Zeiss Ikon -- Ergonomics

[sgy1962]

I know that the Zeiss Ikon will be about the same size as a Leica M, but, from the pictures, it looks like the sides are more squared off. Probably something M users don't think about much, but one of the joys of the camera is how easily it fits into the hand.

I'm still keenly awaiting the arrival of the standard production Zeiss Ikon, because I believe the eye relief will be very good.

 

[rover]

I find a Leica hard to get a good hold of because of those rounded ends. I ended up buying a grip.

 

[Fred]

I tried the M grip following a recommedation from a freind. Just as well as I found the strap lug on the side more uncomfortable along with my shutter finger being at an odd angle for me. I'm more used to a shutter on the top of the grip SLR style I suppose so it did't fee right.

I don't think the shape of the M is uncomfortable though I would like to try the ZI.

 

[kram]

I put a film through M6 8 years ago -excellent feel to the camera, very similar to my Pentax LX. I am in the market for a new (or newish) rf camera at the moment. I handled the pre production ZI at a show earilier this year. Viewfinder excellent -weight just right ( light but not too light). However, the sharper angles on the ZI -to me-does not work as well as the M6. Last month I handled the M7 and MP - yep better than the ZI. I will wait for the ZI to come out and then it again. It will then be a toss up between the MP (did not get on with the on off switch) and ZI 😱 .

 

[aizan]

here's a photo taken from above.

 

[vincentbenoit]

I handled the pre production ZI at a show earilier this year. Viewfinder excellent -

Can you confirm that the 28mm framelines can be seen even with glasses?
Cheers
Vincent

 

[sgy1962]

Kram -- I don't know where you live, but here in the states prices for new Leica bodies are going up about $600. That should raise the price of the used market also. I've been pondering on whether to go to a M w/ a 0.58 viewfinder or the ZI, but I may have to make that decision prior to July 1, because I likely will not be able to afford any new Leica stuff thereafter. I'm just giving you heads up.

Vincent -- I asked a very similar question re: the viewfinder last week on this very same forum. You may want to look below.

 

[sgy1962]

So from the picture Aizan posted it is rounded on the backside where the camera rests against the palm and squared off on the front. That should work.

 

[kram]

Vincent - I think a 35mm lens was fitted and did not try the frame lever (as it was a prototype it may or may not have been connected). The veiwfinder was clear (a bit better than my Mamiya 7) and had I could view the whole finder OK (in other words the position of were the 28mm would be as well). With the 0.72 on the leica I had to look around the extremes of the finder to see the position of the 28mm frame - not good, but I could get use to it (but I don't were glasses- yet). If I wore glasses it would have to be the 0.58 M. or a eye piece correction lens in the 0.72.

So in summary, for extensive 28mm use I would use either ZI (standard 0.74 mag) - or M with 0.58 finder. But I would still wait and compare them next to each other- just to make sure.

 

[vincentbenoit]

The veiwfinder was clear (a bit better than my Mamiya 7) and had I could view the whole finder OK (in other words the position of were the 28mm would be as well).

Very good news, thanks.

With the 0.72 on the leica I had to look around the extremes of the finder to see the position of the 28mm frame - not good, but I could get use to it (but I don't were glasses- yet). If I wore glasses it would have to be the 0.58 M.

I for one can't see the 28mm framelines in the Leica 0.72 finder.

or a eye piece correction lens in the 0.72.

I'm not aware or such an accessory - I know of the 1.25x viewfinder magnifier but had never heard of a "demagnifier"... Do you know where I could find info on this?

So in summary, for extensive 28mm use I would use either ZI (standard 0.74 mag) - or M with 0.58 finder. But I would still wait and compare them next to each other- just to make sure.

Yeap, I guess I just have to wait until I get a chance to handle a ZI and see how it fares against an M6 for my use. Viewfinder aside, I'm curious about how quiet the shutter noise of the Zeiss will be as compared to the M.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.
Cheers
Vincent

 

[kram]

If I wore glasses it would have to be the 0.58 M. or a eye piece correction lens in the 0.72. QUOTE] 😕 Sorry -to expand, I would use an eye piece correction lens (-1.0, +1.0, +2.0 etc.) to correct the veiwfinder for one's eyesight - and not use glasses.

The shutter in the prototype ZI was not functioning so I can't comment. The shutter noise (or lack of it) is something I am interested in. However, I believe it's the same as the Bessa R2, R2A, R3A etc. What are they like for noise. Will the ZI have a slightly 'tweaked' (quieter) shutter?

 

[vincentbenoit]

Sorry -to expand, I would use an eye piece correction lens (-1.0, +1.0, +2.0 etc.) to correct the veiwfinder for one's eyesight - and not use glasses.

Ok, makes sense. Unfortunately I'm so near-sighted that I have to wear my glasses at all time - couldn't find a lens in the camera bag without them... 🙂
Cheers
Vincent

 

[Paul T.]

One can only speculate as to how loud the shutter will be; some have theorised the shutter will be better-damped than in the Bessa R2A/Ra, and will be about the same volume as the Hexar RF (minus the motor-winder noise), which apparently also used the same Copal shutter.

 

[Huck Finn]

Has anyone else noticed that the weight of the ZI is listed as 460 grams on the Cosina website while it is listed as 510 grams everywhere else? One with batteries, one without? I'll be interested in checking this when the reviews come out.

Huck

 

[kram]

Huck, I dought if any reviews will actually weigh the ZI, just quote the info they are given by the supplier. It would be interesting for the camera to be actually weighed, and not take the word of a supplier (typos and all that -most likely under weight). I guess it would be nearer 510g WITHOUT film and batteries- should be more robust then 😀

 

[Huck Finn]

Popular Photography actually measures lenses when they test them & checks the actual maximum aperture. I don't remember what they do with bodies, but maybe they check their vitals as well.

 

[John Robertson]

Popular Photography actually measures lenses when they test them & checks the actual maximum aperture. I don't remember what they do with bodies, but maybe they check their vitals as well.

Sadly their tests are not as exhastive as they used to be, They used to dismatle the cameras to look at their internal construction and possible weak spots!!!

 

[RObert Budding]

The new ZI looks rounded when compared with my Contax IIIa, which I've never had any issues holding (once I got used to the "claw" grip needed to keep from obstrucing the rf window).

Robert