richardman
Well-known member
I used to highly recommend Zeiss viewfinders. They are incredibly bright. I also have a few Zeiss ZM lens such as the Sonnar 85/2 ZM and the 25/2.8. Of course I love their 30 year SWC Biogon lens. I also owned the 21/2.8 ZM before.
However, I can no longer recommend Zeiss products. Why? Take a look at the following photos. The first one is just hand held using the Zeiss 15mm Viewfinder lining up the horizontal framelines with the lines on the wall etc. It’s very loosely done and I am not directly parallel to the wall so there’s a slight tilt and distortion, not a problem.
The second one is taken with the 25/28mm Zeiss Viewfinder with the camera on the tripod and I lining up the framelines as careful as possible. See the problem?
Yes, the framelines are tilted. This does not happen on the 15mm VF, or the 21mm and 25mm VF I once owned. I understand things can get out of alignment, especially since this is a used item. I am prepared to have it fixed if the price is right. So I emailed Zeiss support, having done business with them previously when they adjusted my Sonnar 85/2 ZM.
The conversation (I have to respect their “confidentiality” and not posting the actual email) basically went like this:
(Zeiss Person): there is nothing wrong with the viewfinder. Zeiss does not recommend using the finder on non-Zeiss cameras (oh yea, like there are zillions of Zeiss Ikon being used compared to the Leica M? Dream ON). You have to adjust for it.
Me: but the other viewfinders work fine!
ZP: you can send it to us for inspection, I can tell WITH CERTAINTY that there is nothing wrong with the viewfinder.
****
With certainty? Without looking at it, and with all the other Zeiss finders working just fine on the same camera? Really? Wow. And this would be the last time I purchase a Zeiss viewfinder. You be the judge of the photo evidence. I will rather spend $150 and get a Voigtlander Cosina finder than dealing with such arrogance. So much for the legendary Zeiss quality.
(blog at Zeiss Customer “Support” » Richard Man Photography)
However, I can no longer recommend Zeiss products. Why? Take a look at the following photos. The first one is just hand held using the Zeiss 15mm Viewfinder lining up the horizontal framelines with the lines on the wall etc. It’s very loosely done and I am not directly parallel to the wall so there’s a slight tilt and distortion, not a problem.
The second one is taken with the 25/28mm Zeiss Viewfinder with the camera on the tripod and I lining up the framelines as careful as possible. See the problem?
Yes, the framelines are tilted. This does not happen on the 15mm VF, or the 21mm and 25mm VF I once owned. I understand things can get out of alignment, especially since this is a used item. I am prepared to have it fixed if the price is right. So I emailed Zeiss support, having done business with them previously when they adjusted my Sonnar 85/2 ZM.
The conversation (I have to respect their “confidentiality” and not posting the actual email) basically went like this:
(Zeiss Person): there is nothing wrong with the viewfinder. Zeiss does not recommend using the finder on non-Zeiss cameras (oh yea, like there are zillions of Zeiss Ikon being used compared to the Leica M? Dream ON). You have to adjust for it.
Me: but the other viewfinders work fine!
ZP: you can send it to us for inspection, I can tell WITH CERTAINTY that there is nothing wrong with the viewfinder.
****
With certainty? Without looking at it, and with all the other Zeiss finders working just fine on the same camera? Really? Wow. And this would be the last time I purchase a Zeiss viewfinder. You be the judge of the photo evidence. I will rather spend $150 and get a Voigtlander Cosina finder than dealing with such arrogance. So much for the legendary Zeiss quality.
(blog at Zeiss Customer “Support” » Richard Man Photography)
