zeiss ikon m survey

[back alley]

i thought it might be a good idea to track the number of owners and keep a simple record of problems.

i can delete this and start another if folks come up with a better alternative.

it is not meant to be comprehensive.

joe

 

[jano]

I'm in month 5 going on 6. Only thing bugging me now is that I don't have a longer lens yet, and my luigi case smells like fish.

 

[back alley]

...smells like fish?

mine smells wonderful!

 

[tedwhite]

Odour lies in the nose of the nose-holder.

 

[julianphotoart]

2nd month. Love it. About 8 rolls of film. Less than zero problems. Have not seen my M7, or any other RF for that matter, since I got the ZI.

 

[BJ Bignell]

What, no option for those of us who don't own a ZI but still would like to participate in the poll?



😉

 

[jano]

Just a follow up, Luigi is very concerned about the quality of his product, and I'm certainly impressed with his commitment to customer satisfaction: not something you see everyday at all, anymore. I'd like to point out that my comment about the smell was intended for amusement, considering that's the worst of my problems and the camera 🙂

 

[JohnL]

Jano, Did you order one in sturgeon skin? Tell 'em to take the caviar out first. Thanks also for vital info in your sig!

 

[CameraQuest]

No Problemas !

No Problemas !

I am not going to share sales figures, but so far, zero Zeiss Ikon bodies have been returned to me for any problem. They seem a relatively dependable camera which is likely to only get better as time goes on. Any NEW camera model, much less any entirely NEW camera line, is going to see more than an average number of problems over the first six months. After that, the initial growing pains of an entirely new production production line will only get better, which results in ever better quality control and reliability. Zeiss is not just any camera manufacturer. These guys know how to get it right ! Cosina's Mr. K is there to make sure it can be done right at an unbelievably low price compared to a German production line. So relax people, you have a real quality product at a bargain price !

Stephen Gandy

 

[Huck Finn]

I am not going to share sales figures, but so far, zero Zeiss Ikon bodies have been returned to me for any problem. They seem a relatively dependable camera which is likely to only get better as time goes on. Any NEW camera model, much less any entirely NEW camera line, is going to see more than an average number of problems over the first six months. After that, the initial growing pains of an entirely new production production line will only get better, which results in ever better quality control and reliability. Zeiss is not just any camera manufacturer. These guys know how to get it right ! Cosina's Mr. K is there to make sure it can be done right at an unbelievably low price compared to a German production line. So relax people, you have a real quality product at a bargain price !

Stephen Gandy

I received the same comment from Dr. Yao (e-mail: jospeh@yao.com) regarding his sales of ZI cameras & the lack of any cameras returned with problems.

 

[back alley]

it's a small sampling but so far there have been more cameras than not with no problems.

 

[Huck Finn]

it's a small sampling but so far there have been more cameras than not with no problems.

Every ZI that leaves the factory is inspected before it is boxed & the inspector signs off on it. You just don't find companies doing this any more. No system is perfect, but this alone should cut down significantly on the obvious problems that would otherwise show up outof the box. In other words, other companies in effect have their customers doing the quality control inspections for them & then sending them back. I imagine that there can still be some rangefinder misalignments that occur in shipping, but I'd really be surprised if there are a high percent of problems occurring initially. Only long term use will tell us if there are problems that are related to build quality.

 

[back alley]

i doubt that there will be many long term problems.
maybe it's just wishful thinking but this camera seems very sturdy and solid in my hands.

compared to the m3 it does feel lighter, i know some equate weight with quality, but after carrying it around for a few hours i much prefer the zi.

 

[Huck Finn]

Joe, the vast amount of the weight difference is due to magnesium vs brass. I don't see that making a bit of difference in terms of durability. The other factor is the use of metal throughout the M3 whereas the ZI substitutes plastic for metal in some parts. That seems to be just a fact of life in manufacturing in the 21st century. Same thing on my FM3a & its build quality is considered to be robust. Such modern compromises in manufacturing also contibute to the fact that the ZI costs half the price of an MP or M7. For most uses, I doubt that this will make a big difference either.

 

[iDude]

Now, I don't want to pee on anyone's parade. I think the ZI is an awesome camera and the accompanying glass is so excellent that the 35/2 Biogon is now my favourite lens.
I also "defended" the ZI on this fine forum against allegations of being "vapourware" long before it finally hit the shelves. Plus I owned one for a week.
But if you compare it to an M3, M2, M4, M6, MP or M7, let's talk again in 5 years. Not to mention in 50 years...

 

[jano]

The other factor is the use of metal throughout the M3 whereas the ZI substitutes plastic for metal in some parts.

This may be the key issue.. I think plastic comes with the inherent "cheap" quality, ultimatley derived from the fact that plastic can break whereas metal will just get deformed or bent. The nice thing about plastic, however, is that it can be softer and in some circumstances where metal would get deformed, the plastic will retain its shape without damage.

 

[MP/CLE]

Now, I don't want to pee on anyone's parade. I think the ZI is an awesome camera and the accompanying glass is so excellent that the 35/2 Biogon is now my favourite lens.
I also "defended" the ZI on this fine forum against allegations of being "vapourware" long before it finally hit the shelves. Plus I owned one for a week.
But if you compare it to an M3, M2, M4, M6, MP or M7, let's talk again in 5 years. Not to mention in 50 years...

Thanks, iDude, this is the kind of perspective I appreciate prior to ordering the a la carte m7 I've been floundering about. Funny, I never thought to ask about an M/ZI longterm comparison expectation, and I thank you for the idea. The M is known and although the ZI is probably great, it hasn't been proven for decades. I expect that my kid's kids will eventually have a real issue trying to find film for these Leicas, and they'll make wonderful bookends and paperweights that have a very satisfying click from the shutter... but during my lifetime they'll help me to enjoy recording life as we know it.

 

[back alley]

let me see if i understand this right...you would buy a 50 year old camera now but you won't buy a new camera in case it doesn't last 50 years?

weight aside, i doubt that a modern new leica is better built than the zi. my guess is they are on par build wise with equal amounts of plastic and problems.
and the weight diff is due to different types of metals being used.

no argument here as to what you choose to get, just wondering about the logic.

joe

 

[MP/CLE]

let me see if i understand this right...you would buy a 50 year old camera now but you won't buy a new camera in case it doesn't last 50 years?

weight aside, i doubt that a modern new leica is better built than the zi. my guess is they are on par build wise with equal amounts of plastic and problems.
and the weight diff is due to different types of metals being used.

no argument here as to what you choose to get, just wondering about the logic.

joe

Actually, I would buy a new m7 now, to go with my existing leica system knowing that it will (most likely) last 50 years, or at least as long as I want it, as opposed to a new camera with a new system with no multi-decade endurance record. I am not in the market for an old M, I just like the fact that some old ones are still wonderfully functional and would hope that mine would do the same.

Besides, I am not sure where logic actually enters when one has 7 rangefinder cameras and is pondering which brand the 8th is going to be. Its all good fun and strangely satisfying... after all, I could be billing time on a case.

 

[back alley]

logic was a poor choice of word, especially coming from me😉

my motivation was in thinking that maybe you would deny yourself a zi because it might not last 50 years.

maybe bill a few extra hours somewhere and get a black zi...and then i'll pass on my address to you🙂

joe