Would you or have you ever gone to the Dark Side?

[bonatto]

And by this I mean, given up a modern Leica film kit and gone to a Zeiss Ikon outfit with ZM glass?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this (perhaps blasphemous) contemplation.

 

[Boris Stupak]

I use any camera I feel like including the ones you mention and I don't think any one of them is the "dark side". A camera is a light proof box with a shutter and a way to focus the lens.

 

[lawrence]

I used to have an M7 and now have the ZI, which I prefer, but haven't fully compared the glass yet. However from general shooting the Zeiss glass looks every bit as good as the Leica glass, which I still have.

 

[Doug]

Well, I have to answer No but with qualifications. The Leica and ZI can share lenses, so it would be only economic factors making this an "either-or" matter.

When I got my ZI from a grey-market dealer in 2006, Zeiss was then taking over US distribution from Hasselblad USA and weeding out the grey-market. At that point I'd had my "modern" 1958 Leica M2 for 40 years. There was no thought of giving up the M2, and the ZI has its own distinctive features.

It's hard to consider one versus the other, but I have no doubt the ZI has more up-to-date features that make it a pleasure to use. Keep the Leica, get the ZI as a compatible addition to the kit!

 

[Pioneer]

Absolutely. And I have even used Leica glass on a Zeiss Ikon and ZM glass on my M7.

I use my ZI over 80% of the time. It is not quite as quiet as my M7 but I find most of the other features to be superior.

I do not have a long Leica rangefinder background as most of my work for years have been done using SLRs. That may be why I have found the ZI to be far easier to work with. I did own two Leica rangefinders at the time, my M6 and my M7, but I really didn't use them very often and was not particularly comfortable with them. I picked up my first ZI used at a very good price and really expected to resell it.

It didn't work out that way. I have always appreciated nice viewfinders and the ZI vf/rf is what hooked me originally. After that it was the size, weight and handling. It was easy to pack around and I can use it a lot faster and easier than any other rangefinder, including Bessa or Leica.

I don't believe there is anything at all wrong with other rangefinders, in fact I still own the M6 and M7, and use them occasionally. If I had started with Leica and used them exclusively for years I may feel differently but the ZI remains my favorite rangefinder, actually my favorite camera.

Interestingly, as a result of my getting hooked on the Zeiss Ikon, I decided to buy an M9, and I am glad I did. I don't use it near as much as the ZI but it is far and away my favorite and most used digital camera. 🙂

 

[Takkun]

Dark slides? why yes, I have a couple Bronica ones laying around, want 'em?

--

I haven't gotten to try the ZI at all yet, and now that I've got my grubby paws on a Leica, I don't intend to buy any more film bodies in the near future.
However, the Zeiss glass is really tempting. I'd really love to try out the 35 Biogon.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I sold my 35mm version IV Summicron, bought a ZM 35mm C-Biogon, and paid some bills with the profits a few yrs ago. The ZM is an incredible lens, so it worked out well for me. The 35 Summicrons are just priced ridiculously for the real image quality you get from them.

 

[Vics]

My Leica M3 and collapsible 'cron were a gift from my family. So "only from my cold, dead hands!"

 

[seakayaker1]

Do not have the need for another ranger finder camera but would not mind having a Zeiss Ikon. I currently use a Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 with my M's along with the Leica and Voigtlander LTM & M lens.

I would not consider it going over to the dark side.

 

[back alley]

zi is a great camera and the zm lenses are even better.

 

[thegman]

Sure, Leicas are beautiful, but sometimes the modern amenities of a ZI or a Bessa is more appealing. Even just having a film window so I can see what is loaded is pretty nice.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Given up, no. Used a ZI, yes (though I prefer Leicas). And as others have said, Zeiss lenses on Leica bodies and vice versa. And Voigtländer. Why not?

Cheers,

R.

 

[f16sunshine]

I like the ZI and would consider one again.
The finder and a swinging film door are great.
It is a bit fragile though. The RF patch in mine would bounce in and out of verticle alignment.
Also shut down from cold when I used it one Colorado winter.
Just plain would not work until I warmed back above 20f.
Lenses are another story. Fantastic!

 

[bonatto]

Interesting points. I handled a ZI a long time ago when I was less familiar with rangefinders, side by side with an M6, but ultimately Leica had the stronger tug. I remember it certainly feeling more "fragile" in comparison, but from what I've gathered this is mainly due to material choices.

Also shut down from cold when I used it one Colorado winter.
Just plain would not work until I warmed back above 20f.

In regards to this, did the battery simply not function below a certain temperature (as is common with depleted batteries), or did the meter turn on but the shutter would not fire?

Which also sparked a curiosity in regards to the electronically tripped shutter, presumably a copal. Are the reports of shutter failure at all on the ZIs?

 

[f16sunshine]

Interesting points. I handled a ZI a long time ago when I was less familiar with rangefinders, side by side with an M6, but ultimately Leica had the stronger tug. I remember it certainly feeling more "fragile" in comparison, but from what I've gathered this is mainly due to material choices.

In regards to this, did the battery simply not function below a certain temperature (as is common with depleted batteries), or did the meter turn on but the shutter would not fire?

Which also sparked a curiosity in regards to the electronically tripped shutter, presumably a copal. Are the reports of shutter failure at all on the ZIs?

It was a case of "the lights were on but nobody was home" .
Zno shutter und Zwrong meter readink !

Recovered just fine once warmed up a bit.
My 5Diesel ii was running just fine though.
Temps between -4f and about 30f that particular week.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Sold my M3 outfit and kept the Voigtlander outfit. Is that Darth Vader enough to qualify? 😕

 

[bonatto]

It was a case of "the lights were on but nobody was home" .
Zno shutter und Zwrong meter readink !

Recovered just fine once warmed up a bit.
My 5Diesel ii was running just fine though.
Temps between -4f and about 30f that particular week.

So it might be a good idea to carry a Leica as a backup 😉🙄

 

[jsrockit]

Win / Win IMO. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[jschrader]

since an M6 is cheaper 2nd hand than a ZI and far more available, I don't see any reason (prefering manual exposure setting).

For the glass, I have a 35 Biogon which was cheaper than to Summicron.

Just a matter of pricing. ZIs are rare

 

[icebear]

I've never owned an IKON but handled one and besides the fantastic finder I wasn't impressed.
So I never had GAS for the body but I use two Zeiss-M lenses on my Leicas, a 2/50 Planar and a 2.8/25 Biogon.
Great results on the M9 and MM without any adjustments.
The 25 has a little wobble and focus is uneven stiff.

Built quality of these 2 lenses made in Japan is not up to par with Leica but they are about 1/4 $ of the red dot and the optical performance is top notch.