Zeiss Ikon for architecture?

[Tuomas Xi]

I'm interested in the new Zeiss Ikon and the wide angle ZM lenses (the 18mm and the 21mm f/2.8, the 15 mm is out of my reach with the current prices), specifically for shooting modern architecture and cityscapes. I do quite a bit of architectural "tourism", and the lightness and compact size of an RF camera like the ZI would be convenient on trips. I do understand that large format cameras would be the best equipment for shooting architecture, but at the moment moving into all that feels like too much. One step at a time...

• Could anyone post or send links to photos of architecture or cityscapes shot with the ZI?

• Any comments about using the ZI for this purpose, other than the lack of camera movements (tilt,shift,rise etc.)?

• The ZI SW is obviously a cost effective solution for this kind of need, but I'm thinking that it would be nice to invest in lenses with longer focal lengths in the future, so that's why the ZI rangefinder is probably better for me. Any experience about using the SW?

Replies, comments and insights would be much appreciated!

Regards,

 

[Colman]

The CV15mm (or 12mm!) is rather more affordable, and it doesn't sound like you need large apertures for that sort of work.

 

[Anupam]

I assume you don't care about converging verticals. Keeping them straight with a wideangle lens can be a royal pain without movements.

 

[Tuomas Xi]

Colman,
Thanks for the information, I'll check them out!

Anupam,
Actually I care about the converging lines quite a bit...I've been using an entry level Canon DSLR for the last couple of years, now with a 10-22 mm zoom lens, and it's quite difficult to get verticals straight. I bought a spirit level to help me with that, and I'd use it with the ZI as well. You're absolutely right, movements would make it easier to get good shots.

 

[jsuominen]

Hello Tuomas. Unfortunately I don't have any of ZM lenses. Anyway, I would say, that ZM C-Biogon 21/4.5 and ZM Biogon 25/2.8 and are good candidates for architecture photos.

Here are some examples from one of my RFF and Flickr friend, with those lenses:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/tags/zeisscbiogon21mmf45/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/tags/zeissbiogon25mmf28/

 

[Tom A]

I would go to Flickr and in the tag box, type in the lenses I am interested in.
My personal favourite is the 21f4.5 C Biogon. It has the least distorsion of any 35mm 21 lens (less than 0.014%). The 18 Biogon is also very good, but considerably bigger and it has some distorsion (not much, but the Biogon 21/4.5 is the champ of all times).

Ideally you should use a view camera etc, but a lot of architectural shooting can be done even with 35 mm rangefinders. It is all a matter of getting to know the equipment and shoot a lot!
I would also add a SLR body to the bag and try to find a PC lens for some work. Just an old Nikon F/F2/FM and the 28 Nikkor PC.
The most important piece of the kit would be a good tripod though. You will be shooting at stopped down apertures and even with modern high speed films, you are going to be working at "ragged edge" shutter speeds.

The ZI would be a good starting point (and the SLR/28 PC) - you can use it for the 18/21 and also for a 50/85-90 lens for "longer" shots. The ZW is limiting in this aspect as there is no finder at all and guesstifocussing a 50mm lens is a challenge.

You could probably get away with a 18 or 21, the SLR/PC 28 and a 50/90 combination. It would still be portable ( well, the tripod is allways a hassle, but sometimes you have to suffer for sharp images). You would also be less of a target for various security guys, police, thieves and the population in general who will flock to a Viewcamera like flies to honey and bug you to no end with questions like "Why is the picture upside down on the glass" and "What are you taking pictures off" and of course "Why are you hiding under the cloth". In the end the most common question is going to be "Oh, is it digital" and "What is film".

 

[chut]

Hi Tuomas. I take a lot of architecture photos as well. While I don't have a ZI nor ZM lenses, I use a Voigtlander Bessa R4A and a CV 25/4 Color Skopar to shoot architecture. I think a ZI would perform similarly. RF lenses don't have the perspective correction ability of a tilt/shift lens, but I still like the images I get. Since I got my rangefinder a few months ago I've been sort of blending my architecture photography with street photography.

Here are a few shots with the CV 25/4 Color Skopar:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chutpix/2301242175/in/set-72157604979272854/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chutpix/2316878008/in/set-72157604979272854/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chutpix/2301222063/in/set-72157604979272854/

Here's a few with my CV 35/1.4 Nokton:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chutpix/2431250036/in/set-72157604979272854/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chutpix/2433488351/in/set-72157604979272854/

The nice thing about the R4A is that it has framelines for 21 and 25 mm lenses. With the ZI you'd have to use an external viewfinder.

-Chut

 

[mfogiel]

You should consider getting the R4A instead of the Ikon - this way you get a camera with the 21,25 and 28 very useable frames for the price just slightly higher than a single Zeiss external VF alone...
I find it easier to use the Bessa rather than my ZI with the finder, because.... when I look into the external finder, the tip of my nose tends to poke into the regular VF window making it greasy... :-(. The lens you should definitely get is the 21/4.5 C Biogon, it has no distortion and is an absolute gem, plus it is very compact, here's an example:
wide open 1/30th, Delta 400

Another lens, as suggested above, which is a great buy, and almost distortion free is the Heliar 15/4,5, here's a tripod shot on Acros:

I would suggest you look for the double shoe attachnment with the CV spirit level, - be careful as these levels have a trendency for the liquid to evaporate...

On another level, I would recommend you also to think of getting the Hasselblad SWC/M camera, this is an absolute gem, and makes shots like this one: HP5+, handheld

 

[jsuominen]

CV Snapshot (or Color) Skopar 25mm/4 is of course one option.
Here is one example at wide open. Leica M2 + 25mm external finder; Rollei R3 film.

Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano

 

[Tom A]

Only problem with the R4's is that it is virtually useless with any lens longer than 28. The 35 finder is small and the 50 is a peep hole. My R4M has the 21/4,5 more or less permanently attached to it and for that lens, and for the 25's it is perfect.
For travelleing, it needs to be backed up with another body for 35/50 or longer lenses.
The Zeiss ZM has one advantage over most other rangefinders. It has the best finder ever put onto a rf body. It also has one of the better AE systems around with the "lock and hold" exposure compensation at the back. All right, I hate the bottom rewind, but that is a small price to pay for the exellence of the rest pf the camera.

 

[mobilexile]

That stair shot is beautiful.

 

[whitecat]

I love architectural photography and have done it for years. Just my 2 cents here....the best lens I have EVER found is the Olympus 24mm PC lens.

 

[chut]

I agree with Tom, it'd be ideal to have another body for a longer lens.

My CV 25/4 Color Skopar is permanently on the R4A and I also carry an M7 with a 50/2 Summicron to photograph architectural details.