My Review Of The Zeiss Ikon

[boomguy57]

I got a ZI from the Classifieds section recently and have had some time with it, and put a few rolls through it. I put together my thoughts on it on my blog. If anyone is interested in the Zeiss Ikon, and thinking of buying, hopefully this can help. Feel free to throw in your own thoughts on it below! It's always nice to get as much info as possible when thinking of diving into a new camera/camera system.

REVIEW: Zeiss Ikon (ZI) Rangefinder

Cheers,

Trevor

 

[boomguy57]

Hopefully others find it useful in some way. I'm by no means an expert camera reviewer!

 

[canetsbe]

Nice review. I've always had this camera in the back of my mind; I'm sure I'm not the only one!

 

[raid]

Thanks for the review.

 

[boomguy57]

Nice review. I've always had this camera in the back of my mind; I'm sure I'm not the only one!

I, too, always wondered about this camera. Even through the Minolta CL, the M3, and the M6TTL, I always wanted to try the Zeiss. I'm glad I did!

 

[Glass Addict]

I had M6, then M7, and now Zeiss ZI... sold all the Leica M. Viewfinder can't be beat.

 

[raid]

What is the current market value of a Zeiss?

 

[boomguy57]

What is the current market value of a Zeiss?

Right around 1k I think...at least that's what they seem to be going for in the Classifieds.

 

[boomguy57]

I had M6, then M7, and now Zeiss ZI... sold all the Leica M. Viewfinder can't be beat.

I couldn't agree more. While I still have a Leica M, the Zeiss has a special place in my arsenal. The VF is really, really nice.

 

[Jobin]

I wish I could handle the Ikon and compare the finder.

 

[boomguy57]

I wish I could handle the Ikon and compare the finder.

I eventually just broke down and got one. There isn't a camera shop locally that I can think of that would carry the ZI, sadly. So I took a chance on it. I'm glad I did and would recommend it.

Then again, it might cause you anguish as your Leica will suffer in comparison 😛

 

[Chyn]

Thanks for the review. That big, bright viewfinder alone makes the ZI an attractive alternative.

 

[raid]

Right around 1k I think...at least that's what they seem to be going for in the Classifieds.

So it costs as much as an M3 or M2 or a user M6.

 

[boomguy57]

So it costs as much as an M3 or M2 or a user M6.

Yeah, and I think it's good value at that price, frankly. You seem...skeptical?

 

[raid]

Bessa cameras also have bright viewfinders, but I have them for certain trips only.
The Konica IIIM or A have a brighter VF than in any M camera.

The VF is not all that matters. My Standard Leica has none, but I love using it with a bright external finder.

 

[raid]

Yeah, and I think it's good value at that price, frankly. You seem...skeptical?

I am a little. It is important to me that "all fits together" in a camera, and it could very well be that the ZI is a great camera, but I have never used one. Mechanical M bodies are very special.

 

[boomguy57]

Bessa cameras also have bright viewfinders, but I have them for certain trips only.
The Konica IIIM or A have a brighter VF than in any M camera.

The VF is not all that matters. My Standard Leica has none, but I love using it with a bright external finder.

Certainly there are considerations outside the VF. However, I see the VF as such a substantial upgrade over the Ms that it should help anyone considering the Zeiss make a decision. They both have pros and cons (as I mentioned in the blog post), but I think the Zeiss is a better option for many. While it is priced similarly to a nice M3 or user M6, it has the VF and also offers AE, a higher top shutter speed, and some other small advantages (at least, I see them as advantages).

 

[boomguy57]

I am a little. It is important to me that "all fits together" in a camera, and it could very well be that the ZI is a great camera, but I have never used one. Mechanical M bodies are very special.

Mechanical M bodies are very lovely, which is why my Zeiss cohabitates with my MP 😀

But really, the Zeiss compares best with the M7; the M7, in my mind, negates the greatest strength of the M line--the build quality. The electronics will die in the Zeiss and M7 around the same time, I'd guess. That means that the fact that the Zeiss isn't as sturdy as the M is irrelevant.

Comparing the ZI with the M3 or M6 is a bit of apples-to-oranges, or?

 

[kxl]

I am a little. It is important to me that "all fits together" in a camera, and it could very well be that the ZI is a great camera, but I have never used one. Mechanical M bodies are very special.

I agree 100%, and for me, the ZI "all fits together" like a glove. In fact I have 2 of them. I outfitted one with a 1.25x magnifier (the same one as an R-D1S or a Nikon FM -- NOT the same as the Leica magnifier - won't fit).

I understand the attraction of the tank-like built of a classic M body, and I even understand the need for that kind of build. But it's not like the ZI is frail, anf for my own use, it's not like I have to slog through mud or have to brave the dust storms of the Sahara. For my typical street and travel photography, the ZI is just about perfect.

And if a digital ZI ever becomes a reality, I would be first in line.

 

[raid]

I would say, compare the ZI with the most expensive of the Bessa series of cameras. Is it much better overall?