Zeiss Ikon & the Elmar-M 50/2.8

[Jason Sprenger]

Avotius asked about this in another thread,so I thought I'd post for general consumption.

I mounted the new style Elmar-M 50/2.8 on to a ZI today. It will collapse clearing the back of the camera only when the lens is set to minimum focus. When the lens is set to much else, the rear of the lens contacts a shelf at the back of the camera. The shutter seems safe enough, but I'd worry about compromising the finish on the inside of the camera.

However, FWIW, I would think a collapsible Summicron 50/2 or the new Heliar 50/2 would collapse without contacting the back of the camera.

 

[Avotius]

fantastic, a few people have been asking about this too and im sure they will love to read about this. Thanks a lot Jason.

 

[ZeissFan]

... However, FWIW, I would think a collapsible Summicron 50/2 or the new Heliar 50/2 would collapse without contacting the back of the camera.

That's good information to know, although I'm curious how you came to this conclusion regarding the other two lenses?

Do the rear elements on the Summicron and Heliar not extend as deeply into the body?

 

[Jason Sprenger]

You are correct, the Summicron does not collapse as far into the camera as the Elmar-M.

My Bessa R2a can safely wear a collapsible Summicron and behaves as the ZI did with the Elmar-M so I figured things might work the other way too. Since I'm home now and can try it, the old Summicron does seem to collapse okay into a ZI. The barrel of the Elmar-M is just a small fraction of an inch too long to fit inside the ZI and the Bessa without contacting the back.

As to the Heliar 50/2, I'm going by what others have reported with the Bessa R2M as this 50 isn't among my arsenal. Specifically, about a week ago, Steve Gandy of Cameraquest reported on the Bessa forum here that the Heliar 50/2 would collapse into a "Leica M8, M5, or CL, as well as the Minolta CLE and Konica RF". Some of these cameras have metering arms that really restrict how deep the lens can go into the camera. Consequently, the Heliar mustn't intrude very much at all into the camera body when collapsed.

 

[Huck Finn]

Specifically, about a week ago, Steve Gandy of Cameraquest reported on the Bessa forum here that the Heliar 50/2 would collapse into a "Leica M8, M5, or CL, as well as the Minolta CLE and Konica RF".

I know this is off topic but . . .

No mention of the Zeiss Ikon from Stephen.🙄

He obviously has this information since he once carried the camera. His refusal to mention them when conveying such information is a real disservice to ZI owners - including those who bought the camera from him.

I find it frustrating that he continues to harbor his grudge against Zeiss. I have no idea what went into his dispute with them, but his claim of price fixing by Zeiss just hasn't held up. Photo Village, also a USA Cosina/Voigtlander distributor, carries the ZI for the grey market price of $1299 - something which Stephen claimed was not possible to do. He has expunged almost all references to the ZI & ZM lenses from his website as though it doesn't exist despite the fact that he includes information on every other rangefinder canera under the sun regardless of whether he sells it. I wish he would keep his focus on service to customers rather than petty disputes which are best kept in private.