How crucial to try before you buy?

[iñaki]

Here in Spain you cannot try a RF before buying it, you cannot see it because nobody sells them here 🙁 (only leica in Madrid or Barcelona), so I have bought all my RF before seeing them: no problem I like all.
Last april I went to london and saw in person my first Leica. A lot of M models😱 😱 in "Aperture", an interesting shop close to the British museum.

 

[Nachkebia]

Well, I have tried leica and I own ZI, I absolutly love ZI and I think zeiss lenses are much better build with better ergonomics then any leicas...

 

[ZeissFan]

Interesting comment about the moving rangefinder patch. I think I would find this annoying if I was focusing on a particular point, and it moved outside the focusing region.

By I definitely urge you to try both cameras. They have a different feel. Longtime Leica users often will comment that the Zeiss Ikon feels cheap because the body is lighter in weight.

But do try both bodies and draw your own conclusions.

Both are excellent cameras and will do what you want. The M7's metering and flash systems are more advanced than what is in the Zeiss Ikon. I never warmed up to the Leica film-loading system.

 

[Nachkebia]

well, not to forget the price.. for what M7 costs you can buy Zeiss ikon + 2 stunning lenses...

 

[Ronald M]

The Zeiss is not as well made, but supposedly has a better viewfinder according to Tom Ahbramson who is far more an expert than I.

The Leica is made to last decades and will be serviceable. Who knows about the Zeiss. Leica shutters are made to do 500,000 cycles without wear. I`m sure Zeiss will not divulge their design perameters. Canon brags at 100,000 for their new digis! I guess it comes down to how hard you will use it and how long you expect it to last.

Used Leicas can save some money, but also be prepared to have some expensive service done. These are just like cars where you can get a nice used one, but it still may not be maintenence free like a new one.

 

[ghost]

can't we all just get along?

 

[Iggy]

Quite a response. Thank you one & all.

Did I mention that I emailed Zeiss to complain about their lack of high street outlets? I put it to them that if I was able to try a Leica MP (& M7) locally then why not the Zeiss Ikon? I wasn't suggesting an outlet in every town, just one for every 10 million population or so. That would be five or six Zeiss Ikons on show in the UK. They replied that their distribution rehash will be completed around Photokina time. "Fine" I replied but urged them to think about lost sales if they stuck to selling online. 🙄 I know, I know... Many of you will think I'm lazy or selfish for wanting the world to come to me. But I just think Zeiss have calculated that they can get better margins selling direct or through one distibutor per country/continent and I think they may be wrong. There, I've said my piece and will someone help me find my dummy/pacifier.

Lo & behold today I get an email from the very helpful Robert White people (THE Zeiss distributor) offering me ten days use of a "sample Zeiss kit". I pay for the kit and if I decide the Ikon is not for me then they refund, less the shipping costs. Naturally if I decide on the Ikon I get a new one rather than the demo model. Seems more than fair. And Rolo, you're probably right. Rick at Jacobs and David Stephens would be just as helpful in this regard. Very kind of you to offer up your MP for a test drive BTW. The knowledge that I live in Wythenshawe may make you rescind however.

Lots to think about, including...
Which would be the better bet for portraits?
How would the Ikon be with a 75mm?
How important is a parallax compensating rangefinder patch?
If I buy a 50mm is there any need for a 35mm?

PANDORA? SHUT THAT BLOODY BOX!!!

 

[sf]

I question the idea of trying before buying. I mean how many stores out there will let you take an MP or Ikon home for the weekend for a test drive? If you do get chance to see both camera in person, your "trying" will consist of fondling both of the camera for 30min or so at the store. I'd much perfer to use owner's feedback to determine the camera to get.

If you live in a major city, or near one, you'll have access to a shop that will offer rentals.

All the major shops in my area offer 12 day no questions asked return policies on cameras. I tried the Nikon D200 out for a week, returned it after discovering that the imaging is awful, and bought the V700 with the intent to return it as well if it didn't pan out.

I don't know if you can do that with somthing like a Leica or Ikon, though. Just hang out in the store for a couple hours, play with the demo.

 

[mervynyan]

Photography is an expensive hobby, thus if you don't like it, sell it. I can count few dozen people I know spent a lot of money on gears, including myself. Provided that, a) if you do your homework, you can get through this cycle faster...-🙂, b) no digital ...-🙁

 

[sherm]

Quite a response. Thank you one & all.

Did I mention that I emailed Zeiss to complain about their lack of high street outlets? I put it to them that if I was able to try a Leica MP (& M7) locally then why not the Zeiss Ikon? I wasn't suggesting an outlet in every town, just one for every 10 million population or so. That would be five or six Zeiss Ikons on show in the UK. They replied that their distribution rehash will be completed around Photokina time. "Fine" I replied but urged them to think about lost sales if they stuck to selling online. 🙄 I know, I know... Many of you will think I'm lazy or selfish for wanting the world to come to me. But I just think Zeiss have calculated that they can get better margins selling direct or through one distibutor per country/continent and I think they may be wrong. There, I've said my piece and will someone help me find my dummy/pacifier.

Lo & behold today I get an email from the very helpful Robert White people (THE Zeiss distributor) offering me ten days use of a "sample Zeiss kit". I pay for the kit and if I decide the Ikon is not for me then they refund, less the shipping costs. Naturally if I decide on the Ikon I get a new one rather than the demo model. Seems more than fair. And Rolo, you're probably right. Rick at Jacobs and David Stephens would be just as helpful in this regard. Very kind of you to offer up your MP for a test drive BTW. The knowledge that I live in Wythenshawe may make you rescind however.

Lots to think about, including...
Which would be the better betina is the real for portraits?
How would the Ikon be with a 75mm?
How important is a parallax compensating rangefinder patch?
If I buy a 50mm is there any need for a 35mm?

PANDORA? SHUT THAT BLOODY BOX!!!

Folks let's not forget that Zeiss is really only liscensing their name, they aren't doing the actual manufacturing. I know that they overseeing QC but Cosina is the builder. Mr. Kobiyashi isn't in this for his health but to make money while providing a quality product which Cosina has most certainly done.

The Zeiss vs. Leica debate is about as old and worn out as my mother-in-law. I doubt that any of us, as avid an amatuer as we might consider ourselves will ever come close to 500,000 shutter actuations.

IMHO do yourself a favor and buy the IKON or a used R2 and buy what Leica is really known for which is the GLASS!!! The body is nothing more than a repository for film. Capturing light is done by the Lens not the box!!:bang: :bang:

Whatever you decide HAVE FUN😀

 

[rolo]

Iggy,

the offer stands, providing we meet in Wyth Park, or at the Lowry, or here. The Benchill crowd wouldn't know what it was, but anything shiny is vulnerable. 😀