[Leica] Interview on Zeiss Ikon

[leicanikon at earthlink.net (Stephen Gandy)]

Photokina had working versions of the 85 and 15

I think you confused the 15/2.8  with the 85/2.

the 15/2.8  is huge and hulking, about the size of the Noct.  I can't 
imagine many people choosing it over the much less expensive and about 1/5th 
smaller Voigt 15/4.5

the 85/2 is "normal size," about the same size as the classic 85/2 Sonnar 
for Contax RF, perhaps even a bit smaller.

the lenses are beautifully finished, but still not cheap  priced at 60% of 
Leica.  They will likely give Leica buyers some very tough choices, 
especially since Zeiss is publicly saying their aim is to make the best M 
lenses.

Stephen

"Saganich, Christopher/Medical Physics" wrote:

> Unfortunately they didn't have a working version of the 85, only a 
> non-working version.  It was a rather large hunk of glass, big like a 
> noctilux, certainly something I'll never have in my bag, (never say 
> never).  I agree those lenses will do well.  The finders for the 15-28 
> were wonderful as well.
>
> Chris Saganich
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+saganicc=mskcc.org@leica-users.org 
> [mailto:lug-bounces+saganicc=mskcc.org@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Frank 
> Filippone
> Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 11:45 AM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Interview on Zeiss Ikon
>
> Glass makes money, bodies do not.  Keep in mind that Cosina is "licensed" 
> to
> make the lenses in Japan.  They are not German products.  This is only
> significant because Zeiss can only make money on lenses it produces, and
> that means German production.  The 15 and 85 will make them money, the
> others will add to the coffers, but to a much lesser degree.
>
> I think that if the Zeiss lenses ( German and Japanese) are good, there 
> will
> be a negative hit on Leica as users try out these new optics, and forego
> Leica products.  Could be yet another problem for Leica's survival.
>
> Frank Filippone
> red735i@earthlink.net
>
> I had the chance to handle the Ikon and lenses this weekend.  I wasn't
> impressed with the body, seemed more like an R2 then a Leica, but the 
> lenses
> were something to behold.  Most noticeable were the aperture which were in
> thirds from f/2-f/22.  The Hassy reps said they were going to be 40% Leica
> prices.  I can't see the body being too much of a treat to leica, but the
> lenses are another story, they are likely to be the bread winners for the
> family.
>
> Chris Saganich
>
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