New ZI on the way!

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robinje

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Hi, everyone. I am new here and this is my first post... :)

I am a long-time SLR user (digital in recent years), but my photography interest has waned, mostly due to the complexity inherent in most current SLR cameras and digital post-processing (I hate scrolling through camera menus and spending lots of time at my computer - I do that enough at work). The fun and passion has been disappearing for the past few years. I have always been interested in RF cameras, so I decided life is too short and that it's time for a change. I sold my SLR kit and bought a new ZI with a 35/2. Yippee! I am keeping a digital point and shoot fr snapshots, but I intend to make the ZI my main camera and build a back my photography passion around it.

Selling off my SLR gear has landed me some additional funds I can use on a second lens, so I am thinking either the 21/2.8 or the 50/1.5 Sonnar. At this point, I am leaning toward the Sonnar because A) the ZI already can accomodate it without an external viewfinder, and B) I am really keen on available light photography and could use the speed. I think the 50mm perspective would be 'different' enough from my 35mm, but is it really?. But, the 21mm is also an interesting choice on the wider end, but is an external viewfinder necessary (the extra cost of this lens plus viewfinder steer me toward the Sonnar). I will think about it and may add both lenses as funds permit down the road.

Anyway, my new ZI hasn't even arrived yet, so I will play around with it for a while before commiting to another lens right now. In the meantime... HELLO!

:D
 
greetings and welcome!

that's a very nice kit to start off with, you could shoot for years before needing to add anything to it.
the 50 sonnar is a wonderful lens btw.

joe
 
Great camera and either the 35/2 or 50 C-Sonnar are great lenses. I started with a C-Sonnar that came with my first body and have since added a 35/2 as well as a couple of lenses.

Even just on of the 35 or 50 makes a great kit, both is luxury - but do make sure that you shoot with each for a decent length of time before trying to mix and match if you come from zoomland:)

If you've got a bit of spare cash burning a hole oin your pocket, I really like the side grip. It does seem to be a matter of taste though, but if you find the body a bit thin then you may find it transforms the handling. You could also consier a soft release, though I'm still deciding if I like the one I was given. Probably having one body with and one without is a bad idea.

Anyway, enjoy.

Mike
 
Thanks for your remarks. I was looking at the Zeiss grip. I will see how the camera feels 'naked' first. The kit I bought includes the Zeiss leather case and a lens hood for the 35/2 in addition to the camera and lens. I'll give that case a go and see how I like it. I understand there are aftermarket cases (Luigi and such), but I'm not sure I will even like having a case at all! I'll see how it goes with the stock stuff first. I've also checked out some of the soft releases online (Abrahamsson, Match Technical) and they seeem worthwhile. The only 'accessory' I've bought is a Domke F-5Xb, which will be arriving with the camera package. There are all sorts of gadgets to consider ($$$), but I just want to get my camera and lens. I can't wait!
 
The 35 is a nice all-purpose focal length. I don't have the new Sonnar, although I have had plenty for the Zeiss Ikon Contax (1932-1960).

The classic f/1.5 Sonnar was one of the great classic lenses of all time.

The new Sonnar is said to exhibit focus shift, but I can't comment on it, other than to repeat what others have said.

The 21 is wide -- much wider than a 35. And of course it requires an auxiliary viewfinder.

The great thing about rangefinder photography right now is that there are excellent lenses available from Leica, Carl Zeiss and Cosina (Voigtlander).
 
Some cameras need a soft release. Some don't.

Some "feel" better when using one.

I've never felt that the Zeiss Ikon benefited from one. I think the two-stage release is just about perfect. You'll have to see what you think yourself.

Regarding a case, I occasionally will use the bottom half of a case. I'm using a Luigi with the Zeiss Ikon. It feels almost too large.
 
I used my Ikon for a long time without a softrelease and it was fine, but now that I have one on there I like it even more.

By the way, if you want to make quality prints from your ZI it will involve considerably more work than it would to do the same with digital files. Don't get me wrong, I love the ZI and film, but I'm not so sure about your reasons for switching. Shooting JPEG files and not worrying about post-processing can make your life far easier, but if the ZI will reignite your passion for photography it's totally worth it. Even if it's just temporarily.
 
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Grips are a personal choice. I have two ZI bodies with the ZI grip on each. I spent six hours walking the streets of Havana last Friday carrying one body in my right hand the entire time. No strap, no case, no bag, just the camera in my hand and a pocket full of film. My hand never got tired from holding the camera.

Lenses are also a personal choice. I shoot with the ZM 35mm f2.0 about 49% of the time and the CV 28m f3.5 about 49% of the time. The other 2% is divided between the ZM 50mm Planar (too narrow for my taste) and the 21mm CV (too wide almost all the time). BTW, I have no problems committing to shoot with either the 35mm or 28mm lens all day.

I suggest spending the rest of your money, after the ZI body and ZM 35mm lens on film. It will later become obvious if you need another lens. No need to try to determine now if so or what it would be.
 
I'm also a recently recovering victim of digititis. The Ikon is a great camera. I added a nice strap, grip and soft release button. I have somewhat large hands and the grip is a must have for me. Good luck spending your money. A lot of good advice on this board.
 
Congrats on the purchase. I'm a recent convert as well, and love my ZI.

I'm surprised nobody has asked the most important question though: Did you go with black or silver?

Enjoy it!
 
Ah, good question... I opted for the black version, although the silver looks cool, too. It's a toss up to me. They both look very classy.
 
With regard to my reasons for switching digital to film, I think digital photography (either shooting JPEG or RAW/post processing) just sucked the soul out of a hobby I once enjoyed tremendously. I used to process my own B/W film and make prints in a closet with an old Omega enlarger. That was much work, but fun! I jumped on the digital bandwagon about 5 years ago because it was the latest and greatest thing to happen to photography, so everyone said. Well, I personally think it does have its merits. But I'm also keen on the rituals of the things I do for leisure. I enjoy the process as much as the outcome. Perhaps this is why I listen to analog LP's at least 9:1 relative to CD's, even though cleaning records, dealing with cartridge/turntable setup optimization, etc. are extra necessary 'work'. I don't plan to set up another darkroom at this point, but the image capture process will likely be much more interesting and fun to me with a RF camera than with a bulky, complicated (although 'smart) digital SLR. For starting out, I plan to use some Kodak BW400CN C-41 process B/W film available at my local Wally World (and some color print film, too). I may eventually start processing B/W film at home again but just with a tank and changing bag, no darkroom for now. We'll see about that, though. One thing at a time...
 
Congratulations on your Ikon and LP's. I take my Ikon wherever I go. I also use slides a lot with Fuji mailers. Whenever the slides come back and we project them on a big screen, my
wife, who uses a digital camera, comments “yes digital I nice and convenient, but when it come to the quality, digital is no match for slides”. I also listen to LP's on tube equipment and make my own bread. It is nice to know that analog lives on.
 
Hey, I also have a ZI ordered (still waiting from BH). Where did you get yours?

I got the kit with the 35mm 2.0 as well... looking forward to shoot. Plan is to use my Nikon 5000ED to scan and process with either Aperture or Lightroom (testing beta 3.0).

Cheers

MD
 
I recommend getting an enlarger instead of, or perhaps along with the 5000 ED. Darkroom printing will expand your horizons like you never imagined. There is something magic about a good silver print, and besides it gets you away from your computer!
 
It's here! First impression... it's so small coming from a big SLR, especially the lens. I really dig the compact form factor and the looks are very pleasing indeed! I'll have to adjust my approach to holding the camera/lens. The apparent heft and overall solid feel of the ZI are very impressive. I loaded up a roll of film and will head out later today to test out the camera. Hopefully, the rain will stop. Another impression... the viewfinder image is HUGE! I love it. I'll have to practice getting my eye quickly centered so that the RF focusing image is easily apparent. I'm sure the workings of the camera will become intuitive with time. Now, if I could just finish up with work for the day that would be swell...
 
For my ZI, the accessories that I find indispensible are: 1) soft release and 2) leicagoodies sling.
 
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