Ideal Leica M kit

[Red Dawn]

Hi

just remembered. when i say the Zeiss Ikon is the only rangefinder with an EBL to match the Leicas, i am of course referring to CURRENT rangefinders - either in production or soon to be released.

in doing so, i ignored (oops ;P) generations of older, discontinued rangefinders from Leica themselves, and from Cosina, Nikon etc. eg the Nikon SP rangefinder i think has a very high EBL, but doesn't have a bright rangefinder patch compared to the Ms.

 

[Red Dawn]

Any idea what is the price like for the new Zeiss Ikon camera?

US $1600 something i think. Lower than a M (that's the idea actually) the price is posted on some of the camera websites selling equipment. but the body is not due until may 2005.

the new M mount Zeiss lenses, however is due Feb 2005 (acccording to the website). most of them are able to rangefinder focus down to 0.5m. but of course on the Leica M, you wun be able to couple the rangefinder down to 0.5m.

 

[XXX Boy]

US $1600 something i think. Lower than a M (that's the idea actually) the price is posted on some of the camera websites selling equipment. but the body is not due until may 2005.

the new M mount Zeiss lenses, however is due Feb 2005 (acccording to the website). most of them are able to rangefinder focus down to 0.5m. but of course on the Leica M, you wun be able to couple the rangefinder down to 0.5m.

Thanks, Red Dawn!

 

[OM4]

Yes, thanks for the informative posts Red Dawn.

 

[chgoh]

Any idea what is the price like for the new Zeiss Ikon camera?

The following USD pricing information from The Classic Connection:

Zeiss ikon Camera (available may 2005) $1,617
Zeiss 15/2.8 Distagon $3,796
Zeiss 21/2.8 Biogon $1,307
Zeiss 25/2.8 Distagon $1,152
Zeiss 28/2.8 Biogon $1,042
Zeiss 35/2 Biogon $1,042
Zeiss 50/2 Planar $824
Zeiss 85/2 Sonnar $2,759

Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 21/25mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 25/28mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 35/50mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shade for 85mm $127
Zeiss Ikon 15mm Viewfinder $491
Zeiss Ikon 21mm Viewfinder $491
Zeiss Ikon 25/28mm Viewfinder $491

 

[XXX Boy]

The following USD pricing information from The Classic Connection:

Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 21/25mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 25/28mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shades for 35/50mm $127
Zeiss Ikon- Lens Shade for 85mm $127
Zeiss Ikon 15mm Viewfinder $491
Zeiss Ikon 21mm Viewfinder $491
Zeiss Ikon 25/28mm Viewfinder $491

Thanks Mr Goh for the above information. But dun you think the price of the lenshood is overpriced? :sweat:

 

[chgoh]

Thanks Mr Goh for the above information. But dun you think the price of the lenshood is overpriced? :sweat:

Not sure if the lens comes with the hood but if you need it you'll need to pay the price of entry.

 

[ltma]

For those who are interested, here is the website for Zeiss Ikon

http://www.zeissikon.com/index.htm

 

[kex]

my ideal kit will be a black M6 + 35mmlux..

 

[XXX Boy]

my ideal kit will be a black M6 + 35mmlux..

Good choice!!! :thumbsup:

 

[chgoh]

...
SO , I'll leave the others to tell you what to get, but to save you from financial crisis: GET ONLY ONE LENS!!!!

Ya, get only ONE lens, the Tri-Elmar! :bsmilie:

 

[OM4]

Reason why I asked about the 0.58 is that my main experience with Leica M is M4 and as a bespectacled user, I always found some difficulty seeing all the outside lines. Also, I seldom use 135mm but I do use 90mm a lot. Are the modern 0.72 substantially improved for bespectacled users?

 

[XXX Boy]

Reason why I asked about the 0.58 is that my main experience with Leica M is M4 and as a bespectacled user, I always found some difficulty seeing all the outside lines. Also, I seldom use 135mm but I do use 90mm a lot. Are the modern 0.72 substantially improved for bespectacled users?

It depends on the lenses you use. If you use alot of 28mm and 35mm, it is still best to go with a 0.58.

 

[waileong]

0.58 is not the best if you shoot 90 mm. There is no difference between old and modern bodies, the viewfinder size is still the same.

To use the 0.72, wear contact lenses or get the diopter lens. Alternatively, if you maintain 0.58, then get the 1.25x magnifier when shooting 90 mm.

Wai Leong
===

Reason why I asked about the 0.58 is that my main experience with Leica M is M4 and as a bespectacled user, I always found some difficulty seeing all the outside lines. Also, I seldom use 135mm but I do use 90mm a lot. Are the modern 0.72 substantially improved for bespectacled users?

 

[chgoh]

Reason why I asked about the 0.58 is that my main experience with Leica M is M4 and as a bespectacled user, I always found some difficulty seeing all the outside lines. Also, I seldom use 135mm but I do use 90mm a lot. Are the modern 0.72 substantially improved for bespectacled users?

A 0.72 is 0.72, whether it's an M4 or a MP/7, the magnification cannot be changed with better technology. The 0.58X is definitely a help for photogs who wear specs.

On the usability of 90mm, I think they are doable on a 0.58X. Just need to be a bit more careful with focussing accuracy on the photog's part. 135 frames are not in the 0.58X IIRC. Using a 90AA wide open at f/2 might be a challenge. Even if the focus is accurate, the DOF is paper thin, so any movement would result in OOF.

One solution would be to get the 1.25X magnifier and use that when you have the 90mm attached.

 

[OM4]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like 0.58 with 1.25x magnifier may be a reasonable solution for a photog with specs who longest lens is 90mm. Other than the additional cost, are there any disadvantages to using the 1.25x magnifier? e.g. with M6/MP, can the exposure LEDs still be seen?

 

[XXX Boy]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like 0.58 with 1.25x magnifier may be a reasonable solution for a photog with specs who longest lens is 90mm. Other than the additional cost, are there any disadvantages to using the 1.25x magnifier? e.g. with M6/MP, can the exposure LEDs still be seen?

The LEDs will still be seen via a magnifier.
But the magnifier itself cost a bomb! Why spend on this expensive thing while you can get a M6 0.72?
I had tried the magnifier b4, the whole thing protructs out and really feel uncomforable to use! :thumbsd:

 

[chgoh]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like 0.58 with 1.25x magnifier may be a reasonable solution for a photog with specs who longest lens is 90mm. Other than the additional cost, are there any disadvantages to using the 1.25x magnifier? e.g. with M6/MP, can the exposure LEDs still be seen?

You probably will have to try one out at a shop to see if the LEDs can be seen.

 

[chgoh]

The LEDs will still be seen via a magnifier.
But the magnifier itself cost a bomb! Why spend on this expensive thing while you can get a M6 0.72?
I had tried the magnifier b4, the whole thing protructs out and really feel uncomforable to use! :thumbsd:

One other possible alternative. Follow XXX Boy's suggestion on getting the 0.72X and instead of getting the 1.25X go for LASIK surgery to correct your eyesight to perfect 6/6! It's like a CLA for your eyeballs and it compatible with all brands of photographic equipment you can ever imagine of owning!

 

[Red Dawn]

hi om4,

if u are planning on only 1 body & use 90mm lenses as well, then e 0.72x M might be more suitable. But then again if u have experienced e m4 before and confirm u didn't like it with glasses (ie can't even see e 35mm frame easily), then perhaps e 0.58x is e answer.

e magnifer is a good answer for e 90. but take care not to lose it cos it is small. keep it in its case when not in use and attach e case to ur camera strap. don't use e supplied little chain. it breaks off easily.