Rumor: Full frame Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder in development

By PR admin | Published: August 9, 2009
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"Our source claims that Zeiss is working on a digital rangefinder with a Sony sensor, he goes further saying that unlike all the current dRFs the Zeiss dRF will use a CMOS sensor". (source: ZR)

This is what Zeiss had to say on this topic few years ago (September, 2006):

Q: There are rumors that Zeiss will eventually have its own digital rangefinder camera body that will accept the M mount lenses. True or false? Will it be Cosina-made? Full 24 x 36mm sensor?

A: At Carl Zeiss, we can imagine such a camera. But we feel that is not the right time to introduce such a camera now. Today digital technology is still developing fast and the initial value of a digital camera is lost in quite a short time. (source : PopPhoto)

So, is now the right time? Right before Leica launches the full frame M9?

Zeiss currently does have a film rangefinder product - Zeiss Ikon (product page):

zeiss ikon rangefinder Rumor: Full frame Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder in development

Zeiss Ikon rangefinder (source: zeiss.com)

Related posts:

  1. The silver Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera has been discontinued
  2. Zeiss has no plans for a digital rangefinder camera
  3. New full frame digital rangefinder being tested
  4. The full frame AF rangefinder starting to smell
  5. Sigma SD1 can do LiveView, full frame Foveon sensor in development?

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6 Comments

  1. m4/3
    Posted August 10, 2009 at 3:44 am | Permalink

    It would be sweet if they did, but I’m not sure I can see it happening soon.

  2. Peter Lombardi
    Posted August 10, 2009 at 5:06 am | Permalink

    really not a huge fan of the current batch of sony sensors, so not as excited as i should be right now.
    -peter

    • Sky
      Posted August 10, 2009 at 6:24 am | Permalink

      Not a fan of Nikon DSLRs either you are? ;)

  3. richard
    Posted August 10, 2009 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    It could easily happen as a niche item, just like the Bessa/Epson RD1. It’s all Cosina anyway. A well designed, full frame digital rangefinder undercutting the future M9 could be very popular around the Leica/M/Rangefinder/Zeiss/German Loving set.

  4. Ivan
    Posted August 11, 2009 at 2:20 am | Permalink

    Oh god, I would absolutely get this, if I could afford it. I’m big on street photography, and I’m dying to get my hands on a nice rangefinder, film-wise I know what I want, but the digital offerings are so small. I hope this is real.

  5. boria
    Posted August 12, 2009 at 8:02 am | Permalink

    A logical step – considering that leica does the same thing as zeiss at thrice the price i.e. offers M7 at approx. 3 times the price of ikon, and promotes it’s M8 digi-toy at even higher price. Personally I don’t see any reason for buying M7 instead of equally good ikon (apart from the label on it). Likewise I won’t see any reason for buying M8 if digi-ikon will be available (at a reasonable price).
    On the other hand I’m shooting mostly film and – in general – I hate digi-cams for their poor overall image quality as well as for lifespan of a fruit fly.
    Adding digi-ikon to zeiss’ portfolio might suggest that zeiss – as well as many other manufacturers – is going to betray film photograpers, and switch (completely?) to digital, wich would leave us with even less options for buing a camera.