youngmrcurtis
Member
So on Friday, my brand spanking new ZM arrived, and I got my first chances to use it at a wonderful little music festival. A few thoughts...
This is my first "new" camera to use that I actually liked, I had a contax g2 for a while, I liked the shutter sound, but otherwise it felt sterile to me, I've had a d-slr and a few bridges over the years, also felt sterile, didn't have enough weight and didn't really feel like much when the shutter fired. For me the fun of using a camera has apparently at least in part been all about the whirs and clicks of things that are as old as I am and still working.
I really like the control layout, especially the rewind lever on the bottom. The shutter gives a nice satisfying sound without being so much louder than my m2 that I'd want to cry over it. And on that note, I don't think the shutter sound is at all intrusive for my uses, mostly street shooting. A minor plus, is that the strap that came with it does the job really well, not a single slippage incident all weekend.
I also got a 50mm planar with it. My experience with the lens was equally pleasant, I like the feel of the bump for focusing, the third stop clicks are a nice touch too. I was expecting I'd just sell this since I get so much use out of my hex 50, but I'll probably keep it, especially if the resulting shots have enough distinct character compared to the hex.
Compared to the m2, it does feel a bit light, not too big a deal with either of my 50mm lenses. The square edges are a bit funny, but not uncomfortable. It actually feels pretty good to hold, but in a different way. Battery dependence is something I'm gonna have to get used to, it's the only one of my current cameras that needs one. Rewinding film is a joy compared to my knob rewind m2, that thing makes my fingers so raw.
The most important thing, that I almost left out before posting, the viewfinder! It's such a to use for me. For one, I can see the 35mm framelines with my glasses on, something I couldn't quite do with my m2, I can also make out the 28mm lines. Squaring my eyes on the finder took a bit of getting used to, but once I had it the focusing patch was bright and noticable in even dim lighting conditions.
Overall, I'm definitely a happy camper.
I'll post shots when I have them dev'd and scanned.
This is my first "new" camera to use that I actually liked, I had a contax g2 for a while, I liked the shutter sound, but otherwise it felt sterile to me, I've had a d-slr and a few bridges over the years, also felt sterile, didn't have enough weight and didn't really feel like much when the shutter fired. For me the fun of using a camera has apparently at least in part been all about the whirs and clicks of things that are as old as I am and still working.
I really like the control layout, especially the rewind lever on the bottom. The shutter gives a nice satisfying sound without being so much louder than my m2 that I'd want to cry over it. And on that note, I don't think the shutter sound is at all intrusive for my uses, mostly street shooting. A minor plus, is that the strap that came with it does the job really well, not a single slippage incident all weekend.
I also got a 50mm planar with it. My experience with the lens was equally pleasant, I like the feel of the bump for focusing, the third stop clicks are a nice touch too. I was expecting I'd just sell this since I get so much use out of my hex 50, but I'll probably keep it, especially if the resulting shots have enough distinct character compared to the hex.
Compared to the m2, it does feel a bit light, not too big a deal with either of my 50mm lenses. The square edges are a bit funny, but not uncomfortable. It actually feels pretty good to hold, but in a different way. Battery dependence is something I'm gonna have to get used to, it's the only one of my current cameras that needs one. Rewinding film is a joy compared to my knob rewind m2, that thing makes my fingers so raw.
The most important thing, that I almost left out before posting, the viewfinder! It's such a to use for me. For one, I can see the 35mm framelines with my glasses on, something I couldn't quite do with my m2, I can also make out the 28mm lines. Squaring my eyes on the finder took a bit of getting used to, but once I had it the focusing patch was bright and noticable in even dim lighting conditions.
Overall, I'm definitely a happy camper.
I'll post shots when I have them dev'd and scanned.
kshapero
South Florida Man
welcome aboard, you are home.
gotium
Established
It is indeed a sweet camera. I can't stop using mine, even though I struggle with the whole film-vs-digital thing.
Do put up some shots - if the 50 Planar is anything like the 35/2 Biogon the results could be magic.
Do put up some shots - if the 50 Planar is anything like the 35/2 Biogon the results could be magic.
functus
Failed Poet
I've still never actually seen a ZM in the flesh ... nobody sells them in Ottawa ... hope to see some of your results soon.
Pablito
coco frío
But are you a card-carrying member of the club?
mfogiel
Veteran
Welcome, if you are shooting B&W try to use films which are not too contrasty, like Tri X, Neopan 400 or HP5+ as the lens is on the high contrast side. For Portraits in bright light also the chromogenics will do fine.
jmilkins
Digited User
Congrats on the arrival of the ZM - and thanks for your informative user review vis a vis teh m2. Both are vcameras I am very interested in and having difficulty coosing between. I am also particularly interested in further comparision between the planer and the hex. I own the hex and think it is great but also the 45mm planar for the G2 - are the 2 planars similar in your virew?
youngmrcurtis
Member
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind. I've not done much b&w stuff but now that I've got 2 working bodies I'm considering keeping one with b&w and one with colour film loaded.
I've not shot with the hex and the planar in similar conditions, so I can't really afford to comment on any amount of comparison between the two, but the hex is what I have had mounted most on the m2 since I got it so I have grown quite fond of it. I'll have a look at my shots from the g2 45mm tonight, see if they're comparable to what I've done with the 50mm planar.