2+ year old R-D1 continues to impress me

jeff laitila

jeff laitila

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I shoot with both Canon and Nikon DSLRs (5D and D40 respectively) but I continue to be impressed with what the R-D1 can produce.

I don't have any exotic Leica glass, and shoot with CV lenses (which are superb in my humble opinion), not to say that I wouldn't give my left kidney for a Noctilux.

I have not been able to really put my finger on it, but I really do like they way that the R-D1 renders images. No matter what camera I use, I always shoot in RAW, and pixel for pixel, I have found that the R-D1 seems to very consistently produce images with the most true to life image quality. Also, the RAW files are very freindly in the post processing stage, as a lot of data seems to be packed into those 6-megapixels. More so than even my 5D which is nowhere near as forgiving as the R-D1 when it comes to the highlights.

I have toyed with the idea of "upgrading" to the M8, but why should I when I am completely happy with what the R-D1 allows me to produce? What I really should invest in is a Noctilux, but the recent price increase has put that plan on hold for a while. (Anyone know if the recent price hike in Leica gear is a permanent thing?)

Thanks for reading, I just wanted to share my thoughts on what continues to be a great tool for me, my trusty R-D1.

Below are some recent shots.

The view from my balcony
1577218006_baea7a28c4_o.jpg


Engakuji - Kamakura
1576432843_5c4c17007c_o.jpg


Engakuji - Kamakura
1577175938_d6cd5fb2bd_o.jpg
 
I don't remember the last time I sat here and said "wow" when a page opened. *Very* nice! I love my R-D1 but you've got more going for you than just the camera! 😀
 
Thanks!

Thanks!

JNewell,

Thanks!🙂 Photographically, Japan is a VERY inspiring place for me. I consider myself extremely lucky that I get to live in a place that, if I didn't live here, I would be taking ALL my vacations here.

I've been living in Japan going on 8 years pretty soon, and I continue to love it.
 
Hi Jeff

The R-D1 is a fine camera, as are the CV lenses, too. The difference to newer M lenses, which I also own some, are very small, for instance corner sharpness with open aperture. Stopped down one will have a hard time to find quality differences between these lenses. Btw the Epson sensor is physically the same as in the Nikon D70 but with another in-camera software.

IMO you have not got the max out of your RAW files (or did you use the JPGs only?). Pic 1 seems a bit dark to me (nothing unusual with the R-D1 metering which tends to underxpose), Pics 2 and 3 show quite much vignetting which could also be solved in the Epson Raw converter. I do mostly not apply the full devignetting factor, but 50 for 28 or 35 for 15, for instance.

Thanks for sharing your images.
Didier
 
Hello Didier,

I always shoot RAW, but I have to admit, that vignetting was my own addition, added in during the post processing. I find that when I am out shooting pictures, I am hyper-focused on my subjects and everything around me (even sounds) seems to melt away. (Which can be rather dangerous at times in traffic 😀 )

The vignetting is added (or enhanced) to the point where the image gives me the same feeling as when I actually shot it.

When I first started to shoot pictures seriously, I always wanted to capture, as closely as possible, the actual image in front of me. But the more I continue to shoot, the more I go for capturing and exhibiting a "feeling" rather than just an image.

I know that some people don't like this approach (not saying that you don't though, I don't know), but when I got to the point where my images seems "stale" or "sterile" I knew I needed to make a change. That's when I started to try and present the image in a way that would recapture for me the feelings I had when I created it.

I have no doubt that my photographic style will continue to evolve, I am just really enjoying the journey, even though I don't know what my destination is.

And to tell the truth, I hope there IS no final destination. I am more than happy to keep on changing. 🙂

Thanks for your comments, they are most appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Hi Jeff
The only thing your pictures must, is - looking good, FOR YOU! I have nothing to critizise about your shooting approach. The vignetting correction is just my input, how I'd have handled it. Finally it is a technical detail only. The content makes a picture good, not the technical things. And your joy of shooting. And you seem to enjoy shooting much, so just go on!
All the best, Didier
 
I love the pics the vignetting is perfect. it makes pics looking as film prints 😀 You're very lucky to being able to live there 😉 I don't know if I lived there in my former life lol
 
i agree

i agree

I agree with your opinion of the R-D1. I too love the feel of the images as well as the camera itself. Unfortunately I have not had as good of luck with mine. It has been sent back for backlash twice and was simply replaced both times. Both times it was replaced with a less than exemplary unit. It's a good thing that I bought the Mack warranty...it's about to go back again. I also own the M8 and while it is a fine camera it does not feel as comfortable to me for some reason. Even though it's focus mechanism is spot on I still prefer teh R-D1. Thanks for sharing your images. I especially like the 2nd and first one. The saturation is just right in my eyes. Do you only process in Epson RAW or do you finish tweaking in adobe?
Thanks
Carlos
 
jeff laitila said:
Also, the RAW files are very freindly in the post processing stage, as a lot of data seems to be packed into those 6-megapixels. More so than even my 5D which is nowhere near as forgiving as the R-D1 when it comes to the highlights.
ecent shots.
Click to expand...
What a view! And the third one I like very much also.

I find it very interesting that your 5D is less forgiving when it comes to highlights. I would not have thought so off hand but only makes getting an R-D1s instead of a 5D even more of a good idea 😉

Slight off topic - but I find some places in Europe that people are getting less and less inclined to allow photographers to portray them in street photography 🙁. How is that in Japan in comparison? Did the sweepers notice you?
 
I think the thing that still startles me a bit is that even viewed on the lowly LCD panel they really have a very 3D feeling. The colors, of course, are wonderful as well, but that's a little less surprising.
 
I've had the R-D1 for awhile now and have been very happy with the camera for what I use it for. The one problem being the rangefinder durability as the adjustments have gone out; slight horizontal adjustment, distance consistency with different lenses (Leica vs CV lenses), frameline accuracy. The M8 may be better in this regard, but the recent price increase for the M8 makes the R-D1 all that more a better deal. Still a great digital M-camera as long as you don't need larger file size.

BTW: nice photos, shows what the Epson can do.
 
xpanded,

Yes, the sweepers did notice me. I try to make a point of letting people know I am taking their picture and if I get a bad vibe from them I don't take the shot.

Japan is a great place to do street photography. In nearly 8 years I have only once been approached negatively by someone, and it was a drunk, so I don't put much credence into that single occurence. I think the fact that I was a gaijin had more to do with it rather than me taking pictures.
 
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