Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera

[emmawest72]

Hi,

I'm looking at maybe adding a friend to my old m4-2 and I came across this zeiss ikon which looks really nice and also comes at a reasonable price for my wallet...
I could of course also get another m4-2 but I'm quite attracted by the inhouse metering.

However, I don't know much about it and would really be grateful if anybody had some real experience with this cam.

Big thanks!!

William

 

[back alley]

what sort of info are you looking for?

i have shot with a zi for a few years and loved it.
comfortable in my hands, viewfinder that is like a bay window. and great lenses too.
it has a wide ebl so easy to focus longer lenses. the shutter is actually quiet but many complain about it's 'loudness', in reality, the shutter sound is metallic (shutter is metal) while a leica has a cloth shutter and sounds quieter. i measured an m3 against the zi with a spl meter and the db level was the same for both cameras.
i still have mine but rarely use it as i have a couple of rd1's that i prefer.

joe

 

[Stuart Richardson]

It feels a bit tinnier than a Leica, but it has a superb viewfinder, and having AE is very nice. It needs a battery to operate (the M7 does too, but it will do 1/60th and 1/125th without batteries). Lots of people like the way the shutter speeds are displayed in the VF, but I like the M7's solution better. Anyway, I think if you want an M mount camera with AE and don't feel like paying for an M7, I think the Ikon is a superb choice. Of course, reasonable people prefer the Ikon to the M7 too...it is just personal preference.

 

[johnastovall]

It made Mike Johnson's top ten recommended cameras of 2008

Nice review of it.

 

[back alley]

and you can dress them up too!

 

[emmawest72]

Thanks a lot to all of you.

The information you all provided iro shuttersound and viewfinder was exactly what I was looking for. I know it needs batteries but in view of the size of the batteries I can easily have a few lying around in my pocket.


Joe: cool blue!!

Well, I think I'm going to start to hunt for a 2nd hand ZI body

Cheers

 

[Stuart Richardson]

Nice blue Joe! That's actually just like my M7.

Well...black and white does not help...

William -- I think you will really like the Ikon. It is a really great solution and the viewfinder is great, particularly if you like shooting 28mm lenses.

 

[emmawest72]

Stuart,

I only have a 35mm and a 50mm lens and I think it will remain like that. I already have trouble choosing between those 2

 

[back alley]

the blue zi is open to offers.
i also have the zeiss grip.

joe