R-D1s: should I or shouldn't I....?

an answer--and two questions

an answer--and two questions

Matsuiyastore seems reputable (with good feedback on this forum and on ebay). Matsuiyastore will help you implement the Japanese warranty. You can send the camera to them and they will facilitate things with Epson Japan. Not convenient, likely not fast, but doable.

What is interesting is that Matsuiyastore prices for a new R-D1s aren’t much higher than prices for some used versions of the R-D1 and R-D1s that sell on ebay. I don’t understand that, but maybe I'm missing something.

Two quick questions: First, people have mentioned that they have aligned the R-D1 viewfinder by themselves. Is there a good webpage that explains this process?

Second … and this is a basis one! I understand the cropping factors of the R-D1 and the M8. I thought that all film cameras had full-frame, but some postings about Leica M film cameras seem to suggest that they are not full-frame. Can someone please clarify this matter?

Thanks.
 
ramosa said:
Matsuiyastore seems reputable (with good feedback on this forum and on ebay). Matsuiyastore will help you implement the Japanese warranty. You can send the camera to them and they will facilitate things with Epson Japan. Not convenient, likely not fast, but doable.

What is interesting is that Matsuiyastore prices for a new R-D1s aren’t much higher than prices for some used versions of the R-D1 and R-D1s that sell on ebay. I don’t understand that, but maybe I'm missing something.

Two quick questions: First, people have mentioned that they have aligned the R-D1 viewfinder by themselves. Is there a good webpage that explains this process?

Second … and this is a basis one! I understand the cropping factors of the R-D1 and the M8. I thought that all film cameras had full-frame, but some postings about Leica M film cameras seem to suggest that they are not full-frame. Can someone please clarify this matter?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

For adjustment look here and here.

I'm not aware of any Leica M camera that isn't "full frame". Basically allmost all 35mm cameras (RF, SLR, P&S) are full-frame, meaning that the image they record on the film has a size of 36x24mm.
I think there have been some (rare) cameras which recorded 18x24mm images on normal 35mm film. I don't know any model from Leica which did so.
 
Thanks Michael for the great post. My (re)investment in digital is rather half-hearted at the moment, so I think the R-D1 is more than enough money, and the files look pretty darn good to me.
The only troubling worry has always been reliability and support - so sad that what seems such a great and loved camera has become such an orphan.

But I'm gonna order one and hope for the best!
 
Great post Michael - your HCB point is very well made.

Mani, I think you've made a good choice... the R-D1 is a fantastic camera. I've owned one for appx 6 months and wouldn't part with it for anything (within reason!).

Best.
Andy
 
Great! Yup - thanks to all for the encouragement!
I bought from Robert White - I've hassled them before about various items without ever actually buying and they've always been super-helpful.

I'm sure they won't let me down this time either! 🙂

Looking forward to getting hold of this little baby now!
 
android said:
Great post Michael - your HCB point is very well made.

Mani, I think you've made a good choice... the R-D1 is a fantastic camera. I've owned one for appx 6 months and wouldn't part with it for anything (within reason!).

Best.
Andy
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment Andy! I had these thoughts for some time now and I felt this was an occasion to mention them.
Do you no longer own the R-D1? And if so, why did you decide to leave it?
 
mn4367 said:
Do you no longer own the R-D1? And if so, why did you decide to leave it?
Click to expand...

Me? I still have my R-D1. For my needs it's the perfect camera so I've never even been tempted to look at the M8. And as you succinctly put it, at the end of the day photography should be more about art than stressing out about pixel count. That can only be a distraction IMHO.

Andy
 
You won't be disappointed. I have the following digital cameras,

1. 20D with quality glass
2. Ricoh GRD
3. Olympus E-10
4. Sony F717

All cameras that are (or were) considered the best of their genre.

But it's the R-D1 that I take out 95% of the time for the sheer enjoyment of making images. The others are just mechanical devices, the R-D1 has soul.

John
 
I own a fancy new Canon 40D. After I got a second hand R-d1s (1000 euros) the 40D is collecting dust on a shelf.

I LOVE the R-D1s. You feel like making photos, not like controlling a computer. And IQ is great.
 
This all sounds really encouraging!

I'm still a bit nervous about how the actual RF focussing is gonna be with my particular lenses - I'm a bit of a narrow DOF fan, so among others I have a Nocti, Summilux 35/1,4 and a Summicron 90/2 - all of which I know are gonna be hard to get right on the Epson.

Oh well - out-of-focus can also be termed 'dreamy' right? 🙄
 
Bob_McBob said:
Might as well give in now 😀
Click to expand...
I did it! I sold my Nikon system to a friend of mine, stopped at a camera store in Tokyo on the way home from work and bought an R-D1s. Now I just need to learn how to use it. So I guess the M8 will be staying at home for the time being while I have fun with this new camera. It does feel a lot more like shooting a film camera.

One quick question, does the version 2 firmware update apply to the R-D1s, or only the R-D1? Thanks.

Bill
 
fordfanjpn said:
I did it! I sold my Nikon system to a friend of mine, stopped at a camera store in Tokyo on the way home from work and bought an R-D1s. Now I just need to learn how to use it. So I guess the M8 will be staying at home for the time being while I have fun with this new camera. It does feel a lot more like shooting a film camera.

One quick question, does the version 2 firmware update apply to the R-D1s, or only the R-D1? Thanks.

Bill
Click to expand...

The version 2 software is the only substantive difference between the 1 and the 1s. If you have the 1s, you won't need to upgrade.

/T
 
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