Zeiss Ikon Press Release 28/09/04

Back with Passion: Carl Zeiss Redefines Range-finding Cameras

Carl Zeiss will present a new range-finder camera under the “Zeiss Ikon” brand at Photokina 2004.

Oberkochen/Cologne, Germany - September 28, 2004 - “Zeiss Ikon” is the name given to the newly designed, film-based range-finder camera introduced by Carl Zeiss at Photokina 2004 (Cologne, Sept. 28 - Oct. 3, 2004). It is not without reason that this name recalls the heyday of the German photo industry. A well-thought out camera system constructed to redefine range-finding cameras is behind the name. The original design indicates that Carl Zeiss succeeded. However, it is the ease of use and the many precision aspects of the camera, as well as the performance of the lens, that emphasize this claim.

We always keep the photographer in focus
Dr. Winfried Scherle, head of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG substantiates the claim: “The idea of the Zeiss Ikon camera is based on a philosophy that focuses on photographers and all their creativity when designing pictures. We extensively analyzed the leading range-finder cameras, looked for and found aspects in need of improvement.”

For example, precise focusing and basic requirements for crisp pictures. The Zeiss Ikon camera supports photographers with a uniquely large measuring basis of 75mm. The large measuring basis delivers high precision, particularly for photos in the near range when photographers want to focus on a certain detail in their subject. This is additionally supported by a bright viewfinder image that is approximately 30 percent brighter than the best existing systems as a result of the generously dimensioned optics. Focusing criteria can be significantly better assessed - even under difficult lighting conditions.

The extremely fast shutter speed of 1/2000 seconds opens up an entire new range of possibilities when designing pictures. All functions can be manually set. An intelligent aperture priority is also available to photographers with the Zeiss Ikon camera. It is equipped with an easy-to-use AE lock. This very useful function, particularly for subjects with significant differences in brightness, such as landscapes with bright skies, which are otherwise often under exposed.

User friendly
Anyone who does not constantly use a camera will be happy to have a simple, intuitive system. This is where Zeiss Ikon was systematically constructed to be user friendly. Loading the camera is as easy as with an SLR camera. When selecting the image segment, the frame that best fits the lens focal length is automatically displayed in the viewfinder. The respective objective lens focal length is also shown within this frame. Photographers also receive assistance when they select the correct exposure time or aperture. The actual exposure value (permanent) and the value recommended by the measuring system (blinking) are displayed in the viewfinder window using illuminated diodes. A digital diode is available for each value, twelve in total. The popular exposure correction function is located on the shutter speed knob and can be set without taking the camera away from the eye.

Extensive lens set
Brilliant, true-color, razor-sharp pictures, free from distortion are key requirements in creative photography. Development of this completely new, powerful set of lenses for the Zeiss Ikon camera was geared toward these basic requirements. It comprises a total of seven fixed focal length lenses ranging from a 15mm, ultra wide angle up to an 85mm portrait tele-lens. Thanks to standard lens mounts, these can be used with practically all standard range-finding cameras and are also suitable for digital photography.

Carl Zeiss also paid particular attention to minimal focus shift when developing the lens. The term describes the phenomenon of the focal plane wandering when the diaphragm is adjusted. With Zeiss Ikon lenses, this effect is so strongly reduced that it remains within the depth-of-field range and does not affect the quality of the picture.

Uniform and neutral color rendition was also listed in the Carl Zeiss function specifications given to developers and engineers. Based on knowledge gained from developing lenses for the movie industry and special ZEISS patents in this area, Carl Zeiss succeeded in achieving perfect color matching throughout the entire lens set, enabling each lens in the set to feature a uniform color characteristic.

The lens diaphragm consisting of 10 blades is equipped with a third-step click-stop, enabling particularly precise exposure.

Programmed quality
When it comes to processing quality and expected product life, customers place high demands on products from Carl Zeiss. In order to achieve this during production of the Zeiss Ikon camera, tolerances on the housing and all mechanical interfaces between the camera and lens lie in the range of a few micrometers. Extensive tests, such as shock, vibration, cold, heat and moisture are carried out in the Carl Zeiss environmental laboratory and the performance of the system under all realistic conditions is checked. A protocol is created that guarantees maximum quality and long life expectancy ? beginning in production.

Worldwide availability
Long-time Carl Zeiss partner, Victor Hasselblad AB (Sweden), will take over worldwide (except Japan) distribution for the Zeiss Ikon camera system. ?Distribution of the Zeiss Ikon system required a partner with years of experience in high-quality cameras and who boasts a worldwide sales network. We are very pleased to have found such a partner in Hasselblad. A unique basis of trust exists as a result of the long-lasting partnership with sophisticated medium format systems which both companies view as an important requirement for success,? explains Dr. Winfried Scherle on the decision to select Hasselblad.

Focused on the future
Four lenses ? 50mm Planar f/2 ZM, 35mm Biogon f/2 ZM, 28mm Biogon f/2.8 ZM and 25mm Biogon f/2.8 ZM ? will be available after Photokina 2004. The actual camera will be in stores in early 2005 followed by three additional lenses which will round out the line: Biogon 2.8/21 ZM, Distagon 2.8/15 ZM and Sonnar 2/85 ZM. The lenses have already been developed taking into account the special requirements of a foreseeable digital camera and can be used with all common range-finder cameras ? both digital and analog.

The new Zeiss Ikon camera combines a classical design with easy-to-use operation. Features and controls are designed to make practical photography comfortable and free from unpleasant surprises caused by the camera. Manual or auto TTL exposure metering as well as an AE-lock function gives you complete control of the exposure situation. So that you can make best use of the entire system ? from the film to the lens. Quite simply, you can count on a highly versatile creative tool that won?t let you down.

Unlike 35 mm SLR camera viewfinders, for example, that can only show little more than 90% of what will be recorded on film, the Zeiss Ikon viewfinder lets you see the area that surrounds the actual image giving you greater possibilities and confidence as you compose each image. What?s more, the triangulation rangefinder combined with a viewfinder base that is the widest available means that you can expect extreme accuracy and wide-angle focusing precision. All of this and more so that you can follow your passion: creating great images.

TECHNICAL DATA
Camera type:  Compact rangefinder system camera with focal plane shutter and TTL light metering system
Film format:  24x36 mm on 35 mm film
Lenses:  Carl Zeiss T* ZM-mount lenses with focal length 15 to 85 mm. Can also use all other lens types with M bayonet
Viewfinder:  0.74X magnification. Bright range- and viewfinder with bright line frames activated by used lens type. Displayed frames 28/85 mm. 35 mm, 50 mm. Separate frame selector lever for manual frame selection independent of mounted lens. Automatic parallax compensation. Diopter correction lenses -4 to +2 diopters. Standard setting at -1 diopter
Large base rangefinder:  Coincident-image rangefinder in the center of the viewfinder image. Measurement base 75 mm (effective 55.9 mm)
Exposure metering:  TTL center-weighted metering at working aperture. Metering range (at ISO100 and f/2) EV 0 to EV 19 (f/2?4s, f/16?1/2000 s)
Film speed range:  Manually set between ISO 25?3200 with 1/3 incremental f-stop
Exposure modes:  AE with aperture priority or manual. AE lock option. Exposure compensation +/- 2 f-stops in 1/3 steps set at shutter speed dial
Viewfinder display:  LED symbols for selected shutter speed along left side of frame. Warnings for out of range shutter speeds and low battery
Viewfinder display speed:  Vertically moving electronically controlled metal type. Shutter speed: speeds with 1/12 f-stop resolution between 1/2000 s to 8 s in AE mode, full f-stops between 1/2000 s to 1 s in manual mode, B
Flash synch:  Synchronization at 1/125 s and longer shutter speeds
Film transport:  Manual advance with quick lever. Rewinding with rewind lever
Camera body:  One piece aluminium base structure. External metal covers. Tripod thread inch in base plate
Batteries:  Two 1.5V cells type LR44 or SR44
Dimensions:  138 x 78 x 32 mm (5.4?x3.1?x1.3?)
Weight:  500 g (1 lb 2 oz.)
Ordering number silver finish:  30 81035