Difference Zeiss Ikon and Leica M7

M7 or ZI? If I were to get a Leicas - I would go for a mechanical shutter. If I were to go AE, A Voigtlander or ZI would be my choice (and it was, I got a ZI + 35/2 last week). The difference in money is a big one comparing new. And since I do not have access to a camera store that has a variety of used gear to handle and inspect, a used Leica is out of the question.
 
Thanks to everybody for their input. I see, it is going to be a difficult decision. The price difference (both cameras new of course) is more than a factor of 2 but the actual feature difference, as from what I have read here isn't that big to justify the price difference in my eyes. (at least to me it isn't).

For me the following points are important:

- viewfinder quality
- reliability
- weight
- price

Currently my tendency is more towards the ZI in combination with the Leica 28mm 2,8 and the 50mm 2,0. I will sleep over it for a few more days...
 
just remember, the lens makes the picture not the camera :)
I'm a Leica M6 user myself but the ZI can't be bad, the body is probably less resitant to heavy use but it should be ok.
 
santino said:
just remember, the lens makes the picture not the camera :)
I'm a Leica M6 user myself but the ZI can't be bad, the body is probably less resitant to heavy use but it should be ok.
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It seemed pretty sturdy and compared well to my Nikon FM2 on inspection. SHould do it for most everyone. It sounds like the member that took it to India really kicked the crap out of it - and it didn't hold up - though based upon how it chewed through batteries, there may have been something wrong with it as well. I wonder if a Leica would endure similar abuse (they are super sturdy - but there are limits to them as well)?
 
I have not used the ZI as heavily as Vlad has, however, I'll tell you I haven't used it lightly. Was on a three day trip to Yosemite, we were up at 5am to go take pics of Bodie Ghost town. It was well below freezing, I had a layer of ice form on the bottom of my camera. :) We also went through a dust-storm, and some very hot temps, and several months before I was out in the rain, etc.
 
jano said:
I have not used the ZI as heavily as Vlad has, however, I'll tell you I haven't used it lightly. Was on a three day trip to Yosemite, we were up at 5am to go take pics of Bodie Ghost town. It was well below freezing, I had a layer of ice form on the bottom of my camera. :) We also went through a dust-storm, and some very hot temps, and several months before I was out in the rain, etc.
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Is it holding up OK? I assume so! :)

Also, from a quick web search ot looks like a Leica M7 + 50mm lens is about 1000g, and a similarly equipped ZI + 50mm is about 750g - might be important to some (those that want extra heft, should steer towards the Leica, for instance.
 
Bromo33333 said:
Is it holding up OK? I assume so! :)

Also, from a quick web search ot looks like a Leica M7 + 50mm lens is about 1000g, and a similarly equipped ZI + 50mm is about 750g - might be important to some (those that want extra heft, should steer towards the Leica, for instance.
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It is a major difference, no question. I've held both at the same time and the ZI is much lighter than the M7.
 
what is the actual difference in weight of the bodies alone?

i held an m7 locally and also my zm and the difference did not feel like all that much.

the difference i found was in the lens, my 35/2 was much lighter than the 50/2 leica lens that was part of the m7 set up.
 
back alley said:
what is the actual difference in weight of the bodies alone?

i held an m7 locally and also my zm and the difference did not feel like all that much.

the difference i found was in the lens, my 35/2 was much lighter than the 50/2 leica lens that was part of the m7 set up.
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According to Zeiss website the ZI body is 500g
According the Leica, the M7 body is 610g

100g might or might not be noticeable.

According to Zeiss the 50/2 is 210g, the 35/2 is 240g
The Leica 35/2 is 255g (black) or 340g (silver)
The Leica 50/2 is 240g (black) or 355g (silver)

I will add 35g for filter, lens cap, film and strap

So my calculations were a bit off if you look at published data, so -

All silver M7 (50/2) -- 1000g, with 35/2 985g :eek:
All black M7 (50/2) -- 885g, with 35/2 900g

Any color ZI (50/2) -- 745g, with 35/2 775g

I guess you PAY for the silver in weight. Not sure if brass holds up any better - but it sure looks prettier if heavily used.:eek:
 
Bromo33333 said:
According to Zeiss website the ZI body is 500g
According the Leica, the M7 body is 610g

Clip

I guess you PAY for the silver in weight. Not sure if brass holds up any better - but it sure looks prettier if heavily used.:eek:
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Ya…………..carriage clocks are the same!!
 
jano said:
I have not used the ZI as heavily as Vlad has, however, I'll tell you I haven't used it lightly. Was on a three day trip to Yosemite, we were up at 5am to go take pics of Bodie Ghost town. It was well below freezing, I had a layer of ice form on the bottom of my camera. :) We also went through a dust-storm, and some very hot temps, and several months before I was out in the rain, etc.
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I'm not worried about how heavily Vlad has used his ZI, but since he claims to have taken 20 rolls of 36 prints per day every day for two weeks, I'm still trying to figure out how long it's going to take him to sort through the 10,000 photos that result from his shooting. :eek:

Take a look at Tom Abrahmsson's ZI review, which is still posted on the CameraQuest website. After a month of heavy use, it was still doing fine"

www.cameraquest.com/rf2005.htm
 
Nachkebia said:
Probably you did not use ZI very frequently.... Zeiss Ikon is not very rigid body, it scratches it gets in trouble and so on, though I have no experiance with M7, all I can say my FM3a or F6 could have done better..
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I use my Ikon daily. Have since I bought back in January. All it has are light sratches from continual use. Otherwise it has been, and remains, completely problem free. Cold weather, hot weather, wet weather, doesn't matter.

And as for the "rigid" body, um the Leica M8 is made out of the same material- magnesium alloy. The clear coating may be little light on the Ikon, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the chassis.

-grant
 
If I choose an AE rangefinder, I will probably go with Ikon. The price difference would give me another mechanic Leica. With $2600, I would definitely buy an MP or very good conditioned M3.
 
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