This Ikon is driving me insane...

[GoneSavage]

Back in august of 2009, I purchased a brand new Zeiss Ikon. I found that a few days after I received it, the grip began to deteriorate. I sent it in for a warranty repair, and didn't get it back for several months; when it was finally shipped back to me I found its rangefinder to be completely out of alignment. It was incapable of focusing near infinity!

SO, I sent it back again. Today, almost six months after my original purchase, I receive a replacement Ikon in the mail, only to find that its rangefinder is misaligned vertically! I feel absolutely insane for putting so much money into something that has given me nothing but trouble. The whole process has made me feel ill 🙁

 

[Fenwick]

Should have bought an M

 

[goo0h]

Oh man that sucks! What part of the world are you at, not that that should make any difference. I wonder if you should write a letter to Zeiss, or try talking to somebody.....

 

[photogdave]

If you bought it from a dealer see if they'll give you a new, tested camera from their stock and they should be able to get Zeiss to replace it.

 

[sepiareverb]

There are lemons in every run.

 

[bwcolor]

I agree with the dealer. It is worth a try.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If you got it from a reliable dealer, I think they need to replace it with a known good one. Way too long to wait. With the older cameras, things like RF alignment is easy to adjust. This new stuff- ouch. It should be made right, or a refund given.

 

[back alley]

you need to email richard from zeiss new jersey.

unfortunately i can't find his info...does anyone else have it?

 

[photogdave]

you need to email richard from zeiss new jersey.

unfortunately i can't find his info...does anyone else have it?

I will PM it to the OP.

 

[GoneSavage]

I'm in Canada (Edmonton to be exact), and I bought it from Rob at Bigcameraworkshops.com. I've been dealing with him exclusively and he's been very good about everything so far; he even sent me his own Ikon to use during the first repair. After it came back and was out of alignment, I asked for a replacement and got one, but first had to wait for him to send my camera to New Jersey and for them to send him another. The one I have now IS new, that's what worries me.

I would love the opportunity to contact Zeiss directly. Perhaps they might be sympathetic? I've only ever heard good things about their customer service.

 

[Pablito]

Too bad ,very sorry. These are known problems of the Ikon and also the earlier Konica Hexar RF. Personally I would never trust these cameras at all (and based on experince with the Hex)

 

[GoneSavage]

Should have bought an M

I was originally planning to, but found that the viewfinders on the M7 and M3 (the only two I tested) just couldn't match the Zeiss. I also hadn't seen the RFF classifieds at that time, and the price of a new M just wasn't justifiable.

 

[Benjamin]

Third time lucky?

If it doesn't work out then try something else.

Hope all goes well, and that you get a chance to enjoy your camera.

 

[ferider]

I admire your patience ....

 

[FA Limited]

from what most people had said before i was under the impression that zeiss service was really good :S

 

[kbg32]

Zeiss is excellent. I bought an 18/4 Distagon and the hood got crushed. I emailed Popflash where I purchased the lens and they put me in touch with Zeiss, who sent me a new hood no charge, because it wasn't available as a replacement. Zeiss is tops in my book! As is Popflash!

 

[Fenwick]

The Ikon is a nice camera though i didnt like the finder

 

[Trius]

I'm not surprised that Rob is doing his utmost. Six month delays are unjustifiable, even with CA <-> US shipping/customs delays.

Contact Zeiss directly, and reference this thread. I'm tipping between a (new) ZI-M and M4-P. Mention that to them -- not that one body sale is much to them, but I (as others) do post here, on flickr, a blog, Facebook, etc., etc.

 

[jjovin]

Contact Richard
rschleuning@zeiss.com

Phone: +1 914 681-7677

 

[GoneSavage]

Ah, thanks for the support everyone. It makes me feel better just to talk this over this with people who understand (it's an honour to see so many seasoned veterans of RFF posting in my humble thread!). I just finished sending off a rather lengthy email to Richard at Zeiss, and will hopefully hear back from him soon.

Hah, and Benjamin, don't think that I missed that reference.