Huck Finn
Well-known
Previously posted was Tom Abrahamsson's review of the Zeiss Ikon, based on his initial impressions. Now after a month of use & 50 rolls of film run through it, here is his user report:
The Zeiss Ikon Camera:
It is one of the great finders for anyone who uses 28/35/50 as their prime lenses; the eye relief on the camera is nothing short of outstanding. You can see the frames clearly and the frames are distinct (with a nice legend telling you which frame is engaged). The 28 and the 85 appear at the same time, and the 35 and 50 frames are shown in splendid isolation.
The camera body is lighter than the M's, but it doesn't feel flimsy. Modern materials and manufacturing allow for light weight alloys that are as strong as the brass and steel of the past. I don't 'baby" cameras and the ZI is treated as I would treat any M2 or MP. It is dropped in the shoulder bag without padding or protection, and so far the paint has not shown any chips or scratches, nor has the rangefinder gotten misaligned, nor has any electronic function gone "dysfunctional."
The meter is very precise, at least for black & white (which is all I shoot), and the start-up from Locked to Unlocked is virtually instantaneous. It is not as quiet as a well-used M, but the sound is not "penetrating." It is more of a clunk; less penetrating than a Bessa R2 and even less than the R2A/3A. The release is very smooth and you can even get away with handheld shots at 1/15 and a 50 mm lens (somewhat dependent on your coffee intake of course).
The film advance is ultra-smooth. It took me a while to trust that film was actually running through he camera, it is that smooth. The rewind function is noticeably "rougher." You can feel the sprockets as the film is wound back. Most likely it is the smoothness of the advance that makes you notice the resistance in the rewind.
It is not perfect of course. I am not fond of bottom rewinds; you have to flip the camera over to check if the film is running as it should. And occasionally when you shoot verticals, the rewind crank hits your finger. The lock for the back is insubstantial and I have the nagging feeling that one day it will pop open by mistake or when someone is fondling the camera and goes: "What this button here?" and proceeds to push on it! The display in the viewfinder is running down on the left hand side, and if you are shooting in bright light, it occasionally disappears. It is less prone to this than the Hexar RF, which was notorious for this. If you stick the 75/1.4 S-lux or 75/2 S-cron on the camera, you are faced with a 50 frame! There is no manual override, and this is a personal irritant for me as I use these lenses frequently.
The short of it: the FINDER, oh so good! Exposure system and the AE Lock. Just press the button on the back and it will hold the reading for 20 seconds or until you press it again. So far I have no "Hexaritis" in using Leica lenses on the ZI nor any problem with CV lenses. The Leica lenses key in the correct frames (the 90 mm lenses give you the 85 frame, close enough for me). Oh, and did I mention the FINDER?
As for longevity, I don't know. It is not an M2, but I suspect that it will hold up as well as an M7 in the long run. My opinions are based on 50+ (rolls of) film in a month and that so far no battery fades either (2 SR76). Like any electronic wonders, the batteries die and you better have a couple of spares or you have a dead camera!
The Zeiss Ikon Camera:
It is one of the great finders for anyone who uses 28/35/50 as their prime lenses; the eye relief on the camera is nothing short of outstanding. You can see the frames clearly and the frames are distinct (with a nice legend telling you which frame is engaged). The 28 and the 85 appear at the same time, and the 35 and 50 frames are shown in splendid isolation.
The camera body is lighter than the M's, but it doesn't feel flimsy. Modern materials and manufacturing allow for light weight alloys that are as strong as the brass and steel of the past. I don't 'baby" cameras and the ZI is treated as I would treat any M2 or MP. It is dropped in the shoulder bag without padding or protection, and so far the paint has not shown any chips or scratches, nor has the rangefinder gotten misaligned, nor has any electronic function gone "dysfunctional."
The meter is very precise, at least for black & white (which is all I shoot), and the start-up from Locked to Unlocked is virtually instantaneous. It is not as quiet as a well-used M, but the sound is not "penetrating." It is more of a clunk; less penetrating than a Bessa R2 and even less than the R2A/3A. The release is very smooth and you can even get away with handheld shots at 1/15 and a 50 mm lens (somewhat dependent on your coffee intake of course).
The film advance is ultra-smooth. It took me a while to trust that film was actually running through he camera, it is that smooth. The rewind function is noticeably "rougher." You can feel the sprockets as the film is wound back. Most likely it is the smoothness of the advance that makes you notice the resistance in the rewind.
It is not perfect of course. I am not fond of bottom rewinds; you have to flip the camera over to check if the film is running as it should. And occasionally when you shoot verticals, the rewind crank hits your finger. The lock for the back is insubstantial and I have the nagging feeling that one day it will pop open by mistake or when someone is fondling the camera and goes: "What this button here?" and proceeds to push on it! The display in the viewfinder is running down on the left hand side, and if you are shooting in bright light, it occasionally disappears. It is less prone to this than the Hexar RF, which was notorious for this. If you stick the 75/1.4 S-lux or 75/2 S-cron on the camera, you are faced with a 50 frame! There is no manual override, and this is a personal irritant for me as I use these lenses frequently.
The short of it: the FINDER, oh so good! Exposure system and the AE Lock. Just press the button on the back and it will hold the reading for 20 seconds or until you press it again. So far I have no "Hexaritis" in using Leica lenses on the ZI nor any problem with CV lenses. The Leica lenses key in the correct frames (the 90 mm lenses give you the 85 frame, close enough for me). Oh, and did I mention the FINDER?
As for longevity, I don't know. It is not an M2, but I suspect that it will hold up as well as an M7 in the long run. My opinions are based on 50+ (rolls of) film in a month and that so far no battery fades either (2 SR76). Like any electronic wonders, the batteries die and you better have a couple of spares or you have a dead camera!
Avotius
Some guy
sigh, it sounds like a good camera....hm....damnation, its so much cheaper then the M7 too....ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh hell. I think im still gona get the M7 though
hoot
green behind the ears
I think the pitfalls described by TA are surprising oversights by Zeiss, considering the ZI has taken dead aim on the Leica market. Why they didn't add a "real" lock for the back door, and at least one or two manual shutter speeds, is beyond me.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
The lock's flimsiness is a bit of an exaggeration. I handled one yesterday that I got to go to the candy store, and can attest to its firmness. In other words, it's not that likely to spring open on you accidentally. Apart from this lock business, I can attest to two aspects mentioned here: the viewfinder wonderful luminosity (it's really good), and the camera lightness (not to be misconstrued, it's lighter than a Leica but heavier than any ordinary P&S). The finish strikes me as the kind that can show scratches easily (unlike, say, the finish of cameras like the Contax G bodies), but since this is not a beauty contest, and a camera needs to look "tough" to acquire some respectability ( kidding! 
), that part is fine with me.
As for the rewind being in the bottom... I frankly don't know. However, the load shouldn't lend itself to any trouble and thus it'll make it unnecessary to check if the film rewind moves when you advance the film.
In other words, Joe is going to have a field day with his!
), that part is fine with me.As for the rewind being in the bottom... I frankly don't know. However, the load shouldn't lend itself to any trouble and thus it'll make it unnecessary to check if the film rewind moves when you advance the film.
In other words, Joe is going to have a field day with his!
C
ch1
Guest
I'm now waiting for the Joe Rizzuto review of the ZI!
hoot
green behind the ears
I accidentally dropped a Zorki on cobblestones once, and nothing happened. Not even the RF needed realignment. I'm suspecting that if you drop the ZI, the back door popping open will be the least of your worries.
einolu
Well-known
hoot said:
Hoot, I did the same thing to my Zorki 1 and its still kicking, on the other hand I have a Bessa whos framelines started to 'sag' for no reason at all...
ps: infact, I like zorkis so much I just got a nice looking Zorki 4 off the *bay, should be here in... oh about a month (I was tempted because its was one of those nice early models).
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sgy1962
Well-known
Yeh... It's the finder which will probably drive me to get one of these. I'm a big fan of eye relief.
I need to stop reading the reviews of this camera, because they are creating too much temptation.
I need to stop reading the reviews of this camera, because they are creating too much temptation.
Quercus
Quercus
I have been using the ZI since just before xmas and find it a very well made body. Personally I dont think the door latch will be a problem I use many compact RF's with similar latches and have never had a door pop open even on a 40 odd year old olympus/minolta/canon etc.
For slr use i use either a dig Pentax istD and the ZI is better made than that and a Rollei sl2000 which the ZI is as well made as
Also in my pocket all the time is a rollei 35 S or B so the upside down rewind just seems natural.
The ZI as now become my first body with my R2 become back up and L just used for 15mm voigt - The shutter is quieter than both Voigts (as you would expect) and as quiet as my CL (rarely used now) though in a slightly different way.
The finder as TA says is magnificent and the rangefinder patch disappears much less frequently than on any other RF I have used. Left hand side read-out is good 90% of time but then i used to have the same problem with a Pentax MX.
The ZI is destined to be a classic (not a classic as a leica is a classic) in the same vain as MX's AE-1p's, F2's and OM1 - 4's.
Probably for me the most important thing if hopefully the "new" Rollei company update the 35Rf is that once again it is possible to spell Kamera with a K even if the K has a slightly eastern acsent.
Now all it needs CV / CZ or Rollei to do is dust of the machinary for making SL 3000's and really revolutionise the digital camera world ooops sorry Kamera world.
For slr use i use either a dig Pentax istD and the ZI is better made than that and a Rollei sl2000 which the ZI is as well made as
Also in my pocket all the time is a rollei 35 S or B so the upside down rewind just seems natural.
The ZI as now become my first body with my R2 become back up and L just used for 15mm voigt - The shutter is quieter than both Voigts (as you would expect) and as quiet as my CL (rarely used now) though in a slightly different way.
The finder as TA says is magnificent and the rangefinder patch disappears much less frequently than on any other RF I have used. Left hand side read-out is good 90% of time but then i used to have the same problem with a Pentax MX.
The ZI is destined to be a classic (not a classic as a leica is a classic) in the same vain as MX's AE-1p's, F2's and OM1 - 4's.
Probably for me the most important thing if hopefully the "new" Rollei company update the 35Rf is that once again it is possible to spell Kamera with a K even if the K has a slightly eastern acsent.
Now all it needs CV / CZ or Rollei to do is dust of the machinary for making SL 3000's and really revolutionise the digital camera world ooops sorry Kamera world.
ZeissFan
Veteran
The door lock is an "L" -- so you have to push to the left and up. It requires a conscious effort to open the latch. I can think of no instance when the back would accidentally pop open.
And regarding some idiot coming along and pushing the door lock -- that could be true of any button on any camera.
Hoot, I agree that if you drop the ZI on the sidewalk, the back popping open will be the least of your worries.
I have mine loaded with some Kodak HIE. And after I shot the first frame, I had to remove the camera from the case to ensure the film was advancing as I wound to Frame No. 2, because it was that smooth. The person who said the film advance is gritty (on pnet, I think) must have an ax to grind.
I also can't understand why the rewind crank would strike your hand when shooting verticals, unless you keep the crank unfolded.
What I would like to have seen is the M7 on Carl Zeiss's "shaker" -- the torture test platform that appears to vigorously shake the camera.
Edit: Changed my previous description to "idiot"
Edited again: The lock is in an "L pattern, not a backward "L"
And regarding some idiot coming along and pushing the door lock -- that could be true of any button on any camera.
Hoot, I agree that if you drop the ZI on the sidewalk, the back popping open will be the least of your worries.
I have mine loaded with some Kodak HIE. And after I shot the first frame, I had to remove the camera from the case to ensure the film was advancing as I wound to Frame No. 2, because it was that smooth. The person who said the film advance is gritty (on pnet, I think) must have an ax to grind.
I also can't understand why the rewind crank would strike your hand when shooting verticals, unless you keep the crank unfolded.
What I would like to have seen is the M7 on Carl Zeiss's "shaker" -- the torture test platform that appears to vigorously shake the camera.
Edit: Changed my previous description to "idiot"
Edited again: The lock is in an "L pattern, not a backward "L"
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CJP6008
Established
I have been using one since before Xmas, shooting B&W and E6. Exposures are v accurate. The trannies came out great.
Eye relief is a big issue for me as a spectacle wearer. Here the ZI is a winner.
The bottom rewind crank is fine, even if it does slip from my fingers a bit easily as I rewind. Its positioning allowed the designers to shift the VF right to the edge of the body allowing for a long RF base in a small body (in fact the longest in production). Good thinking there.
I just have the 50mm lens and have not shot enough with it to really be able to opine on it. My only comment at this stage is that it would not be one for bokeh lovers at f2.
My CV 90mm works fine on it and the 85mm lines are so near as it makes no odds. I have yet to ascertain accurately the relationship between frame line and what appears on the film. There are so many variables that it is impossible to be categorical, however my impression is that for me, a bit more than I expected ends up on the film. This might be down to my glasses keeping my eye that bit further from the VF.
The AE lock button, although nice and symetrical in its positioning, assumes someone with a rather longer right thumb than me. To be able to use it without shifting my right hand from its shooting position I will need the thumb to grow about 1". Evolution is an amazing thing (and even happens in the southern USA) but I doubt I will manage to eveolve the necessary thumb any time soon.
Lack of mechanical speeds - hardly likely to be an issue unless heading into the deepest darkest jungle or remotest mountains and the rigours of the trip preclude one from carrying a couple of tiny button cells. This is so unlikely to be an issue for 99.9999999 percent of users as to be a total non-issue.
A great alternative to the M7. Don't take my word for it - go and by one!
Eye relief is a big issue for me as a spectacle wearer. Here the ZI is a winner.
The bottom rewind crank is fine, even if it does slip from my fingers a bit easily as I rewind. Its positioning allowed the designers to shift the VF right to the edge of the body allowing for a long RF base in a small body (in fact the longest in production). Good thinking there.
I just have the 50mm lens and have not shot enough with it to really be able to opine on it. My only comment at this stage is that it would not be one for bokeh lovers at f2.
My CV 90mm works fine on it and the 85mm lines are so near as it makes no odds. I have yet to ascertain accurately the relationship between frame line and what appears on the film. There are so many variables that it is impossible to be categorical, however my impression is that for me, a bit more than I expected ends up on the film. This might be down to my glasses keeping my eye that bit further from the VF.
The AE lock button, although nice and symetrical in its positioning, assumes someone with a rather longer right thumb than me. To be able to use it without shifting my right hand from its shooting position I will need the thumb to grow about 1". Evolution is an amazing thing (and even happens in the southern USA) but I doubt I will manage to eveolve the necessary thumb any time soon.
Lack of mechanical speeds - hardly likely to be an issue unless heading into the deepest darkest jungle or remotest mountains and the rigours of the trip preclude one from carrying a couple of tiny button cells. This is so unlikely to be an issue for 99.9999999 percent of users as to be a total non-issue.
A great alternative to the M7. Don't take my word for it - go and by one!
aizan
Veteran
looked at the zi today. the back lock doesn't seem like it'd inadvertently pop open, and the door, while thinner than the one on the hexar rf, is still totally rigid. there were no batteries, so i couldn't trip the shutter or advance the film. rewind crank was smooth, though, maybe since i didn't get to try the advance lever. with my glasses on, i can see the top and bottom of the 28mm frames, but just miss out on the sides. awesome viewfinder, of course. the best! and the silver paint is better than expected. smooth as silk and feels durable. not your ordinary cell phone silver paint job. and the weight was great. first thing you notice about leicas is they feel heavy for their size. the zi is just perfect.
ok, that's my .02c.
ok, that's my .02c.
W
Way
Guest
I've just finished my first roll and am going to develop them tomorrow. Likewise, I doubt that
the film door would open by accident. The AE lock, like aizan said, is located a bit far from the
right thumb but I guess I'll get used to that. Some people have not liked the rewind lever at
the bottom of the body but it's just like my CL so I'm used to that. I do like the LED shutter
setup - the shutter speed dial rotates in the logical direction (to me) according the LED
numbers. The ZI is really a great camera and I'm glad I chose it over the M7. A nice two
camera system that I'd like to carry around is the ZI with the 90 cron (nice long baselength)
and my CL with the 40 Rokkor or 35 cron. A fantastic lightweight duo!
Can't wait to see my prints!
Way
the film door would open by accident. The AE lock, like aizan said, is located a bit far from the
right thumb but I guess I'll get used to that. Some people have not liked the rewind lever at
the bottom of the body but it's just like my CL so I'm used to that. I do like the LED shutter
setup - the shutter speed dial rotates in the logical direction (to me) according the LED
numbers. The ZI is really a great camera and I'm glad I chose it over the M7. A nice two
camera system that I'd like to carry around is the ZI with the 90 cron (nice long baselength)
and my CL with the 40 Rokkor or 35 cron. A fantastic lightweight duo!
Can't wait to see my prints!
Way