Just bought a Zeiss Ikon, which lens?

Which frame lines will the 40mm bring up without filing the lens? Can't say I'm crazy about getting a new lens and then attacking with tools, presumably also this would affect the resale of the lens? Maybe I'm better off spending a little more for the 35mm/1.4, will work out the box it's still very fast...
 
btw, +1 on Akiva's recommendation of KEH as a source for used gear. I've purchased camera bodies and lenses from them and found them to be conservative in their grading system and very fair to deal w/. Also, they have a liberal return policy, so if you buy a lens and don't like it you can return it (usually w/in 14 days), no questions asked. Currently, they have 3 Canon 50/1.4 lenses, ranging from $225 to around $400 mainly depending on cosmetics (personally, I would not hesitate to buy a "bargain" grade lens from them). FWIW.
 
thegman said:
Just a quickie, does the 35mm Nokton have a focus tab or standard ring, can't quite tell from the photos?
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It has a small. "bump" as a focustab - more distinct than the ZM lenses - but not obtrusive. Personally - I like focus tabs - at least on lenses up to 50mm Fl.
 
thegman said:
Which frame lines will the 40mm bring up without filing the lens? Can't say I'm crazy about getting a new lens and then attacking with tools, presumably also this would affect the resale of the lens? Maybe I'm better off spending a little more for the 35mm/1.4, will work out the box it's still very fast...
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The 40f1.4 brings up the 50 frame on M's and the Zi's. Oh, we are not talking brain surgery here - just a small adjustment of the claw that engages the frame-line selector. As for resale value - dont think it makes any difference - and in my case - I never buy a lens with the intention of reselling it- which might explain the overflowing drawers in the lens-cabinet!!!
 
Tom, I'll bear it in mind, I guess it's not too much of an invasive change to the lens, but I'll still look at the 35mm too.
 
I have the ZI and I LOVE it. I have also, the 28mm Biogon, 35mm 2.0 Biogon and the 50mm 1.5 Sonnar. All are really impresive (including the 28mm).

The 35mm is a bit big, comparing the Voigtlander, but it doesn't have distorsion and the image quality is outstanding. I usually use this lens on the ZI!
 
Thanks to everyone who offered advice, I've just ordered a 35mm Nokton 1.4 for the Ikon, hopefully get both by the weekend!

I expect I'll be back again to ask how to use it...

Thanks again

Garry
 
Hello all,
Quick update, I've now got the Ikon in my grubby hands, and it's incredibly impressive, makes the Sigma DP1 look like a plastic toy. The frame lines are supernaturally clear and bright, everything clicks like it should, nothing wobbles and just feels great in the hand.

Not got the lens yet, probably will be waiting until next week... But so far, could not be happier with the ZI.
 
I've used the 40/1.4 on the ZI and it worked fine. Framelines on most RFs are pretty conservative, so it wasn't a problem using the 35mm lines with the 40.

Just make sure you get a 40 Nokton that will bring up the 35mm framelines. Mine did but I think it had been modified.

Another option is to get a cheap Russian lens (Jupiter-8 50/2) for now while you save up for a 50/2 Planar or 35/2 Biogon. I've actually seen the Planar go for under $500.
 
I've ordered the 35mm Nokton, the 40mm was my first choice, being a little cheaper, but the 35mm was not too badly priced, and as a newcomer. Getting a lens which "just worked" appealed, as I have never run a film through a range finder, ever.

If I feel I need something a little longer, then I can sell the 35mm and get the 40mm without making a loss, so I'm content with that.
 
My choices, if you could afford them, would be 21 F/4.5, 35 F/2 (or 50 F/2 depending on your taste) and 85 F/4
 
If I was starting out with the ZI, the first question would be what focal length I like best. I feel, that in practical use an f2.0 lens is fast enough if you shoot B&W. You simply put Tri X in the camera and develop in Diafine. Anything exposed between ISO 100 and 1600 will turn up all right. The best value for money lenses in my opinion are: 40/2 Summicron C and 50/2 Collapsible Summicron M. Both are lightweight, the 40mm is tiny and the 50mm collapses into the body when not used. these are absolutely great B&W lenses, but they hold their own in color too. For strictly colour shooting I think best value lenses are the 50/2 Planar and 35/2 Biogon. Some swear also by the Hexanons which are slightly cheaper. The Planar is sharper at f2.0 than many 50mm lenses at f5.6. The Zeiss Ikon is at its best with a 35mm lens though, because the frames are just right and the relief around is still good enough for ease of composing. I use it 99% of the time with the 35/1.2 Nokton for low light and 35/2 Biogon for daylight. It is difficult to beat these lenses for what they deliver at any level of price. I heard that a great performer was also the 35/1.8 Canon lens, although it is an older product.
try to get a lens you can afford without overpaying, and start from there, then you will see how it works for you and will decide what you really need.
 
Hmm, well my eBay purchase for a lens fell through, so I'm looking again. I think the 35mm Nokton is the one for me, and KEH has one second/user but excellent condition for $499. My ideal focal length would probably be 40 or 50mm, however, the ZI has no 40mm frame lines, and although I know the 35mm lines will likely be just fine for 40mm, the picky part of my brain would be annoyed by seeing "35" in the viewfinder, when I know it's 40mm.

50mm would be fine too, but I wonder if the lens is so big that I'd see it thorough the view finder, that may annoy me a little too... I know, I'm a pain.

Low light is where I take most of my photos, so a Nokton 35mm 1.4 seems to tick all boxes, it's fast, the ZI has 35mm frame lines, and it's small enough that I doubt I'd see it in the finder.

Before I purchase from KEH, any other dealers I should check? I'm in the UK, but it's cheaper to ship one from the states than buy here, in fact it's probably cheaper to fly to New York and pick one up than buy here...

Cheers

Garry
 
thegman said:
Before I purchase from KEH, any other dealers I should check? I'm in the UK, but it's cheaper to ship one from the states than buy here, in fact it's probably cheaper to fly to New York and pick one up than buy here...
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A bit closer to home for you is http://www.ffordes.co.uk/ check out prices in the UK and europe and consider import duty and vat on top of the keh prices, I've personally been stung a number of times buying from outside the EU. I've bought from ffordes before, I've always been happy with their service, they're nice guys who know what they're at too if you do have to deal with them personally.
 
Thanks, I checked out ffordes, for a UK dealer, they're quite reasonable, they have a nice Planar in stock, but in the end, I've ordered a 35mm Nokton 1.4 from the states. Low light performance is a big thing for me, so as nice as the Planar is, or indeed Leica lenses, I think I'd regret not getting something really fast, and I can't afford a fast Leica.

Anyway, it's on it's way via 2-day UPS, so assuming no customs trouble, I'll have it next week and I'll be able to start using the ZI finally.
 
Great, I'm really looking forward to trying it out, trying things which my DP1 just can't do like lots of bokeh, low light stuff etc.
 
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