Who are the Ikon SW users out there?

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sper

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Any Ikon SW users out there? I am intrigued by this camera quite a bit. I can't really rationalize buying one, but it looks like it would be a joy to shoot with. Love those out of the finder meters! Perfect for shooting from the hip!

Post any images and experiences please!
 
I like my Bessa L, but I can't imagine paying what they are asking for the Ikon SW; I'd bet I'm not in the minority here. Even the expanded usefulness of the M lens mount can't trump the limits of a camera without a finder when you are talking about a body that costs about the same as a used M2 or M3.
 
Well, I find it useful mainly for the question of being able to place a spirit level next to the VF, and also because it is smaller and lighter than a normal ZI or a Leica. However, if you had a limited budget, an R4A would do a similar job with a double VF shoe placed on top of the single one, and could be used for 21-28mm lenses without an extenal finder too. The camera feels and handles very nice.

Zeiss Ikon SW + CV SW Heliar 12/5.6:

3715183435_7bd9973bac_b.jpg
 
If you 'shoot from the hip', which kinda makes sense if you're using ultra wides, the SW has the advantage of having those "traffic light" LED exposure lights on the back, plus AE when you need it. That way you can check and set exposure without ever lifting the body to your face/eyes... A Bessa T would let you do the same (without AE).
 
My wife Frances has one and loves it: the 18/4 is permanently on it, with the viewfinder in one shoe and a two-way level in the other. Twin shoes and the 'traffic light' meter make it ideal for use on a tripod. If we could afford it, we'd have a WATE on it.

Cheers,

R.
 
Yeah it's a tough call between the R4, especially with it's great finder. I wonder if they ever considered making a 35mm version of the SWC for Hasselblad, but just figured their M lenses were up to the task.

Nice shot with that 12mm!

I just got a Nikon V film scanner, and I'm going to be picking up a Zeiss Ikon and a 21mm biogon after I get myself a 4x5. I was gonna get an M6, but the Ikon is really the better buy there. Maybe someday I'll pick up an SW and have a biogon live on it.
 
I have the SW and I tend to use it with un-coupled lenses (12/15/25 snap-shot and an old Tessar 28f8 with an adapter). It is a smart little thing - those go,stop, don't go lights at the back helps. I have also been using it with a Visoflex III and an old microscope adapter and taking pictures of film grain (Ok, it is raining outside and anything is better than being out in it).
 
When it first came out I was very impressed till I saw the price.

I'm with Drew, you can buy a lot of Bessa Ls with that much money.

On the other hand, there is something to have having all of your cameras work/feel the same so if you are a dedicated ZI guy/gal then it would be worth it. They do seem to be holding their value.

Another problem is that you can not use a Rapidwinder on one. I might look to a Leica 1F in the case I really wanted something sturdy and fast.

B2 (;->
 
Just a question...
is there ANY way to use with a 35 mm? For what I know the "farthest" VF for Ikon is for 25/28mm...
For European members, I found a german site selling regularly the SW (I think is new) at 399€ even cheaper than Bessa!

http://www.shphoto.de/

Look under "Neuware" then "Zeiss" "Zeiss Ikon mit Leica Bajonett" "Kameras"
They seem to have really excellent prices (at least for EU standards)
 
Last edited:
italy74 said:
Just a question...
is there ANY way to use with a 35 mm? For what I know the "farthest" VF for Ikon is for 25/28mm...
For European members, I found a german site selling regularly the SW (I think is new) at 399€ even cheaper than Bessa!

http://www.shphoto.de/

Look under "Neuware" then "Zeiss" "Zeiss Ikon mit Leica Bajonett" "Kameras"
They seem to have really excellent prices (at least for EU standards)
Click to expand...
Dear Dino,

No problem.

There have been plenty of scale focus 35mm cameras with 35mm and even 50mm lenses.

Cheers,

R.
 
Ciao Roger
aside spotting the site, I meant to know exactly how can you couple an intended wide camera like Ikon SW with field use of 35mm lens.. are there specific viewfinders? or are you just using a 25/28 and then guessing what could be framed?
I'm wondering if - seen my intended use for a Ikon limited to 35 mm at most, if I could try to use (but again: how?) an Ikon SW instead with some "trick".
 
italy74 said:
Ciao Roger
aside spotting the site, I meant to know exactly how can you couple an intended wide camera like Ikon SW with field use of 35mm lens.. are there specific viewfinders? or are you just using a 25/28 and then guessing what could be framed?
I'm wondering if - seen my intended use for a Ikon limited to 35 mm at most, if I could try to use (but again: how?) an Ikon SW instead with some "trick".
Click to expand...

Ciao Dino,

As Ruby Monkey pointed out, there are plenty of 35mm finders. We have three: the tiny Voigtländer 28/35, a Russian turret finder and a Tewe zoom 35-200. There are probably literally dozens of others, whether single-focal-length, twin focal length (Helios made a 35/85, as far as I recall -- I may still have one of those too), and multi-focal-length including turret, masking and zoom.

Apart from the Leica 35 (which I had but sold a while back because I almost never used it -- before Frances got the SW, of course!) and new finders, the single or double focal length versions tend not to be particularly expensive because most modern cameras have a 35 frame.

Cheers,

R.
 
Thanks Roger
I didn't know that non OEM spare parts were also applied to such items, I thought it was an engineering reason (i.e. not physically possible to do such things), not a marketing one (not to hurt Zeiss Ikon sales).
I'll look for them, both the Voigtlander and the Helios look interesting.
 
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