My ZI Arrived! Another "1st impressions' post

W

Way

Guest
From Tony Rose. Great price and very fast shipping! Thanks Tony.

First impressions: lighter than my MP but very solid. Nice large vf makes focusing
very accurate. Need to keep your eye more centered to see the patch. Patch is
very clear when you do so. AE is fun and easy, AE lock works well and is convenient.
Shutter is louder than MP - more of a bright tone while the MP's is lower, more damped.
I like the 'suddeness' of the release of the shutter - feels as if I can almost hold the
camera with more stability at slow shutter speeds. I like the recessed windows -
seems like I won't get fingerprints on them as easily as my MP. Camera body has a
warmer feel to it than the Leica - aluminum? Generally very easy to use and has
controls well layed out. LED shutter speeds are a little small. So far, it is easy to see in
the sunlight.

So far there's nothing that I dislike about the camera! :D I'm running a roll of Kodak UC4000
as quickly as I can to test out the exposure and focusing with my four lenses. With
the money I saved I was also able to purchase a Minolta Scan Dual IV and Vuescan
so I can finally post some real rangefinder pics in my gallery!

Way
 
Though I prefer silver, I think I'll go for the black one, or a second R3A or R2A. But first I'm going to buy the ZEISS 50mm F2 lens because is super-sharp and that's what I like. :cool:
 
Thanks to all! Trying to use up that roll but other committments have slowed that down.
Keeping my eyed centered in vf to clearly see the patch needs some practice and the LED
shutter speeds are a little too far to the left but it's OK. Trying get used to using the AE
lock so I'm probably going to get a bunch of shots with wrong exposures. I like M7's
way of locking the exposure when you press the shutter down half way. So far the ZI
is a great camera! I just need to get used to it.

Way
 
Got my prints back and the ZI looks like a keeper! I really believe the long baselength
has helped me focused more accurately in all the shots. And I think the electronic shutter
requires less force to trip the shutter than the MP, helping me to eliminate some camera shake
errors. Not REALLY sure that the ZI requires less force, but I like the feeling! I took a bunch
of low light shots at 1/15 and 1/8 and camera shake was not a factor. Maybe I'm just getting
better at my technique :)! My next roll has some at 1/4 and 1/2! We'll see...
Exposer is accurate in AE and the AE lock needs some getting used to but works
great. Manual mode is nice also (of course!) and not having to fiddle with the AE lock
frees you up a bit.

Way
 
Hi all,

I'm loving the metering on the ZI more and more. Works very well with contrasty
situations such as concerts where everyone is wearing tuxedos. I suspect this would
also be a great camera for weddings. I also really believe that the shutter release has
helped me improve camera shake when using very slow shutter speeds. I've found that
I'm able to take shots at even at 1/8-1/4 with good results. My percentage of keepers
are higher than with my MP (gasp!). Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Way
 
vincentbenoit said:
You must possess a fairly long thumb to find the AE lock button convenient... ;)

Vincent
Click to expand...

:confused:

I have smaller than average man hands & have no problem reaching the AE lock with my thumb. Making it easy to use as well is the fact that you don't have to keep it manually depressed while you recompose since it is a "permanent" lock, so your thumb is immediately freed up.

Huck
 
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Way said:
I like the 'suddeness' of the release of the shutter - feels as if I can almost hold the camera with more stability at slow shutter speeds.
Click to expand...

Astute observation, Way. A little research reveals that the travel distance of the shutter release button is 0.9 mm as compared with your MP or an M7, which is 2 mm in both cases.

Of that 0.9 mm, 0.6 is to activate the meter & it's only an extra 0.3 mm to release the shutter. In use, I haven't found it to have a "hair trigger", i.e. I have not ever activated the shutter by accident. The amount of force required to release the shutter just seems to be ideally matched to the weight of the body.

Huck
 
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Any impression on film advance? Puts and others gripe about it's light feel compared to the more robust Leicas.
 
film advance IS light.
the advance on the m3 is smooth, very smooth and very little tug because of the film.
the zi is smooth also but has a slight zippery feel to it - same as film rewind.
i like it and have no problem telling if film is in the camera.

i find that that comparing my cameras, one to another, is frustrating me. i pick up one and think,'this is a bit heavier'...etc. it's getting crazy.

the bottom like is that when i go out with only one camera i tend to like it very much by the end of the shoot.
i like using the zi very much. it has a perfectness about it, perfect weight, perfect feel to focus and shift apertures. very fast focus with a brilliant viewfinder. the 50 fl are more perfect than the 35 fl which are excellent.
the only real problem is in my head and that's the ae and getting used to it and having a built in meter at all.
and that will come in time.
joe
 
I agree with Joe on all points! As for the film advance, I noticed that I keep my
left hand under the left side of the camera where the rewind knob is. When I
advance the flim, my left palm feels the rewind knob rotate. So I have some
tactile feedback. It's the same with my CL. But regardless, I don't think the film
advance is too light. It's just lighter than the Leica's.

Way
 
How about the loading? It should be a cinch!

That is, very easy... Compared to loading ANY Leica! :)

Congratulations on your ZI cameras! It's time to have a choice in bodies and glass! :)
 
loading is a simple process, like most cameras.
loading the m3 is not a chore but it is more cumbersome than with a camera with a hinged back.
 
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