Framelines a-poppin'

[back alley]

that sounds like a limited edition body.
does it say limited edition followed by the serial numbers?
the l.e. one had the leather case included.

joe

 

[john_nyc]

Yep.. It's a Limited Edition, No. 637.

 

[back alley]

let's hope this one's a keeper.

 

[john_nyc]

Thanks, man. I'm totally with you on that one.

I really really want to love this camera!!!

John

 

[yarinkel]

I have exactly the same problem (popping framelines) on a ZI I just bought second hand. Not sure what I can do 🙁.
I hope the shutter speeds will be allright...

 

[back alley]

john, howse your camera doin'?

joe

 

[john_nyc]

Joe-

It's actually perfectly fine so far. Thanks for checking in.
I was out on the prowl with it last night.

All in all, even with the problems, I think I'm much happier with this camera than I would have been buying a similarly priced M6TTL. The viewfinder brightness really does make a difference with night shooting and it's a nice plus to not have to put a piece of the camera in my mouth or pocket while changing the film.

I'm not sure if the issues I experienced were a result of poor QC or rough handling during shipping or at the store. What I can say is that the inconveniece was worth now having a camera with as fine a design as this one.

Oh, and I bought a ZM Planar yesterday...

John

 

[polarcow]

yarinkel,

I had the same problem with the framelines dragging/sticking. I took two fingers and hit the top of the camera over the framelines as hard as I could, it didn't seem like much and I didn't think it would do anything because of how solid it felt, but it worked. I haven't had a problem since and that was several weeks ago or more.

-polarcow

 

[yarinkel]

polarcow: thanks a lot for the tip. Unfortunately it didn't work. Framelines are still sticking randomly, sometimes hoppng in place when I focus fom infinity to close, but sometimes they stick in place, effectively leaving me with a non-parallax corrected camera.
Maybe it gets worse with the cold.
Sorry for my silly question, but where is the frameline mechanism located in the camera? Maybe I should hit harder, but I feel like I could damage the camera.

 

[peter_n]

[snip] it's a nice plus to not have to put a piece of the camera in my mouth or pocket while changing the film

LOL John but that's a great line!

I'll be thinking about that next time I change a film in my M...

Best of luck with your ZI! 🙂

 

[polarcow]

Yarinkel,

It is on the top above (forward of) the serial number. I wouldn't hit it with anything except my hand/fingers.

Also, I have noticed since my last post that if it sits around for a couple days without use then the frames stick again.

-polarcow

 

[john_nyc]

LOL John but that's a great line!

I'll be thinking about that next time I change a film in my M...

Best of luck with your ZI! 🙂

Hehe.. Thanks, Peter!

 

[FanMan]

This and last weekend I have noticed the same with my ZM - after some days without using the camera, the framelines will stay in place even if I change focus. 2-3 times changing focus from infinity to nearest distance and back => then the frameline pops into place. After that it works fine.

My question: has someone send the ZM to Zeiss for service? Further experiences with that problem?

 

[Huck Finn]

Yes, it's just the frameline assembly. The rangefinder patch moves smoothly.

You're also correct in that I mean that it happens when I focus closer.

Have you heard of this happening on a ZI before?

Since I'm going to exchange it tomorrow it's not so much that I'm looking to solve the problem. I'm more wondering if this is a common issue with the ZI.

Thanks,

John

The rangefinder patch on a ZI isn't supposed to move at all unlike a Leica. Only the framelines move when you adjust focus. 😕

 

[FanMan]

The issue occurs now more frequently. I will contact Zeiss for repair. I hope that the repair is done at Zeiss HQ in Oberkochen. If it is done there, I could bring them the camera instead of using German mail - it's only about 50 miles.

 

[x-ray]

Joe-

All in all, even with the problems, I think I'm much happier with this camera than I would have been buying a similarly priced M6TTL. The viewfinder brightness really does make a difference with night shooting and it's a nice plus to not have to put a piece of the camera in my mouth or pocket while changing the film.

Oh, and I bought a ZM Planar yesterday...

John

I can't understand why Leica stuck with the removable base plate. In a question in the Leica forum regarding what changes would be good in a new mechanical M I suggested a swing open back and forget the removable base plate. Wow!!! Bad suggestion!!! You would have thought I was saying something bad about their mothers. I hate the removable base plate and love the ZI loading. Leica should have abandon the system thirty years ago when everyone else did.

My frame lines stuck three or four times just after I got the ZI but haven't been a problem since. I guess it's been four or five months now and I've shot a hundred rolls or so.

I bought a ZM Planar about a month and a half ago and love it. I actually like the look better than my asph Summilux 50. The planar has much smoother tonality and bokeh while just as sharp without the harshness. I'm thinking about selling the asph summilux but can't deceide. I like the extra stop of speed from time to time.

 

[FanMan]

tomorrow I will send the ZI to Carl Zeiss in Oberkochen. I will use my Rollei 35T in the meantime. But I think I will miss the ZI - it's really fun to take photos with this camera.

 

[arseniii]

I had the same problem with my M6 after i haven't been using it for awhile. You take off the lens and push and pull the focusing detector (or whatever you call this thing oin the top of the bayonet) do it gentle a about 10 times. Worked for me...

 

[wintoid]

I'm having this problem now with my 1 week old Ikon 🙁 Wondering how Matsuiyastore are going to be about this...

 

[wintoid]

Well Matsuiya are taking it back, and will send a new one on receipt of the defective one. A tad annoying to be a week or two without it, but relieved to have some sort of support.