Sandokan Posted February 24, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted February 24, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just got a Zeiss Ikon ZM. Â My initial impression was wow! The viewfinder in it is just wonderful - after looking through it, I dont want to go back to the Leica's (it has the MP finder). It is bright and clear - rather like others have noticed for the wide angle viewfinders. Â However, to pick up and hold (sorry, that should probably be fondle), the Leica wins every time. But to actually look through and focus, the Zeiss is the winner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 Hi Sandokan, Take a look here Quick thoughts on Zeiss vs M7. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
hoppyman Posted February 25, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted February 25, 2011 Ravi, three large men with suits and sunglasses and Red Dots on their lapels will be round to counsel you shortly After you enjoy looking through that viewfinder, do you have to stand on your head to rewind the film Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Shimwell Posted February 25, 2011 Share #3  Posted February 25, 2011 Ravi, three large men with suits and sunglasses and Red Dots on their lapels will be round to counsel you shortly After you enjoy looking through that viewfinder, do you have to stand on your head to rewind the film   I wonder if my M9 will refuse to work when it realises it is sharing a bag with a couple of Ikons. A really great viewfinder and user replaceable sensors.  I find standing on my head to rewind much easier than leaning over at 45 degrees to vertical:)  Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share #4 Â Posted February 26, 2011 Na' mate, I just fly to your country and that bit is right, but eveything else is funny. Â The men came and replaced the blue dots with red ones. It only cost me an arm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 26, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted February 26, 2011 Ravi, Â You will be inducted into the Red Dot Re-habituation Program in due course. Resistance Is Futile! Â Â ... and you're just not making it any easier for those of us who have been seduced by the clear, bright Zeiss wavfs. ("Oooh, shiny, shiny.":rolleyes:) Â Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted March 11, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted March 11, 2011 The fondle vs. use factor is a big thing between the Ikon and the M7. Also, the build and sturdiness of the M7 seems much higher. The Ikon's top section seems to flex a bit when squeezed, whereas the M7's is like a rock. Â The viewfinder, though, is on another level. After months of shooting with my M9, I went back to the Ikon and thought, 'bloody hell, it's like a world of light through this thing!'. The two things that bug me about the Ikon's viewfinder, though, is that the shutter speed readings are hard to see, as is the rangefinder patch unless you are dead level with the centre of the viewfinder. The M7 and M9 have much more forgiving rangefinder patches, and the shutter info is immediately and clearly visible. Â The build of the M7 has its drawbacks, though. It is definitely heavier than the Ikon, even the M9. I definitely feel the difference when I put either in my bag. It's the only thing that makes me want to shoot with the Ikon for extended periods rather than the M7. And that's a shame, given the extreme fondlability of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 11, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted March 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just try and get it repaired after they discontinue it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timd. Posted March 11, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted March 11, 2011 Just try and get it repaired after they discontinue it. Â well, since it's a mostly mechanical camera there should be no bigger problems to have it repaired at independent mechanics, just like all the other cameras, including leicas. concerning warranty repairs i doubt cosina/zeiss will let you down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 12, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted March 12, 2011 The Zeiss is a great camera, no doubt about it. And when you factor in how much it costs, it sure beets the pants off anything Leica has to offer. But I didn't like the wiggly rangefinder patch. Leicas just snap into focus in a way the Zeiss doesn't. And I thought the mechanical speeds on the M7 were a gimmick until I needed them. The widest focal length I go too is only 35mm, and even with glasses I can see those framelines on the M7. So the great eye relief of the Zeiss isn't a big draw. But then I picked an M7 up as a demo for only slightly more then what a new zeiss costs. No way would I pay $5 grand (US) for an m7 these days. Makes me glad I got my MP all those years ago. So in absolute terms, I prefer the Leica M7, but as a practical matter the Zeiss Ikon gets my vote. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Shimwell Posted March 12, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted March 12, 2011 It's an interesting comparison. I've only compared my Ikons to M6s and prefer the Ikons to use, though the M6 has the 'mystique' of course. I prefer the vf of the Ikon and the handling with the Zeiss grip compared to a non-gripped M6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted March 12, 2011 Share #11  Posted March 12, 2011 Hi  My local repairer does not do M7 or ZM so there is not an option.  Noel http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 14, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted March 14, 2011 I just got a Zeiss Ikon ZM. [...] However, to pick up and hold (sorry, that should probably be fondle), the Leica wins every time. But to actually look through and focus, the Zeiss is the winner. Â Now you can appreciate the virtue of having a mistress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share #13 Â Posted March 15, 2011 Now you can appreciate the virtue of having a mistress. Â Ahhh, but no! Â For the cost of a mistress (Cartier baubles for her and Bulgari "guilt laden" baubles for the current Mrs S), I expect the Mistress to look and fondle perfectly. No cmpromises in either direction! Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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