Help: Leica M nut considering a Zeiss Ikon system

bobkonos

bobkonos

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Hello All,

I ask your opinions on the current Zeiss Ikon body and lenses, as I am sorta kinda maybe thinking of selling some Leica M equipment and trying a Zeiss Ikon body and lens or two. Do I need to do this? I do not know, as I like my MP and M6 and M4 a lot. And maybe it is just to be different, I do not know. But the bug has hit so I solicit your feedback on owning and using this newest modern rangefinder system. Many thanks in advance, happy shooting to all.
 
Why fix it if it aint broke? If your GAS needs relief, try the less expensive Voigtlander system. The new special edition is quite nice looking and everyone loves it. I just purchased the 50mm 2.0 from the kit and will give it a workout this week. You will be sorry if you sell your M gear. Good luck.
 
I'm going through the opposite, pairing back. I've found I have way too much sunk into the stuff.

For me, while the ZI glass looks appealing, it's BIG. I'd rather have some way cool Leitz glass (e.g 75/2). I would not swap the ZI because you can not add a winder them. You have three great Leica bodies now, no reason to jump vendors.

If the GAS pains have you get:
Bessa L and a 25/4
or
Leica IIIc and a 25/4
or
Leica M8 and a new Macintosh (you need power)
or
Leica 75/2 lens

B2 (;->
 
The camera body is just a light tight box to hold the film. I know there's more to it to most people than that. I admit to the fact that Leica cameras have a certain something that no other camera has. At the end of the day, though, the body just holds the film. What you should do if you want to get into the Zeiss system is buy a lens or two, then decide if you want to throw your Leicas away for one of the bodies. That new Sonnar would look stunning on an MP, IMHO. ;)
 
ae and the brightest finder out there on any camera.
it is so easy to focus.

i vote yea!

you don't need a reason to experiment and if the experiment fails, sell the zeiss gear and buy back the leica gear.

this is a hobby for most of us, expensive but compared to what?
i know guys who drink more money away than i spend in gear in any given year!

if you can't enjoy your hobby then why put any energy or money into it?

i know some folks think i'm a bit 'off' (being nice here) for buying/trading/selling so much gear and so often and sometimes so quick, but i have had more fun this year with it all then ever before.

give yourself permission to play.

joe
 
Thanks to all! I agree with all of you (my dilemma). I would never sell the MP. I love the Leitz 35 Summicron and 50 Summicron I use, as well as the CV 28 and Leitz Elmarit 21 ASPH. Nope, they are keepers. But a couple of M3s and some older lenses could leave and be replaced by a ZI body and a lens. I agree with Joe: this is great fun. More latter, work calls. be well.
 
What's the point in keeping an M6 if you've got an MP? If you've got GAS and you want an AE body, wait to see what happens with the M8 first before buying another film body. Personally, I think the M7 beats the ZI in construction and ergnomics. What happens if Leica comes out with a film body that uses the R9 shutter like the M8? That would blow the ZI away. In 10 years, who knows where film will be anyway? Hopefully, still around.
 
bobkonos said:
Thanks to all! I agree with all of you (my dilemma). I would never sell the MP. I love the Leitz 35 Summicron and 50 Summicron I use, as well as the CV 28 and Leitz Elmarit 21 ASPH. Nope, they are keepers. But a couple of M3s and some older lenses could leave and be replaced by a ZI body and a lens. I agree with Joe: this is great fun. More latter, work calls. be well.
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Yeah sell the old bodies and get something a bit more modern! Have you tried a ZI body? Before you buy one I would go to a camera store and use one. They are very different from a Leica. Try the lenses too, as someone above said, they are big...
 
Good advice from all. I will try the Z1 and lenses. As for where in Northern CA, I am in Sacramennto. As for why have an M6 and an MP, well, some things are hard to explain...Thanks again one and all.
 
The ZI camera from what little I have seen of it is terrific.

The VF is wonderfully bright and clear.

I'd only muck up your advice so far by adding that you should consider a used Konica Hexar RF.

You can buy these for a song on eBay and they are everything the ZI are plus automatic film advance/rewind. I think the lens incompatibility thing that killed the camera in the marketplace was a lot of hooey. The Hexar RF would be a great addition to your camera bag.

It will be my camera of choice today as I return to Photokina.
 
Hello firstly, I would not recommend selling anyof your leica marvels, I have been (still are) in india for last week, I have been shooting very hardcore, but zeiss failed me two times! first battery drained just for no reason after couple of rolls (maybe it was battery fault) secondly frame counter is missaligned!!! I shoot 10 frames and counter starts moving, at around 22 frames film finishes.. I would have expected more stable performance, anyhow it did not stop me shooting :) I just missed great shot when battery went off :(
 
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ZI vs M2, 4p, 6, MP and R3a

ZI vs M2, 4p, 6, MP and R3a

as a leica owner (M2, 4-p, 6, MP, I only still own the M2) and bessa owner (r3a) I GREATLY prefer the ZI.

weight, film loading, auto if needed, AMAZING finder.

It is louder than the Leicas(my M2 is nearly silent) but that is of little consequence with all the other advantages... IMHO. Also, it is missing a few frame lines, but they are ones I don't use.

Cheers, Mike


bobkonos said:
Hello All,

I ask your opinions on the current Zeiss Ikon body and lenses, as I am sorta kinda maybe thinking of selling some Leica M equipment and trying a Zeiss Ikon body and lens or two. Do I need to do this? I do not know, as I like my MP and M6 and M4 a lot. And maybe it is just to be different, I do not know. But the bug has hit so I solicit your feedback on owning and using this newest modern rangefinder system. Many thanks in advance, happy shooting to all.
Click to expand...
 
You could really enjoy the ZI, but I'd echo the suggestion not to sell any of your Leica gear in its pursuit!
 
Do you wear glasses and use 35 or 28mm lenses? The Zeiss finder has better eye relief than the .72x M bodies, so in that respect Zeiss could be better for you. The Leicas are better built, thus will probably last longer and fail less often. You can use either brand of lenses on either brand of body, so that's a wash.

Apart from that, it's all subjective, and only you can decide. Personally, I wouldn't change film bodies at this point. If, however, there was a Zeiss RF digital right now, I'd seriously consider it along with the M8. Longevity is less of a consideration where digital is concerned.

I do love the Zeiss finder. When I tried it at a local camera shop, I could see the entire Zeiss 35mm frame with my glasses, and amost all of the 28mm frame. With the .72x M, I can't quite see the whole 35mm frame. It's one of the reasons why I got contact lenses.

--Peter
 
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Well, I thought Zeiss GAS had passed the other day but I need to try one out first. Peter: I do wear glasses and use M6 and MP with .72 finders, and use predominantly 35 and 50 lenses. So I do need to see that ZI viewfinder firsthand. NO ZI dealers in Sacramento so will try Bay Area (any dealers there Roland?).

Bottom line: I am a Leica nut and no chance of changing that. But curiosity does rule the day sometime. Happy shooting this weekend!
 
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