Hi!... considering ZI and 35mm lens

[daniwii]

Hi!

I'm new to the forum, I've been lurking for a couple of weeks...

I need a film camera for my film photo courses from now til 2 years more. I intend to keep shooting film when i finish those courses.

I don't remember exactly how I became attracted to the RF...🙄 anyway some days later I find myself wanting a RF and a 35mm lens... which leads me to the ZI as I think its the best for a 35 lens.

As for the lens, I love speed but also love image quality. I'm debating whether to get a ZI and 35/2 biogon bundle. Option number two would be a used ZI plus 35 1.2. Let's say I don't want to risk buying defective used equipment, since returning it is difficult for me.

Any help in this regard will be truly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Avotius]

I wouldnt worry about buying used if you are buying here, and as for a zeiss ikon and a zeiss 35mm lens, good choice, cant go wrong there. The 35 1.2 is also a fantastic choice, though large, very unique and fun. For color work I would choose the zeiss but thats just because its more my style.

 

[Bruin]

Welcome to RFF daniwii!

Zeiss is having a promotion right now where you can get a ZI and lens for 20% off the regular price. That translates into a decent price for the body, slightly high for the lens, but you get a 2-year warranty. If you find the bundle on eBay, you can leverage the Microsoft cashback for another ~14% off. I wouldn't hesitate to take this route if I were starting over with my ZI kit.

The 35/2 Biogon is an excellent lens with no major weaknesses. Plenty sharp at f2, excellent flare resistance, virtually zero distortion. If you can live with the size & weight, you'll have no regrets with the CV 35/1.2. Personally, I would go with the Biogon (for the bundle deal) and shoot with it for a while, then decide I if I really need/want the Nokton. Try to handle one in person if you can.

 

[kshapero]

Welcome to RFF daniwii!

Zeiss is having a promotion right now where you can get a ZI and lens for 20% the regular price. That translates into a decent price for the body, slightly high for the lens, but you get a 2-year warranty. If you find the bundle on eBay, you can leverage the Microsoft cashback for another ~14% off. I wouldn't hesitate to take this route if I were starting over with my ZI kit.

The 35/2 Biogon is an excellent lens with no major weaknesses. Plenty sharp at f2, excellent flare resistance, virtually zero distortion. If you can live with the size & weight, you'll have no regrets with the CV 35/1.2. Personally, I would go with the Biogon (for the bundle deal) and shoot with it for a while, then decide I if I really need/want the Nokton. Try to handle one in person if you can.

Agree with the above or get used on this forum and you will save even more money.

 

[kxl]

I have a ZI and a Nokton 35/1.2. I am also waiting for a Biogon 35/2 from an RFF member. As others have said, you can't really go wrong with either.

The Zeiss promotion is interesting. You may want to call one of the RFF sponsors and ask them to place a Buy It Now auction item on eBay for the ZI/Biogon bundle. That way, the RFF sponsor gets the sale, eBay gets its fee and you get the deal of the century (promo plus Microsoft cashback). Plus, everything's above board.

Good luck!

Keith

 

[Frankie]

My one camera/lens RF outfit is a chrome ZM and a CV Nokton 40mm/1.4.

I would have picked the CV 35mm/1.4 had it been available then...35mm focal length becomes 52mm if I used it on a 1.5x crop factor APS Epson RD-1 that I might eventually also buy.

 

[Sam N]

I have a ZI + Biogon 35/2 combo. I got the ZI used from RFF and the lens from Matsuiyastore on eBay (great seller). This is my favorite camera to use.

For photo classes, you will sometimes need to shoot close-ups or other things that a rangefinder isn't too well-suited to. For my photo class, I use a ZI and an SLR. Fortunately, good film SLRs are dirt cheap nowadays.

 

[mfogiel]

I would definitely go for the ZI and 35/2 Biogon to start with, and would concentrate on shooting, and mastering the film/developer combo initially. If you settle on Tri-X only, and shoot it from EI 100 to EI 3200 in different developers, that should really cover 90% of your needs and the f2.0 max aperture will not be a limiting factor.

 

[Florian1234]

I recently bought a 35/2 Biogon ZM from this forum and eagerly awaiting the first rolls.

 

[yanidel]

Go for ZI + 35mm/2 and learn rangefinder technique. The Nokton 1.2 is an amazing lens but not the true rangefinder experience due to its size. I use mostly my 35mm summicron as carrying the Nokton aroud is often a hassle.

 

[back alley]

don't be afraid of the 35/2.8 lens, it's as sharp as the f2 lens and a bit smaller.

i sold my 35/2 and bought a 35/2.8 for the size difference with no regrets.
and the 35/2.8 fits great on the rd1 also.

joe

 

[sojournerphoto]

I've got a ZI and Biogon 35/2 and it's my favourite combination at the moment. Great stuff.

Mike

 

[George S.]

Your pick of the ZI and the 35/2 is certainly a good choice, but like Joe says, don't automatically eliminate the 2.8 also.
A really nice ZI was posted here in the classifieds on Monday.
I purchased mine new two weeks ago after looking for a nice used one and coming up short and then getting impatient.
Doesn't it always happen like that? Right after settling on option #2, my original desired item shows up....

 

[fixbones]

Hi daniwii,

Welcome from a fellow newbie!! This forum is great. Friendly with lotsa info.
Just like you, i am jonesing for a ZI as well but i am leaning towards the 50mm f1.5 sonnar. The ZI + Lens bundle mentioned seems to be a good deal.......

 

[daniwii]

Thanks for all your replies.

I've been looking at some pics and from that small sample size it seemed as if the 35/2 pics had lower dynamic range than others. It might have been the conditions or film/development used though.

I'm going on vacations until Saturday, so I'll have some time to clear my head and think... maybe 😛.

 

[Avotius]

I don't think I have ever heard someone refer to a lens as having low dynamic range, that is typically a shooting condition/film choice/developing thing. I have 3 Zeiss ZM lenses and believe me, they are not the limiting factor in anything, you are. They have a contrast curve on the bright end where highlights tend to shift a sort of grey before blowing out all white which is great for preserving highlights. Also in darkness the lenses manage to keep details in the shadows visible if your film can capture it. I have had great luck shooting these lenses and if you check out this photo here you will see some of what I am talking about.

Shot with the zeiss 50 f2 lens and fuji superia 200 with the typical after scan adjustments.

 

[full lumen]

I though long and hard about getting a VM 35mm f1.2 as it is fast and always comes out well in reviews.

In the end though I chose the ZM 35mm f2 instead as when I saw the two "in the flesh" so to speak the Nokton was bigger and much heavier than the Biogon (63x78mm and 490g versus 52x68mm and 240g) and I wanted compact and easy to carry. The other thing I wanted was consistency of image rendering across my set of lenses and hence preferred to have them all from Zeiss.

Having said all that I still hanker after the speed of the Nokton lens. I believe that you can't go wrong with it if you don't mind its extra size and weight.

Isn't it nice to have options and such an interesting choice of lenses?