I use a ZM lens with - what camera

I use a ZM lens with - what camera

  • A Zeiss ZM Ikon of course.

    Votes: 54 31.6%

  • A Leica M film camera.

    Votes: 102 59.6%

  • A Bessa film camera.

    Votes: 24 14.0%

  • A Leica full frame digital camera, please state.

    Votes: 29 17.0%

  • A Leica M8/M8.2 digital camera.

    Votes: 22 12.9%

  • Another M mount film Camera, please state

    Votes: 9 5.3%

  • Another digital camera - please state.

    Votes: 21 12.3%
  • Total voters
    171
  • Poll closed .
Biogon 25/2.8 ZM. Works very well.
I have most of Zeiss G mount lenses so little incentive to get ZM 'copies'. Some day will get a 50/1.5, though.
As it is black and modern and I do not own any film RF with wide viewfinder, i mostly use it on Bessa R2 rather than M2/M3, with external Canon 25mm viewfinder.
 
kram said:
A Zeiss ZM Ikon of course :D.
A Leica film camera.
Digital Leica full frame.
Digital Leica M8/M8.2
Bessa film camera, please state.
Another M mount film camera.
Another digital camera.
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I used to use a ZM Biogon lens but not anymore, as mine developed a number of issues in a short space of time. These problems as well as the inherent high contrast and overly sharp images it produced were the clincher and I was happy to see the back of it. They can often produce images that render the subjects almost cartoonish like.

Give me a summaron 35mm 2.8 or pre Summicron anyday>
 
One of the wonderful things about both the LTM and the M mounts is that there's a huge choice of camera and lens manufacturer combos available.
If I had a ZM lens, I'd probably use it equally on a Bessa and an M.
 
I had to vote Leica because I have one, but I'm looking forward to procuring a Contax II or a IIA, I like the Sonnar and the Biogon very much in their FSU reincarnations.
 
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Sweet! What this means is, along with the 'we can build a full frame (35mm) sensor' from Fuji, is that a digital Zeiss Ikon could be with us within twelve months. Until then, I still use my film Zeiss Ikon. That is, we can have a 35mm sensor in M Mount without an adapter.
 
kram said:
Sweet! What this means is, along with the 'we can build a full frame (35mm) sensor' from Fuji, is that a digital Zeiss Ikon could be with us within twelve months. Until then, I still use my film Zeiss Ikon. That is, we can have a 35mm sensor in M Mount without an adapter.
Click to expand...

I will stay with my Zeiss Ikon. It may be discontinued now but it is still the best M camera I have ever owned and certainly a great platform for those wonderful ZM lenses. :angel:
 
I'm happy with the modern Zeiss lenses... I checked every box:

Zeiss Ikon
Leica M2
Bessa R4A
Leica M9 full frame digital camera
Leica M8 digital camera
Konica Hexar RF M mount film Camera
As another digital camera, Pentax K20D with ZK lenses.
 
kram said:
Jaans- what digital camera or film were you using? I have not found this with Kodak film.
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Actually Kodak TMY-2 400 was the worst culprit with the ZM 35mm. The film is already inherently one of the sharpest if not sharpest films available and this lens which is also a very sharp lens exacerbated this issue, where subjects appear almost separated from the scene. It produces more than a 3D look - kinda cartoonish in nature.

Also, Neopan 400 is another very high contrast film that doesn't combine with this lens well.

If you like very sharp high contrast images then this is the lens for you. However, if you shoot in already high contrast situations, then the problem is trying to save highlights from blowing while garnering as much shadow detail as possible. Some situations are difficult enough, especially in QLD sun, without worrying how much contrast the lens will factor in. So, I prefer a medium contrast or low contrast lens, so that I can add contrast to the image myself through processing or printing, rather than being dictated to by the inherent contrast of said lens...

The worst culprit in black and white is the 2.8 Biogon that everyone raves about, but damned if I know why. I was given a friends to shoot with for the afternoon and gotta say, that is one contrasty lens.

Haven't used the Planar 50mm but the images that I see on the net and this forum are very very contrasty.
 
I should have added Kodak Colour film. The only issues I have had with too much contrast, was when labs started to print film digitally, it had the effect you mentioned. Now the labs I use Have got their act together and prints are how they should be. However, I have had recent issues with Rollei 80s, but that is probably due to the fim developer used than the lens. Overall, I know what you mean.
 
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