Joe Vitessa
Well-known
I've got a silver "limited edition" model with a pretty low serial number and I've never had any sort of problem with it. (Knocking on wood.) Simply a great camera.
How's your ZI doing?
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jawarden
Well-known
I got mine new about five years ago. I had a Contax G1/2 kit that I was having service problems with and so I wanted to try a simpler manual focus camera instead, but with similar glass. The ZI camera and lenses have been a good fit for me.
I mostly use the camera with the ZM 28 with the external viewfinder (which is wonderful), and the ZM Sonnar 50.
The only issue so far was worn out leather, which I replaced with a kit.
I mostly use the camera with the ZM 28 with the external viewfinder (which is wonderful), and the ZM Sonnar 50.
The only issue so far was worn out leather, which I replaced with a kit.
magicianhisoka
Well-known
I purchased my Zeiss Ikon new in April 2009 and except for a couple of minor hiccups along the way its given me almost six years of absolutely reliable service. And I expect it will continue to do so for years to come.
Regarding the hiccups, one time in Taormina, Sicily, the little screw that holds the shutter speed dial in place worked its way loose and the shutter speed dial, spring underneath, and some other parts came off. But I managed to find all the parts without breaking any and reassembled them on a restaurant table using two tooth picks to tighten the screw. All while juggling a gelato in one hand! I tightened the screw as firmly as I could and its stayed in place ever since (touch wood). Another time in Vienna I lost the eye piece so dropped by the Leica shop to buy another one. I asked for a Nikon FM/FE eyepiece, so they pulled a used one out of a drawer and but said it wouldn't fit. So I asked them to let me try anyway. I screwed it in knowing it would fit just fine, and I still have that eyepiece to this day.
Last summer I sold my ZI to another RFFer, but after a month or so I realised my mistake and contacted him to ask if he'd sell it back to me. Thankfully he agreed and I got my camera back! When it came home I replaced the covering with GripTac and its been working great ever since. In November last year, the camera went to Thailand and Myanmar, and this year so far to Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Its the first camera I reach for when travelling.
Great story behind your camera jon 🙂 I see the same markings on the advance lever that I have on my own copy
kxl
Social Documentary
I've always regretted trading my second ZI for a DSLR, so last week, I executed another trade to acquire a ZI, so I am back to having two ZI's -- both black.
This thread is making me think twice about lugging my DSLR when I go on my trip in a couple of weeks. Now, I'm thinking ZI and my A7R for all the digi shots.
Hmmmm... 😕
bwcolor
Veteran
Two since 2009. Had the shutter dial fall off and needed to realign the rangefinder once, but that is about it. Repairs went smoothly.
Out to Lunch
Veteran
Out of the box from Popflash in June 2009
With the ZM 1.5/50
With the ZM 1.5/50
Out to Lunch
Veteran
Out of the box from Popflash in June 2009
With the ZM 4/85
With the ZM 4/85
Out to Lunch
Veteran
Here is an interesting review of the Zeiss Ikon ZI: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/zeiss-.html
froyd
Veteran
hausen
Well-known
Sold my M6 end of last year when I got a little upset with Leica, my MM is still back in factory having sensor replaced. This thread reignites my interest in a ZI.
kossi008
Photon Counter
Had mine since 2010 (Limited Edition Silver). A couple of minor issues (screws working loose, eyepiece liekwise, and the advance lever getting stuck during a film change), but nothing serious at all.
Lenses come and go, but this camera ist staying with me.
Lenses come and go, but this camera ist staying with me.
jawarden
Well-known
I guess I jinxed myself by responding to this thread - my Ikon is dead. My guess is moisture in the works somewhere - even with fresh batteries it will fire only once before losing all power and locking up. I've used it regularly for five years now so I guess it's time for a service. I'll report back with the service results.
magicianhisoka
Well-known
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Maybe the ZI just needs to repeat, "there's no place like home," on its way back to Ozberkochen.
Zeiss service has been fast, professional and reasonably priced, in my experience.
I just treated mine to a new leather covering from Camera Leather, and I think that a Luigi case lies in its future.
Best of luck!
jawarden
Well-known
Thanks. I did the camera leather and Luigi case too and have been satisfied with both. I sent the camera out today so hopefully my experience with Zeiss service will be like those reported here. It's a nice camera, certainly worth the service cost.
jawarden
Well-known
I said I'd report back about the service of this camera, so here it goes.
Zeiss US accepted the camera and examined it, but thought it would need service from Zeiss Germany so they shipped it there. A few weeks later I got a response from Zeiss Germany telling me the camera is a complete loss, not worth repairing due to the cost.
I bought it new from B&H and treated it well. Aside from some brassing it appears new. It's never been dropped or abused; it just stopped dead for no apparent reason.
I requested more info on the nature of the failure and the cause. Zeiss Germany said something happened with the circuit board, and that failure in turn somehow affected the shutter. It's a rare thing I'm told, and not due to moisture or shock.
Since repairing the camera made no sense Zeiss offered to sell me one of their demo bodies at a reduced price. The price was unattractive to me, so I declined. I'm surprised that a camera of this expense and with the Zeiss name on it has lasted only five years before a mystery failure renders it unrepairable, but there it is. When it returns I'll sell it for parts.
I'd like to add that Zeiss USA was prompt, courteous and professional throughout my dealings with them. I'll continue using the ZM lenses that I have, but from now on they'll be mounted to a different brand of camera.
Zeiss US accepted the camera and examined it, but thought it would need service from Zeiss Germany so they shipped it there. A few weeks later I got a response from Zeiss Germany telling me the camera is a complete loss, not worth repairing due to the cost.
I bought it new from B&H and treated it well. Aside from some brassing it appears new. It's never been dropped or abused; it just stopped dead for no apparent reason.
I requested more info on the nature of the failure and the cause. Zeiss Germany said something happened with the circuit board, and that failure in turn somehow affected the shutter. It's a rare thing I'm told, and not due to moisture or shock.
Since repairing the camera made no sense Zeiss offered to sell me one of their demo bodies at a reduced price. The price was unattractive to me, so I declined. I'm surprised that a camera of this expense and with the Zeiss name on it has lasted only five years before a mystery failure renders it unrepairable, but there it is. When it returns I'll sell it for parts.
I'd like to add that Zeiss USA was prompt, courteous and professional throughout my dealings with them. I'll continue using the ZM lenses that I have, but from now on they'll be mounted to a different brand of camera.
paapoopa
Established
wow thats really sad to hear that.
my dream will be if this camera comes with a mechanical shutter .
But still I must say this is one of the camera that I have the most fun with and really hope to own one again.
I will have to kick my butt for selling it before.
my dream will be if this camera comes with a mechanical shutter .
But still I must say this is one of the camera that I have the most fun with and really hope to own one again.
I will have to kick my butt for selling it before.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
I've had 3 of them as 2 were stolen about 4 years ago. I have had the eyepiece fall off but simply replaced it with one from a Nikon FM10 parts camera from my local repair guy. I had the shutter dial come loose while traveling but a repair guy in Pensacola who had never seen a ZI before reinstalled it in about 5 minutes. I do wonder why some send their cameras back to Germany for that.
I have had the on/off switch stop working and be permanently in the on position. That is the perfect situation for me as I never turn them off.
I have had the shutter switch (button) become corroded from sweat in the summer but my local repair guy just replaced it with one from a parts camera that another repair tech had.
The ZIs have been my only 35mm cameras since shortly after they came out. They seem as dependable as any other camera to me. I certainly do not expect any camera that is used a lot to never need any repair.
It does seem to me that the modern electronic cameras have become more reliable than the mechanical cameras including Leicas of yesteryear. My camera repair friend agrees. We tend to ignore the internet speculation and rely on actual experience.
I have had the on/off switch stop working and be permanently in the on position. That is the perfect situation for me as I never turn them off.
I have had the shutter switch (button) become corroded from sweat in the summer but my local repair guy just replaced it with one from a parts camera that another repair tech had.
The ZIs have been my only 35mm cameras since shortly after they came out. They seem as dependable as any other camera to me. I certainly do not expect any camera that is used a lot to never need any repair.
It does seem to me that the modern electronic cameras have become more reliable than the mechanical cameras including Leicas of yesteryear. My camera repair friend agrees. We tend to ignore the internet speculation and rely on actual experience.
jawarden
Well-known
I always left my power switch at the on position too Bob, which makes me wonder if a switch is even necessary.
My ZI was my favorite camera and I enjoyed it until the bad luck. It's ironic that I purchased it to replace my Contax G2 which had some electronic gremlins develop after ten trouble free years of use. I figured the far simpler ZI would outlast the Contax but it didn't work out that way for me. It sounds like most folks are having better luck than me with their Ikons.
My ZI was my favorite camera and I enjoyed it until the bad luck. It's ironic that I purchased it to replace my Contax G2 which had some electronic gremlins develop after ten trouble free years of use. I figured the far simpler ZI would outlast the Contax but it didn't work out that way for me. It sounds like most folks are having better luck than me with their Ikons.
Rangefinder 35
Well-known
One since early this year. I took it with me to S. America backpacking for 6 weeks. The only issue I had is that rubber on the viewfinder ring, that eye comes close to worn out from taking it out of camera bag. Other than that I wish the shutter speed numbers in the view finder were more clearly visible when using 21 mm lens.
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