Fully Manual Ikon?

[rogue_designer]

Has anyone heard any whisperings about there being an Ikon competitor for the MP? I like the ZI's but I don't need AE, and don't really trust (silly I know) electronic shutters.

Just curious.

 

[Huck Finn]

No, I have not heard such a rumor.

I'm curious. What is it that you don't trust about electronic shutters - silly or otherwise. Not interested in starting a debate. Just interested in your thoughts. 🙂

 

[rogue_designer]

I'm curious. What is it that you don't trust about electronic shutters - silly or otherwise. Not interested in starting a debate. Just interested in your thoughts. 🙂

Not sure I can articulate it clearly - but it is analogous to why I prefer an automatic mechanical movement in a watch, over a quartz movement.

I understand the benefits (accuracy, repeatability, cost, etc.) - But there is just a nag in the back of my mind anytime I use a camera with an electronically timed shutter. Maybe I just miss the sound of the escapement.

I think I also worry that I'll end up with a camera whose battery is not easily found on the market - like trying to find 1.35v mercury cells for my classics. Irrational, but still a factor.

 

[Mazurka]

The Zeiss Ikon uses tiny, cheap, readily available silver oxide cells, unlike your cell phone. 😛

I also recommend this page: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/mechanical.html

 

[CJP6008]

I guess whether or no they produce a fully manual ZI will depend upon the availability of a suitable shutter system. Unlike Leica they do not have a tried and tested fully manual shutter system just sitting abot waiting to go into a camera. If much of a spend was required to get one made and up to spec it would be very unlikely to make sense financially for them to do it.

 

[rogue_designer]

I guess whether or no they produce a fully manual ZI will depend upon the availability of a suitable shutter system. Unlike Leica they do not have a tried and tested fully manual shutter system just sitting abot waiting to go into a camera. If much of a spend was required to get one made and up to spec it would be very unlikely to make sense financially for them to do it.

I assumed since it was a partnership with Cosina/Voightlander - they could use the mechanical shutter in the R3M? Or am I wrong about them sharing shutter assemblies with the R2A/3A already?

 

[back alley]

it's a different shutter from what i've read.

people make the assumption that the zi is a better built cosina but they are very different in many respects.

joe

 

[rogue_designer]

it's a different shutter from what i've read.

people make the ssumption that the zi is a better buikt cosina but they are very different in many respects.

joe

Hmm - who knew. Guess I shouldn't make such assumptions. Thanks Joe.

 

[back alley]

no worries from me.
smarter people than i have written much on the subject.

it's actually kinda funny at times, i have 2 of these cameras and at times when i read stuff about them i have to go and check because i may have never noticed on my own.

and down deep, hidden away, is a silent hope that zeiss does make a digital version...

 

[Kyle]

and down deep, hidden away, is a silent hope that zeiss does make a digital version...

You know, I'd probably be tempted by one of those as well.

 

[Huck Finn]

I assumed since it was a partnership with Cosina/Voightlander - they could use the mechanical shutter in the R3M? Or am I wrong about them sharing shutter assemblies with the R2A/3A already?

The ZI shutter is made from standard Copal parts & I would assume that this is basically the same shutter assembly as the R3A. However, the electronics are different. There were special modifications for the ZI shutter with the result that it has virtually no shutter lag (.13 ms) just like a Leica. There was also an effort to make it quieter.

 

[Mazurka]

Unlike Leica they do not have a tried and tested fully manual shutter system just sitting abot waiting to go into a camera.

Somehow I don't think Copal lost its blueprints for the Nikon FM2/3A's shutters. 😛

The FM3A's shutter could have raised the Zeiss Ikon's price substantially. While the FM2 version should be cheaper, it doesn't mean Zeiss sees sufficient demand for it in the film RF camera's already niche market. Anyway AE and higher accuracy are worthwhile trade-offs for a coupla cheap cells.

Given the sales figures of digitals, I don't think they should cater to the battery-phobics either. 😛

 

[Turtle]

I have similar thoughts but I guess until there is some hard data showing which ends up in the repair shop more often, the MP or M7 it remains unobjective. I guess the same parallel might be possible with R3A and R3M. Considering that the MP and M7 have been out a few years now, such informaion must be out there somewhere.....

 

[SDK]

1/4000s would be nice, either by electronic or manual shutter (or hybrid like the FM3a). I have a brace of electronic M7s that have had no trouble in two years, but recently was seduced by the idea of a mechanical backup. I bought a used M4-P (1982 vintage), and had to spend $219 getting it overhauled for the slow shutter speeds which were unreliable, among other issues (RF misalignment, poor bottom plate fit, fogged VF). Hopefully, the M4-P will serve the role I envisioned for it now, and it seems happier. It will take a bit of getting used to the M4-P shutter dial though, since the placement is less ergonomic than the M7 one.