Zeiss Ikon SW - Are they being stupid again?

[Avotius]

sorry to say....totaly not interested. I would rather dish out a few extra bucks for a camera with a rangefinder in it just incase I wanted to shoot some normal photos....but at least they blued in the logo finally (something I was gona do if I ever got a zi)

 

[Joerg]

i notice they have a zeiss side grip and leather case available in october.

joe,

thnaks for making me aware of this.
Here goes my money...........for something useful.

Ciao

joerg

 

[micromontenegro]

You know what I would buy? A new ZI in the original Contax RF mount, alla Bessa R2C

 

[varjag]

You know what I would buy? A new ZI in the original Contax RF mount, alla Bessa R2C

I would as well, though I don't think there's enough of potential users to justify production..

 

[Bryce]

Let's all just sit back and see if they sell any. Price seems very reasonable considering it's less than a third what an MP costs. Unless you question the asking price of Brand L's equipment, that is.

 

[Trius]

I did not realize ZI lenses were so bad. As far as a digital ZI, they probably don't have the millions required to make one, and after the dismal sales the Epson RD-1 got, they may feel it would be a bad investment. The new SW maybe a fairly inexpensive way to extend their line.

Careful there. Leica has developed a D-RF, and Zeiss has a lot more money than they do. Plus Zeiss has made statements indicating they're very interested in producing a digital RF, but not until there is a sensor that meets their design requirements.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I think it's funny when people act like camera manufacturers owe them something.

"How dare you create a camera that isn't exactly what I want?!? And, even though I don't want the camera, how dare you make it more expensive than I (in my infinite wisdom and understanding of the industry) think it should cost?!?!"

If you want the camera, buy it. If you don't, don't.

 

[Avotius]

Careful there. Leica has developed a D-RF, and Zeiss has a lot more money than they do. Plus Zeiss has made statements indicating they're very interested in producing a digital RF, but not until there is a sensor that meets their design requirements.

here's hoping they do make one with a full frame and I will be a convert overnight and after the paycheck shows up.

 

[Finder]

Careful there. Leica has developed a D-RF, and Zeiss has a lot more money than they do. Plus Zeiss has made statements indicating they're very interested in producing a digital RF, but not until there is a sensor that meets their design requirements.

Being interested is not the same as "going to." Also, ZI does not have access to all of Zeiss' profits. They have a budget and I am sure it is not a major department within the company. Like all companies, it has to be economically viable. Leica may be doing it because they feel they have no choice as digital is taking too much away from them. I am sure ZI is watching to see how successful Leica is before they take the plunge. Leica also has an edge because they have been working with digital cameras whereas ZI would be starting from scratch. The amount of money to make their first digital rangefinder is huge and if there is no market support, ZI can go the same way as Mamiya.

 

[Socke]

Leica also has an edge because they have been working with digital cameras whereas ZI would be starting from scratch. The amount of money to make their first digital rangefinder is huge and if there is no market support, ZI can go the same way as Mamiya.

ZI may be starting from scratch but Zeiss certainly not. Think Sony, Nokia and Mars Express 🙂

 

[Mazurka]

"How dare you create a camera that isn't exactly what I want?!? And, even though I don't want the camera, how dare you make it more expensive than I (in my infinite wisdom and understanding of the industry) think it should cost?!?!"

If you want the camera, buy it. If you don't, don't.

Can't say it better myself. Interestingly, many people at the Leica fora have exactly the same attitude towards the ZI and ZM lenses, despite the astronomical and constantly-rising prices of Leica products.

Being interested is not the same as "going to." Also, ZI does not have access to all of Zeiss' profits. They have a budget and I am sure it is not a major department within the company. Like all companies, it has to be economically viable.

Zeiss Ikon is not a company or even a department. It's just a camera under the Photo division.

In this collaboration with Cosina, Zeiss is more interested in keeping a stake and tradition in the 35mm field than making profits. I'm sure they wouldn't do it had Kyocera not terminated the entire Contax line. They also do it for consumer awareness of the brand name. Of course, a little income won't hurt things either.

 

[Finder]

I just saw two Japanese reviews of the SW. It is a very nice camera. If I needed a superwide 35mm camera, this would get serious consideration. Aperture priority and manual exposure. And the metering is active in both exposure modes. A finder mount and a separate hot shoe/accessory shoe.

 

[John Robertson]

Had a look at the Zeiss/Cosina site, the frameline lever would seem to be the AE lock, instead of the button on the back of the camera.

 

[back alley]

joe,

thnaks for making me aware of this.
Here goes my money...........for something useful.

Ciao

joerg

did you see the pics?

 

[Joerg]

did you see the pics?

yup!
drool

Ciao

Joerg

 

[StuartR]

Wow, it looks very similar to the M grip. I suppose that is a good thing if you like the M grip!

 

[aoresteen]

My 1952 IIIF works just fine with my 15mm & 21mm CV lenses. And I can use my Leicavit.

Why no motor drive?

 

[Mazurka]

Why no motor drive?

It's the same reason why the M5 and CL never had a motor (or human) drive.