Zeiss Ikon. When?

MP Guy

MP Guy

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I am ready to buy this puppy and was wondering what the latest rumors are in regards to avilability.

JT
 
I've heard they are still struggling with production/quality problems for the announced lenses (28/35/50) so be prepared for some delay.
 
They recently announced release of 50/2 to destributors by end of January & other 3 (25, 28, 35) by end of February. I assume that the distributors are in the process of getting the 50 into the hands of dealers as we speak & that it wil be showing up on their websites any day.

Hasselblad tells me May/June for the ZI.

BTW, Jorge, you'll have quite a collection of elite cameras when you're done. Leica for B/W, ZI for color?
 
Thanks Huck, I had thought there was an announcement that the ZI was delayed until next spring, but I know your info is accurate on this one, Or, as accurate as to what has been made public.
 
I handled a prototype ZI a few months ago at Photokina. Admittedly, it was a pre-production model, but I didn't like the way it worked mechanically -- rough film advance and shutter sounds well below Leica standards. Before you buy, I recommend you handle a production unit first to make sure it's acceptable.
 
Jorge, Let us know.

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Start your Future in Optical Engineering!
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Mike Richards said:
I handled a prototype ZI a few months ago at Photokina. Admittedly, it was a pre-production model, but I didn't like the way it worked mechanically -- rough film advance and shutter sounds well below Leica standards. Before you buy, I recommend you handle a production unit first to make sure it's acceptable.
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Thanks for the tip, Mike. Shutter noise doesn't seem to matter in the situations I find myself shooting. But regarding the rough film advance, what does that indicate? What problems, if any, should I anticipate?

Thanks in advance.
 
I also had one im my hand at the Kina, there were two prototypes, but when I was there, one already was damaged. The one I tested felt fine (as much as I can say, sold my Leica M6 when I got the XPan).
 
Huck Finn said:
Thanks for the tip, Mike. Shutter noise doesn't seem to matter in the situations I find myself shooting. But regarding the rough film advance, what does that indicate? What problems, if any, should I anticipate?
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I trust that it means the prototype just did not have the production innards. I expect smooth, velvety operation ala Leica will be the norm for the ZI, as I don't think they would put out anything less. But I've had and handled super-cheap knock-offs from the 50s and 60s that had smoother operation than the ZI prototype. Myself, I'd like at least to see a review or two of a production model before I'd buy one.
 
Mike, the film advance on my Nikon FM3a is "smooth & velvety" compared with my Bessa R2. I like the feel of the FM3a better, but does it really matter? I'm asking because I really don't know. Will the R2 mechanism be prone to breakage?? MY understanding is that the R2A & R3A have improved film advance which uses ball bearings, so I would assume that the ZI would have at least this quality of construction.

I agree that it would be a good idea to read reviews on this camera before making a purchase. Because of the multiple companies invoved in design & construction phases, there really is no prior track record to rely on as an indicator of quality. Thanks again.
 
Huck Finn said:
Mike, the film advance on my Nikon FM3a is "smooth & velvety" compared with my Bessa R2. I like the feel of the FM3a better, but does it really matter? I'm asking because I really don't know. Will the R2 mechanism be prone to breakage?? MY understanding is that the R2A & R3A have improved film advance which uses ball bearings, so I would assume that the ZI would have at least this quality of construction.
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Huck,
I don't expect breakage will be an issue at all in any of these models -- CV or ZI or Nikon for that matter (I still have a perfectly functioning F3 that is almost 25 years old). I expect the Bessas have simpler film advance mechanisms, but not less rugged. But for the extra money, I'd expect the ZI to exhibit more "finesse" than the CV models.
 
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