Alright then, I have done it again. Splashed out the dosh. Yet another piece of kit in the bag and another Zeiss ZM lens. Could not resist its call. I have owned the CV 21/4 for quite a while now, but I have to admit to never liking it much. It is too wide of an angle of view (of course this should not be a surprise) and using the external finder somehow bugs me. Then it is physically small and I just cannot get used to handling and twisting the little knob tab thing in front. Granted, there should not be much focussing at all with a lens that wide.

So what is different with the Biogon? First it is a more moderate wide at 25mm and I think can use the normal viewfinder of the M6 0.58. I will just look at the 28 frame lines and remember it will be a little more. The lens itself is of a good size, in fact very similar to the Planar I already have. Like the 50mm, it handles very nicely. Focussing is smooth, 1/3 click stops, the “bulge” instead of a tab, all as expected.

I did indeed end up buying at Chikuma Camera near Ueno station. It was a fun experience. The shop is tiny and filled with used and new cameras and surprisingly many sales staff. When asking for the lens, I was given the 25mm in black and a 28mm in silver – the 25mm was not in stock in silver, which is what I originally wanted because they look so nice in the pictures, although I ended up buying the black instead anyway. A mat was spread out on the counter, ready for me to touch, inspect and admire the goods at my leisure. I almost felt I was sampling some wine or whiskey, which is funny because in the next moment the shop owner, staff and what turned out to be lingering customers opened a bottle of whiskey, Chu-Hi and other drinks. One guy, introduced to me as a “pro”, was smoking a pipe and I commented that this is a rare sight in Japan. We cracked some jokes and had a good chat. I must have received half a dozen of name cards by then. The owner then let me have a look at the Zeiss Ikon body and we all agreed that the viewfinder is absolutely outstanding, but probably the only thing superior to a Leica M body. I finally made my payment and was given a thick “Zeiss Ikon” magazine (as it is common in Japan, a magazine completely dedicated to one camera system is published). On my way out from a smoky and chatty camera shop I was invited to come round for a cup of coffee next time when I am in the area.

I have shot 3-4 rolls with the lens and should have some results soon.

If you look at the pic, you will notice I did away with the neck strap. I made my own wrist strap out of parts of bought straps. Whenever I hold the camera without neck strap, i.e. just after buying it, I realise how much freedom that offers, so I made this strap and will try to continue working like that. It has some disadvantages though, because you never have both hands free.