Mechanical Shutter Mod and Close Focus?

[CronoZero]

Hey everyone!

I recently discovered how much the Ikon hates cold weather and was wondering if anyone has ever decoupled the meter from the shutter. It'd be nice to just use the battery for the meter but be able to keep shooting if it failed. I even started looking into getting an M6 just because of this reason 😱

Also, I noticed some of the ZM lenses focus down to 0.5 meters, but my Ikon doesn't seem to support that. The rangefinder patch stops moving (presumably at 0.7m), but the lens is able to keep focusing. Is this an issue with my camera or are they all like this?

Thanks!

 

[Pioneer]

The ZI has an electronic shutter. Without batteries it will not work. If you need the mechanical shutter in cold weather you will have to pick up an M6.

As for close focus, your Zeiss is like all the others.

 

[CronoZero]

I'm a little late (hadn't noticed that this got a reply), but thanks Pioneer!

I'm a little disappointed in both results, though. I really can't figure out why Zeiss would make some lenses focus to 0.5 meters if there's no rangefinder capable of doing so.

 

[f16sunshine]

There are other ltm and M lenses that de-couple and focus inside .7m.
It's not so uncommon. Zeiss did it only with a couple of the ZM wides if I remember correctly.
My 50 Year old LTM Nikkor f1.4/50mm does the same.

You measure or guess the distance when using a Rangefinder. With a mirror-less digital body you can just focus of the LCD/EVF.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'm a little late (hadn't noticed that this got a reply), but thanks Pioneer!

I'm a little disappointed in both results, though. I really can't figure out why Zeiss would make some lenses focus to 0.5 meters if there's no rangefinder capable of doing so.

Because they can. Or, alternatively, why not? Think of it as a bonus after the RF stops coupling. Why stop focusing just because the RF cam runs out?

Cheers,

R.

 

[CronoZero]

Haha, I guess those are all acceptable answers. I hadn't realized until today that Leica also did this as the 24 Elmarit I have seems to focus much shorter as well. So, whatever, I'll accept it =)

Surely useful with live view cameras, I suppose!