M-Mount Cameras NotMade by Leica, Part 3
3 more ingenious cameras that took the M concept in new directions
By Jason Schneider
The Cosina-made Voigtlander Bessa series were clearly the most successful and prolific of the M-mount rangefinder camera spinoffs ever—a remarkable achievement when you consider that they were based on a modified high-production Cosina SLR chassis. The brilliance of Cosina CEO Hirofumi Kobayashi’s design team in effecting this miraculous transformation is proven by the fact that the essential Bessa concept is embodied in M-mount rangefinder cameras bearing such elite nameplates as Rollei, Zeiss Ikon, and Epson.
The Rollei 35 RF
Introduced in 2002 and marketed by Rollei Fototechnic, the Rollei 35 RF is basically a lightly revised version of the Voigtlander Bessa R2 with an “upscale” silver finish, a prominent Rollei nameplate, and a matching line of 2 Rollei branded Leica Screw Mount lenses with LTM to M adapters. Aside from the badge engineering the RF has a more heavily knurled shutter speed dial and grip, and the viewfinder displays projected parallax compensating frame lines for 40mm, 50mm and 80mm lenses. The Rollei 40mm F2.8 Sonnar is more or less the same lens as supplied on the scale focus Rollie 35. The Rollei 80mm F2.8 is more or less the same taking lens supplied on the Rollei 2.8 F twin lens reflex. The Rollei RF’s 0.7x magnification finder and rangefinder base length of 37mm provide an effective base length (EBL) 0f 25.6mm, sufficient for the 80mm f/2.8, but not for longer or faster lenses. Unfortunately, the Rollei 35 RF complete with standard 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens was priced substantially higher than a comparably equipped Voigtlander Bessa R2. Savvy consumers were unwilling to pay the extra tab for what was essentially the same camera, sales were dismal, and the RF was discontinued after a run of only 3 years. On the plus side, it’s a great camera for eyeglass wearers who favor the 40mm focal length, and the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar is an outstanding performer.
Rollei 35 RF in silver with matching 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens.
The Rollei 35 RF incorporates a Copal-derived vertical travel laminar metal focal plane shutter with manual mechanical speeds of 1-1/2000 sec plus B and X-sync at speeds up to 1/125 sec that operates without battery power. Its center-weighted TTL manual metering system uses a silicon cell (SPD) in the base of the camera that treads off the first shutter curtain, covers a metering range if EV 1-19 at ISO 100, reads out via an array of 3 LEDs in the finder, and is powered by two 1.5v batteries (LR44 or SR 44). It features a ratcheted wind lever and accepts an optional Rollei QW Rapid Manual Wind trigger winder. In addition to the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar, a 50mm f/1.8 Planar and an 80mm f/2.8 Planar, both in LTM mount with M-adapters, were announced in 2005, but it’s very unlikely the 50/1.8 was ever sold to the public. If this snazzy M-mount rangefinder 35 rings your chimes, good news—the Rollei 35 RFis readily available used in excellent condition at about $750 (body only), which is less than the price of a Bessa R2(!), or for around $1,500-$1,700 with the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens.
Rollei 35 RF body showing vertical travel metal focal plane shutter, metal rewind crank.
Zeiss Ikon ZM
Announced in 2004 but not available until 2005 or 2006 (depending on your location), the handsome, beautifully proportioned Zeiss Ikon ZM was designed by Carl Zeiss and manufactured for them by Cosina, but its chassis and components are quite different from those in any Voogtlander Bessa—only the metering system and shutter bear any resemblance to those in previous Cosina-made M-mount cameras. Officially designated as a ZM (Zeiss M Mount) camera it’s fully compatible with Leica M bayonet lenses and Carl Zeiss brought out a full range of superb ZM mount lenses, most made by Cosina to Zeiss specs, but other more complex designs made by Zeiss themselves in Oberkochen, Germany.
Zeiss Ikon ZM in black with 50mm f/2 Sonnar lens.
The Zeiss Ikon’s signature feature is its magnificent Zeiss designed range/viewfinder, which has a magnification of 0.74x and an extended base length of 75m giving an effective base length (EBL) of 55.5mm, longer than the Leica M7’s and exceeded only by the EBL of 59.1mm in the 0.85x version of the Leica M6. Moreover, unlike the Bessas, the parallax compensating bright frame lines for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm are automatically indexed when the lens is mounted, just like a Leica M. The 28mm and 85mm frame lines are displayed simultaneously and there are no 75mm or 135mm frame lines, but there is a manual frame selector preview lever, and the large eyepiece enables +/- 3 diopter correction lenses to be used. While the ZM’s finder is very bright and contrasty, some say better than a Leica M7, the rangefinder is prone to requiring more than its fair share of RF adjustments. The electronically controlled vertical travel metal focal planer shutter provides stepless speeds of 8- 1/2000 sec in A (Aperture Priority) mode (the A setting on the shutter dial and discrete speeds pf 1-1/2000 sec plus B in manual mode, with X-sync up to 1/125 sec. The TTL center-weighted metering system meters at working (set) aperture and reads out the camera-selected shutter speed in A mode, enables metered manual exposure using the LEDs in the finder display, and provides an AE lock and exposure compensation of +/-2 stops in 1/3 stop increments set at the shutter speed dial. It’s powered by one CR 1/3 Lithium or two LR44/SR44 1.5 v cells. While often compared to the Leica similar spec M7, the Zeiss ZM has no M7 style TTL flash.
Zeiss Ikon ZM body in silver showing gray "metering" blade on first shutter curtain.
The Zeiss Ikon ZM has a ratcheted film wind lever, is built on a cast aluminum alloy chassis with magnesium external covers, measures 5.4 x 3.1 x 1.3 inches, and weighs in at 16 ounces (body only). The ZM’s 10 outstanding T* Zeiss M-mount optics included Zeiss produced 15mm f/2.8 Distagon and 85mm f/2 Sonnar, as well as the Cosina made 21mm f/2.8 Biogon, 28/2.8 Biogon, 35mm f/1.4 Distagon, 50mm f/1.5 C Sonnar, 50mm f/2 Sonnar, and F4 Tele-Tessar. The ZM is undoubtedly among the most advanced non-Leica M-mount 35mm camera ever made thanks to its superlative rangefinder/viewfinder, relatively quiet electronic shutter and solid construction (tied with the Minolta CLE and Leica CL in terms of advanced design). Downsides: based on user reviews its rangefinder is delicate and can be knocked out of whack fairly easily, and of course its electronically controlled shutter will not operate without battery power. Sadly, the ZM went out of production in 2012 and has since become a user/collector cult classic that’s priced accordingly. A clean working example in silver or black will set you back about 2 grand $1,600-$2,500), body only.
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Zenit M in silver with remarkable (and ponderous) Russian made 35mm f/1 Zenitar lens.
Zenit M
Zenit is a Russian (and former USSR) camera brand that’s usually associated with clunky, old fashioned 35mm SLRs that are optically competent but not noted for their outstanding mechanical quality control. Now imagine KMZ, the Zenit’s manufacturer based in the town of Krasnagorsk near Moscow, collaborating with, of all people, Leica, to produce Russia’s first digital M mount rangefinder camera. The internals of the Zenit M are closely based on the Leica M (type 240) and not surprisingly, it has similar specs—a 24 MP CMOS sensor, a Leica M mount, ISO settings from 200-6400, RAW still images recorded in DNG, continuous shooting at up to 3 fps, 1080p video at 24/25 fps recorded as .mov files, a 3-inch 920k-dot LCD,, Live View focusing, a 0.68 viewfinder, an internal microphone (but evidently no mic jack), and recording onto SD cards.
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Zenit M in black with hefty 35mm f/1 Zenitar lens said to have "great bokeh" at its widest apertures.
Reportedly the Zenit M is assembled in Krasnagorsk in a production run of only 500 cameras; a Limited Edition (450 in silver and 50 in black) that will be bundled with a Russian made 35mm f/1.0 Zenitar lens, with “great bokeh,” click-less apertures to f/16 and rangefinder focusing down to 0.8 meters. The camera’s viewfinder frame line system was not specified, but if it’s based on the Leica M (type 240), it shows frame lines from 28-135mm in pairs, though the 28mm frame is hard to see. It’s claimed that Russian software drives the camera, and that the chassis was entirely designed and produced in Russia. Skeptics have conjectured that Leica consented to this oddball collaboration as a way to unload a large unused inventory of Leica M (type 240) cameras and parts that were languishing in their warehouses, While technically outclassed by the latest Leica Ms, the Zenit M should be a decent performer, it’s ultra-exclusive, it comes with a super-spec lens and it sure looks cool. But is that enough to get well-heeled Leica collectors and patriotic Russians to part with nearly $6.700 to obtain one? Only time will tell. For (not much) more info, go to: https://zenit.store/collections/zen...amera-and-35mm-f-1-0-lens-kit-limited-edition.
3 more ingenious cameras that took the M concept in new directions
By Jason Schneider
The Cosina-made Voigtlander Bessa series were clearly the most successful and prolific of the M-mount rangefinder camera spinoffs ever—a remarkable achievement when you consider that they were based on a modified high-production Cosina SLR chassis. The brilliance of Cosina CEO Hirofumi Kobayashi’s design team in effecting this miraculous transformation is proven by the fact that the essential Bessa concept is embodied in M-mount rangefinder cameras bearing such elite nameplates as Rollei, Zeiss Ikon, and Epson.
The Rollei 35 RF
Introduced in 2002 and marketed by Rollei Fototechnic, the Rollei 35 RF is basically a lightly revised version of the Voigtlander Bessa R2 with an “upscale” silver finish, a prominent Rollei nameplate, and a matching line of 2 Rollei branded Leica Screw Mount lenses with LTM to M adapters. Aside from the badge engineering the RF has a more heavily knurled shutter speed dial and grip, and the viewfinder displays projected parallax compensating frame lines for 40mm, 50mm and 80mm lenses. The Rollei 40mm F2.8 Sonnar is more or less the same lens as supplied on the scale focus Rollie 35. The Rollei 80mm F2.8 is more or less the same taking lens supplied on the Rollei 2.8 F twin lens reflex. The Rollei RF’s 0.7x magnification finder and rangefinder base length of 37mm provide an effective base length (EBL) 0f 25.6mm, sufficient for the 80mm f/2.8, but not for longer or faster lenses. Unfortunately, the Rollei 35 RF complete with standard 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens was priced substantially higher than a comparably equipped Voigtlander Bessa R2. Savvy consumers were unwilling to pay the extra tab for what was essentially the same camera, sales were dismal, and the RF was discontinued after a run of only 3 years. On the plus side, it’s a great camera for eyeglass wearers who favor the 40mm focal length, and the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar is an outstanding performer.
Rollei 35 RF in silver with matching 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens.
The Rollei 35 RF incorporates a Copal-derived vertical travel laminar metal focal plane shutter with manual mechanical speeds of 1-1/2000 sec plus B and X-sync at speeds up to 1/125 sec that operates without battery power. Its center-weighted TTL manual metering system uses a silicon cell (SPD) in the base of the camera that treads off the first shutter curtain, covers a metering range if EV 1-19 at ISO 100, reads out via an array of 3 LEDs in the finder, and is powered by two 1.5v batteries (LR44 or SR 44). It features a ratcheted wind lever and accepts an optional Rollei QW Rapid Manual Wind trigger winder. In addition to the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar, a 50mm f/1.8 Planar and an 80mm f/2.8 Planar, both in LTM mount with M-adapters, were announced in 2005, but it’s very unlikely the 50/1.8 was ever sold to the public. If this snazzy M-mount rangefinder 35 rings your chimes, good news—the Rollei 35 RFis readily available used in excellent condition at about $750 (body only), which is less than the price of a Bessa R2(!), or for around $1,500-$1,700 with the 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar lens.
Rollei 35 RF body showing vertical travel metal focal plane shutter, metal rewind crank.
Zeiss Ikon ZM
Announced in 2004 but not available until 2005 or 2006 (depending on your location), the handsome, beautifully proportioned Zeiss Ikon ZM was designed by Carl Zeiss and manufactured for them by Cosina, but its chassis and components are quite different from those in any Voogtlander Bessa—only the metering system and shutter bear any resemblance to those in previous Cosina-made M-mount cameras. Officially designated as a ZM (Zeiss M Mount) camera it’s fully compatible with Leica M bayonet lenses and Carl Zeiss brought out a full range of superb ZM mount lenses, most made by Cosina to Zeiss specs, but other more complex designs made by Zeiss themselves in Oberkochen, Germany.
Zeiss Ikon ZM in black with 50mm f/2 Sonnar lens.
The Zeiss Ikon’s signature feature is its magnificent Zeiss designed range/viewfinder, which has a magnification of 0.74x and an extended base length of 75m giving an effective base length (EBL) of 55.5mm, longer than the Leica M7’s and exceeded only by the EBL of 59.1mm in the 0.85x version of the Leica M6. Moreover, unlike the Bessas, the parallax compensating bright frame lines for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm are automatically indexed when the lens is mounted, just like a Leica M. The 28mm and 85mm frame lines are displayed simultaneously and there are no 75mm or 135mm frame lines, but there is a manual frame selector preview lever, and the large eyepiece enables +/- 3 diopter correction lenses to be used. While the ZM’s finder is very bright and contrasty, some say better than a Leica M7, the rangefinder is prone to requiring more than its fair share of RF adjustments. The electronically controlled vertical travel metal focal planer shutter provides stepless speeds of 8- 1/2000 sec in A (Aperture Priority) mode (the A setting on the shutter dial and discrete speeds pf 1-1/2000 sec plus B in manual mode, with X-sync up to 1/125 sec. The TTL center-weighted metering system meters at working (set) aperture and reads out the camera-selected shutter speed in A mode, enables metered manual exposure using the LEDs in the finder display, and provides an AE lock and exposure compensation of +/-2 stops in 1/3 stop increments set at the shutter speed dial. It’s powered by one CR 1/3 Lithium or two LR44/SR44 1.5 v cells. While often compared to the Leica similar spec M7, the Zeiss ZM has no M7 style TTL flash.
Zeiss Ikon ZM body in silver showing gray "metering" blade on first shutter curtain.
The Zeiss Ikon ZM has a ratcheted film wind lever, is built on a cast aluminum alloy chassis with magnesium external covers, measures 5.4 x 3.1 x 1.3 inches, and weighs in at 16 ounces (body only). The ZM’s 10 outstanding T* Zeiss M-mount optics included Zeiss produced 15mm f/2.8 Distagon and 85mm f/2 Sonnar, as well as the Cosina made 21mm f/2.8 Biogon, 28/2.8 Biogon, 35mm f/1.4 Distagon, 50mm f/1.5 C Sonnar, 50mm f/2 Sonnar, and F4 Tele-Tessar. The ZM is undoubtedly among the most advanced non-Leica M-mount 35mm camera ever made thanks to its superlative rangefinder/viewfinder, relatively quiet electronic shutter and solid construction (tied with the Minolta CLE and Leica CL in terms of advanced design). Downsides: based on user reviews its rangefinder is delicate and can be knocked out of whack fairly easily, and of course its electronically controlled shutter will not operate without battery power. Sadly, the ZM went out of production in 2012 and has since become a user/collector cult classic that’s priced accordingly. A clean working example in silver or black will set you back about 2 grand $1,600-$2,500), body only.
Zenit M in silver with remarkable (and ponderous) Russian made 35mm f/1 Zenitar lens.
Zenit M
Zenit is a Russian (and former USSR) camera brand that’s usually associated with clunky, old fashioned 35mm SLRs that are optically competent but not noted for their outstanding mechanical quality control. Now imagine KMZ, the Zenit’s manufacturer based in the town of Krasnagorsk near Moscow, collaborating with, of all people, Leica, to produce Russia’s first digital M mount rangefinder camera. The internals of the Zenit M are closely based on the Leica M (type 240) and not surprisingly, it has similar specs—a 24 MP CMOS sensor, a Leica M mount, ISO settings from 200-6400, RAW still images recorded in DNG, continuous shooting at up to 3 fps, 1080p video at 24/25 fps recorded as .mov files, a 3-inch 920k-dot LCD,, Live View focusing, a 0.68 viewfinder, an internal microphone (but evidently no mic jack), and recording onto SD cards.
Zenit M in black with hefty 35mm f/1 Zenitar lens said to have "great bokeh" at its widest apertures.
Reportedly the Zenit M is assembled in Krasnagorsk in a production run of only 500 cameras; a Limited Edition (450 in silver and 50 in black) that will be bundled with a Russian made 35mm f/1.0 Zenitar lens, with “great bokeh,” click-less apertures to f/16 and rangefinder focusing down to 0.8 meters. The camera’s viewfinder frame line system was not specified, but if it’s based on the Leica M (type 240), it shows frame lines from 28-135mm in pairs, though the 28mm frame is hard to see. It’s claimed that Russian software drives the camera, and that the chassis was entirely designed and produced in Russia. Skeptics have conjectured that Leica consented to this oddball collaboration as a way to unload a large unused inventory of Leica M (type 240) cameras and parts that were languishing in their warehouses, While technically outclassed by the latest Leica Ms, the Zenit M should be a decent performer, it’s ultra-exclusive, it comes with a super-spec lens and it sure looks cool. But is that enough to get well-heeled Leica collectors and patriotic Russians to part with nearly $6.700 to obtain one? Only time will tell. For (not much) more info, go to: https://zenit.store/collections/zen...amera-and-35mm-f-1-0-lens-kit-limited-edition.
