Zeiss ZX1 full frame Android prototype, let's repair

[Andrew Reid]

According to a book, Dutch company ASML got into a big fight with Nikon a few years back.

They both make lithography tools for semiconductors industry. ASML's optics supplier is Zeiss.

To pressure Nikon into a settlement, they had to take the patent fight to them in cameras.

So ASML got Zeiss to make them a camera.

It also doubled as a marketing adventure, shown off in stores but rarely really ever in stock.

Until one day this popped up on my radar, with the serial number XXX XXX.

The AF wasn't working, or the manual focus (fly by wire), lens stuck at macro 30cm.

So I cracked it open, mopping sweat off forehead.

Inside is 256GB SSD, final release model was bumped to 512GB.

Android 6, with Zeiss test suite of apps onboard including FCC certification test suite 🙂

A music player.

A Dutch full frame 36 megapixel sensor with some analogue colour.

A Zeiss 35mm F2 lens (but different optics to the Sony RX1), 4K video (Super 35mm crop) and an EVF.

And some weird prototype issues. I'll make a YouTube video on it.

Sample shot

And I still have no idea how I fixed the AF.

Just wiggled the lens and sensor ribbon cables a bit and it started working properly, but there was no sign of either cable being loose in the first place!

It is quite a fun tool, and a bit different. Android is decently snappy on it, the camera app is well designed, the physical dials are lovely but it doesn't have a joystick or command dials... So a lot is on the touch screen, but it's well done.

Shall I root it?

Update to 3.0 production firmware? (Risks bricking it).

Given the rarity factor... I probably won't!!

[FHDcrew]

Imagine if MotionCam RAW worked on this…

[BTM_Pix]

2 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

A Dutch full frame 36 megapixel sensor

Or a full frame 36 megapickshel shensor as its known there.

[MrSMW]

7 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

And I still have no idea how I fixed the AF.

Just wiggled the lens and sensor ribbon cables a bit and it started working properly, but there was no sign of either cable being loose in the first place!

Ah, the old 'Irish Screwdriver' technique.

Always works.

Except when it doesn't.

I liked the concept of this camera, but never dared...

[MrSMW]

41 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

Or a full frame 36 megapickshel shensor as its known there

Is that you Mr Bond?

[Andrew Reid]

1 hour ago, FHDcrew said:

Imagine if MotionCam RAW worked on this…

Does Android 6 have Camera API 2.0?

I'll try it out

[Andrew Reid]

The book is highly recommended 🙂

Or as they call them in the Netherlands... Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooek

[PannySVHS]

Hot stuff. Where did you acquire this novelty camera? That must be the youtube camera video of the year! Only thrills, no shills, a perfect watch with chips, soda and chills! @Andrew Reid

[Andrew Reid]

I got it from the resident Berlin Leica Thief.

 

[MrSMW]

36 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

I got it from the resident Berlin Leica Thief.

 

MPB 😂