Zeiss Ikon ZM SW Superwide Camera

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Thornwood, N.Y. – The Zeiss Ikon SW is the 35mm precision camera for uncompromising super-wide photographers. Compatible with M bayonet mount lenses, the Zeiss Ikon SW was designed specifically for use with one of the ZEISS high performance super-wide angle lenses: Distagon T* 2.8/15 ZM or one of the Biogon T* types from the ZEISS ZM range.


An accessory shoe directly above the lens takes the corresponding super-wide Viewfinder 15mm ZI, 21mm ZI or 25/28mm ZI. A second shoe is also built-in to take a flash, a bubble level or other accessory.

The electronically controlled metal focal plane shutter offers speeds ranging from 1/2000 sec. – 8 sec. in automatic mode (AE-lock is available) and 1/2000 - 1 sec. + B in manual mode. The fastest flash sync speed is 1/125 sec.



The Zeiss Ikon SW offers the same extremely high image quality as the current Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera, which is far above today’s digital cameras. It is fully integrated into the Zeiss Ikon system. Since the Zeiss Ikon SW comes without the complex rangefinder mechanism, the price is considerably more affordable than other rangefinder cameras.

The Zeiss Ikon SW will be available beginning October 2006 in a choice of chrome or black finish at a list price of $999.00.
 
The answer to the Bessa T? ;)

Thanks, Jorge! I'm not in the market for anything like this, but I'm sure it should interest some people. Let's bump it! :)
 
Francisco, it looks more like the Bessa L to me. And only slightly more expensive.:p
Kurt M.
 
Considering you can get a Bessa L for under $100 and a screw to bayonet adaptor for about $60 why would anyone need this, except for snob appeal.

With the L you can also use the 12mm Heliar directly.

I think as film cameras become less common the status factor will be more important to makers. We will be seeing more of what I consider "doctor's" cameras.
In the old days these were just Leica's and Hasselblads.
 
i'd like one.
it would pair up with my zi and i'd use it as intended with a wide angle lens. be nice to have the same camera/meter etc fo my lenses.
 
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it's funny, people thought the bessa l and the t were good ideas and added to the rf world/culture but because this is more expensive everyone spits on it.
makes no sense to me.

joe
 
back alley said:
it's funny, people thought the bessa l and the t were good ideas and added to the rf world/culture but because this is more expensive everyone spits on it.
makes no sense to me.

joe
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I don't think people are spitting on it per se.. but I would question the motives.

Cosina is clearly making the Zeiss bodies to Zeiss specifications.
Cosina, some time ago now (if memory serves correctly) cancels the Bessa L and Bessa T.
Suddenly (i.e. out of the blue) the Zeiss SW appears as though the Bessa L and Bessa T never existed.

Not that there's anything wrong with producing this type of body again but it does sort of smack of a money grab by whomever (be it Zeiss OR Cosina) to those willing to spend the coin.

The flip side of this, of course, is the same thing can be said of Leica and the LHSA who produce "special editions" for people to collect while not adding any significant advances to the actual product line itself.

Just my meager 2 cents worth,
Dave
 
Dave, I think Cosina is payed by Zeiss to produce those cameras.
 
Socke said:
Dave, I think Cosina is payed by Zeiss to produce those cameras.
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Perhaps yes.. but what I'm questioning is the following:
Is it the dog wagging his tail or the tail wagging the dog?

Is it really Zeiss who's said "You know what we'd like.. something like a SuperWide camera" or is it Cosina who's said to Zeiss "You know what would be cool for you guys to have in your product line . . . "

And seeing as how Cosina has produced a camera like this before; I'd hazard a guess that it's the latter rather than the former.

I'm just questioning it, that's all, as I certainly don't know the truth behind the speculation I'm making. I'm sure, that if it's anything like the former Bessa L / T offerings that it will be well received if not more so.

Dave
 
but then we get back into the argument that the zi is a rebadged bessa and that then this sw is a rebadged l or t.
and i just don't believe that.
if anything cosina is making better cv gear because of the zeiss influence.
 
back alley said:
but then we get back into the argument that the zi is a rebadged bessa and that then this sw is a rebadged l or t.
and i just don't believe that.
if anything cosina is making better cv gear because of the zeiss influence.
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I'm not stating that this is a rebadged anything.

I'm quite aware that it's a "different" camera body - it's clear in the shape and make but the concept is the same. Now one can argue that the concept is going to be the same merely because it's a rangefinder and that you can only do "so much" with that type of camera but what I am saying is that I really question the fact that Zeiss requested Cosina to make this body rather than Cosina influencing Zeiss since they (Cosina) already know the way to make said bodies (having had previous experience with the Bessas).

I don't doubt that these will/are more durable than the previous Bessa offerings, which were great deals and a great way for folks to get into RF photography without splurging a small fortune, but again I just question what motives are driving this (other than the obvious sales one.. which some may argue is the only thing that matters).

Dave
 
dcsang said:
"You know what we'd like.. something like a SuperWide camera" or is it Cosina who's said to Zeiss

"You know what would be cool for you guys to have in your product line . . . "

Dave
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#1. OEM

#2. ODM sale pitch

both the OEM customer and the manufacturer interact, you can't define who is tell who what to do...

but I would say it should be Zeiss idea, remember the Hologon Super Wide camera 20 (or so) years ago?
 
Zeiss can sell a thousand or two, easily..

Some professional don't want to be caught dead with a Bessa L on assignments...

Is an image thing....
 
for me, it's like this...if i could get a bessa t for 50 bucks, i would buy it.
if i had the cash i would buy the sw in a new york minute.
right after i got the black zi body :)
 
ferider said:
Exactly. The Hassi SWC. Older than the Bessa L.
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Oh, that one too.

I meant the Hologon Super Wide based on the Ikon SLR before the whole series dies...

Saw it once or twice, but I can't remember the name.

Zeiss seems to have a great history with SW, all went back to aerial surveillance lens, huh?
 
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