Zeiss Ikon prices

[back alley]

just lifted off the cvug list...


Zeiss Ikon Body: $1617

Distagon 15/2,8mm Silver $3796
Distagon 15/2,8mm black $3796
*Available May 2005
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.15.htm

Biogon 21/2,8mm Silver $1307
Biogon 21/2,8mm black $1307
*Available May 2005
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.21.htm

Distagon 25/2,8mm Silver $1152
Distagon 25/2,8mm black $1152
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.25.htm

Biogon 28/2,8mm Silver $1042
Biogon 28/2,8mm Black $1042
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.28.htm

Biogon 35/2mm Silver $1042
Biogon 35/2mm black $1042
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.35.htm

Planar 50/2mm Silver $824
Planar 50/2mm Black $824
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.50.htm

Sonnar 85/2mm Silver $2579
Sonnar 85/2mm Black $2579
*Available May 2005
http://www.zeissikon.com/lens.85.htm

 

[rover]

MSRPs? So some discount to be expected? Really nice looking and feeling lenses guys. Can't wait to see some tests comments about the optical performance.

 

[Kris]

😱

Body costs US$1617 and Sonnar 85/2 costs US$2579? Kiss good bye to Zeiss Ikon from me. 🙁

 

[SolaresLarrave]

And I thought they were going to unseat the Leica market...

Fuggedaboutit! I see a very bright future for Leica and Voigtlander Bessa here.

You'll excuse my skepticism... but I just took delivery of some fine Nikon glass for my PHD camera... and I paid only $175!

 

[JohnM]

Forget about it, indeed. I noticed the prices for some of the finders and hoods - out of this world. For the prices they're asking, if I were in that market, I think I'd be inclined to bump up to Leica.

However, I am not and I continue to await the R3a on order. It looks like even more of a bargain than it did yesterday!

 

[wlewisiii]

Ah, well, looks like an R2C body for me...

William

 

[Doug]

Well, the body isn't too bad, might still be bearable. And I believe these prices were a retailer's initial selling prices, perhaps higher than mail-order. Maybe enough of those signing up early for one of the first 1200 Specials will fall by the wayside giving me a better chance at one. 😀

 

[back alley]

there is quite the discussion about all this on the cvug list.

 

[Huck Finn]

Joe, who pulished this price list on cvug? I'm surprised to see it because I've been checking in with Hasselblad & as of Monday morning, they had no price list to release. If the USA distributor isn't releasing prices, then who is?

Odd numbers for new products. Who sets prices at numbers like $1617 & $1307? It's also surprising to see prices released so soon on the body & the 3 lenses that aren't scheduled for release until next May. Even the Cosina website lists the prices on the 2 German made lenses as "to be determined" & no listing for the body at all.

In general, these seem to be pretty much in line with the pricing guidelines that Zeiss announced: "60% of Leica prices except for the 2 lenses made in Germany." In fact, some are substantially lower than even 60% Leica.

The 2 German lenses are complex designs using floating elements. If the ZEISS hype is to be believed, the 15 Distagon will produce results like no other lens of this type before. But at this price, it is clearly not for the common man.

I wonder why it is that only Leica gets away unscathed when new prices are announced. As of January, expect the M7 & the MP to be up to $3000 USD.

 

[Doug]

Rob Harrison of Seattle got the prices in an email from a dealer called Classic Connection. Here's how he started out the email:

"Just heard from Sam Shoshan,
<http://www.classicconnection.com/frame_inventory.htm > with pricing on the Zeiss Ikon line. All US$. No connection to Sam, except he did very right by me in helping me get a Passport Warranty for my used MP."

 

[rover]

Sounds like a phone call to Sam is in order, or a visit.

I don't expect that anyone will be replacing Leica glass with ZM lenses, but this is an option for people looking to step up or fill out their kit. Their real competition will be the used Leica market.

And as I recall, all mighty Leica has used glue to seal the front rings of the last 2 versions of their signiture 35/2 Summicron lens. This seal regularly breaks, and at worst can result in the lens elements coming out of alignment. This is only one example of a quality issue with Leica, so lets keep a perspective that allows us to say that Leica isn't bullet proof either.

Some will never buy the ZM glass because it isn't Leica, but the almighty $, and quality, will lead the masses.

I want full Pop Photo, and who ever else does it, tests on these babies. Heck, if they are dogs we can go back to talking about Noktons and Skopars.

 

[Doug]

Given the exquisite optical quality of the Zeiss lenses produced in Kyocera's Tomioka plant, it's hard to imagine quality of Zeiss lenses produced in Cosina's plant would be any less. At any rate, it seems very hopeful!

In the past I have liked the "look" of Pentax and Leica lenses more than that of Zeiss or Nikon, so I'm curious about how these new Zeiss lenses will perform. I could use a 2.8/21mm lens and would love to see a direct comparison between the Leica and Zeiss offerings. 🙂

 

[Huck Finn]

Doug, some have said that Leica lenses are better for B&W, Zeiss for color. Zeiss stresses the "color neutral" qualities of these lenses. Horses for courses.

BTW, thanks for your reply to my question. I've met Sam Shoshan. Very nice man. Very reputable dealer.

 

[Huck Finn]

The prices that Joe posted to start this thread are now posted on the Classic Connection website (www.classicconnection.com). Hasselblad says that they sent price lists to their dealers last week, so these would appear to be official USA prices.

 

[rover]

The 25, 28, 35 and 50 are listed as In Stock too.

A little stiff, well, really stiff pricing for the viewfinders, but you can always just buy the CV ones if you need one.

 

[dogbunny]

Lemon Camera in Tokyo:

http://www.lemonsha.com/lemon/zeissikon.html

has it listed at 142,989 yen, or about 1200 USD for the body. I guess it isn't that big of a different cor some people, but for me the difference between 1600 bucks and 1200 could tip the scales for or against.

 

[JoeFriday]

that's a pretty big price difference for most people.. 33% would make or break the deal for me.. I'd think about spending $1200, maybe a little more, for an Ikon.. but not $1600

I think Stephen Gandy will be selling them closer to the $1200 mark, tho

 

[Rick Waldroup]

You can count me in if the camera is around the $1200 range.

 

[Will]

Will report back the HK retail prices next time I go back there.

Just turn unemployed, so there are plenty of time. :bang:

Can't remember, the retail of the 50 is either $5K or 6k HKD. They list it at $5xxx... hahahahahaha... 😀

The exchange rate is around $7.75~7.76 HKD to $1 USD 😛

 

[ywenz]

Good lenses for the smallish 35mm format is overrated.. especially at these prices.. pfftt