Who would love to see Zeiss design and produce a FF digital mirrorless with either an M mount, or a mount that allows the use of a lot of Alt glass (a la Nex), and a Sony sensor?
What I would like is a solid old school feeling camera like a Nikon F4 or F3 with a weather sealed body and the ability to use M mount lenses. 100% EVF with focus peaking and zoom is a must. Note: I don't mean a SLR form factor, but more in terms of robust construction that feels solid to hold.
I would easily pay €2500 to €3500 for a camera like this. Maybe if we can get 100K+ views on this thread it might inspire Zeiss to develop possibly in conjunction with Sony (since they have an existing relationship), the "dream" camera for enthusiasts.
What would you like to see featured and what would you be willing to pay?
edwardkaraa wrote:
You mean the digital Zeiss Ikon? It is not sure if Zeiss are still planning to make it, but there was some serious talk about it a few years ago.
I would actually go the other way and wish for a FF DSLR version of the RTSII as that was my first introduction to Contax/Zeiss.
There was something really magical about that camera. I can still remember what a wonderful brick it was with the 85mm F1.4 and PMD motordrive.
Although I have to admit that a digital Zeiss Ikon is way more likely than a digital RTS.
It is a real shame as Zeiss could come up with something wonderful for all the people who love manual focus lenses, proper viewfinder, nice tight tolerances for ensuring what you see is what you get.
I kind of half expected them to deliver something in collaboration with Sony, even if it was just gaining access to Sony sensor technology.
I would probably buy any FF mirrorless body if it meets the following conditions:
1. M lenses can be used with or without adapters.
2. No corner smearing and color shift issues (so no AA filter)
3. At least 24mp.
4. Good EVF and focus peaking assist.
5. Price not higher than 5000$.
I don't really care about the name on the camera as long as it works. Anyway these toys are disposable with a maximum 3 years life expectancy. So who is going to bring it first? My bet is on Sony.
I'm guessing sony will have this in 6 months at under 2k http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-sony-approves-the-launch-the-new-hyrbid-alphanex-mount-camera-sort-of-fullframe-nex-7/comment-page-1/#comments
edwardkaraa wrote:
I would probably buy any FF mirrorless body if it meets the following conditions:
1. M lenses can be used with or without adapters.
2. No corner smearing and color shift issues (so no AA filter)
3. At least 24mp.
4. Good EVF and focus peaking assist.
5. Price not higher than 5000$.
I don't really care about the name on the camera as long as it works. Anyway these toys are disposable with a maximum 3 years life expectancy. So who is going to bring it first? My bet is on Sony.
Why must a camera be disposable after 3 years? Do they stop making pictures then? How is it possible that I see simply astounding images from people who use gear that is 5, 6 and even more years old?
^I'm just guessing here but maybe at the end a number of years with the amount of use that most of us put on our camera's the shutter and other moving parts will be pretty close to giving out. I recently paid Canon to repair an older model DSLR for sentimental reasons and the cost of it may have exceeded the actual value of the camera.
edwardkaraa wrote:
I would probably buy any FF mirrorless body if it meets the following conditions:
1. M lenses can be used with or without adapters.
2. No corner smearing and color shift issues (so no AA filter)
3. At least 24mp.
4. Good EVF and focus peaking assist.
5. Price not higher than 5000$.
I don't really care about the name on the camera as long as it works. Anyway these toys are disposable with a maximum 3 years life expectancy. So who is going to bring it first? My bet is on Sony.
That sounds about right to me. Something inbetween an M9 and NEX-7, both size-wise and regarding functionality. It doesn't have to have AF or an expensive rangefinder, just a large sensor (preferably 4:3 ratio but covering "FF" image circle), a decent EVF (the current Sony ones are good enough), fairly small size and good build quality.
Ditching AF and optical viewfinder could probably keep the price down, so it's just a matter of marketing. For stuff like landscapes, abstracts and studio, an NEX-like body with a larger sensor would be terrific. Heck, even APS-H would do!
I'm in for a digital Zeiss Ikon as long as it offers either an optical finder or a hybrid like Fuji's. EVF technology alone is just not there yet for me to spend that kind of money on it and enjoy using it full time. I would pay as much as $3000 for the body if it was offered with either a 24 or 36MP FF state of the art sensor. It must have Live View for versatitily.
rattymouse wrote:
Why must a camera be disposable after 3 years? Do they stop making pictures then? How is it possible that I see simply astounding images from people who use gear that is 5, 6 and even more years old?
Well, yes, most cameras will stop taking photos at exactly 3 years.The only remedy is to change ownership then they're good for another 3 years period. Usually the cycle coincides with the release of a newer model
edwardkaraa wrote:
So who is going to bring it first? My bet is on Sony.
I wonder what the exclusivity period Nikon gets on their Sony-fabbed sensors is. I am sure they are counting the days until they can use the D800 sensor in one of their products...like this.
Both ideas from Makten and Tariq are good for me. I would buy either (or maybe both ) for different reasons.
Corposant, if I understand correctly, there is no exclusivity deal for the sensors, only for the proprietary sensor toppings that are exclusive to Nikon.
I would love to see a FF digital Ikon, have not handled an Ikon before but heard only good thing about it, especially the viewfinder that is very good for glass wearer.
corposant wrote:
It's the best VF in the business.
Fully agreed. I have 2 Ikon and 1 M6. The VF of the Ikon is just superb. I rarely use the Leica because I can't cope with the VF difference.
corposant wrote:
I wonder what the exclusivity period Nikon gets on their Sony-fabbed sensors is. I am sure they are counting the days until they can use the D800 sensor in one of their products...like this.
I'd bet there isn't an exclusivity period at all. The A900 came before the D3x, and the NEX-7's sensor is coming in a Nikon DSLR, soon. Sony semiconductor is separate from the camera business, and they'll likely sell the sensors to whoever will make a camera for them.
