I am considering buying the Z2X. Intrested in hearing experiences both good and especially bad if anyone has one. How does it compare with other P&S's. Does it? With other 35mm's? Thank

-- Sim Bloomer (SXM13@aol.com), April 18, 2000

Answers

I am a Leica enthusiast, (M4 and 111f) and bought the z2x for my wife last Christmas. The lens seems good, but I have a few reservations: 1. Red eye very prevalent, use the anti-red eye always. 2. Seems heavy on Batteries (although this is the first zoom compact we have owned). 3. Body a bit plastic. I can't wait to try it outdoors more in the summer, (i.e without flash). Regards Mark

-- Mark Clark (calm@publiconline.co.uk), April 22, 2000.

I'd like to put in my two cents' worth on the Leica Z2X (well, actually, its predecessor the "Mini Zoom", which uses the same lens and exposure control but has passive instead of active auto-focus).

Having owned and used a Mini Zoom happily for over two years, I have been quite surprised to read people's adverse comments on this camera and Leica's after-sales service. Friends and relatives have often admired the daylight (and some flash) pictures I've taken with the Minizoom, which are usually very sharp and high in contrast. Results are not bad at all for a zoom lens, although it's very susceptible to flare if there is a bright light source in the picture or the subject is back-lit. I only use print film, generally Kodak or Fuji ASA 400.

I have found, on occasions, that the camera's built-in flash seemed to be lacking in power, resulting in some under-exposed and washed- out negatives. However, this could have been my fault, sometines, for trying to use it at too great a range - a good reason for moving to a faster emulsion. I suspect, too, that the processing labs I've used were not always the best - my fault again for not being selective enough. If in doubt, with flash, I now tend to use the +2E mode to ensure that the negs will be well saturated. It doesn't seem to do any harm because the lab will tend to correct automatically for any over-exposure (they can't do that for under-exposure, because of the lack of contrast caused by the washing-out of the emulsion).

Although I have not personally had any bad experiences with the Mini Zoom, I don't doubt the truth of the complaints people have voiced. These have especially applied to faulty film advance. One can only conclude, from the unfortunate experiences of others, that quality assurance is inconsistent in the Japanese production facility and that after sales service is mediocre. If this is the case, then I think Leica is unwisely risking its reputation.

Anyway, let me cast my vote of confidence infavour of the Mini Zoom and, by implication, the Z2X. If you don't get a lemon, this is a great little camera, with a nicely compact, well made body and a superb lens (the reason I bought it in the first place).

I only use print film, generally Kodak or Fuji ASA 400.

I have found, on occasions, that the camera's built-in flash seemed to be lacking in power, resulting in some under-exposed and washed- out negatives. However, this could have been my fault, sometimes, for trying to use it at too great a range - a good reason for using a fast film. I suspect, too, that the processing labs I've used were not always the best - my fault again for not being selective enough.

If in doubt, with flash, I now tend to use the +2E mode to ensure that the negs will be well saturated. It doesn't seem to do any harm because the lab will tend to correct automatically for any over- exposure (the same doesn't work for under-exposure because of the lack of contrast caused by the washing-out of the emulsion).

Although I have not personally had any bad experiences with the Mini Zoom, I don't doubt the truth of the complaints people have voiced. One can only conclude, from the unfortunate experiences of others, that quality assurance is inconsistent in the Japanese production facility and that after sales service is mediocre. If this is the case, then I think Leica is unwisely risking its reputation.

Anyway, let me cast my vote of confidence infavour of the Minizoom. If you don't get a lemon, this is a great little camera, with a nicely compact, well made body and a superb lens (the reason I bought it in the first place).

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), November 17, 2000.

My experience with the Z2X is similar to Ray's. The lens is quite good but overall controls and size don't compare with P&S zoom cameras like the Canon Classic 120 (outstanding P&S, IMO). I recently sold my Z2X in favor of the Canon Classic 120.

-- John McCormack (jpmccormac@aol.com), November 17, 2000.

>I´ve had z2x for a year now -and some problems with it. Using the full zoom out the pictures was underexposed and mostly not sharp- on print film. After i had been taken 6 rolls of film the battery was finished. Not using the zoom an with flash indoor- I´v taken the best pictures.It has been a disapointing expierience in all. I´ve just had it repaired. Leica had the hole inside of the camera taken out, and a totally new part put in. But they would not tell what had been the problem. After the repair I´v have taken another print-film trying the zoom -the result is a little better, but not satisfying - Leica should bee better than this- considering the price. I´m not a professional photographer, but as a photointerested teacher I´v had mostly (20years) used a Nikon FM, but also several different compact cameras in my job.

-- bent aksel kofoed (bent-aksel@get2net.dk), February 04, 2001.

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread. I just came across it. I too have the mini-zoom. I used it occasionally and some pics were great others totally out of focus. Blamed myself for ages as it was my first point and shoot. Thought it was camera shake or whatever. Finally I had had enough, returned it to the distributor who sent it to Leica. $165 later with no explanation other than electronics having been replaced (noted on the receipt), it's working well so far. Point is it was seriously faulty from new but the warrenty was long gone. Not happy Jan!!

Hope my new M6 is better. I'll have a roll of film bac next week.

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), September 14, 2001.

Personally I've used the Leica Mini 3 before and it eats up batteries too :(... I decided to go use the Yashica T-4 Super which is the bomb... it's an affordable camera which Leica should have created :)

Of course, I'm still getting a used Mini which should serve me an excuse to have some Leica shots...

Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), September 28, 2001.