New Zeiss ZI, the thing with no name.

[Larky]

Hello.

I've decided, after hankering after a Leica M6 for a very long time, I tried one and found it to disappoint slightly. It didn't feel that good to me, and was a lot lot LOT heavier than I was expecting.

I then had a play with the new Zeiss Ikon, wow. This is the camera for me, I want one, I need to have one. Sadly, I can't find one! I'm looking for a good UK dealer or somebody trusted who has one for sale. I'm looking to buy in 6-8 weeks.

Also, if anyone here has one what are your thoughts? Is it as perfect as it seemed to me in my 5 minute play at a local bar?

Take care, A.

 

[sebastel]

robert white?

 

[glynjones]

I'd second that - Robert White are a great outfit
I've bought loads of gear from them and never had a problem

The zeiss does look nice, but have you looked at the voigtlander range - quite a bit cheaper

I've got an R3A and R4A with a selection of lenses - very happy with them

 

[drewbarb]

I haven't handled the ZI much, about the same 5 minutes as you, but I used to own an M6. It did nothing for me. It certainly didn't feel as smooth as the older M's; I found the meter diodes nothing but distracting, the framelines were not very accurate, and worst of all the RF patch kept flaring out. I went back to my M3, and even bought another. M cameras are indeed heavy, but they work very well and just have a feel to them. I'd get an M2/3/4 in a heartbeat over any newer Leica.

The ZI does look like a really nice camera. The finder is very impressive, and everything else about the camera looks and feels right. I am very comfortable shooting with a meter-less camera, so the only reason I could see for a built in meter would be to get aperture priority, which the ZI offers; this is another mark in it's favor over the M6.

The biggest thing that would give me pause are the quality control issues I've read about. You can read plenty about this camera here and other places on the web to get more information- but I'd say as long as you buy from a good dealer who will work with you to make sure you get a solid camera, go for it. That is unless you want to take a look at a classic Leica M. But beware if you do....

 

[Spluff]

I'd agree with Robert White if you want a new one. I think Ffordes in Scotland also stock them. Or the classifieds here. There is also eBay (is that a dirty word here?).

Anyway, I picked up an un-used body with the 35mm lens all for £750. For some reason, quite a few do pop up on eBay.

Good luck!

 

[John Robertson]

robert white?

Would concur, with Robert White, also FFordes at Beauly Inverness. (see andvert in AP this week) Both good and trustworthy.🙂

 

[BillP]

Robert White, no question. Fast, courteous and professional.

Regards,

Bill

 

[John Robertson]

Robert White, no question. Fast, courteous and professional.

Regards,

Bill

Definitely!! If you are in Northern Scotland, Bill, visit FFordes, about 10 miles north of Inverness, also very friendly and helpfull, with a nice cafe and gallery.
However those with GAS problems should stay away or burn their plastic cards first!!🙄

 

[peripatetic]

You could also try Matsuiyastore on eBay.

It was my first ever purchase from eBay and service was excellent. The camera arrived after around 4 days. Saved LOTS of money on the Robert White price.

Lens prices were not much different however so I got my ZM lens from The Classic Camera in London because there are a few stores nearby that do rangefinder lenses.

http://www.theclassiccamera.com

 

[Keith]

Matsuiyastore as said is well worth the time ... he occasionally gets second hand ones that seem to go for around $900.00 and they always appear to be as new. Whatever you do I wouldn't be leaving it too long as the price of these Ikons must go up soon surely.

One point about the camera, and I love mine, is the viewfinder and the meter read out. When focusing there is on optimum position where the rangefinder patch has maximum contrast ... move your eye slightly away from that point and the contrast dissappears pronto. It's more to do with the size of the viewfinder eyepiece (enormous) and you do get used to it with added familiarity with the camera as time goes by. However ... the eye position that allows maximum contrast for the RF patch is less than ideal for seeing the meter read out ... near impossible in fact! It bugs me a little and I think they should have put more thought into it, my Hexar doesn't have this problem at all! I feel that the read out would be better on the bottom of the viewfinder frame, like the Bessa has it. or so I've read.

Aside from this small issue, and I'm getting more used to it gradually, the camera is a joy to use and is absolutely perfect in all other areas and I can't recommend it highly enough. I got rid of my M7 and replaced it with an Ikon and have no regrets at all ... when you take functionallity and price into consideration, it's a better camera. 🙂

 

[kshapero]

Matsuiyastore is totally reliable. I have owned two ZI's and had NO quality issues. Smooth as silk. No matter what kind of GAS attack happens to me my ZI always survives. Enough said.