Zeiss Ikon SW and Zeiss Ikon

SW doesn't have a rangefinder mechanism, so it's suitable for super-wide angle lenses which can be scale focused.
 
Even if you shoot WA's only, don't get the SW. Try to find a Bessa T instead for around $200.

OTOH, the ZI is most definitely worth every penny.
 
Marco,

One focuses the Zeiss Ikon SW using the focusing scale on the lens. There is no focusing mechanism in the camera body. An external view finder is used for framing.
 
focusing the SW

focusing the SW

marco.margavat said:
Is the focusing system similar to the Lomo LC-A+ ?

You can predict the distance from the subject and then set the lens.

Is it so ?
Click to expand...

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I don't know that camera, but the advice give here is good. Basically, and I mean this a nice and gentle way, if you're asking these questions, you shouldn't consider the SW. It costs too much. If you're interested in the challenge and limitations of scale focusing, get a Bessa L used, or a Rollei 35 or something---fine cameras that you can pick up for 20 to 30 percent of the cost of a SW. In my experience, scale focus works great with 25 and wider. At 28, it's OK for distance. WIder than that, it's nearly only for distance shots. Too limiting. The simplicity of the SW has its appeal, but as a tool, it is supremely limiting, and offers quite a little bang for the buck.

Unless you can pick up a used one from somebody who bought it without realizing...:p
 
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I have a SW and use it mainly with 25mm Biogon.
Scale focus works for me. I do mainly street with this camera where the simple design is just perfect for me. Also it's very light and the weight is on my hand holding the lens (which is nice). Love the Zeiss external viewfinder too...with the scale focus---> just frame and shoot, frame and shoot.. simples :)

If you can find a decent bargain second hand i would recommend to have a go with it. I don't have experience with Bessa's though, great cameras i'm sure.

Also i'm thinking to go for wider Voigtlander lenses with this camera.

(First post from long time lurker by the way.)
 
The SW is available on ebay for just over $500, and for ultra wide lenses is a fine match. Scale focus with the Rollei 35's is with a 40mm lens, and the popularity of those cameras even today would point to scale focus being a viable option.
 
The ZI SW is very much a specialty product, missing the parent model's viewfinder & rangefinder that are arguably the very best on the market. Too bad to give that up even if it were just so-so. You can do everything with the Zeiss Ikon that you can with the SW and much more... but of course at the cost difference between the two models. So cost is really the main benefit to the SW. And as suggested above there are other camera models used and new that could save a lot of $$ without sacrificing the RF, or in the case of the Bessa L or T save you even more.

The ZI SW is kinda cool in its own way, but any time I'm tempted by it I'm reminded that the ZI is way better for almost anything (and I already have one), and that the Voiglander Bessa T is way cheaper and also takes bayonet lenses but is missing auto exposure... and I already have one, and that the Bessa L is even more basic, limited to screw-mount lenses (and I already have one). So I pass on the SW, cool as it may be. :)
 
[FONT=&quot]I recently thought about buying one. There’s a few popping up on ebay selling for less than $500 and they’re brand new in the box with full warranty. Perhaps there’ll be a fire sale on these things soon as it seems that no one is buying. Here on the RFF the sponsors classifieds had a new one listed with ‘make an offer’ as the price. If they continue to come down in price, I just might bite. I scale focus the vast majority of the time anyway.[/FONT]
 
Bill, the SW is newer and parts & service are more available, given that the newest CLE is ~20 years old and the company has been swallowed up. Operationally, I'd prefer the CLE as smaller, more innocuous looking, and more versatile with an VF/RF for the times you'd want one. And you can slap an external viewfinder on it if you want that!
 
Doug:

You're right--the Achille's heel of the CLE is the electronics. I thought there might be some other advantage I was missing.

Thanks,
Bill
 
[FONT=&quot]As already mentioned, the SW has the advantage of modern electronics including a faster more accurate shutter on a camera that will never need a CLA. Plus its brand new with a warranty . The weight of these two cameras is 395g for the SW and 375g for the CLE. The height is 72.5 SW - 77.5 CLE, length is 138 SW - 124 CLE, width is the same @ 32. I much prefer the CLE as a package but wish its build quality and its internal electronics/shutter were the quality of the SW. Perhaps with the mini 35/28 external finder the SW could make a small reliable light weight day light shooter. [/FONT]
 
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