ZI: When Leica fans attack...

[Gabriel M.A.]

Face it. There are "Brand-name Snobs" for whom only a few marques will suffice. All else is garbage and unworthy of cluttering up their B&W world.

<snip>

Most equipment is capable of giving good results without regard for the name on the badge. If I could afford one of the new Zeiss cameras, I'd buy one and it could share shelf space with my old Leicas, Olympus', Prakticas, Exaktas etc. If I could fit one of my old Vivtar or Soligor lenses to the new Zeiss, I'd do that too! 😀

Well said. One thing is to know what a certain brand and make is known for, what its good points and shortcomings are. I get so sick and tired of the Nikon/Canon debate, and the Leica/NonLeica debate. I own both Canon and Nikon gear, but mostly Canon because I am more comfortable and have invested more in Canon gear, and of course I have a Leica M6 for technical and sentimental reasons. I may have as well bought a Bessa R2a or R3a, but I could not escape the lure of the M6. I am still considering a Bessa R2a, btw.

Many people tend to side with "camps". It's the whole Sports mentality of "This" Team vs. the "Other" Team, which is more rampant in some parts of the World than others, I might add.

I think that those who are not "Leica owners" who "bash nonLeica equipment" and are most shocked by it, tend to fall into the same line of thinking and in turn categorize Leica owners as snobs. I don't know if I'm a snob, but I really don't care what brand my camera is; I care what quality I can expect my pictures to be when I take them with it. I like to know its limitations and its strengths. Be it a lowly Kodak Instamatik or a Lubitel or a Hasselblad Xpan II, they all have their applications. Piting one camp against the other is pointless. They're all cameras. The artist has his/her work cut out knowing how to use his/her tool of choice.

Granted, Leica has had decades of following; it's a cult. It's one of the most expensive and expansive cults in photography, so of course you're going to find some snobs who are louder than most. The rest of us don't like them either.

 

[Flow]

Now that Kyocera has abandoned the Contax camera line, CZ can always use it on new cameras, including the new ZI line. That would make historical sense, since ZI was the name of the camera company, not a certain RF camera model, but the marketing/hyping of the ZI brand may have advanced too far for that to happen anytime soon.

Can they just do that? BrcauseI thought that would be like the trademark already belong to Kyocera and if they want to use the Contax name don't they have to buy it back or something? Anyhoo I dunno how this works. But I just think it is weird you mentioned that kyocera just discontinued Contax but another company can just freely use the name.

 

[nwcanonman]

Huck,
The material that comes to mind for "thermal stability" would be carbon fiber. It's used in everything from fishing rods to High-Buck aircraft.
Just a thought.

 

[aoresteen]

I was one of the persons in the p.net thead that was called a "non-discrmintating consumer" because I stated that the CV 35mm PII lens was as well built as my Leica 90mm f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit (it is). I was also told that just because I said it was didn't make it so, yet the same person claimed that the Leica lens was built better because he said so. Fine logic!

Technicaly Zeiss partnered with Yashica who was latter aquired by Kyocera. The agreement transfered to Kyocera.

Zeiss also partnered with Pentax in the late 60's & early 70's. Zeiss designed the Pantax K mount.

As to how welll the ZI body will do, we need to wait and see. The first versions of the M3 had problems and Popular Photography sent their M3 sample back to Leitz and told them to make changes. So let's give Zeiss & Cosina a chance before we torpedo them.

BTY, I just ordered a CV 25mm SC lens in Contax/Nikon from Camera Quest to use on my Contax IIa. All the CS lenses have been discontinued so if you need a decent wide angle for your Contax II/III better get them now. At $369 plus shipping the 25mm is a bargain as it include a 25mm BL viewfinder.

 

[wlewisiii]

Zeiss also partnered with Pentax in the late 60's & early 70's. Zeiss designed the Pantax K mount.

Now that's interesting to know. Does this mean that there are CZ K-mount lenses out there?

BTY, I just ordered a CV 25mm SC lens in Contax/Nikon from Camera Quest to use on my Contax IIa. All the CS lenses have been discontinued so if you need a decent wide angle for your Contax II/III better get them now. At $369 plus shipping the 25mm is a bargain as it include a 25mm BL viewfinder.

If you're even half as happy with the 25 as I am with my 35SC, you'll be a very happy camper, indeed. It's a glorious lens on my Kievs and I look forward to using it on my III once I get it back. I wish I had the pennies to buy the whole set - plus the 50 and longer lenses to put on an S3 2000... 😀

William

 

[back alley]

Paul, join us at the gathering in New York on June 28 & meet some real RF fans who don't shout at each other, who are open to others' opinions & information, and who actually like each other & get along. 🙂

Huck

no shouting?
i can't shout? at all? none?

joe

 

[nwcanonman]

Joe,
Well, you could try typiing in all CAPS!!!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

no shouting?
i can't shout? at all? none?

Bewy bewy qweitly

 

[back alley]

not vewy much fun...

 

[nwcanonman]

Joe,
My EX found that putting a pillow over her face muted the sound ..... but then she wanted to hold the pillow. 😱

 

[back alley]

you bad!

joe

 

[Trius]

Now that Kyocera has abandoned the Contax camera line, CZ can always use it on new cameras, including the new ZI line. That would make historical sense, since ZI was the name of the camera company, not a certain RF camera model, but the marketing/hyping of the ZI brand may have advanced too far for that to happen anytime soon.

Maybe, but wouldn't it be a huge marketing/hype advantage to actually badge them as Contax ... surprising everyone? Maybe that is what is holding up initial shipments of the bodies. Hey, if pnet slobs can start rumours, why not me? 😀

 

[jbw]

am i the only one that is looking forward to seeing if the viewfinder on the zi is much better and easier to use with glasses than my m's.... so i could use my leica lenses on the zi... or would i be burned at the stake for even the thought of it... 🙂

 

[rover]

In it's hayday Zeiss was one of the two largest photographic equipment manufacturers in the world, the other being Kodak. A conglomoration of many companies, Zeiss made every photographic item you could think of. In many formats, their biggest competition was themselves as they at many times were manufacturing over 100 different camera models in all formats. Yes the Zeiss name is most commonly though of in regards of optics today, but traditionally it is a name of general photographic excellence.

http://www.company7.com/zeiss/history.html

 

[back alley]

i fear the new cz camera and it's finder...i can't afford a brand new camera and hell will freeze over before i sell the p's to help finance it.

i will never look at or touch that camera!

oh hell, who am i kidding?

joe

 

[Huck Finn]

Can they just do that? BrcauseI thought that would be like the trademark already belong to Kyocera and if they want to use the Contax name don't they have to buy it back or something? Anyhoo I dunno how this works. But I just think it is weird you mentioned that kyocera just discontinued Contax but another company can just freely use the name.

Flow, the trademark never belonged to Kyocera. It was licensed to them by Carl Zeiss, who retained ownership of the Contax name. Kyocera, a highly diversified mega-corporation, has decided to pull out of the film camera business. So, Zeiss can now do with the name whatever they want since they still own it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Good. Call it a Contax. Make it have a big viewfinder. Then put a Contax Mount on it. If it is not going to use a Contax mount, leave the name as-is.

The bad-mouthing Leica-Lovers at PNEt are still mad that Contax Kicked Leica's Xenon butt's with the Sonnar in the '30s and are afraid of a rematch. Zeiss steered off-course into the Contarex and Contaflex in the '50s. At least they have seen the error of their ways and want back into the RF business.

 

[David Kieltyka]

Does this mean that there are CZ K-mount lenses out there?

No, though at least two early Pentax K lenses used Zeiss designs: the 15mm f/3.5 and the 28mm f/2. Zeiss later produced both lenses for the Yashica/Contax mount. There was also a Leica-branded version of the 15mm for the R mount. For a short time Pentax made the 15mm in M42 screwmount too.

-Dave-

 

[David Kieltyka]

My understanding is Kyocera has exclusive rights to use the Contax brand for at least a couple more years. If true maybe Zeiss can buy back the name or negotiate some sort of agreement with Kyocera. Or maybe they'll just wait 'til the name reverts back to them anyway.

-Dave-

 

[Trius]

Good. Call it a Contax. Make it have a big viewfinder. Then put a Contax Mount on it. If it is not going to use a Contax mount, leave the name as-is.

Doh! My bad!!

Trius