p.25 #2 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
6000 bucks? Looks like the blue badge tax has climbed into red dot territory over the last two years .
Then again, I'm sure they will find enough shills, sorry, I meant reviewers of course, to conduct extremely thorough and impartial tests and testify that this is the great camera ever made . The same people that sang the Batis 40's praises, while conveniently ignoring all its problems.
p.25 #6 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
Fred Miranda wrote:
They are all niche cameras and don't sell a ton. Perhaps Zeiss feels Leica is its main competitor since both offer bigger cameras than the RX1R II. A lot of people can't deal with Sony's size and ergonomics, pop-up EVF, etc. I personally didn't mind it.
So, the Q2 sells for $5,000 and does not offer 512GB internal memory + RAW editing + upload in-camera. Perhaps that's where that extra grand goes...
Is it worth the money? That's very relative. If someone finds the in-camera editing+uploading practical, love the modern design and most importantly, the new Distagon 35/2 delivers in spades...I could see the point of getting one, assuming $6k is part of your budget for a second camera. Currently I would go with a used RX1RII or Leica Q2 but have not tried the Zeiss....Show more →
Yeah, I'm one of those people who find the ergonomics uncomfortable on the RX1, but I'm not part of that market anyway. I tried, because the camera's incredibly capable, but I never found a reason to take it over my ILCs.
I agree that the build itself was more expensive, but the pricey design decisions also create questions around service, support, and sustainability. They've taken on the headaches of supporting a tablet, albeit one with limited functionality, and a camera. That's hugely ambitious for a company's first offering, and I think that had more influence on the price than the build itself. I don't know that they can afford to sell even at the low volume Sony and Leica get.
It feels like an experiment, where they're using pricing to limit the user-group while they see what problems they'll face. I hope it goes well for them.
p.25 #7 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
After many recent fails and fail to happens, this release has more riding on it for Zeiss than just another ground-breaking device - sorry, 'camera'. In the minds of the user community, it may just cement them as a bunch of new age gadgeteers, hucksters living off the grand old name of those who produced so many of photography's legendary lenses of yesteryear.
And there is the risk that most people will overlook the optical performance in the face of the promised gee whiz connectivity. Looking at the little we know thus far, the 35/2 must now date from several years back, a period in which more has happened in the optical field than ever before.
Starting where Zeiss imagine themselves to be - at the top of the field - Leica now offer what Peter Karbe describes as the best lens ever made in its format, the SL 35/2 APO (a 13/11 design), a fact borne out by its astronomical MTF. Leica also offer the Q2, fitted out with an 11/9 design that focuses from 6.7" and has a half stop more speed.
The RX1 is an 8/7 design that depends on sensor snug rear element positioning, and it gives you 7.9" MFD. The ZX-1 is an 8/5 design (MFD of 11.8") from a company that fervently believes in (and practices) the 'larger is better' optical philosophy. How good will it be against these others?
As Zeiss's former 'master's apprentice', Cosina (who probably make the ZX-1 lens) could so easily make a 12/10 of the 50/2 APO at the 35mm focal length. Of course, it's not entirely true that more complex designs are necessarily stronger, but let's say it's quite close to being true. In a results industry like photography, tarry too long and you get left behind. We'll see soon enough.
p.25 #8 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
The Q2 is 720 grams so getting up there towards the 800 grams of the slab-like ZX-1. But it is likely to have may factors in its favour, aside from above comments. The name, the size, the good looks, the greater resolution, the aura and the very prominent red dot and almost certainly - resale value. Zeiss have traded off macro and form factor for connectivity, essentially. And how well will the ZX-1's Terminator grip work for normal hands? In light rain?
p.25 #10 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
philip_pj wrote:
After many recent fails and fail to happens, this release has more riding on it for Zeiss than just another ground-breaking device - sorry, 'camera'. In the minds of the user community, it may just cement them as a bunch of new age gadgeteers, hucksters living off the grand old name of those who produced so many of photography's legendary lenses of yesteryear.
And there is the risk that most people will overlook the optical performance in the face of the promised gee whiz connectivity. Looking at the little we know thus far, the 35/2 must now date from several years back, a period in which more has happened in the optical field than ever before.
Starting where Zeiss imagine themselves to be - at the top of the field - Leica now offer what Peter Karbe describes as the best lens ever made in its format, the SL 35/2 APO (a 13/11 design), a fact borne out by its astronomical MTF. Leica also offer the Q2, fitted out with an 11/9 design that focuses from 6.7" and has a half stop more speed.
The RX1 is an 8/7 design that depends on sensor snug rear element positioning, and it gives you 7.9" MFD. The ZX-1 is an 8/5 design (MFD of 11.8") from a company that fervently believes in (and practices) the 'larger is better' optical philosophy. How good will it be against these others?
As Zeiss's former 'master's apprentice', Cosina (who probably make the ZX-1 lens) could so easily make a 12/10 of the 50/2 APO at the 35mm focal length. Of course, it's not entirely true that more complex designs are necessarily stronger, but let's say it's quite close to being true. In a results industry like photography, tarry too long and you get left behind. We'll see soon enough. ...Show more →
The ZX-1 has four aspherical surfaces. If they use expensive glass, then there is a chance that less elements will give a better result with less flare issues - that is important because there is no separate hood (or deeply recessed from element).
p.25 #11 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
I think it's super expensive too, but I don't get the people saying this should be $2500 or under, even for FF ILC their specs are fairly strong other than the a7rII no other camera broke the 36mp barrier and especially not one with modern LCD and EVF plus internal storage, on a super low volume product
but I still don't understand how the e-mount Ikon never happened, I can't see why Sony would oppose or where Zeiss would lose on making it
p.25 #12 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
LBJ2 wrote:
P.S. Is LensRentals optical bench able to create an MTF for a fixed lens camera?
It seems possible, but I doubt it will happen. They don't seem particularly interested in single sample testing, and tearing apart ten copies to get a decent sample size seems unlikely. We'll probably see some MTF 50 tests on single samples, assuming the smaller sites can get their hands on them.
p.25 #16 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
zz wrote:
This will either be an Otus-level camera... or a camera where the consumer pays for all the R&D costs caused by the delays
Yes. I believe this 35/2 has the potential to be extraordinary.
"the ZEISS ZX1 features a newly designed, integrated ZEISS Distagon 35 mm f/2 T* lens with autofocus that has been perfectly matched to the 37.4 megapixel full-frame sensor developed in-house at ZEISS. The interplay between the lens and sensor ensures first-class picture quality with that typical ZEISS look."
p.25 #18 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera
I don’t believe the Zeiss is worth $6000 even $3000 is a stretch. The fixed lens is a problem since many smart phones now offer 2 or 3 lenses/cameras with advanced DR and low noise in-camera processing algorithms. Also 26-28mm is now the “New Normal” FL due to, again, smart phones.
Quote:
ZEISS ZX1 available from early 2019
The ZEISS ZX1 will be available at selected dealers in early 2019. ZEISS will announce the recommended retail price at the start of the official market launch. Starting now, anyone interested in receiving information on exact availability can register at www.zeiss.com/zx1.
. The same people that sang the Batis 40's praises, while conveniently ignoring all its problems. 
zz wrote: