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Archive 2018Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
p.45 #1Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I meant medium format 
Totally agree and am a bit surprised we haven’t see a fixed lens MF/high IQ and portability camera yet. I am guessing the makers feel it would cannibalizes their own or don’t see the demand (or want to take the risk).I feel (but I might be wrong) that MF today is a real niche, I mean much more than during the film era. a SWC was a must have because there was no alternative if you wanted the best IQ with the lightest gear. Nowadays, with cameras like the sony RIV and a 12 24mm on it... I'm not sure a digital SWC would fine its place...Yeah, not sure either. I know I would be highly interested in one, and so would a lot of other enthusiasm. But I’m not sure if that’s enough of a market. But I tend to think I niche products that have terrific IQ, usability and small size do well. They could use the GFX sensor size, or go a little bit bigger too. Sony makes all the sensors…Nobody will really know until we see decent version hit market at an attractive price point. If I ever that happens.
You could argue I spose Fuji and Hassleblad might have been the most obvious manufacturers to release fixed lens MF camera but both have MF systems.
An interesting question as well I spose would be what would the camera actually look like? a fixed ultra wide like the SWC aimed at landscape? something more like the RX1/Q/ZX1 with more of a standard wide? maybe even something with a short zoom like the 645 zi? if the latter was collapsble that could make for a significantly smaller package than a MF system although I'd think users might what something like say a 20-40mm equivlent.
I have to say looking at the DPR studio scene the ZX1 lens does look the best of all those fixec compacts, quite significantly better than the RX1 Sonar.
hesb wrote
nehemiahphoto wrote
zhangyue wrote
Yep, whoever bring a modern SWC, it will become an instant classic and sell a lot.nehemiahphoto wrote
Grenache wrote
But the MF is what breaks on the RX1…😳You could argue I spose Fuji and Hassleblad might have been the most obvious manufacturers to release fixed lens MF camera but both have MF systems.
An interesting question as well I spose would be what would the camera actually look like? a fixed ultra wide like the SWC aimed at landscape? something more like the RX1/Q/ZX1 with more of a standard wide? maybe even something with a short zoom like the 645 zi? if the latter was collapsble that could make for a significantly smaller package than a MF system although I'd think users might what something like say a 20-40mm equivlent.
I have to say looking at the DPR studio scene the ZX1 lens does look the best of all those fixec compacts, quite significantly better than the RX1 Sonar.
Apr 15, 2022 at 01:55 AM
p.45 #2Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
UpwardsView wrote:
Totally agree and am a bit surprised we haven’t see a fixed lens MF/high IQ and portability camera yet. I am guessing the makers feel it would cannibalizes their own or don’t see the demand (or want to take the risk).I feel (but I might be wrong) that MF today is a real niche, I mean much more than during the film era. a SWC was a must have because there was no alternative if you wanted the best IQ with the lightest gear. Nowadays, with cameras like the sony RIV and a 12 24mm on it... I'm not sure a digital SWC would fine its place...Yeah, not sure either. I know I would be highly interested in one, and so would a lot of other enthusiasm. But I’m not sure if that’s enough of a market. But I tend to think I niche products that have terrific IQ, usability and small size do well. They could use the GFX sensor size, or go a little bit bigger too. Sony makes all the sensors…Nobody will really know until we see decent version hit market at an attractive price point. If I ever that happens.You could argue I spose Fuji and Hassleblad might have been the most obvious manufacturers to release fixed lens MF camera but both have MF systems.
An interesting question as well I spose would be what would the camera actually look like? a fixed ultra wide like the SWC aimed at landscape? something more like the RX1/Q/ZX1 with more of a standard wide? maybe even something with a short zoom like the 645 zi? if the latter was collapsble that could make for a significantly smaller package than a MF system although I'd think users might what something like say a...Show more →
I kind of thought the opposite--Sony, Canon, Pentax/Ricoh or Nikon might put out a fixed MF camera as already offer FF, so they don't want to compete with themselves on a FF vs MF line up.
Who knows though really!
As for type, I really like the modular 500c/m type with waist level (new to me, but super enjoyable), fixed lens like a Fuji690/Leica Q or an RF camera like a Mamiya 7. I'd take a TLR. Just not a SLR. They get so big so quickly.
nehemiahphoto wrote
hesb wrote
nehemiahphoto wrote
zhangyue wrote
Yep, whoever bring a modern SWC, it will become an instant classic and sell a lot.nehemiahphoto wrote
I meant medium formatAn interesting question as well I spose would be what would the camera actually look like? a fixed ultra wide like the SWC aimed at landscape? something more like the RX1/Q/ZX1 with more of a standard wide? maybe even something with a short zoom like the 645 zi? if the latter was collapsble that could make for a significantly smaller package than a MF system although I'd think users might what something like say a...Show more →
I kind of thought the opposite--Sony, Canon, Pentax/Ricoh or Nikon might put out a fixed MF camera as already offer FF, so they don't want to compete with themselves on a FF vs MF line up.
Who knows though really!
As for type, I really like the modular 500c/m type with waist level (new to me, but super enjoyable), fixed lens like a Fuji690/Leica Q or an RF camera like a Mamiya 7. I'd take a TLR. Just not a SLR. They get so big so quickly.
Apr 16, 2022 at 03:00 PM
p.45 #3Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
The inevitable has finally happened. ZX1 is now listed as “Discontinued” at BH / Adorama.
Used available from $4K. At one point I thought it it got cheap enough it might be fun for the helluvit but it’s so old and the prospect of it receiving updates are pretty slim so nope. Even harder pass.
Used available from $4K. At one point I thought it it got cheap enough it might be fun for the helluvit but it’s so old and the prospect of it receiving updates are pretty slim so nope. Even harder pass.
Feb 15, 2023 at 10:54 AM
p.45 #4Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
liggy wrote:
The inevitable has finally happened. ZX1 is now listed as “Discontinued” at BH / Adorama.
Used available from $4K. At one point I thought it it got cheap enough it might be fun for the helluvit but it’s so old and the prospect of it receiving updates are pretty slim so nope. Even harder pass.
Back in the summer of last year, I had the opportunity to try it out and play with it for a couple of minutes. I saw it at Park Camera in London. Shocked, I immediately asked if I could try it. The clerks looked at me funny, as if it was the first time they've had that request. They informed me that people rarely bothered checking it out. They only stocked one and it obviously never sold.
I initially had the same idea as you, maybe picking it up once prices started dropping down to $3-3.5k. That is until I tried out the system. It was actually a pain to use; slow to start up, menu's and features so needlessly hidden and incomprehensible that even the store clerks couldn't figure out what's what and then when you were finally kind of up-an-running the shooting experience is barely better than an RX1R II. It's big, it's not particularly comfortable and the buttons and dials felt stiff. None of the clerks enjoyed the system and none of them have ever recommended it to their customers.
I can't imagine anybody paying full retail for this and being remotely satisfied. They spent 2 years finetuning it since the announcement and even longer developing it. They really couldn't build a $6000 camera better than this? It's almost comical.
Maybe if prices drop to 2k...
The inevitable has finally happened. ZX1 is now listed as “Discontinued” at BH / Adorama.
Used available from $4K. At one point I thought it it got cheap enough it might be fun for the helluvit but it’s so old and the prospect of it receiving updates are pretty slim so nope. Even harder pass.
Back in the summer of last year, I had the opportunity to try it out and play with it for a couple of minutes. I saw it at Park Camera in London. Shocked, I immediately asked if I could try it. The clerks looked at me funny, as if it was the first time they've had that request. They informed me that people rarely bothered checking it out. They only stocked one and it obviously never sold.
I initially had the same idea as you, maybe picking it up once prices started dropping down to $3-3.5k. That is until I tried out the system. It was actually a pain to use; slow to start up, menu's and features so needlessly hidden and incomprehensible that even the store clerks couldn't figure out what's what and then when you were finally kind of up-an-running the shooting experience is barely better than an RX1R II. It's big, it's not particularly comfortable and the buttons and dials felt stiff. None of the clerks enjoyed the system and none of them have ever recommended it to their customers.
I can't imagine anybody paying full retail for this and being remotely satisfied. They spent 2 years finetuning it since the announcement and even longer developing it. They really couldn't build a $6000 camera better than this? It's almost comical.
Maybe if prices drop to 2k...
Feb 15, 2023 at 12:19 PM
p.45 #5Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
@derKoekje
Just for fun I reread a review that touches on your point about startup. 20-30 seconds! Yikes.
There’s one on eBay right now starting at $2800 or best offer. If I could get it for about $1K it might be fun to buy, play with and then pass on to the next FM member and not be out of pocket too badly…
Still strikes me as an interesting idea but total fail in execution. Personally I feel the way forward will be integrating computational photography into cameras, not Lightroom on a tiny screen.
Just for fun I reread a review that touches on your point about startup. 20-30 seconds! Yikes.
There’s one on eBay right now starting at $2800 or best offer. If I could get it for about $1K it might be fun to buy, play with and then pass on to the next FM member and not be out of pocket too badly…
Still strikes me as an interesting idea but total fail in execution. Personally I feel the way forward will be integrating computational photography into cameras, not Lightroom on a tiny screen.
Feb 15, 2023 at 12:25 PM
p.45 #6Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
in germany u can buy them for +-2500€.
have to try.
have to try.
Feb 15, 2023 at 12:49 PM
p.45 #7Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
It should not come as a surprise by the Zeiss ZX1 is now discontinued!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1436638-REG/zeiss_zx1_digital_camera.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1436638-REG/zeiss_zx1_digital_camera.html
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Feb 15, 2023 at 01:59 PM
p.45 #8Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
They probably would have made way more money putting a stop to development and minting an NFT ZX1 in 2021 and selling that into any pre-delivery hype.
I wonder what the fully burdened per unit cost to manufacture the 100 or 1000 or whatever they made was… and I wonder what Zeiss is going to do with inventory. Do you liquidate them for whatever funds you can get or do you protect the brand and just destroy them?
I wonder what the fully burdened per unit cost to manufacture the 100 or 1000 or whatever they made was… and I wonder what Zeiss is going to do with inventory. Do you liquidate them for whatever funds you can get or do you protect the brand and just destroy them?
Feb 15, 2023 at 02:27 PM
p.45 #9Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
darrellc wrote:
...Do you liquidate them for whatever funds you can get or do you protect the brand and just destroy them?
You bury them in a landfill next to the Atari cartridges of the ET game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_video_game_burial
...Do you liquidate them for whatever funds you can get or do you protect the brand and just destroy them?
You bury them in a landfill next to the Atari cartridges of the ET game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_video_game_burial
Feb 15, 2023 at 02:41 PM
p.45 #10Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
Not sure if it is discontinued or not, last info from my sources says that it has been projected more towards Asian markets. But of course not sure about the situation today.
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions here. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably the best 35mm lens I've ever seen. FM being a lens conscious forum I always thought this would attract more attention.
Anyway, discontinued or not, it's still a super interesting product on many fronts. Here's a Zeiss own marketing video about the lens as some might find it interesting even if they are not interested about the zx1 itself (its ok): https://youtu.be/LV2INFRWNEk
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions here. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably the best 35mm lens I've ever seen. FM being a lens conscious forum I always thought this would attract more attention.
Anyway, discontinued or not, it's still a super interesting product on many fronts. Here's a Zeiss own marketing video about the lens as some might find it interesting even if they are not interested about the zx1 itself (its ok): https://youtu.be/LV2INFRWNEk
Feb 15, 2023 at 02:43 PM
p.45 #11Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
Kalainen wrote:
Not sure if it is discontinued or not, last info from my sources says that it has been projected more towards Asian markets. But of course not sure about the situation today.
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably the...Show more →
I don’t think anyone here has anything meaningful against the image quality. From all the reviews and samples I’ve seen I’ve been absolutely blown away by the sharpness and pop. It’s why I wanted to pick it up once prices drop. In fact, if you put up a gallery I’ll happily take a look.
Edited on Feb 15, 2023 at 04:23 PM · View previous versions
Feb 15, 2023 at 02:46 PM
p.45 #12Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
Kalainen wrote:
Not sure if it is discontinued or not, last info from my sources says that it has been projected more towards Asian markets. But of course not sure about the situation today.
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions here. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably...Show more →
I have always been intensely interested and impressed by this lens. The real selling point of the RX1 was that Sonnar + diminutive size. I have been hoping that Zeiss would port the 35/2 Distagon if possible to a MILC camera, but probably not given it’s probably flush to the sensor. I am still hoping we get a stripped down version of this camera, or it’s licensed to Sony so they can RX1r3 it. I have been saying this since launch.
Anyway, if you’d post images or a gallery, I’d be very appreciative. I doubt you’d get any criticism for it even if people dislike the camera.
Not sure if it is discontinued or not, last info from my sources says that it has been projected more towards Asian markets. But of course not sure about the situation today.
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions here. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably...Show more →
I have always been intensely interested and impressed by this lens. The real selling point of the RX1 was that Sonnar + diminutive size. I have been hoping that Zeiss would port the 35/2 Distagon if possible to a MILC camera, but probably not given it’s probably flush to the sensor. I am still hoping we get a stripped down version of this camera, or it’s licensed to Sony so they can RX1r3 it. I have been saying this since launch.
Anyway, if you’d post images or a gallery, I’d be very appreciative. I doubt you’d get any criticism for it even if people dislike the camera.
Feb 15, 2023 at 03:05 PM
p.45 #13Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
derKoekje wrote:
As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably the best 35mm lens I've ever seen. FM being a lens conscious forum I always thought this would attract more attention.
Anyway, discontinued or not, it's still a super interesting product on many fronts. Here's a Zeiss own marketing video about the lens as some might find it interesting even if they are not interested about the zx1 itself (its ok): https://youtu.be/LV2INFRWNEkI don’t think anyone here has anything meaningful against the image quality. From all the reviews and samples I’ve seen I’ve been absolutely blown away by the sharpness and pop. It’s why I wanted to pick it up once prices drop. In fact, if you put up a gallery I’ll happily take a look.
I don't think there ever was any question about the quality of the lens, but the usability of the camera as a whole. Start up times, menus, inconsistent focus etc
Kalainen wrote
Not sure if it is discontinued or not, last info from my sources says that it has been projected more towards Asian markets. But of course not sure about the situation today.As I've beta tested the camera, I haven't been very interested to participate in this thread, too much emotions. Actually still have the beta unit on my table. I just want to say that one thing that has surprised me is that almost no one has noticed the 35mm distagon on this camera. Considering its size (just look at the entry pupil) and performance (otus-level) it's probably the best 35mm lens I've ever seen. FM being a lens conscious forum I always thought this would attract more attention.
Anyway, discontinued or not, it's still a super interesting product on many fronts. Here's a Zeiss own marketing video about the lens as some might find it interesting even if they are not interested about the zx1 itself (its ok): https://youtu.be/LV2INFRWNEk
I don't think there ever was any question about the quality of the lens, but the usability of the camera as a whole. Start up times, menus, inconsistent focus etc
Feb 15, 2023 at 05:43 PM
p.45 #14Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
does anybody knows a review or has expirienece with the latest firmware?
Feb 16, 2023 at 12:44 AM
p.45 #15Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
rsrsrs wrote:
in germany u can buy them for +-2500€.
have to try.
I just checked, those Kleinanzeigen prices are crazy. This is about the quickest I’ve seen a camera depreciate. If I can wiggle any of them down further I might just try it out, just to share the experience here.
Feb 16, 2023 at 03:06 AM
p.45 #16Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
Wtf I wont pick up a compact camera just because it has a good lens. I can have good lenses on my system camera already.
A compact camera has to do more than just have a good lens to justify it.
A compact camera has to do more than just have a good lens to justify it.
Feb 16, 2023 at 03:08 AM
p.45 #17Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
i wonder how many years zeiss will care for the Software and Firmware.
Feb 16, 2023 at 03:28 AM
p.45 #18Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
i wonder if theres a way to custom flash it, so there's a community run version lol
Feb 16, 2023 at 05:58 AM
p.45 #19Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
ftllens wrote:
i wonder if theres a way to custom flash it, so there's a community run version lol
Lol.. better hope that one of the 6 people to buy this thing is an Android programmer.
i wonder if theres a way to custom flash it, so there's a community run version lol
Lol.. better hope that one of the 6 people to buy this thing is an Android programmer.
Feb 16, 2023 at 12:41 PM
p.45 #20Are you getting the Zeiss ZX1?
Sauseschritt wrote:
Wtf I wont pick up a compact camera just because it has a good lens. I can have good lenses on my system camera already.
A compact camera has to do more than just have a good lens to justify it.
Well, it's not compact if that counts, it's bulkier than the A7 series and is much larger than the RX1
The lens/sensor combo was always the interesting part of this camera; the rest of it was the wrong idea at the wrong time with the wrong execution.
Wtf I wont pick up a compact camera just because it has a good lens. I can have good lenses on my system camera already.
A compact camera has to do more than just have a good lens to justify it.
Well, it's not compact if that counts, it's bulkier than the A7 series and is much larger than the RX1
The lens/sensor combo was always the interesting part of this camera; the rest of it was the wrong idea at the wrong time with the wrong execution.
Feb 16, 2023 at 01:16 PM