Huss
Veteran
Now that the prices of used Zeiss Ikon ZM rf cameras have matched or exceeded the new cost from when it last was in production, would it be good for CV/Zeiss to reintroduce this camera? Perhaps in a limited batch run?
Especially seeing film photography is hot right now?
The cheapest used one on ebay is currently $1320, with some asking prices exceeding $2000..
I know that asking price is not the same as selling price, but these now are all Buy It Now, not OBO...
Especially seeing film photography is hot right now?
The cheapest used one on ebay is currently $1320, with some asking prices exceeding $2000..
I know that asking price is not the same as selling price, but these now are all Buy It Now, not OBO...
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
nah.
10chars
10chars
Archlich
Well-known
Prices rise and go, while restarting a production line is a big decision.
If they'd ever release another film camera, I'd rather have a new one, "the ultimate Bessa"...
If they'd ever release another film camera, I'd rather have a new one, "the ultimate Bessa"...
Huss
Veteran
Zeiss is still servicing/refurbishing the ZM in Germany, bringing them up to new condition if you want.
I would think they are sort of scarce right now... so the prices reflect that. If new ones were made, would they sell for that same price to many people? Maybe... perhaps Zeiss didn't trash the production line?
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
I think if they started making them again, they will face the same issue any new camera will face: Why buy a $xxx.xx camera when I can get X camera for half that amount?
Both Bessa and ZM where discontinued because a reason: not enough people buying them.
If that happened back then, it will happen again, so Zeiss would say, why bother?
Regards
Marcelo
Both Bessa and ZM where discontinued because a reason: not enough people buying them.
If that happened back then, it will happen again, so Zeiss would say, why bother?
Regards
Marcelo
aizan
Veteran
i think they should set it up for annual pre-orders, the same way that ilford and kodak do it for large and ultra-large format film.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I had one and sure would like to have one again.
They are special. That VF is something else.
I would buy a new one over a used camera with some possible issue.
It's a bit of a fragile camera. I learned the hard way
They are special. That VF is something else.
I would buy a new one over a used camera with some possible issue.
It's a bit of a fragile camera. I learned the hard way
Huss
Veteran
But that's my point, those days are over. People are now asking more for them used than they were new.
Fotobot
Established
Somehow I don't think they would sell very many.
Swift1
Veteran
nukecoke
⚛Yashica
They can start a kickstarter or something similar, if there's enough people willing to buy it, then why not. The crowdfunding tiers can simply be the more people buying, the lower the price goes, instead of genuine leather case, colourful interchangeable back-cover, etc.
Hogarth Ferguson
Well-known
Isn't the ZM "the ultimate Bessa"?
I think that is what he was saying. "I'd rather have a new one (ZM), the ultimate bessa"
Swift1
Veteran
Ahh, okay I get that now. When I read it I thought he was saying he'd rather have a new model.
Rangefinder 35
Well-known
I had one and sure would like to have one again.
They are special. That VF is something else.
I would buy a new one over a used camera with some possible issue.
It's a bit of a fragile camera. I learned the hard way
I second that. In mine the viewfnider's external window broke and had to send it to Japan to replace it...
michaelwj
----------------
I would buy a new one over a used camera with some possible issue.
It's a bit of a fragile camera. I learned the hard way
But knowing they're fragile, would buy another one?
If they were going to make a new one, it would have to be more reliable, and they would have to convince us that it is. A big ask.
rhl-oregon
Cameras Guitars Wonders
I had a great affair with Jonmanjiro’s ZM when he thought his relationship with it was over. That is, he sold it here, and I bought it, and I loved it, made good images with it—but when he came to his senses 6 months later and told me, I sold it back to him without hesitation. Back in the days when we did this for oh, $850 tops...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Surely it would largely be up to Cosina ... I wonder if they still have all the tooling?
giganova
Well-known
With thousands of used and new Leica and Bessa rangefinders on the market, I don't see the need nor a market for another 35mm rangefinder.
michaelwj
----------------
Yet there are TWO (successful) kickstarter campaigns currently running for 35mm SLRs. It's not so much need but want, and there is always a market - the success is just determined by marketing.