Zeiss and Cosina's M-mount rangefinder — the Zeiss Ikon ZM, long-base finder, electronic shutter, 2004.
The Zeiss Ikon ZM is a 35mm rangefinder introduced in 2004, developed by Zeiss and manufactured by Cosina, reviving the Zeiss Ikon name for an M-mount film body. It was aimed at the higher end of the modern film-rangefinder market, offering Zeiss ZM lenses a purpose-built home alongside compatibility with other M-mount optics.
It is a 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera using the Leica M bayonet mount, noted for a long rangefinder base and a bright viewfinder with projected bright-line frames. It uses an electronically controlled shutter with aperture-priority and manual exposure and a TTL meter. Because the shutter is electronic, it depends on a battery to fire.
The long rangefinder base gives precise focusing, and the wide, bright finder suits street, travel and documentary photographers who want an accurate modern M-mount body. Its aperture-priority automation and metering make it quick to work with, while the M mount gives access to a large lens catalogue including the Zeiss ZM line.
Check the rangefinder patch for contrast and accurate vertical and horizontal alignment, using the long base to assess focusing precision, and inspect the finder for haze. Because the shutter is electronic, confirm the camera fires and aperture-priority exposure works with a good battery, and test the meter and battery contacts carefully; this body will not fire without power.