Rangefinder (in general) and ZI (in particular) reliability

[jano]

If you have a way to do so, I'd recommend you give them a quick test run.. check out a local camera store, see if they've got them. Maybe you can pick up an older canonet or something on the cheap just to try out. Some camera stores may let you rent the leica.. I don't think many ahve the ZI, though.

 

[triplefinger]

I really REALLY like my ZI, and have had no issues in the year or so i have owned it. Never an issue with an M leica, I had a focus issue with a iiig which was easily fixed. the only RF I have had a problem with was a bessa r3a, sometimes the shutter would not release. i would switch the lock off then on and off I went.

good luck. Mike

 

[Avotius]

Ive been looking at this question too of rangefinder vs slr reliability. I went and picked up a few rangefinders to play with and try out. Ive used one in particular (yashica gsn) and bumped it around and what not without any problems and its not exactly the most solid build camera. Bottom line, any camera, if you throw it around enough is gona give you hell if you dont maintain it. Do I think rangefinders are more fragile then slr's? Yes, the focusing mechanisim is more fragile, but of little concequence when I consider the advantages, like how my one and a half year old canon 20D sometimes just stops responding out of the blue or how on my two and a half year old canon 30V all the outside body screws have coroaded and there is nothing there for a screwdriver to grab ahold of anymore.

 

[Kyle]

Yes, my ZI was slightly off at infinity. It happens. I sent it back to Popflash and it was back in my hands in less than a week (I'm lucky, as I live about 2.5-3 hours from Popflash, so shipping times were quick). I still have no doubts about the reliability of the camera, as everything else has been great (so is my 40 year old M2, which is still going strong).

 

[horosu]

Thanks for all the nice and informative replies.

You see, there are no dealers of Leica or Zeiss equipment where I live ( Romania), so I can only base my purchase decision on "subjective" things. In this context, it seems natural to prefer a camera with warranty over a second-hand one (think ebay), doesn't it?

 

[Avotius]

ok, let me give you an updated remark to the comment I made. I just picked up a zi and right out of the box on its first shutter firing it jammed and went back into the box back to the store. I was disapointed, but that is just one sample from thousands that have sold.

 

[Kyle]

Wow, thats the first reported case of a jammed shutter I've seen. If its anything like the Bessas, though, it can be easily fixed in about three seconds (literally). Are you getting another one or did you just get a refund?

 

[Avotius]

Wow, thats the first reported case of a jammed shutter I've seen. If its anything like the Bessas, though, it can be easily fixed in about three seconds (literally). Are you getting another one or did you just get a refund?

I tried to unstick the shutter but it was very much stuck, the bottom blade wasnt moving and the top one was floping about. I just sent it back and they gave me a refunt, im saving for an m7 now.

 

[back alley]

don't give up on the zi yet!
order another...lighting won't strike twice!!

 

[Avotius]

don't give up on the zi yet!
order another...lighting won't strike twice!!

uhhg, I am thinking about it, problem is ive been having a hell of a time finding a black one to fit my black lens color sceme here. Everyone wants to put me on a 3 month waiting list 🙁

 

[back alley]

black lenses look sharp on the silver body also.
i have one black zm lens, the 50, and it looks sweet on the silver body.
and the silver lenses look sweet on the black cl.

it's a mix and match world!

joe

 

[Kyle]

uhhg, I am thinking about it, problem is ive been having a hell of a time finding a black one to fit my black lens color sceme here. Everyone wants to put me on a 3 month waiting list 🙁

Why not try ordering from an American seller, like Tony Rose at Popflash? I'm not sure what sort of taxes or whatever you'd have to pay, but I don't think shipping would be too bad. Better to pay a few extra bucks and get it now than wait.

 

[Avotius]

Why not try ordering from an American seller, like Tony Rose at Popflash? I'm not sure what sort of taxes or whatever you'd have to pay, but I don't think shipping would be too bad. Better to pay a few extra bucks and get it now than wait.

I tried that with my 20D. It was about 100 dollars more to buy it ehre then in america, I thought about getting on there and having it shipped here. The shipping alone was enough not to do it but also ontop of the 1500 dollars the camera cost I would have had to pay about 400 in taxes. Soooooo not worth it. ie why I havnt tried to get a ZI in hongkong where everything is cheaper, I would be drowning in taxes. Plus ive never recieved anything sent to me through the chinese mail system, nor has anything ive ever sent arrive....icky!

 

[horosu]

A jammed shutter out-of-the-box shows some deficient QC, I think.

This is a problem that is not due to different principles (ex . SLR vs. rangefinder).

This kind of report makes me want to buy a rangefinder with warranty...Or maybe an M3. Is it true that they are more reliable (mechanically speaking) as the newer M's?

 

[troym]

A jammed shutter out-of-the-box shows some deficient QC, I think.

QUOTE]

Yes, . . . or deficient transportation, or deficient storage and handling. Obviously, the seller sold a lemon, but how it became a lemon could have several causes.

 

[Avotius]

A jammed shutter out-of-the-box shows some deficient QC, I think.

QUOTE]

Yes, . . . or deficient transportation, or deficient storage and handling. Obviously, the seller sold a lemon, but how it became a lemon could have several causes.

I thought maybe it might have been wacked around in the mail too, since the chinese mail system is not known for being any good whatsoever, but the box and the inside box was pristine with a plastic wrap around it, duno...

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Is it true that they are more reliable (mechanically speaking) as the newer M's?

No 🙂 There is nothing to suggest that. The M4, M6, M6TTL all have long proven track records.