Zeiss ZM vs Leica M7

That finder! Yes, The ZI's finder is amazing! Clear,crisp, bright, uncluttered--to me, it's the best M-mount finder I've ever used. I use an M6TTL & MP, a Hexar RF & a Bessa R3A--and my favorite thing about the ZI's finder--It's brightline frames are indicated in the viewfinder--(28-35-50-85) ! Very Very Zeiss!
 
Do you want the quietest? Do you want a x0.58 or x0.85 magn? Do you want the "prestige"? The M7 is for you. (I would add the M7 has a better look, IMHO... but prestige and look are not very important).

If you don't need anything of this, the ZI seems to be a winner.

Ask the same question in the Leica section, and the answers you read there would be the opposite (not criticism, probably a fact).
 
Olsen said:
The Zeiss Ikon has slightly brighter viewfinder, is lighter, has as standard 'black laquer' finnish, simpler film loading and a finish all over which looks ordinary and 'fair enough' and a shutter which is good for double the number of exposures.
'

But the M7 'feels like heavy quality'. Like a Rolex watch. Everybody who hold it say; 'wow!'.
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The ZM has a shutter that is rated for 400,000-800,000 exposures?


The ZM is a nice camera, but if I had to bet money on which one will be working 20 years from now (or could still be repaired) I would have to put my money on the M7. That's the difference between a prosumer and professional camera.

HL
 
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I don't know about that. The M7 is a different beast. Unlike its mechanical brethren, this is the first electronic M camera. Hard to tell what its future will be.

Steve
 
how many prosumer canon ae-1s and pentax k-1000s are still working in the hands of amateurs and students? we forget that even non-professional gear lasts a long time.
 
And if you turn the clock back further a bit more, there are a lot of cameras from the 1930s and even older still being used.

For the most part, however, the older that give the least trouble are the all-manual cameras. And the problem areas with most 1980s cameras seem to be with electronics.
 
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Harry Lime said:
The ZM is a nice camera, but That's the difference between a prosumer and professional camera.

HL
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Ouch, that hurt's, plus IMHO I do not agree. I did some great gigs with my Bessa and even my Nikkormat.
 
I can't remember which thread I said it in, but I say it again anyway. I never got an excitement or an itch (using that other guy's term who's getting an itch for an M9, heaven only knows why) for an M7. My mate reckons this camera is a friggin' dud. Too many problems with electronics.

I have to admit though, it's a good looking thing and feels quite hefty in the hands. I was in Mapcamera last night and fondled with the thing. It's well-made. Too bad the innards are not so reliable. Apparently.
 
Well, seeing this thread brought back reminded me just how long I have had my Zeiss Ikon ZI Rangefinder camera. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. The camera has given me nothing but pleasure, and no troubles of any sort during the I guess five years since I began using it (one of the early "limited edition models). Similarly, my collection of ZM lenses have also been trouble free while producing lovely (to my biased but kind of critical eye) results. I have never regretted selling my M7. The ZI just does it all, quietly and well, from 21mm on up to 135mm. Happily and highly recommended to anyone considering a rangefinder purchase (no Zeiss connection here, though I do wish I had one).
Larry
 
ljsegil said:
Well, seeing this thread brought back reminded me just how long I have had my Zeiss Ikon ZI Rangefinder camera. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. The camera has given me nothing but pleasure, and no troubles of any sort during the I guess five years since I began using it (one of the early "limited edition models). Similarly, my collection of ZM lenses have also been trouble free while producing lovely (to my biased but kind of critical eye) results. I have never regretted selling my M7. The ZI just does it all, quietly and well, from 21mm on up to 135mm. Happily and highly recommended to anyone considering a rangefinder purchase (no Zeiss connection here, though I do wish I had one).
Larry
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100% agree with this.
 
I've got an M4 - been thinking about the M7/ZI situation - how is the shutter sound of the ZI by comparison with the M7 and M4?

thanks
 
From my experience the MP and M7 are equally unreliable which is understandable since Leica has to save manufacturing costs (same goes for lenses). The ZI is nicely designed and seems to hold up quite well except for the leatherette and the RF alignment going off from time to time. If I had to buy a new film RF body, it would be a ZI ... :)
 
I just recently sold my M6 and got a Zi.
I'm aware of the fact the M7 and the M6 are probably different worlds...but the ZI is a truly amazing camera.
And I don't regret for a second getting rid of the M6.
It feels as if the Zi has been designed by people who love RF's (probably even use Leicas)
but decided to develop the M-camera a step further.

And that viewfinder....
 
Yeah, Akiba, probably.
But it's only one article of open ZI-worship to a billion of Leica one's.

After having tried the Zi I can only agree with the article. It's so good.
 
I've used a Nikon F3 for over 25 years. In my view the M7 is Leica's equivalent of the Nikon F3. So, when I picked up a second hand one (and had it overhauled by Leica USA), working with it was surprisingly familiar, except for the wrong way around focusing and aperture scales on the lens. Even the direction of the M7 shutter speed sequence is the same as the F3. The F3 is very smooth due to its liberal use of roller bearings, but I've got to say that the M7 feels even smoother. The shutter is far quieter than an SLR's.

I've never tried the ZI, but I can say that the M7 is a great camera which is fun to use, and reliable so far in my use. I have the 0.85x finder, and with the 1.25x magnifier, the view is 1:1 (life size). I keep my other eye open for a stereo view of the world while focusing and composing. The M7 finder is polarized, and slightly darker than the RF patch, but focusing and composing through it is a delight.
 
branki said:
Yeah, Akiba, probably.
But it's only one article of open ZI-worship to a billion of Leica one's.

After having tried the Zi I can only agree with the article. It's so good.
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Totally agree. I had the M7 and it was the finest camera I ever owned except that it had reliability problems. As I said before, nary a problem with the ZI. Hence my choice.
 
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