M7 or a Zeiss Ikon ZM?

[lawrence]

Well I found a ZI in the classifieds here on the forum and it arrived yesterday. Initial impressions are very positive. I love the fact that both the 35mm & 50mm framelines aren't cluttered up with other framelines and it seems well made and looks good too. Will start taking pictures at the weekend.

 

[Archiver]

The Ikon was my first rangefinder and the slimness and handling were a hard target to match in another camera. The viewfinder made even the Leica VF look kind of cramped and dark, almost amplifying the incoming light. But the top plate bends if you squeeze it, and the advance lever is not as smooth as a M7. The M7 is rock solid (and appropriately heavier) and the shutter and advance lever are smooth as silk. The M7 is more enjoyable to shoot but not so much to carry all day.

There was an odd metering issue with my Ikon at one point, where a whole roll came out underexposed. The ISO was set correctly, which made it a strange occurrence.

Fondle camera = M7.

Shoot and carry all day camera = Ikon.

RIP Zeiss Ikon. We, the faithful, will sing your praises!

 

[froyd]

I voted ZI a while back because that's what I would have picked if both cameras were available to me and what I would have picked if any sub-$2000 RF was available to me whether with or without AE.

However, now that I bought one, I cannot get used to the feel of the camera. The VF is big, but the disappearing, low-contrast RF patch were enough of a turn of to make me miss the R2a and the rock-solid, never waver, never dim M4. Size matters, and the ZI wins in that respect, but it is not the only factor in a good VF/RF combo, and I think Leica (I can only compare it to an M4) wins.

Speaking of disapearing acts, I actually like the fading meter on the ZI, gone when looking at the VF frames, and there when I peeked left. After being used to the zen purity of meterless VFs, I appreciated not having bright red numbers blinking at me the whole time.

Finally, I'm not a pro, so I shoot for the pleasure of it, and the ZI never felt as good in use as the Leica, though the light weight felt good on my shoulder! As a result, it stays home more.

 

[maddoc]

If you don`t wear eye-glasses, the ZI finder might be OK but wearing glasses it is very easy to not keeping your eyes centered and then the missing RF patch drives you nuts. I tried the ZI one night (while living in Sapporo) and gave up after a couple of attempts to focus that camera ...

The ISO dial of the M7 on the other hand ... still wondering why neither Leica Solms nor Leica Ginza were able to fix that thing .. :bang:

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Having switched to an M9 a while ago, and having owned and sold an M6 and two ZI, I believe I can now give an impartial opinion since I don't have the cameras anymore.

What I loved about the Leica and disliked about the ZI is build quality, RF consistency and metering.
What I loved about the ZI and disliked about the Leica is the viewfinder brightness and contrast, film loading, and better designed features.

If I have to buy a film RF again, I will get the M7.

 

[hudsong]

One of the strangest things about the two ZI's I owned was that the strap lugs on both were slowly being worn through. Everything else was great, but that was literally a "make it or break it" feature.

I just ordered an M7, so that's my vote.

 

[Pioneer]

Still Shooting ZI

Still Shooting ZI

I own an M7 and a ZI and I am still shooting the ZI almost daily. Once in awhile I pull out the M7 and "fondle" it for awhile, but the minute I begin remembering the viewfinder flare and the burned holes in the shutter curtains (which took a fast $300 from my wallet) I put it away again. The ZI's disappearing rangefinder patch happens less and less as using the camera becomes 2nd nature to me. For me it rarely happens now and when it does it is very quickly resolved. I still rant about the shutter speed indicator that becomes impossible to see in bright sunlight, but my rants occur less and less as I come to realize that the lack of a shutter speed readout has never really bothered me with my Leica II. So why should this be an issue to me just because I am using the ZI?

Believe it or not, the thing that stops me from just selling the M7 outright is that hard to describe (and harder to justify) feeling of continuity I have when I am holding and using that camera. I don't have that same feeling with the ZI because there really is no long, continuous history behind it. And now that it is discontinued it seems that there will be no history that will grow into the future. I do enjoy working with Leica cameras and I truly do understand this feeling.

But, my vote stays with the ZI because, for my way of working, it is a more practical and useable alternative to the M7.

 

[kshapero]

Used mint m7 or new ZM?

Funny I started this. I have owned and loved both, but the M3 endures.

 

[bojanfurst]

It's interesting. When I was making that same decision I actually held both in my hands and an M6. Zeiss just felt better in my hands and nothing beats that viewfinder. The patch took a bit of getting used to. The only problem I encountered with my ZM is that for some reason batteries freeze very quickly in cold weather and that is a problem where I live. It's a bit better if you use CR 1/3N instead of two LR44 or whatever the number is. Right now my ZM is at Zeiss service to get the rangefinder realigned and frame counter fixed after an unfortunate drop. I feel like a bit of me is missing and am experiencing anxiety waiting for it to get back to me - I am only half joking. It's been the best camera I ever worked with and I worked with a lot of them.

 

[Pioneer]

Still shooting the ZI and still not any issues. After well over a year of pretty much continuous use the rangefinder patch is a total non-issue. I am gong to order a correcting diopter, as soon as I figure out which one I need, as I have noted that seeing the shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder is a lot easier if I am not using glasses.

The ZI is simply a terrific camera.

 

[Bill Clark]

Most of my film cameras are w/o any electronics.

The exception is a Nikkormat with a TTL light meter and a Mamiya 645 with a TTL light meter and can be used for electronic exposure control. The Mamiya has an electronic shutter. So far so good, the Nikkormat I bought around 1970 and the Mamiya around year 2000. I hardly use the Mamiya any more.

All of my Leica cameras are w/o any electronics.

I like that.

Thought I would pass on to you, perhaps in helping make a decision.

 

[aeturnum]

My ZI is my favorite camera, bar none. I've never owned a Leica film camera, but I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of the M9 I owned. It's smaller, the meter display makes more sense and the finder / RF patch is a dream.

 

[Austerby]

After not using my ZI for about a year, I picked it up recently and reminded myself what a cracking camera it is.

I used to have an M7 and still pine for one though, despite the brilliance of the ZM.

 

[judsonzhao]

I had a M6 TTL and own a ZI right now. I do miss the solid build of Leica, and the feeling when you hands on it, master piece.
ZI's finder is superb, although the patch sometimes could be distracting.

If I had the money, I will buy a M7 and keep my ZI, they are different cameras.

 

[kshapero]

My ZI is my favorite camera, bar none. I've never owned a Leica film camera, but I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of the M9 I owned. It's smaller, the meter display makes more sense and the finder / RF patch is a dream.

ah yeah but an M9 is a digital camera. A different animal.

 

[Out to Lunch]

An interesting review of the Zeiss Ikon here (with numerous references to the Leica competition):

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/zeiss-.html

 

[frieri]

An interesting review of the Zeiss Ikon here (with numerous references to the Leica competition): http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/zeiss-.html

Well, very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Vincent.G]

Recently I tried a ZI and M7 (with newer MP flare free VF).

The most noticeable difference between them is when shooting at low light, the M7 RF patch has much better clarity and contrast compared to ZI. This alone will make me choose the M7.

I am really very tempted to get a M7.

 

[Pioneer]

The M7 is sold now and no regrets. I still own a couple M3s and several Barnacks so I seriously doubt I will experience any withdrawal symptoms. 🙂

They are all great fun and I love them, but the ZI is still the workhorse. It has been a wonderful camera.

Although my strap lugs show no wear I picked up a pair of Optech Strap Loop Adaptors. This way there is no metal to metal contact.

 

[bonatto]

Pitching in support for the zeiss, and if you enjoy shooting with a 28mm, it's a hell of a viewfinder. I wear glasses for distance viewing, so a -2 diopter adjuster allows me to use it without having to use glasses. It's lighter than the leicas, it's well built, but uses thinner metals.