Excited ZI virgin about to get laid

[Nick De Marco]

Hi - I'm a regular on RFF and a regular user of rangefinders (my main and favourite is the Leica M6, but I also use the M2, the Bessa R3M, previously a Bessa 2, and I just got an R4M, I have lost of other RFs, mainly screw, I collect and rarely use, oh and a few old Contaxes and the modern Bessa Contax fit) .. but I never had and always lusted for a ZI (for some reason wanted that camera more than an M7, but close match)

I just found a new one at a good price from a german store on ebay. It's described as a "ZEISS IKON ZM Body limited Edition SILVER" - no idea what the 'limited edition' but means, but hoping its the normal ZM camera... anyone any ideas.

Also, couldn't help buy one chrome lens to go with it (although of course I have a few none Zeiss lenses which will work fine on it) - and got another good deal on the 35 Biogon f2, which I have read stellar things about. I expect that lens to more or less live on Zeiss, as I shall use the R4 for very wide and either M6 or R3M for most others.

But for some reason I am so excited about the new Zeiss outfit - is it really as awesome as it sounds.

Naturally, after I received it, and taken a couple of rolls of film, I shall post.

One final question for users of the ZM 35/2 - do you find this lens more special in its rendering of colour, or for black and white use, or is there not much in that?

Nick

 

[Paddy C]

The special edition was the initial run of chrome ZIs. There is nothing "special" about them.

I don't know that I've even shot colour with the 35/2 as I've only been shooting B&W small format the past two years. Love it for B&W though.

 

[thegman]

The ZI was/is my first range finder. Can't think of a camera I'd swap it for.

 

[mfogiel]

You will find that all the ZM line is fantastic for colour. In b&w the rendering is contrasty with bite (microcontrast). I find, that this lens is at its best between f 2.8 and f 5.6. For a more classic look, you should overexpose 2/3rd of a stop and pull the development slightly. BTW, since you seem to be a gear freak, the ideal combination for me, is the ZI with the 35/1.2 Nokton. A Luigi half case with grip will help in handling and suppressing the shutter noise.

ZI+35/2 Biogon

ZI+ 35/1.2 Nokton

 

[Nick De Marco]

ahhh don't say that... this 'gear geek' recently traded in my 35 nockton 1.2 and a battered old 35 summicron for a new CV 35 1.4 and 75 1.8 (both very nice). I did love the Nokton 1.2 but found it just too big and heavy for quick light RF shooting, which is why I like RFs