Who bought a ZI because it WASN'T a Leica

[vincentbenoit]

I wanted to buy a ZI because it wasn't a Leica... but I didn't, because it wasn't.

Vincent

 

[peripatetic]

I kinda bought one because it wasn't a Leica.

I would love a digital RF, but I wear specs, and the viewfinder on the Leicas was very disappointing to me - I found it quite difficult to see through it with my specs on.

The ZI is MUCH better for spectacle wearers.

I've also always wanted a Contax, and though it may have no connection, this seemed like the next best thing.

 

[noimmunity]

That's easy, cost. But it only makes you want a Leica more.

The little experience I've had with film Leicas has not made me want to get rid of my ZI, at any price. I like the ZI better (viewfinder and film loading being my top reasons).

Bessas are great cameras. i will certainly get an R4 eventually.

But an M8 is a different story. Sure I'd rather have it than my RD-1, or better yet have both. But I got the RD-1 because a) I don't have the money for the M8 (preferring to collect lenses and buy/process film first) and b) i want to wait this "round" out for a couple of years and see what is the next dRF.

 

[willie_901]

I bought one because it has an M lens mount and was not a Leica.

A new Leica's price seemed insane to me. A nice example of a used M6 cost what a new ZI M cost. I preferred not to have an old camera, and bottom loading seemed silly (to me) as well.

The ZI M is priced between the Bessas and Leicas, I think it's value lies between the two as well. For me the ZI M's value/price balance was perfect.

I bought the ZI M in order to have a film camera I could take with me where ever I go. Two years later I am pleased with my decision.

 

[alan davus]

I own both the Hexar RF and a M6ttl and though they are different beasts I think they compliment each other. I would only buy a Zeiss Ikon if I thought it had something (viewfinder aside) that neither of the other two had. So far I haven't found that something. But the Zeiss glass is a different matter. Either way it's great to have choices.

 

[kshapero]

Damn my ZI!! It is so much nicer to use, to hold than my Bessa, my Rd-1s, my Nikon D300. Afraid to touch a Leica. Could be great. Don't want to know. I got problems enough with the ZI. What a great rig!

 

[Ororaro]

partly yes because it wasn't a Leica ... also because it's a fine photographic tool that doesn't command a premium price attached to a name.

Ahem!!!
If it wasn't for the "Zeiss" logo, I have this feeling it would be a "Bessa" and a price tag cheaper by 400$.

 

[Keith]

Ahem!!!
If it wasn't for the "Zeiss" logo, I have this feeling it would be a "Bessa" and a price tag cheaper by 400$.

Ha .... the word Panasonic comes to mind here. No manufacturer is averse to a little badge engineering when it suits them! 😛

 

[infrequent]

@keith - ouch...don't be so mean!

 

[Krosya]

One thing still puzzles me about Ikon - why didn't they make an Ikon thats mechanical? I mean like Bessa R2M? I'd really consider that camera. Having Hexar RF I have a camera that really keeps me from getting an Ikon. But battery independence could win me over. Why am I so preocupied with this? - well the other day I took my Hexar for a walk just to find out that after a few shots batteries finally died (after over a year of use). Minor thing - as I got new ones the next day, but right there on the spot it was not fun. Good thing I didn't plan to shoot anything important.
So, getting another battery dependent camera doesn't seem logical to me.

Oh one more thing -Keith, since you have both - how do you compare Hexar's shutter noise to Ikon's? Maybe you can make another video on youtube with this? 🙂

 

[Keith]

One thing still puzzles me about Ikon - why didn't they make an Ikon thats mechanical? I mean like Bessa R2M? I'd really consider that camera. Having Hexar RF I have a camera that really keeps me from getting an Ikon. But battery independence could win me over. Why am I so preocupied with this? - well the other day I took my Hexar for a walk just to find out that after a few shots batteries finally died (after over a year of use). Minor thing - as I got new ones the next day, but right there on the spot it was not fun. Good thing I didn't plan to shoot anything important.
So, getting another battery dependent camera doesn't seem logical to me.

Oh one more thing -Keith, since you have both - how do you compare Hexar's shutter noise to Ikon's? Maybe you can make another video on youtube with this? 🙂

Well if you have a Hexar you know exactly what that sounds like, "tclak~whirr" ... much nicer than the M8 which sounds like a meat grinder by comparison. 😛

The Ikon is a very nice slightly matalic sounding ... "stchlack!" 🙂

 

[Quercus]

I think one of the reasons for it being battery dependent is that the ZI in AE has 1/12 of a stop steps to 8 s - not a big reason maybe but it is one - I find for most of the shots i take i tend to leave it in AE - makes it a nice grab and shoot beast. Also knowing the sort of detail of work that Henssler and Schultheiss have done in the past on design briefs for other brands they will have done enough market testing to know that for the majority of consumers (not RF users) AE is important.

It seems that the point of sale info that is available from zeiss in german kamera stores is as aimed at the none rf user as it is the rf user

 

[back alley]

i keep a set of batteries in every camera bag i have.

i have 3 cameras that all use the same battery type.

 

[Palaeoboy]

Why would anyone deliberately avoid buying a Leica for any reason other than reverse snobbery?

Of course there are other possibilities Roger, I know 2 forum members who sold up their Leica kits deliberately for the way they conducted themselves with the introduction of the M8 and asking some reviewers not to mention the IR problems and their filter solution. One went Ikon the other went Nikon RF. Given some of their service debacles, faults out of the box and then having to wait 6 months for replacements, I could certainly imagine a number of people boycotting the brand. There are quite a few fed up ex Leica users out there that welcome another famous name.

 

[infrequent]

the hexar shutter is fairly quiet...its the built in motor that may put off folks used to leicas.

 

[jjovin]

I actually had both an Ikon and an M6 for 3 days to use and compare side by side. At the end of the third day I bought
and Ikon because it is "not" an M6. What I mean here is that
I bought an Ikon because it is a better photographic tool and
not because it is not called Leica as I think is meant by the original question (post #1).

 

[Keith]

One thing that has impressed me about the Ikon is how much it's feel has improved. Initially it felt a little harsh and coarse compared to my M's but has bedded in nicely and is as smooth as my M2 but still a fair way behind my very early DS M3 ... which still amazes me with it's velvet advance and near silent shutter!