Zeiss Ikon ZM

dpbell · 4th June 2007

Hi,

I'm new to posting on this forum though I have been lurking and reading the many informative posts here.

I would like to find out if anyone here has tried out the much vaunted Zeiss Ikon ZM body?

The long rangefinder base, bright viewfinder and choice of framelines make this sound like a very competent rangefinder camera indeed.

I'd also appreciate any comments on the build and similarities/differences with the Voigtlander Bessas, given their similar origins.

Thanks,

David.

chiif · 5th June 2007

Hi David,

Welcome to the Range Finder world!

The Ikon is a very well designed body, as you mentioned, the long baselength makes it a very competent rangefinder camera. Built quality is very good, but you cannot compare with the Leica Ms. View finder, I would say, it's bright, infact, it's brighter than my M6 classic.

As for comparision with the Bessa, I would say, it's better made than the Bessa. It's a totally different body and design. Beside coming out from the same factory and the same hands that made both cameras, they do not have much similarities. I am not sure whether the shutter mechanism or the metering are the same, so I cannot confirm the internal organs are the same. In the Cosina factory, they are being assembled side by side.

The paint work on the Ikon is also smoother than the Bessa, as I believe Zeiss would have specified certain paint to be coated and maybe more layers of coating.

In Singapore, Ikon is retail for about $2.4K. In Japan, you can get a new Ikon for about S$1.7K~S$1.8K. Some second hand shops can get a mint one for S$1.4K.

Well, if you are comparing Bessa & Ikon, at half the price, the Bessa is definitly a pretty usable camera for general shooting (ideal for wide angles).

paisatge · 5th June 2007

problem for me is they are not digital

dpbell · 5th June 2007

Hi chiif,

The R4 seems like a very attractive proposition for wide angle shooting, especially with the new M-mount skopar 21 or 25mm lenses. I must find time to try one...

My interest in the Ikon was piqued by reports on some of the overseas photo forums, though it seems like it does not have much of a local following. I guess Leica still has a stranglehold on things here, with Voigtlander covering the entry level market.

My gut feel is that Zeiss might be next to step into the digital rangefinder market, leveraging on the lessons learnt from the M8, and possibly doing a ful frame sensor instead.

fuwen · 5th June 2007

If u can read Chinese/Cantonese can try this Hong Kong forum. All are Zeiss/Contax supporters.

http://forum.contax-club.org/index.p...87c1553a7fb3bf

4th June 2007	#1
dpbell New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Berlin Posts: 6	Zeiss Ikon ZM Hi, I'm new to posting on this forum though I have been lurking and reading the many informative posts here. I would like to find out if anyone here has tried out the much vaunted Zeiss Ikon ZM body? The long rangefinder base, bright viewfinder and choice of framelines make this sound like a very competent rangefinder camera indeed. I'd also appreciate any comments on the build and similarities/differences with the Voigtlander Bessas, given their similar origins. Thanks, David.

5th June 2007	#2
chiif Advertiser Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Excelsior S.C #02-25 Posts: 2,369	Re: Zeiss Ikon ZM Hi David, Welcome to the Range Finder world! The Ikon is a very well designed body, as you mentioned, the long baselength makes it a very competent rangefinder camera. Built quality is very good, but you cannot compare with the Leica Ms. View finder, I would say, it's bright, infact, it's brighter than my M6 classic. As for comparision with the Bessa, I would say, it's better made than the Bessa. It's a totally different body and design. Beside coming out from the same factory and the same hands that made both cameras, they do not have much similarities. I am not sure whether the shutter mechanism or the metering are the same, so I cannot confirm the internal organs are the same. In the Cosina factory, they are being assembled side by side. The paint work on the Ikon is also smoother than the Bessa, as I believe Zeiss would have specified certain paint to be coated and maybe more layers of coating. In Singapore, Ikon is retail for about $2.4K. In Japan, you can get a new Ikon for about S$1.7K~S$1.8K. Some second hand shops can get a mint one for S$1.4K. Well, if you are comparing Bessa & Ikon, at half the price, the Bessa is definitly a pretty usable camera for general shooting (ideal for wide angles).

5th June 2007	#3
paisatge Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 481	Re: Zeiss Ikon ZM problem for me is they are not digital

5th June 2007	#4
dpbell New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Berlin Posts: 6	Re: Zeiss Ikon ZM Hi chiif, The R4 seems like a very attractive proposition for wide angle shooting, especially with the new M-mount skopar 21 or 25mm lenses. I must find time to try one... My interest in the Ikon was piqued by reports on some of the overseas photo forums, though it seems like it does not have much of a local following. I guess Leica still has a stranglehold on things here, with Voigtlander covering the entry level market. My gut feel is that Zeiss might be next to step into the digital rangefinder market, leveraging on the lessons learnt from the M8, and possibly doing a ful frame sensor instead. Last edited by dpbell; 5th June 2007 at 12:19 PM.

5th June 2007	#5
fuwen Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Singapore, Woodlands Posts: 1,974	Re: Zeiss Ikon ZM If u can read Chinese/Cantonese can try this Hong Kong forum. All are Zeiss/Contax supporters. http://forum.contax-club.org/index.p...87c1553a7fb3bf __________________ Contax Aria - Rolleiflex 3003 - SL66 - Rollei 35RF / Voigtlander R4M - Carl Zeiss My website