Ikon vs the Voights

[MJFerron]

I'm wanting a new rangefinder. I'm shooting a lot with my very clean Canonet III (No Laughing) but shutter priority and the max 1/500 shutter are putting some limit on things at times. I'm wondering if anyone is shooting with both the new Ikon and one of the later Voights (R2/3/4)? I'd love your opinon about the quality differences betwen the bodies.

Thank, Mike

 

[awilder]

Mike, the main difference is in the vf/rf module being better in the ZM. Fit and finish of the ZM is slightly better too, but the CV is a better value. You might however, want to seriously consider the CV "S" series (Nikon RF mount). Personally from what I've seen on posted images with the 50/1.5 C Sonnar on that camera series, the dreaded focus shift with this magnificent lens is much less objectional than with the ZM version of the same optic since the focusing helcoid is built into the body, not the lens. The price of the CV "S" series and it's lenses are very attractive at Poplash.photo and Cameraquest. No connection to either store.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

I shoot with the Ikon and a R2a. The advantage of the Ikon over the R2a is the viewfinder. Both are really very nice in this regard, but as a regular wearer of eyeglasses, the Ikon is about the best thing going for me as the 35mm frame-lines are very visible. They still can be seen on R2a, but there's just more "room" with the Ikon. The Ikon's longer base-length is also comforting when playing with 85/2 or 50/1.5 lenses wide-open.

However, the meter display in the Ikon is not as visible as in the R2a. And the Ikon handles a little differently than typical cameras. On the R2a, releasing and raising the rewind knob opens the camera as you might expect. On the Ikon, the rewind knob is on the bottom and while it lifts to release the film canister, a two position latch on the left side of the camera is what holds it closed.

Holding them, one can tell that the Ikon and R2a have a common heritage. One "feels" about as durable as the other. The black paint is nicer on the Ikon, but the speckle finish on the R2a seems like it would be more durable.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You get what you pay for -- except perhaps the meter display, which for my money is best on the R2. The Zeiss finder is bigger and brighter; the longer RF base means more accurate focusing, especially with long or fast lenses; and the viewfinder frames are self-keying on the ZI.

I've used both; the ZI is nicer; and the Voigtländers are cheaper.

Your choice.

 

[back alley]

hard to go wrong with either.
the zi is easier to focus faster lenses and the r4a is wonderful with the slower, smaller and less expensive cv lenses.
either will be a step up from a fixed lens camera.
there are a few other threads with a similar theme that you might want to check out.

joe

 

[laptoprob]

Why is there an 'h' spelled in Voigtlander so often? Leica isn't spelled Leihca either!

 

[sebastel]

rob (rhob?),
it should read liehca, and rhollie ...

reghards
sebhastian.

 

[MJFerron]

Hey forgive the H and get to the meat. I'm use to spelling Nikon. Anything else is a chore.

 

[laptoprob]

No worries, no flame intended. I just notice this occuring a lot everywhere. More often than a random typo, that's all. ;-)

cheers, Rhob

 

[MJFerron]

No prohblem Rhon. Humor (humour?) was a not obvious intention.

 

[mfogiel]

I use the ZI, R3A and R4A - well. If the ZI had different VF magnifications, I would surely avoid the Bessas altogether, but the R4A in particular is an ideal complement to a 0.74 VF of the ZI. Quality wise, for me the difference is substantial: better VF, more accurate focusing, more silent click, better film advance, better finish, better grip and better balance on the strap - the Bessas have this highly annoying backward tilt.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Why is there an 'h' spelled in Voigtlander so often? Leica isn't spelled Leihca either!

Yes, it's bizarre. But even I find that I type Voightländer occasionally, and I certainly know better. Maybe it's something to do with habit and the English language: words like night/knight, ought/ sought/ bought/ fought, fight/light, caught... I can't immediately think of any 'gt' combination in English, but that's probably because I've not been up long and my brain isn't warmed up yet.

But then, the improbable six-consonant sequence 'ghtsbr' is easily pronounced in 'Knightsbridge', so anything is possible in English.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[MJFerron]

Personally I think the "H" looks good in there. LOL

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I find the Bessa R2 to be a fine camera, but the RF baselength is better suited to an 50mm F2 lens rather than an F1.5. On the Canon P, I can go out to a 50/1.2 without issue.

 

[ishpop]

I had the opportunity to look through a M8 viewfinder yesterday for the first time. Ive never looked through any Leica before either. Compared to my Bessa T, its like night and day. The T is for tiny it seems, I am like smashing my eye against it in order to see. Dont get me wrong, I like using my T, but, wow, wish I could afford a Leica. I cant speak for the Ikon...

 

[thomasw_]

I shoot with the Ikon and a R2a. The advantage of the Ikon over the R2a is the viewfinder..........Holding them, one can tell that the Ikon and R2a have a common heritage. One "feels" about as durable as the other........

I think Jason sums up my thoughts and experience. In addition, for full disclosure, I should add that I was frustrated by the RF mechanism going out of alignment on both bodies. Even though I know well this can happen on any RF body, both seemed very fragile and sensitive to RF misalignment. Few production runs are without bugs, but it was annoying enough for me to move away from either option. Good cheer, Thomas

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

You get what you pay for -- except perhaps the meter display, which for my money is best on the R2. The Zeiss finder is bigger and brighter; the longer RF base means more accurate focusing, especially with long or fast lenses; and the viewfinder frames are self-keying on the ZI.

I've used both; the ZI is nicer; and the Voigtländers are cheaper.

Your choice.

I've owned both and I agree 100%.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

And I thought people were talking about these Voights:

Edit: my mistake. As Roger has pointed out, "anything" is posible in Henglish

 

[Avotius]

The Zeiss Ikon is the way to go if you can afford it. I have an R2a and M6TTL, thinking of selling both and getting a Zeiss Ikon and saving a little cash by basically putting both cameras together. The long baselength of from the m6, the auto priority functions of the bessa, the great viewfinder from the bessa but the 28mm framelines from the m6 (though you can see them in the zeiss ikon) and the light weight of the bessa. The downside? I dont know if the ziess ikons finder will take the knocks of a m6, the zeiss ikon's shutter dial feels like cheap plastic compared to the m6 or bessa's, also you get the same loud shutter from the bessa. All that aside, I can sell my M6 for what I bought it for, the Ikon....nope, but if you plan on using it rather then playing with it then selling it, hard to go wrong. Its something you buy with your head, rather then a Leica which you buy with your heart.

 

[Matt White]

I can't immediately think of any 'gt' combination in English

"Pigtail" ;-)