Choosing a ZI bundle to get started

[croweater]

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 can relate to that. Some importers are very slow to adjust their prices when the A$ improves (I'm looking at you, Nikon Australia!), whereas some other ones pass on the improvements quite quickly (eg Mainline Photo).

Anyway, my package arrived this morning. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I got the "collector's set", meaning that the body, the lens, and the viewfinder are in a very fancy leather-bound presentation box. I'd just assumed that I'd get the usual cardboard box for each item. There is an international warranty, although I have yet to read the fine print.

First impression, the framelines are just brilliant. Especially compared with those of my Zorki 3M; one extreme to the other 🙂 The lens is more compact than I'd imagined, which also is a good surprise. The gloss black finish attracts fingerprints, but it should be easy to clean.

A strap is included with the package, but it's not as nice as the rest of the items. I'm tempted to get a Luigi half-case & strap, or maybe the official ZI case. The Luigi cases look very nice, but they're not exactly cheap!

I don't think I'll need to use the external viewfinder (25/28mm), the 28mm lines in the internal viewfinder are quite easy to use, and it looks like a 25mm would be quite usable that way too (fortunately I don't wear glasses, yet).

I'll put a roll of film in the camera later today; I have a roll of Fujicolor Superia Reala sitting idle so that'll be the one to start with. Once I get my darkroom set up I'll switch to using B&W, although I haven't developed any film for about 30 years...

 

[Richard G]

Congratulations CE. Not sure about the ZI case. The round front looks a bit Soviet to me.

 

[ExpatPete]

Anyway, my package arrived this morning. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I got the "collector's set", meaning that the body, the lens, and the viewfinder are in a very fancy leather-bound presentation box. ...

CE - Congratulations on your new purchase - I have also been eyeing the Kit from BH - did you go for the black or sliver model? I also notice that BH quote model numbers (some are quite low - possibly 'collector's sets') did your camera correspond to the model number quoted on the BH website?

 

[Pavel+]

I just sprang for the B&H kit with the black Ikon and 2.8/28. The external 25/28 viewfinder and a metal lens hood comes with it for a very, very good price. Hard to beat and I was going to say "hard to resist" but that would be wrong since I found it "impossible" to resist! 😀

Now the wait!

I plan to take the advice of members here and go for a Luigi case - or perhaps a strap. I don't usually like the around neck strap unless I can affix both ends to the left side of the body.

I have a lot of digital gear and have had most of the top end in Canon and Nikon gear over the years - but you know what ... I have not been so excited in anticipating a camera such as I feel now ... in ... well ... forever!

I'm going backwards ... to go forwards.

 

[croweater]

Sorry for the late reply, couldn't remember my login password 🙂

did you go for the black or sliver model? I also notice that BH quote model numbers (some are quite low - possibly 'collector's sets') did your camera correspond to the model number quoted on the BH website?

I went for the black. Obviously it makes no practical difference to using the camera, but I thought a black one would be good to match my black FM2N 🙂 It is a "collector's set", described in an earlier post.

 

[croweater]

I just sprang for the B&H kit with the black Ikon and 2.8/28. The external 25/28 viewfinder and a metal lens hood comes with it for a very, very good price.

I see you have similar taste to me! I'm guessing that you're getting a slightly different bundle to what I got; mine is a collector's one which includes the fancy presentation box, but doesn't include a hood. I bought my hood separately.

But I agree that the bundle price is excellent value. I'm currently counting my spare change to try to scrape enough together to buy a 50mm Planar to keep my 28mm Biogon company.

I plan to take the advice of members here and go for a Luigi case - or perhaps a strap.

I bought a Zeiss case for mine. It's quite good, a nice soft black leather, and cheaper than the Luigi. The Luigi ones look great however, I may yet get one eventually once I make sense of his very confusing web site 😉

 

[alan davus]

Hi Croweater, where are you in Adelaide? I'm up in Happy Valley. A great purchase, you'll love your Zeiss lens, I have the 18 Distagon and plan to get the 25. Tincheungcamera in HK have excellent prices on Zeiss stuff also. Check them out for the Planar. It's a bit overcast outside but a perfect morning for a walk. I'm heading out over Mt. Lofty shortly. Enjoy the day. Alan

 

[croweater]

Hi Croweater, where are you in Adelaide? I'm up in Happy Valley.

In the "scenic" northern suburbs. Ahem 🙂

I have the 18 Distagon and plan to get the 25. Tincheungcamera in HK have excellent prices on Zeiss stuff also. Check them out for the Planar.

Have you used them yourself? I'm always cautious using a new overseas dealer. The prices at Vanbar are more than the overseas dealers, but not crazily so, so I may end up buying from them yet.

It's a bit overcast outside but a perfect morning for a walk. I'm heading out over Mt. Lofty shortly.

I was hoping to go to the Warming March in the city later today to try to finally finish my current roll of film, but other events have conspired against me.

 

[Pavel+]

Interesting coincidence - I'm now saving for the 50 Planar myself. Post some pix when you can> 🙂