Would you trade your Zeiss Ikon for a Leica M6?

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ZebGoesZeiss

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This goes out to all the Zeiss Ikon owners (and I kind of know the answer...). I have a used Leica M6 in EXC- conditition, early 90's model, black, I got an urge for a Zeiss Ikon (AE), and since I can't get it locally (or nationally): Would it be any point trying to trade my Leica for an Ikon? I'm sure you all love it, but I'm just wondering if it is worth it to make a trade happen - or if I should just put it up for sale. I really hate selling stuff, so a trade would be my preferred action.

So, would you?
 
"Hate" is a strong word 😉 I'm not sure why, but it seems to involve some level of "businessman skills". Trades usually work for me, since the only real reason for selling any of my stuff is to get some new stuff. If I can achive that by dropping the selling bit, all the better.
 
Nope, wouldn't make the trade. I've used the M6 and M6TTL and find the viewfinder, AE, and film loading of the ZI all advantages over the M6.
 
My serious answer: I would consider it.


The reason being, is that the ZI is _not_ made to withstand constant and continued use by professionals (not saying I am a professional mind you). I had my silver ZI for less than six months and after taking it on a study abroad trip to France for about eight weeks, my leatherette was disintegrating and the strap lugs were showing considerable wear (that was the big issue).


Personally I shoot a lot of film. Friends tell me i've got some of Garry Winogrand incarnate in me. Anyway, i dont baby my cameras, but I am careful with them. The constant and daily use (putting anywhere from four to six+ rolls of film through it a day) for a period of three to four months was IMO too much for the ZI.


So... if I had to choose between the ZI and an M6 again... i might just pick the m6. Yes, the AE is a wonderful thing and crucial at times... but the idea of my poor college student ass having to shell out another 800-1300 dollars for a camera every three-four years with a ZI does not make me happy.

I'd much rather have an M7...

Sure the M7 doesnt havve as nice and bright of a vf as the ZI, but i'd take reliability and lasting life over the VF of the ZI any day.
 
I would not trade the Zi for the M6.

The Zi is easier and more fun to use. I'm not too rough with my gear so I don't think the bits and pieces will fall off as it did with some of the other users.

But if the trade is for a Zi to a M7, then it'll start to look tempting. But still, I wouldn't trade the Zi for the M7. Love the single 35 and 50 frameline on the ZI.

Cheers,
 
jbf said:
My serious answer: I would consider it.


The reason being, is that the ZI is _not_ made to withstand constant and continued use by professionals (not saying I am a professional mind you). I had my silver ZI for less than six months and after taking it on a study abroad trip to France for about eight weeks, my leatherette was disintegrating and the strap lugs were showing considerable wear (that was the big issue).


Personally I shoot a lot of film. Friends tell me i've got some of Garry Winogrand incarnate in me. Anyway, i dont baby my cameras, but I am careful with them. The constant and daily use (putting anywhere from four to six+ rolls of film through it a day) for a period of three to four months was IMO too much for the ZI.


So... if I had to choose between the ZI and an M6 again... i might just pick the m6. Yes, the AE is a wonderful thing and crucial at times... but the idea of my poor college student ass having to shell out another 800-1300 dollars for a camera every three-four years with a ZI does not make me happy.

I'd much rather have an M7...

Sure the M7 doesnt havve as nice and bright of a vf as the ZI, but i'd take reliability and lasting life over the VF of the ZI any day.
Click to expand...


I have to ask ... how does your 'poor college student ass' cope with the costs of shooting six rolls of film a day? 😛

With the cost of film and developing that would have to be right up there with a 'crack habit!' 😀
 
ZebGoesZeiss said:
This goes out to all the Zeiss Ikon owners (and I kind of know the answer...). I have a used Leica M6 in EXC- conditition, early 90's model, black, I got an urge for a Zeiss Ikon (AE), and since I can't get it locally (or nationally): Would it be any point trying to trade my Leica for an Ikon? I'm sure you all love it, but I'm just wondering if it is worth it to make a trade happen - or if I should just put it up for sale. I really hate selling stuff, so a trade would be my preferred action.

So, would you?
Click to expand...

When you say trade are you talking with cash adjustment or swap ... because to me the M6 if as nice as you say it is would have to be worth a little more than a second hand Ikon which can be bought for $800 to $900! 🙂
 
Zeb, I don't much care for selling stuff either, so... Maybe you would consider setting aside a little money regularly as a "Zeiss Ikon fund" and then buy a used one from someone here on RFF or on eBay.

I've had an M2 for decades, and now also have a Zeiss Ikon. Both are admirable in their own ways, so I'm glad to have both, but I'm more likely to take the Z-I out shooting because of convenience in use.
 
I'm curious about the ZI not being built for (extreme) daily use as jbf said. Recovering the leatherette is a non-issue for me (cameraleather.com's griptac is cheap and recovering takes 5 minutes tops), but the strap lugs wearing might be. How expensive are they to replace? Is it a DIY job? Or ... horror of horrors, when they wear out that's it: lights out? I carry my ZI with me pretty much every time I leave the house and I've noticed some wearing on my lugs already (after 6 months), so this issue is of some concern ...
 
I think that trading a ZI for ANY Leica could only be acceptable to someone who:

1) does not wear glasses
2) does need a different VF magnification - especially the longer one
3) does not want to fiddle with the RF adjustment or minor repairs and prefers the availability of Leica servicing

I am currently in possession of a ZI and an M7 (0.85), both to a degree put KO by the incompetent repairmen who left the RF misaligned... What I am learning now, is that my M7 needs to go to a Leica specific technician, while I might have a go at aligning my ZI myself... If this should succeed, I would hardly see any major advantage with the Leica anymore... I use Luigi's grip case for the Ikon and it feels fantastic in the handling and I have no problems with the leatherette, and the shutter is more silent as a bonus...
But then, who knows - maybe you will find one of these Leica dreamers...
 
Thank you all! Certainly helped me get more convinced about the Ikon 😀

Keith:
I'm thinking about a straight trade - no cash involved. My thoughts go like this: I could sell my M6, but I see them go for as low as $1000-1100 on that auction site, and once you calculate the eBay fees and PayPal fees (3,9% since I'm in Europe) and any currency conversion fees (2,5%), we're getting close to what I can get an ZI for. So, instead of helping out the poor souls at eBay/PayPal, I would rather do a straight trade. If the trade partner feels that he got the better part of the deal, so be it 🙂 Anyway, to me, a Zeiss Ikon with AE is currently worth more than a 15 year old Leica M6, so I would think I would be the winner of such a trade. 😀
 
Keith said:
I have to ask ... how does your 'poor college student ass' cope with the costs of shooting six rolls of film a day? 😛

With the cost of film and developing that would have to be right up there with a 'crack habit!' 😀
Click to expand...


Aye..... but it was for a super intense program i was involved in...


Money I will always have/save for film. Developing costs next to nothing, as I was doing it all myself with chemicals provided. So its just time/labor involved rather than cash for developing.


That and buying cheap film. 😀
 
Papercut said:
I'm curious about the ZI not being built for (extreme) daily use as jbf said. Recovering the leatherette is a non-issue for me (cameraleather.com's griptac is cheap and recovering takes 5 minutes tops), but the strap lugs wearing might be. How expensive are they to replace? Is it a DIY job? Or ... horror of horrors, when they wear out that's it: lights out? I carry my ZI with me pretty much every time I leave the house and I've noticed some wearing on my lugs already (after 6 months), so this issue is of some concern ...
Click to expand...


The body can be repaired by zeiss, but no word on how much it costs... when i showed images to zeiss and sent an email they simply told me to send the camera to them and they could either replace the lugs or replace the camera.

My main concern is the longevity of my camera. I want something that'll take tough conditions.

I dont doubt that the ZI can perform under adverse conditions but things such as strap lugs are something not to be taken lightly... I dont want to have to continue to replace strap lugs on my camera every year or so because of a bad design flaw.
 
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Yes I will consider trade. IMO, ZI and Leica are two different standards, nomatter u mention design or build.
 
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