Help resolve a tie...

[segedi]

The price on the set is certainly good! I also vote for the Ikon. I've all but quit using my DSLR in favor of the simplicity of rangefinders.

 

[Griffin]

Yeah, sharp pictures of fast-moving kids are vastly overrated. 😀

 

[italy74]

+1 to get the Ikon

let me show you one thing. I don't want to hijack this thread (also it would be off topic, plus it's "digital"), just to show you I could take this with a manual focusing lens, a 100mm
If I took this, you can do that as well. Get a wide angle, work with hyperfocal and shoot. That's easier than you think and Zeiss, Leica and Voigtlander have plenty of choices from 15 to 35 mm as you like.

1/1000s - F/11

 

[jtm6]

Get the Zeiss. If in a year you want the XP1, it will be half the price it is now, if not less. The Zeiss likely won't depreciate a whole lot beyond what it already sells for (used).

As another poster said, there may come a day down the road when there is no film to shoot anymore. But that day, if it ever comes, is a long time away. Shoot some film. Someday you may have to explain to your grandkids what it is.

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if the expiration date on a new box of film bought today isn't past the date the XP-1 will be discontinued. Of course the XP-1 will still take great pictures, but I think the film camera will, too.

As someone else said, get the one you want and pair it with a small digital compact for those shots where you need AF and/or the benefits of film. Check out some of the Sony rx100 picture threads. That little thing is amazing. I think back alley (who contributed on this thread) was one person who started a thread with some great photographs.

 

[Peter_S]

So that leaves a slightly different question, which is where to buy a new Ikon? The Fotoversand website (http://www.fotoversand-afa.de/digitalkameras/zeiss/zeissikonschwarzset.php) has the camera and Sonnar for vastly less than I can buy them here in the UK (the camera's practically free!) However, as I've always been a believer in 'if it looks too good to be true', I'm a bit concerned that there's something I'm not seeing. Has anyone here dealt with them, are they reliable and is there any issue with things like warranties? I can't imagine that there should be, we're all in the EU together (right?), but it'd be good to know.

I bought three ZM lenses from them, with no problems whatsoever. The price they offer is very good, but I have seen deals on ZMs like that before. So all good!
Get the Ikon. I had one, marvelous camera. You will enjoy it.

 

[DRDDR]

I like to have threads with a conclusion and in this case it's a happy one. My shiny, brand new Zeiss Ikon and 50mm Sonnar were delivered the other day.

Looking forward to the weekend and running a few rolls through it.

Thanks once more to all of those people who gave their comments.

 

[segedi]

Awesome!
...

 

[Godfrey]

General thought responding to the original post:

Been through this cycle many times.

Buy what makes you happy.
You won't know that for sure until you buy and use.
Other people cannot tell you what that might be either.

Buy and see if the fantasy of owning the Zeiss fits the reality of using it.
If it doesn't, sell it and buy something else.

Not a big deal, they're just cameras. There will always be more available. Better to try a couple of them to find what suits you best than to indulge in analysis paralysis over specifications and 'what ifs'.

Congrats on your new Zeiss Ikon. Go use it a lot now. 🙂