M7 or a Zeiss Ikon ZM?
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photony texas
Light Sensitive
I really enjoyed my Zeiss Ikon ZM, it was my introduction to Rangefinder Photography. Cant say enough good things about it when it comes to value for your money and that fantastic viewfinder.
I will never sell my original body Ikon but have my backup body up for sale on RFF. Having second thoughts about even selling it 😉
I will never sell my original body Ikon but have my backup body up for sale on RFF. Having second thoughts about even selling it 😉
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
A class camera that really deserved the shift to digital ... a ZD Ikon would have sold very well in my opinion. 🙂
eckhardf
Established
I've owned a black ZI (now sold) and use a couple of M2's. I have a Minolta Cle for metering duties.
I thought the ZI would be "the One"; it looked beautiful to me and the viewfinder made my M's feel like they had keyholes to look through!
In the hand though it's a different story; the Leica's feel indestructible and the Zeiss feels fragile to me somehow: the shutter speed dial feels like it might fall apart at any moment and the lever advance somehow feels flimsy.
I've seen heavily used ZM's on ebay with chunks broken off their corners etc. which somehow bother me more than dings and dents on Leicas. I don't baby my cameras too much so the Zeiss left.
Can't say I'm a fan of the M7 either!... the plastic ISO/exposure compensation dial on the back is a real turn-off!... hence my cheap and cheerful choice of the Cle.
I find I get by fine with the "Sunny 16" rule for exposing colour negative film in my M2's (no batteries, no plastic) and am happy to accept errors in exposure as a learning experience 🙂
I thought the ZI would be "the One"; it looked beautiful to me and the viewfinder made my M's feel like they had keyholes to look through!
In the hand though it's a different story; the Leica's feel indestructible and the Zeiss feels fragile to me somehow: the shutter speed dial feels like it might fall apart at any moment and the lever advance somehow feels flimsy.
I've seen heavily used ZM's on ebay with chunks broken off their corners etc. which somehow bother me more than dings and dents on Leicas. I don't baby my cameras too much so the Zeiss left.
Can't say I'm a fan of the M7 either!... the plastic ISO/exposure compensation dial on the back is a real turn-off!... hence my cheap and cheerful choice of the Cle.
I find I get by fine with the "Sunny 16" rule for exposing colour negative film in my M2's (no batteries, no plastic) and am happy to accept errors in exposure as a learning experience 🙂
Pioneer
Veteran
There have been a number of posts about people who didn't like the ZI because it felt fragile. People do respond to cameras differently. I will agree that it does feel lighter than any of my Leica Ms but I don't necessarily equate that lightness to it being fragile.
Six years on now and mine is still chugging along just fine. No parts have fallen off and nothing has died.
In reality I appreciate a bit less weight when I am packing a camera around the mountains on foot.
The shutter construction, the metering, the viewfinder and the weight keep me coming back. It really is quite an amazing camera.
Just finished another roll of Pan F Plus today.
Six years on now and mine is still chugging along just fine. No parts have fallen off and nothing has died.
In reality I appreciate a bit less weight when I am packing a camera around the mountains on foot.
The shutter construction, the metering, the viewfinder and the weight keep me coming back. It really is quite an amazing camera.
Just finished another roll of Pan F Plus today.
short term, the ZM will be the more pleasant camera to shoot with for most -
in my view by a small margin, not a big margin
long term, the M7 will be more reliable as well as more fixable for years longer
in my view by a small margin, not a big margin
long term, the M7 will be more reliable as well as more fixable for years longer
ian_watts
Ian Watts
Yes, provided an independent technician will work on it. If it has to go to Wetzlar, the repair costs may exceed the value of the camera. With film bodies, the current Wetzlar policy is to insist on a mandatory CLA at around €800 for each and every repair job.
jawarden
Well-known
Pioneer
Veteran
The terms are a bit ambiguous. Is short term 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
My ZI is passed the 5 year window.
My Leica III, which has been getting a little more use recently, is well past 80 years. It was overhauled by Gus last year.
That probably qualifies as long term though it has only been in my hands for a couple of years. 😀
My ZI is passed the 5 year window.
My Leica III, which has been getting a little more use recently, is well past 80 years. It was overhauled by Gus last year.
That probably qualifies as long term though it has only been in my hands for a couple of years. 😀
dejw
Newbie
I have Minolta CLE and Ikon.
Ikon is an technogocial marvel. HUGE viwefinder and higher SS. Minolta is lovely and it never failed me in 10 years but Ikon just feels like a perfect tool for taking photos. Leica is cool (had L 6) but in use Ikon 100x.
Ikon is an technogocial marvel. HUGE viwefinder and higher SS. Minolta is lovely and it never failed me in 10 years but Ikon just feels like a perfect tool for taking photos. Leica is cool (had L 6) but in use Ikon 100x.
Alex Krasotkin
Well-known
I was shooting with M7 for years! Wonderful camera!
DavidC
Established
toss up
toss up
If you want ease of use and wear glasses Zeiss ZM
If you want durability and cachet and don't mind the bottom loading Leica M7
toss up
If you want ease of use and wear glasses Zeiss ZM
If you want durability and cachet and don't mind the bottom loading Leica M7
Beemermark
Veteran
The strap bumper pad came off my M7 purchased new in '06. sent it to DAG for a repair & CLA. $195. Not exactly 800 eur.
eckhardf
Established
A bit off topic; but I want to remove my strap bumper pads from my M-D. Anyone know how it can be done without damaging the black paint I assume is underneath?
I had a ZI for a year or so. It's viewfinder felt enormous compared to an M and it was a great looking camera (black). I think however that the finish wears poorly and I've seen several on Ebay over the years that have chips and rough nicks out of them. I prefer the dents and dings on M's much more!!
The ZI was perfectly functional but in the hand it somehow felt like just about any mid-level film SLR from the 70's or 80's. My M2 feels much 'tighter' somehow and exudes a mechanical solidness that felt lacking in the ZI.
I still have my M's! 😉
Beemermark
Veteran
The top case has two small holes drilled in the side, the bumper pad has two small dowels that fit in the holes and I assume are flattened on the inside of the case. If you remove the pads I doubt you'll hurt the paint (since they're not glued on) but you'll be left with 4 holes where the pads were.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
In college we used to patch the apartment walls with toothpaste colored with food colouring so we can get our deposit back. Just a suggestion. The camera will be minty enough for eBay.
kshapero
South Florida Man
I 100% agree with your assessment.
eckhardf
Established
Thanks Beemermark.
I didn't know about the dowel and holes as I assumed the pads where glued on (typical German over-engineering 😀 ). I'll probably do a re-think on their removal now....
I didn't know about the dowel and holes as I assumed the pads where glued on (typical German over-engineering 😀 ). I'll probably do a re-think on their removal now....
james.liam
Well-known
How often do you imagine it would need a CLA? Once a decade? Once every two decades? That’s between €40-80 a year.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
I tried to service the M7 in Toronto last summer. No one would touch it.
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