Build Quality, Metering, Ergonomics, handling, price, great platform for Leica glass if you can afford it; You can buy one NEW; great shutter action; I've gotten 39 frames from 36 frame roll

no red dot?

I bought the Zeiss Ikon a couple of months ago and truly love it. I've never owned a rangefinder camera before but did extensive research before making my purchase. I contemplated a used M6, and as nice as it would've been to own the red dot, I couldn't justify buying a used camera when there was a superior new model available for the same money. I say superior because the ZI is more comparable to the M7 than the M6 but the M7 costs three times as much. I love the pictures that this camera takes with the 50mm f2 planar and plan to buy a fast 28mm next (not sure which brand). The Zeiss Ikon handles extremely well, the viewfinder is incredibley bright and clear and makes it super easy to compose your shot. It's hard to explain, but this camera actually get's out of your way and let's you concentrate on composing your shot. Really refreshing after using a stupid digital camera with all the menus and sub menus, etc. The camera is so vibration-free that I can hand-hold a 1/15 shutter speed photo with great results!

Customer Service

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Similar Products Used:

Leica M6/M7

High quality and smooth finish. Terrific viewfinder and excellent control layout. Good "skin" that looks great and grips and handles well. Very well balanced and very intuitive to work with.

The aluminum base is far less hefty and solid feeling than Leica's latest preferred materials for the MP/M7. The metal finish could have been more ruggidized to better withstand the inevitable battle scars of pro shooting. For a limited Edition Model, better packaging and a higher quality camera strap (one of my peeves) should have been included. The enclosed leather case is well made but only good for body protection alone and does little for frequent shooters needs.

I had placed an order for one of the limited edition Zeiss Ikons and had actually been contemplating cancelling the order when the camera finally came in. This review encompasses opinion(s) formed with the camera body ONLY so far, as my selected lens group that I am starting with has so far not arrived. The camera is very solidly built and you can feel the quality that was put into the manufacturing process. I had heard some comment on the flimsy feel of the film back and transport but I have not noticed it. The two most obvious and glaring characteristics of the Zeiss are the exceptional viewfinder. Very bright, very contrasty and much less of an eye strain to use than my MP or M7, but hey, I am clsoing in on the big 50 so the eyes ain't what they use to be! Zeiss did it right with the lens information/type being mounted and used appearing at the bottom of the finder and the selected shutter speed appearing on the left hand side of the viewfinder. No matter how I slice it up, the viewfinder, in my opinion, is superior to my Leica's. The camera is noticeably lighter than the Leica's but a smidge taller and with a shape that fits in the hand as well as my beatifully crafted MP and M7. The shutter speed dial/selection is large and well laid out with very intuitive settings. Film transport is smooth but somehow feels "lighter" than the Leicas. The shutter noise and feel are also slightly less in the quality feel department and while shutter noise is suprisngly quiet, it is not as muffled as my MP. Focusing is quick, smooth and very accurate. Time will be the ultimate test of the system and I look forward to adding to this review my impression of the 85mm Zeiss lens as soon as it comes in and we have a chance to work with it in the field.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Leica Mp and M7.