New CZ Camera

[jdos2]

Anyone on one of several Leica, G2 or other camera mailing lists is more than aware that Zeiss is teasing us with small pictures of their "new camera," (possibly)

Someone over on the G2 mailing list put together this montage:
http://home.sprynet.com/~lotusm50/newbiogon/

*Could* be a new rangefinder with CZ lenses!

 

[rover]

Definately interesting. I read speculation that it is a digital rangefinder ala the Epson camera.

 

[jdos2]

A 2.8 Biogon? Interestinger and interestinger.

 

[taffer]

There was a similar link on PN, I'm suddenly very interested... 😀

 

[Gerold]

Got the Gospel

Got the Gospel

For those who did not get the gospel from the G-List: Courtesy of Alain Goyault who was kindly "exploring" Zeiss' site (hope that was legal at all). Looks M-mountish. Digital or not, that is here the question. The protruding element on the left - looks like a tilt-and-swivel screen à la Canon Powershot G5 - makes me think it's a digital animal. Not my cup of tea then, I'm afraid.

 

[jdos2]

The discussion on various sites indicates it's film, irritatingly enough.

Imagine that? Looks like an M mount, doesn't it?

Wonder if the rangefinder flares?

 

[rover]

That is gonna be expensive I bet.

 

[pshinkaw]

According to Bob Shell on another forum, this is a Cosina under a Zeiss-Ikon badge and it is the replacement R3 camera. Anybody have any indeopendent verification of this?

-Paul

 

[rover]

No, but that may give some hope that the R3 will have a slot at a lower price point. Kinda the same deal as the R2 and Rollei RF. That would be good news, though not so if you are looking for real competition and choices.

 

[digitalox]

The portruding element on the left also kinda looks like the mechanism which locks/unlocks the film back - like on my petri.

 

[JohnM]

If it's a tilt-and-swivel screen or even a mechanism to open the film back, wouldn't it be located on the other side of the camera? It's been my, (somewhat limited), experience that LCD screens are usually positioned in the center or to the left as you face the rear of the camera - the shutter release button is on the right side and your thumb would be splat on the LCD if it were mounted under the shutter release.

Plus, it looks like that camera has a film advance lever. I think the portrusions on the side of the camera are just trim pieces and a film door hinge.

 

[pshinkaw]

More info from Bob Shell: he reports that there will be an R3a and an R2a introduced at Photokona. The R3a is whatis pictured. The R2a will use the R2 chassis and be a Voigtlander. Both will go to electronic shutters because the previous mechanical one is no longer being made. Both will have aperture priority automation. he thinks that they will both use the M-mount. Some others think that this may herald the availability of the Contax T lenses in M-mount too.

-Paul

 

[jdos2]

(quietly purring, tail twitching, paw pads and ear tips warm)

 

[Kin Lau]

I'll guess that it's a digital RF, aps size sensor. 28mm on a 1.6x crop is about 45mm FOV, which is what I use on my DReb as the "normal" lense.

The protrusions on the right side could be the memory card door and/or the battery.

Instead of a film advance, that could be for the shutter wind instead.

 

[jdos2]

Rumors are also that much of the "G" line will be mounted "M," for this camera.

Making Zeiss commonly available for use on the Leica, and obliterating any objections to using the 35mm Zeiss optics on a "poorly autofocusing" camera. Betcha there's GOOD money there.

 

[Doug]

It looks like a film camera to me, so I'll believe Bob Shell's assertion that it is. Note how the lens is offset to the viewfinder end of the body, common in 35mm film cameras to give roon for the film sprockets and other transport stuff.

The side protrusion could be related to film back-opening. The shutter release looks to have a locking collar. And it is separate from the shutter speed dial, which has a protrusion on top, perhaps a press-latch for setting ISO value.

This is an exciting development, and the prospect for Zeiss Contax-G lenses in M-mount is delicious! Hopefully at G lens prices.

If the body is made for Zeiss by Cosina, as Shell claims, that signifies a level of interest on their part in the future of film, but to a lesser degree than had Zeiss produced it from scratch themselves.

In earlier assuming it was a Zeiss creation, I hoped it was be designed to interchange film and digital backs. There still could be a Zeiss version of the RD1 down the road, I suppose.