Into action with the ZI.

[AndySig]

I got a ZI just before Christmas and two of the three lenses I ordered (18 mm f4 and 35 mm f2.8) have finally arrived which is fortunate because at my employer's behest I'm spending next week in Berlin. Getting this camera more or less coincides with me starting to develop my own film and the first two rolls will be HP5. After looking at Roger Hicks' and a few other websites, I am clued up about using different ISO settings for different light conditions (obviously I will try to expose a whole film in one set of conditions). While I'm there I'll probably get some Tmax 3200 for evening shots and a couple of rolls of colour slide for general shots.

I'll also be taking my trusty old Leica table top tripod which is brilliant for jamming against walls or trees if I can't find a horizontal surface for it.

The only things I don't like about the camera is that the tripod thread is at one end (apparently the hand grip sorts that as it has a central thread) and the lens caps which are useless for clumsy fingers like mine. I will probably look for some push on lens caps as used on large format lenses.

This is my first proper RF camera as I have decided to move to it from my much loved G2 kit because I like the idea of less automation.

Is there anything I've forgotten or need to know for this first use of the ZI?

 

[philosomatographer]

Hi Andy,

I have never used a ZI (M3 user myself) but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck, and enjoyment, with your new kit! What's your third lens?

If you are going to shoot ISO400 film: I started out shooting HP5 for a long time, then switched to Kodak TMY2-400 (the "new" TMAX). Never looking back. It offers incredible image quality in all respects, and one just cannot beleive the prints from 35mm film being from an ISO400 B&W film. I develop in diluted D76 (1+1) and, for example, I printed this guy to 12x16in (analogue), and it appears completely grainless:

(21mm lens, TMY2-400 in 35mm)
​

 

[kshapero]

Yes that new Tmax rocks. Nice shot.

 

[dfoo]

Great shot! And you'll love the ZI.

 

[AndySig]

Phil,

thanks for the tip about the Tmax. I'll probably try to learn on HP5 before experimenting with other films. I must say though, that that shot is very good.

The third lens is the 85 mm f4. I'd like to add the 25 mm at some time in the future.

 

[Luna]

The ZI is the best rangefinder camera ever built. You will enjoy it.

 

[Keith]

A tip about those really stupidly designed Zeiss lens caps. The serations run the wrong way where you're supposed to grip the two spring loaded pads to release the cap from the lens. I got into mine with the tip of a stanly knife and cut grooves across (at 90 deg to) the originals ... it made a huge difference.

Whatever idiot designed that lens cap obviously never tried to remove one from a lens in real life ... thank god they didn't design the optics! 😀

And I agree ... the ZI probably is the best rangefinder ever made. 🙂

 

[goo0h]

Good luck. I'll be traveling with my ZI. I know it's not a perfect camera--like the shutter speeds can be a bit difficult to see in bright light--but I love my ZI just the same. It just feels right in my hands, and the viewfinder lines are heaven with my glasses. I can even mostly see the 28mm frame lines.

 

[kxl]

I have 2 ZI's - gotta love them. Do yourself a favor and get a SLING from leicagoodies. It just transforms the whole RF shooting experience!!!

 

[jawarden]

got into mine with the tip of a stanly knife and cut grooves across (at 90 deg to) the originals ... it made a huge difference.

woh, hold on a minute, you actually use the lens caps? Keith, you may be the first documented user. 😀

They're the worst lens caps for sure, but thankfully the hoods are great and if you don't mind using a filter on the lens you don't really need the cap anyway.

To the OP - have fun and don't forget to have an extra set of batteries on hand for your trip. It's a wonderful camera.

 

[AndySig]

Right then, I'm back from Berlin and here are first impressions: in a nutshell, the ZI is a delight to use. I forgot to remove the lens cap for about one in ten shots but rapidly developed (possibly still am developing) the habit of removing it. At the start of the first roll I also forgot to focus a couple of shots! (No doubt these will come out as brilliant works of art due to being focussed on something very specific.)

A couple of times in very bright conditions I didn't notice from the shutter speed display that I needed to close down a bit to compensate.

None of these mistakes are attributable to the camera. They are entirely due to me making the transition from a Contax G2 to the Zeiss Ikon. That said, with the G2 I never used to forget to take off the lens cap but all the other mistakes are things which the G2 used to automatically take care of.

So what do I like most about it - bearing in mind that I've not developed any films yet and so can't comment on the most important thing? I love the absence of electronic whirring and clicking and the fact of actually seeing how precise the focussing is. But most of all - and I am surprised at just how much I appreciate this - is the well known feature of rangefinders which is the ability to see what is going on just outside the frame lines. What a boon that is to composition and/or anticipation!

Will I go back to the G2? No. Don't get me wrong, I think my G2 system is absolutely wonderful but I have simply moved on in my approach from being content to let the camera do everything except point itself at the subject. So I will sell the G2 system (and will be sad to see it go) and with the money get the 25 mm ZM lens.

I found the combination of 18 and 35 mm lenses to be very good for big city photography. The 35 was the default lens on the camera but I kept the 18 mm finder permanently on so as to be able to quickly judge if I needed to switch lenses or not. I also think that a combination of 18 and 25 mm will remove the need for a 21 mm.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Andy,

The lens caps are indeed an utter disaster, which is why we always use OpTech caps: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/review optech shower cap.html

Cheers,

R.

 

[Turtle]

When in use, just use a filter and don't bother with caps of any variety unless putting it away from use. I have been doing this for years and have not yet damaged a filter nevermind a lens.

With Leica Ms you get used to keeping the lens away from sun that might damage the shutter curtain but with the ZI there is no such concern.