Where's All The Zeiss Ikon Talk???

[julianphotoart]

I'm surprised RFF isn't "hot" with multiple discussions re the fun and exhileration of buying, looking at, analyzing and shooting with what is a very nice new RF cameraa design. All things considered, a good deal and a deal I feel good about.
I've had mine for 6 days now and I appreciate it a little more each day. It's a well-specified, handsome camera. Nice black paint; I much prefer it to whatever process they used for my Koncia RF (is that "anodized" or something?). Now that I've actually shot a roll of film with it (not developed yet), I am pleased at how much quicker it is (for me anyway) to focus with it versus the M7 or Konica. I don't know why but it is. The clarity and sharpness of the rangefinder patch, and sheer size of the viewfinder, creates a lot of confidence to focus quickly and surely. Great with my coke-bottle glasses. Then, after the shot, the film advance is so smooth and quick that the next shot can be focused, etc. before I know it.
And something else, on the topic of lens hoods. You know how the bottom of the ZI is raised up a bit due to the fact that the rewind is on the bottom? Well, when I place the camera on the table - without a lens hood - it makes the camera tip forward. WITH the lens hood, the bottom of the hood catches it just right so that it doesn't tip at all. I don't know if this is intentional or not but it solves the tipping problem -- and makes the lens look much better than the naked chrome bayonet mount circle at the front of the lens.
So, is this just blatant cheerleading by someone who slavishly likes a particular camera? Sure is.

Julian

 

[Trius]

Damn you, Julian. That's just the sort of hands-on experience that makes me want to take all my Tim money and put it in a piggy bank to save up.

 

[back alley]

look around, there's been lots of zi chatter.

i posted some pics taken with the 25/2.8 zm lens.

huck has been a postin' fool with all kinds of info.
and poor dave is full of angst from his soon to be zi purchase.

joe

 

[Kyle]

I just got mine today. I got home and found a notice in the mail saying they were going to deliver it but I wasn't home. I was upset, but I knew that the mail had just arrived. Anyways, I hopped in my truck and went searching for the mailman. I turned down a couple roads and there he was. I stopped him and I got my camera. Its really swell. I sat around playing with it, fondling it, and going over everything that I wasted a couple hours of perfectly good shooting time. Oh well, it will get plenty of use this weekend in San Francisco.

 

[rover]

I am glad to keep hearing good reviews of the ZI. She sounds to be what everyone expected/was hoping for.

 

[jano]

I've got mine, enjoyed te first several rolls put through it, but haven't used it since early feb because I nearly dropped it in the ocean last time. Therefore I'm waiting to get my luigi case + strap in order to ensure that doesn't happen again 😛 and I shall resume enjoying the most groovy camera.

 

[Kyle]

I really didn't want to get a Luigi case for the ZI. They're nice and everything, but they add a bit of bulk and they're killer on the wallet. Anyways, I might end up picking one up because they significantly add to the grip of the camera.

 

[back alley]

the m grip also fits the zi.
i took one of mine and drilled a hole in the base so i can access the rewind buttom.

i love a grip with a wrist strap.

 

[Kyle]

I know you've posted it before, but can you post a picture of it again with the grip?

BTW, is this the grip you're talking about?

http://www.photovillage.com/html/gmp_page.html

 

[back alley]

that's the one.

 

[Kyle]

So now that its modified you can get to the rewind crank without removing the grip? Hmm... sounds like a nice option.

 

[amateriat]

<snipped> I've had mine for 6 days now and I appreciate it a little more each day. It's a well-specified, handsome camera. Nice black paint; I much prefer it to whatever process they used for my Koncia RF (is that "anodized" or something?).

Nope: the Hexar RF's titanium "hide" is coated in a thick, black enamel, which, given its warm touch even in cold climes, has become my de facto favorite black finish. Black lacquer, IMO, comes in a very close second, with Leica-style anodized black a somewhat distant third. But I'll take any of them over chrome in the proverbial heartbeat.


- Barrett

 

[jano]

that's the one.

Wow.. that blocky-like grip actually seems to work nicely with the ZI.. I want one 😀 But I don't know how to drill 🙁

 

[back alley]

i used a small (battery pack) hand drill.
not very hard.

 

[jano]

When born, each male child comes with a set of instructions. Mine simply read, "Warning: keep away from all power tools." 😀

To kyle.. I don't think the grip extends all the way across to cover the rewind crank, I think Joe put a hole in there to access the rewind button release thingy.

 

[back alley]

true, the grip base ends at the circle that surrounds the rewind handle.

 

[Gerold]

Well, I'd love to contribute my first experience with the ZI here... if I only had made some !

I have a black one on order in Switzerland. Available when? The dealer remains vague. Perhaps this year, no information from distributor. Distributor in Switzerland (if directly asked by email) doesn't reply at all. No wonder, distributor happens to be Leica Camera Switzerland. I understand that they hate to see Leica sales being cannibalised by ZI, but hey they are still distributing it. The only evidence of existence of Zeiss Ikon obtainable from the distributor's website is a pricelist, some levels down the sitemap. Otherwise not a trace. No product info, no announcement, nothing …

So please, you guys from ZEISS, in case you read: I do have a black ZI on order in Switzerland, and I desperately wanted one since the product presentation in October 2004. My Biogon 35 and Planar 50 ZM which I bought since are really longing to team up with that ZI. I'd be most grateful if you could arrange supply of one black Zeiss Ikon to the Swiss distributor a.s!.a.p. , with a kind message to deliver onward to the dealer who ordered it in Basel (Fotohaus Wolf Haemmerlin).

Sometimes miracles happen, I'm told.

I feel better now thank you.

 

[Kyle]

Can the order be cancelled? Then you can place an order from an American dealer/RFF sponsor such as Tony Rose at Popflash or Steven Gandy at Cameraquest. Of course, I don't know what sort of taxes or duties you'd have to pay, though. It could be worth it if you're anxious to get it now as both dealers have them in stock.

Good luck.

 

[Gerold]

if you add the transaction costs for delivery and those of a warranty case (which is not something unusual for a RF) then pricewise you're definitely in the area of the price in Switzerland. Add the transfer risk and the turnover time in a warranty case, and the deal looks unattractive. I'm happy to pay the equivalent of USD 1.8k if I can pick it up (and turn it in for repair) OTC in Switzerland.

But one has to be a bloody patient man !

 

[Gerold]

btw, as far as turnover times of warranty cases are concerned, I know what I'm talking about. My R2A went to Cameraquest on Jan 13, and is apparently enjoying the Californian sun since.

GRRRRR !