My new ZM kit is perfect... but...

[Jamie Pillers]

I just got my 'new' ZM and 35/2 Biogon. They are BEAUTIFUL! I have been looking for this camera for sooooo long. Here are a few pictures:

I've worked my way up through fixed lens RFs, a couple of folders, and the whole line of Bessas (T, L, R4A, R3A). I just couldn't find that right combination of 1) comfortable viewfinder framelines for my be-spectacled eye, 2) all the framelines for my favorite focal lengths, and price (I finally had to give in somewhat on that one). The Zeiss has it all, although a bit expensive for me (hence my selloff in the classifieds).

But I have to say that when I sit here and gaze at this beautiful machine, I wonder why, WHY can't this be the model for a DRF??? It would be perfect! Same dials, same shape, same viewfinder... just make it a RAW-only digital beast. Then you don't even need the LCD or white balance adjustments, etc.. I've heard here why Mr. K won't do it (but I don't believe it). But why not Zeiss or Nikon or Canon? All the technology exists. And Zeiss appears to think the ZM is a winner in a certain niche. So why not offer the same thing digitized???

 

[gertf]

just make it a RAW-only digital beast. Then you don't even need the LCD or white balance adjustments, etc..

Great idea. I'd buy it

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, in the mean time, you've got a great shooter.
Go burn some film.

 

[Avotius]

no lcd no thanks

 

[Papercut]

Looks exactly like my kit (2/35 Biogon hasn't left my Ikon ZM since I got it!), except I recovered with black griptac (and there's a few more marks of various sorts on mine).

Like you, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Zeiss will eventually release a DZM body exactly as you described; but meanwhile, I second Steve's suggestion: go burn film with it -- lots and lots of film!

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Yes, but why not at a reasonable price, like a mid-price SLR? If Nikon sell a D90 for around $1000, why can't we have a DRF for the same?? I don't get why this hasn't happened?

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Started yesterday... can't you smell the smoke? 🙂

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I don't understand the absolute need so many people express for LCDs. You don't need one on your film cameras... why on your DRF? It seems that if you don't need it to set all those menus up, then why have one. Just take the RAW files home, download them, and see what you got... just like film. 🙂

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. You can now find me walking my neighborhood everyday with my little Domke bag over my shoulder, ZM kit hanging from my neck...looking for that perfect bit of sunlit shadow. 🙂

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Keith, maybe we should start a petition drive. 🙂

 

[usagisakana]

I actually sent Zeiss an email the other day asking how progress was going on a digital Ikon ... no response yet! 😛

haha, if they do reply it'll be interesting to see what they say.

 

[jaap]

please no digtal ziess ikon brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
If you want digital go buy yourself a canon dslr or that amateurish M thing

 

[Benjamin]

Keith, maybe we should start a petition drive. 🙂

Where do I sign?

 

[DelDavis]

I don't understand the absolute need so many people express for LCDs. You don't need one on your film cameras... why on your DRF?

Because without the LCD you miss one of the huge advantages of digital: immediate feedback. It is a great learning tool. What happens to the image when I add +/- 1EV? How does the DOF look at f/2.8 vs. f/2? Don't want to keep the test results? Delete it in two seconds and move on. Your test shot will not be taking up space in your drawer next to the old negatives of Aunt Murdle.

The biggest technical challenge with making a digital rangefinder is, of course, the sensor. Zeiss has stated in the past that full-frame is almost a requirement for them to take advantage of the quality of their lenses, which presents a significant hurdle toward achieving good image quality on the edge of the frame; the incident angle of the light is such that many of the photons can't reach the bottom of the detector well (think of it as a bucket). That said, it's only a matter of time before this is overcome -- perhaps it has been already!

 

[fergus]

I don't understand the absolute need so many people express for LCDs. You don't need one on your film cameras... why on your DRF? It seems that if you don't need it to set all those menus up, then why have one. Just take the RAW files home, download them, and see what you got... just like film. 🙂

That's exactly how I use my dslr (with a 500mm telephoto)... setup for lcd to be 'off' and just use the camera.

Battery lasts a heap longer too...

 

[fergus]

ah, I am low-spec, no IS !!!!

 

[Rafael]

I was wondering about the reasons for the fire sale. Congratulations on the new kit Jamie.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Hey... Aaron... is that you?? Cool. Small world. 🙂

I'm really loving using the camera. Those framelines feel soooo much more comfortable to my eye. And its quiet shutter, smooooooth winding and rewinding, balance... Ummmm. 🙂

Jamie

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I agree... absolutely not. to paraphrase that guy in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre": "...IS... I don need no stinking IS!" 🙂

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Complete incineration fire sale! There's more to come! :-(