Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/02/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Didier, yep it has a wonderful finder. My comments based on personal experience and opinion and this market naturally. In Australia the ZI is an extremely rare item. Last time I looked a new body listed here for AUD 2,400 (if you found one). Used examples are virtually non- existent here. A Voigtlander R2a AUD 1000 new or AUD 600 minty. I think that is better value than the ZI. A clean, used M6 would be AUD 1500 to AUD 2000. A near mint M7 might cost 300 to 500 more than that ZI new. Of course I think that those are worth the difference. Regards Geoff -----Original Message----- Subject: RE: [Leica] Zeiss-Ikon RF The ZI is still very affordable, compared to M's. It has the biggest and brightest finder in the smallformat rangefinder world, and a significantly longer rangefinder baselength than the Bessas; allowing a more accurate focusing at close up and open apertures. This causes smaller manufacturing tolerances and higher production costs. If Ernie wants to shoot portraits wide open with fast lenses, at available light, the ZI is the first choice. If he shoots mostly landscapes at daylight, a Bessa R3a or R4a is more than good enough. Didier >A clean M7 is more money here. >Another alternative might be one of the Cosina Voigtlanders. In my view, if >you do not wish to pay for the M's then the Voigtlanders >are excellent value. Same manufacture facility as the ZI. _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information