Rumor: Full frame Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder in development

[kshapero]

Rumor: Full frame Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder in development

By PR admin | August 9, 2009

“Our source claims that Zeiss is working on a digital rangefinder with a Sony sensor, he goes further saying that unlike all the current dRFs the Zeiss dRF will use a CMOS sensor”. (source: ZR)
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[Pickett Wilson]

Take the FF digital RF market, divide it by two. I can't see how either Zeiss or Leica benefits by that.

 

[fleetwoodjazz]

That depends on the asking price 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The plot would really thicken if Zeiss came up with a FF digital RF camera.

But will they? Won't they? Stay tuned! 🙂

 

[Merkin]

Take the FF digital RF market, divide it by two. I can't see how either Zeiss or Leica benefits by that.

Zeiss benefits because they will have x percent of that market, where currently they have 0 percent of it. Leica would be the big loser if they do it, especially if Zeiss can keep the price to 3500 bucks or less.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The key word is RUMOR.

I'll add that it will be Contax mount. Basis for that? NOTHING. Like most rumours, really.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Merkin]

The key word is RUMOR.

I'll add that it will be Contax mount. Basis for that? NOTHING. Like most rumours, really.

Cheers,

R.

Considering the source, i would consider it a bit more likely than just pure wild speculation. Photorumors (run by the same person/people that run nikonrumors and leicarumors) tend to have at least something remotely reliable to base their speculations on, and generally do a pretty good job of letting you know the strength of the rumor. For a rumors site, they have a pretty good (although far from perfect) track record.

 

[Mackinaw]

I put this right up there with the mythical, long-rumored, full-frame Nikon digital rangefinder.

Jim B.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Considering the source, i would consider it a bit more likely than just pure wild speculation. Photorumors (run by the same person/people that run nikonrumors and leicarumors) tend to have at least something remotely reliable to base their speculations on, and generally do a pretty good job of letting you know the strength of the rumor. For a rumors site, they have a pretty good (although far from perfect) track record.

Nothing is impossible. I've certainly been wrong before. But I also have a few industry contacts and I'd back this as being highly improbable.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Paul T.]

The key question is, who's developing it?

The Zeiss Ikon was a labor of love by Kobayashi at Cosina; neither he, nor the Zeiss management, have ever expressed any enthusiasm for a digital version.

 

[jarski]

back in August, this was still a rumor. now its an old rumor.

 

[fleetwoodjazz]

The second keyword is "development".
Lots, I mean lots and lots of things were in development.

Doesn't mean they actually see the light.
This sort of rumor is hurting no one because of the development keyword.

 

[sper]

I posted a little while back that I spoke to the Zeiss rep at photo expo, and while he admitted that there is space for a 2-3000 dollars dRF in the market, Zeiss was in no position to introduce it. He basically said, not now, and probably not within the next 5 years, but who knows anything is possible.

 

[Avotius]

Dont we all wish....

there is also a rumor that Samsung is going to make a mirrorless full framed camera called the GX. Just think of the massive exodus towards that system if they do. I would have one just so I could stick my Zeiss 21mm with external viewfinder and do hyperfocal shooting as I do with my film cameras....

 

[Roger Hicks]

I posted a little while back that I spoke to the Zeiss rep at photo expo, and while he admitted that there is space for a 2-3000 dollars dRF in the market, Zeiss was in no position to introduce it. He basically said, not now, and probably not within the next 5 years, but who knows anything is possible.

Yeah, but who are we to spoil a good rumour? This one is beginning to age like fine wine. Or stink like an overripe cheese.

Cheers,

R.

 

[newsgrunt]

I'll play.

IF they made a ff rf AND they priced it $3500 ( just a number out of the air for now) give or take AND if they had the Sony CMOS sensor (much better hi iso performance) AND it was M mount, this thing would fly. For many photographers, the body is just a mount for the lens, which is where the beauty really lies.

Would have to be a collaboration imo.

 

[climbing_vine]

I posted a little while back that I spoke to the Zeiss rep at photo expo, and while he admitted that there is space for a 2-3000 dollars dRF in the market, Zeiss was in no position to introduce it. He basically said, not now, and probably not within the next 5 years, but who knows anything is possible.

I think most of can agree that the only source *less* reliable than an internet rumor is salespeople (especially in public at trade shows).

 

[wgerrard]

If Zeiss is serious about selling cameras and lenses into its little slice of the market, then it makes sense to me that they might from time to time consider possible new products, and sometimes ask other vendors like Sony if they could produce a sensor with desired specs at such-and-such a price. Some of these projects might result in the creation of a physical mock-up. But, all that's a vary long way for "working on" a new product, which most would assume means they've decided to sell it.

A similar rumormongering phenomenon occurs surrounding Apple, with several sites make fearless predictions about new products. Sometimes they're right. I've noticed that people track purchases of certain OEM parts in Asia which can indicate that Apple is buying parts for new hardware. Anything comparable happen in the camera world?

 

[ashrafazlan]

I would love a cheap (well, relative to the price of an m9 😛) fullframe drf, but in the mean time the m8 will do 😀

 

[Jodorowsky]

The M9 began public life as a rumour, did it not? So do most things, and rumours have a habit of becoming fact. There will definitely be a ZM Digital. And it will be very nice. So there.