I just got an email from Bertram Hönlinger, Consumer Products, Carl Zeiss AG, and he confirmed for us that you don't have to use the Lightroom CC features in the forthcoming Zeiss ZX1 if you don't want to. So there's no requirement that you have to have an Adobe subscription to use the camera. No evil skullduggery afoot to secretly force you to kowtow to the Adobe juggernaut. You can just transfer the files to your computer or the cloud and use whatever Editor you want to on the files.
Just followin' up.
Mike
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I've never been interested in FF cameras until now. This camera really intrigues me.
It's a possible game changer.
Posted by: John Krill | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 11:26 AM
Nice to hear that ...
HOLY OBERKOCHEN WHAT'S THIS!?
I cant believe that Zeiss is showing a camera with the front element's edges un-blackened like that. Shades of the Carl Zeiss Super-Q*-Gigantar 40mm f/0.33
*Q stands for Quatsch
Posted by: hugh crawford | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 01:33 PM
The whole thing hinges on Ultimate Image Quality.
If it has it, I'm interested.
If not, I'll pass.
I do use Sigma DP1,2 and 3 Merrills even with their slow write times and Sigma software. The Image Quality is the reason.
Hope the Zeiss has the magic assocoated with their rich history.
Posted by: Willie | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 01:34 PM
Thanks for the update, Mike.
Any word on whether Capture One will support the Zeiss ZX1?
Cheers,
Stephen
Posted by: Stephen Scharf | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 01:36 PM
I really want this. Not only the connectivity but the Deiter Rams/Braun-like simplicity of the design. If only there was the slightest possibility that it could be in any way affordable...
Posted by: Barry Reid | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 02:37 PM
This is certainly an interesting camera. And, as most of us already suspect, it won’t be cheap. I’m guessing well north of the Sony RX1R. But has anyone checked out the dimensions? It’s a sizable piece - quite a bit larger than Sony’s A7 series. That’ll work well for some people but be a deal-breaker for others.
Posted by: Steve Biro | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 02:40 PM
I was under the impression that the built in the camera lightroom editing tools worked without a subscription as long as you avoid using the lightroom cloud services for which you do need a subscription. That’s what the Z1 Zeiss site says under edit.
Posted by: Eric Perlberg | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 04:29 PM
Can you use the Lightroom features in camera if you don’t have an account? Or does it only work if you have an account. I would think having the editing feature offline and without an account, but only on the back of the camera would be a selling feature.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 04:49 PM
Somehow, looking at it makes me think of a German Panzer VIII Maus tank.
Posted by: Dan Khong | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 04:57 PM
I really want to like this, but I can't believe how big it is! It's the same size at the "medium format" Hasselblad! Really nice looking though. Just wish it were shorter.
Posted by: sfmurph | Thursday, 11 October 2018 at 05:29 PM
I think this body, with its angled bulge, is positively ugly, Contra Barry Reid above, I think Dieter Rams would have been ashamed of it.
Posted by: David Evans | Friday, 12 October 2018 at 08:21 AM
It is an interesting concept, but Kirk has a rather hefty opinion on this camera: https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-laughed-my-ass-off-when-i-saw-camera.html
Posted by: Anders Holt | Friday, 12 October 2018 at 08:28 AM
If only the lens were a Biogon ... I’ll pass. (Sarcasm on)
Posted by: Earl Dunbar | Friday, 12 October 2018 at 06:28 PM
Hefty is not quite how I read Kirk's "review"
Bill
Posted by: Bill | Friday, 12 October 2018 at 07:33 PM
The previous Android-powered camera, Samsung Galaxy NX, was a massive failure and it had interchangeable lenses. This one has fixed lens, is huge and probably the ugliest digital camera ever made. Its only hope is the magic of Z-word.
Posted by: alex-virt | Friday, 12 October 2018 at 09:01 PM
You'd think there's a backlash against small cameras like the micro 4/3 or the Sony or something ;-) For that size and money, get a used X1D and the IQ would be much better, Zeiss magic dust notwithstanding, IMHO.
Posted by: Richard Man | Saturday, 13 October 2018 at 11:56 PM