ZI SW vs ZI RF ?

[fwellers]

I am trying to figure out what the difference is between the two. All I see is that the SW is less expensive ( significantly so ), due to the fact that it doesn't have a rangefinder.
So how does it work then ?
It doesn't seem to be very popular, I'd like to consider all options but cannot find much info about it.

Thank you,
floyd

 

[mfogiel]

The SW has the advantage of being equipped with a double hotshoe, so one of these houses the external VF and the other can house a flash (with the suncro) or a level finder. The exposure lock is activated with the lever in front, and the correct exposure zone is being confirmed by a light flashing at the back of the camera when you press the shutter. My opinion is, that it is better made and more specifically useful for the wide angle photography than a Bessa, but if I was on a budget, I'd rather buy a R4A and spend the extra money on something else - like a zeiss VF, as they are really stunning. There are special hotshoe extensions you can buy separately if you need a double one.

 

[sniki]

It's mostly for ultrawide lens use, where focusing it's more practical setting scale-distance on the lens.

 

[fuwen]

We have some discussions on the build in hot shoes of the SW. Actually only one of them is a hot shoe (that can trigger a flash). The other is actually a 'cold' shoe just for accessories. Also we feel that the spacing between the two shoes is too close to mount a external finder and a flash at the same time.

 

[fwellers]

Thanks for the replies. I still don't get it. No rangefinder, but not an slr. It sounds like you're saying that you focus with the numbers on the lens, as in hyperfocally.
But then how do you frame the shot ? No framelines ? Is it all just guesswork ?

Thanks,
Floyd

 

[le vrai rdu]

Thanks for the replies. I still don't get it. No rangefinder, but not an slr. It sounds like you're saying that you focus with the numbers on the lens, as in hyperfocally.
But then how do you frame the shot ? No framelines ? Is it all just guesswork ?

Thanks,
Floyd

you frame with an external viewfinder , mounted on the hot shoe

 

[alan davus]

You need to use external viewfinders for framing and yes, scale focus. Of course the advantage of no rangefinder is there's nothing to get knocked out of whack. It really is a body for super wides though.

 

[fwellers]

Ok thanks. I thought the external viewfinder was optional if you wanted to use certain lenses beyond a certain wideness. SO you need a viewfinder to accurately frame with any lense you put on it ?
Can someone explain why it is only considered a body "for superwides " ? will it not take pics or frame with a 35mm lense on it ? And what designates "superwide" ? Is it wider than 35 ?

SOrry for being dense. The reasoning behind this camera is alluding me.

 

[sniki]

You can use any lens of longer focal lenght, framing with dedicated external viewfinder and focusing with distance scale. Feasible but not very accurate.

 

[fuwen]

U only need external view finder for using of all lenses on SW only, because SW does not come with any build in finder at all.

ZI, however, comes with build in finder with framelines from 28 to 85. So u do not need external finder for lenses 28, 35, 50, 85. However, if u are using lenses 15, 21, 25, u will then need the corresponding external finder.

 

[kshapero]

You can skip the External VF if you like surprises.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Superwides (25mm or wider) are MUCH easier to scale-focus, because at a given distance, depth of field covers focusing errors better.

You can define 'superwide' how you like. Some might go as high as 28 or even 35; others might choose 21mm or wider. My personal choice is 24/25.

My wife has a ZI SW and loves it, especially with an 18/4. She has the finder in one shoe and a level in the other. As she never uses flash this isn't an issue. I can't see the point: I'd rather pay the extra and have the rangefinder and viewfinder. But it's personal choice, and money. For a piece on scale/zone focusing, see:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how zone focus.html

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[kram]

I scale focus my Minox with its 35mm lens, no problem. But what is the cost of the ZI SW with a finder? If I was using 28mm or longer, I would get the ZI RF (which I did).

 

[samoksner]

scalz focussing with a 90 is possible, but one needs to be much more precise as the perceived DOF is much thinner then say on an 18mm. On a 15mm, even at f2.8, almost everything isin focus anyways, no need to use a rangefinder to focus.

 

[jky]

SW: yep, no RF therefore scale focus only... a used Bessa L is a much, much cheaper option.

 

[fuwen]

SW: yep, no RF therefore scale focus only... a used Bessa L is a much, much cheaper option.

Provided the lens is in M39 mount and not Leica M mount .......

 

[jky]

Provided the lens is in M39 mount and not Leica M mount .......

...right about that!... There's also the Bessa T (M mount), which does have a finder, but is also much cheaper than the SW. I used to use this as a dedicated wide...