they don't sell it, they sell the CV products instead. And Camera Exchange don't mention stocking ZI on their website. Vanbar does list them, but the price difference is quite large compared with (eg) B&H, and they're interstate from me anyway.

I do like to buy local when I can (even if it costs a bit more), but I don't think I'll be able to for this one. So my only real problem then is warranty. It's hard to find details of the warranty, but I see a ZI on eBay at the moment in Australia (item #230394145140) which mentions an international warranty. This probably involves international postage, but at least it's something.

So I suppose my next question after all this rambling, is where is a good place for an online purchase of a ZI kit? Obviously B&H is one option, any other recommendations?

 

[Al Kaplan]

Maybe somebody here is thinking of selling one?

 

[kshapero]

PopFlash if you want new.

 

[Freakscene]

Since your handle is croweater - are you in SA? Ask at PhotoCo Camera House in the central markets in Adelaide what their price would be. They stocked some ZI equipment last year but didn't seem to get any more after it sold. They've got me a lot of equipment at competitive prices. No relationship except as a happy customer.

Marty

 

[croweater]

Since your handle is croweater - are you in SA?

Well spotted 🙂

Ask at PhotoCo Camera House in the central markets in Adelaide what their price would be.

Good idea, I'll try that, thanks!

 

[Jaans]

The ZI is "made" for the 35mm lens, this is where it excels. If you get the ZI+35/2 Biogon, you will get such a wonderful tool, that it will become a very high hurdle for any other equipment you might want to use. Just go for it. I would also recommend to shell out some more money and get a Luigi half case WITH GRIP for it. It makes for a great protection, silences furter the shutter and helps you frame vertically with ease.

ZI+35/2 Biogon

I really like this photo, composition, idea and processing. What film/developer combination did you use if I may be so bold? I adore that grain!

 

[sojournerphoto]

ZZI plus 35/2 Biogon is perfect. My favourite combination and just a joy to use. It feels totally natural to frame, focus and shoot.

Mike

 

[croweater]

Just thought I'd post a belated follow-up to this thread.

Instead of the 35mm, I ended up deciding to go with the 28mm f2.8 Biogon. To help me decide I spent some time browsing my photo library, grouping photos by focal length and seeing which focal length works best for me, which resulted in the 28mm decision.

From what I've read, one can't go wrong with either the 28mm or the 35mm, it's just a matter of what works well for the user. I plan to just stick with the one lens for the time being, and later on I may add an 85mm Tessar if I think I'll get enough use out of it.

I've ordered the outfit, and hope to receive it within the next few days. Now comes the hard bit; waiting! 🙂

 

[payasam]

Waiting is tough. Beer helps, as does coffee. Also callisthenics.

A 28-85 combination will be a killer one.

 

[italy74]

I really like this photo, composition, idea and processing. What film/developer combination did you use if I may be so bold? I adore that grain!

Sure Jaans that there's anything ELSE to adore... ??? 😀 😀 😀
Wonderful body line to follow with eyes (and eyes only!)

By the way, my advice too would be ZI + ZM 35/2, grip etc.

 

[mfogiel]

@Jaans
This was Acros in Tmax RT developer (done by a lab, at the time I was not developing at home yet). You see the grain, because I applied some sharpening, as Acros for my taste completely lacks acutance.

 

[Richard G]

So where did you order from in the end? And of course, great photo Marek.

 

[croweater]

So where did you order from in the end?

I ended up buying from B&H; their price for a bundle (body, lens, viewfinder) was pretty much unbeatable. The difference will more than compensate for any problematic warranty. I did ring around a few places here in Australia, but they were asking a lot more. I normally make it a point to support local dealers, but when the difference in price is that huge, it's not easy.

Having said that, I plan to buy any future ZI lenses here in Australia, the difference in price for a single lens between here and buying online is nowhere as dramatic as that for the body+lens+viewfinder bundle.

 

[Richard G]

Well done. I bought my Sonnar C 50 from the US quite recently. It looked like our dollar was up and the current stock in Australia was bought at a premium with our dollar in the high 50s and it just wasn't a consideration to buy local for a second 50mm lens. I handled a ZI at Camera Exchange one morning. A nice machine. Love the lenses.