Finish

[jbf]

Hi all,

While still seriously thinking about purchasing a ZI I've got a few questions....


As far as the finish fo the silver version... what is it like? In may of the photos is seems to have a cheap silver paint like finish. Its really hard to tell from the photos if its actual chrome or just paint or what.

Also, does anyone happen to have photos of what their black and silver ZI's look like when the finish starts to wear a little?

Just curious.

I really love silver cameras, etc but for some reason the ZI in silver (from what i've seen) sorta has a cheap paint look to it. So i'm kinda leaning more toward the black ZI now.

 

[back alley]

i had a black and a silver zi and they both look great.
i sold the black one only because the silver was a gift.
i don't really have a preference as to colour or finish tho i do like the look of the grey bessas.
my silver zm does not have any wear marks on it and i doubt it ever will as none of my gear ever gets marked up. i'm a hobby shooter not a constuction worker using the body as a hammer. i have no need to toss my gear into the back of a truck, into a case with no dividers or to have it bang into concrete walls. i take great care with all my possesions...tho i did burn my favourite leather chair once and had to throw it away - but that's a story for another time...🙂

joe

 

[jbf]

I keep my equipment in good condition as well but it is likely that it'll eventually get dings... I know mine will at least.


Back alley, if the silver hadnt had been a gift, which would you have kept? Silver or black?

Anyone else have any (or not have any) marks or "brassing" on their cameras or feelings on the finish of the silver or black versions?

 

[back alley]

i'm pretty sure i would have kept the silver. i think the zi looks best in silver.

 

[ljsegil]

I have the silver camera, one of the "limited editions" of the initial 1200 cameras Zeiss built. I do not coddle the camera and use it quite a bit, the small case that I use to carry it is not the most protective case I have ever seen. The finish on the camera looks as good as the day I got it, no wear, scuffing, or brassing at all. I don't think the finish looks cheap, and I was comparing it side by side with a silver Leica M7 that I chose to sell because I preferred the Zeiss.
I do have to admit that I am not a fan of black cameras, so take my opinion for what it is worth, but I really don't think you have to worry about the finish on the silver camera, if that is your preference, go for it.
Best,
LJS

 

[kshapero]

I have a silver ZI. Most of my Rf's have been black but not all. The silver ZI looks to me like it can "take it" with the best of the best, but I guess time will tell.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I bought my silver ZI with a few scuff marks on it already. Doesn't look too bad. I don't think the silver looks/feels cheap at all. I did feel that way about the silver Bessa R's I handled so I bought a black one of those. I like the silver because I have a variety of lenses in both black and silver and both colors go well with the silver ZI. Yes, I know, it doesn't matter what color the lens, but still...

Joe

 

[Frankie]

Hi all,

While still seriously thinking about purchasing a ZI I've got a few questions....


As far as the finish fo the silver version... what is it like? In may of the photos is seems to have a cheap silver paint like finish. Its really hard to tell from the photos if its actual chrome or just paint or what.

Also, does anyone happen to have photos of what their black and silver ZI's look like when the finish starts to wear a little?

Just curious.

I really love silver cameras, etc but for some reason the ZI in silver (from what i've seen) sorta has a cheap paint look to it. So i'm kinda leaning more toward the black ZI now.

******************

I have a ZM in silver.

The silver finish is not paint...nor chrome. Reading between the lines at the Zeiss Ikon web site, and now having examined the actual camera, I believe the metal is polished magnesium with a clear coat finish...much like alloy wheels on BMW's.

I have also seen close-up pictures on an eBay listing of a badly scratched silver ZM. The effect was silver-on-sliver...no brassing because the metal was not brass 😉 .