Any M8 users prefer the RD1?

[kuvvy]

Never really liked the M8 when I first held it, so walked away. Got myself the RD1 instead and loved it. Loved the handling, the quality of the images. Sold it to a member here and got myself a Fuji Xpro to shoot alongside my X100. I really wish I still had the RD1. Had to sell my Fuji gear when hard times hit. Things are better now but don't know if I'll get around to ever being able to afford another Epson. Just loved it tho.

Paul

 

[Sprocketdog23]

I like them both equally, and the M8 is more solid, with arguably better image fidelity... but I really love the 'space' that the physical act of using the shutter wind lever on the R-D1 makes image making a fully thought out process. Its because of that for me that I'll be using mine till it fails. Hmmm, I did grow up in the mechanical, manual, film winding era, so its possibly part nostalgia, part habit, my ever developing slow reactions (due to misspent youth possibly), more likely some kind of luddite-ism, or burying head in sand in face of 12fps latest gadgety thing that I don't need kind of thing.....

 

[rbelyell]

tbh, the shutter cock mechanism is the only thing i really dont like about the camera. it seems contrived to me, theres simply no reason for it, though i do understand what it does. obviously that function is accomplished differently on every other digicam ever made. hence the contrived feel. and it interferes with my process while the rest of the camera either enhances it or gets out of my way.

 

[isorgb]

I have an R-D1 currently. I have had an M8 and M8.2. The M8 VF/RF is more robust and easier to see when in focus. The base length of the M8 is longer and I understand that this makes focusing with fast lenses easier, but I've never had a problem with the R-D1. The M8, lens for lens, will produce sharper output, but in real world situations it doesn't make much difference, that is, the R-D1 is sharp enough in any case. The R-D1 and S are limited to 2MB cards; the RD1X is not limited. The R-D1 buffer is very limited (3 shots), so if you like to shoot fast and a lot, you'll struggle. The R-D1 is definitely better at iso 1600 than the M8 and has a most pleasant "old school" rendering of colour. It also produces superb B&W via Epson Photo Raw. I like both cameras, but prefer the ergonomics and immediate access to key functions of the R-D1 as well as the wind on and reversible screen - I never shoot with it open. I replaced my M8.2 with a Fuji X100 (and a lot of change) and regularly go out with the Fuji and Epson, finding them complementary.

I agree!
My first digital rangefinder was R-D1. After several years of use Epson I bought new M8 and I felt that M8 is excellent (and it is), but after days, months I used it less and less. Something was wrong, banding at second or third quick pictures, freeze on the charged battery.

I can use R-D1 again and I feel better with R-D1 in my hand. It is thinner, better for me. Aperture, exposure time, ISO value. Enough.
LCD closed and take pictures instead of check every shot whether it is perfectly sharp or something else.... and after day or several days, transfer pictures to computer is much more exciting. I am a hobbyist and I prefer that to taking pictures give me pleasure instead of reluctance.

 

[Manuel Patino]

The RD-1 now resides in the vapour trail of my GAS. 😀

Great camera but the crop factor was a pain and I always suspected that eventually I'd go full frame ... hence the huge splurge on an M240. 😱

I should probably sell the Epson but it's such a unique camera I'm reluctant to do so!

LOL! You sound exactly like me. I still have the R-D1 and I did also "splurge" on a M240. Funny think how that R-D1 still feels so good in the hands though....

 

[neonart]

I had both for several months. The M8 was wonderful at low ISOs. After that it started to deteriorate. ISO1250+ on the M8 was a mess in dim light. The RD1 was very good all the way up to ISO1600.

It seems like the AA filter on the RD1 was very strong, giving photos a softer look whereas the M8 was so crisp at those low ISOs.

The M8 has the classic Leica feel to it, which is nice. However the RD1 just felt like it had better ergonomics.

I personally preferred the RD1 to the M8, advance lever and all!

 

[aldobonnard]

It seems like the AA filter on the RD1 was very strong

The AA filter is rather weak on the R-D1, like the early Nikon Dxx (D100, D70), but is a filter nonetheless. I often see a faint moiré on the R-D1 (that depends on the lens used, of course). It is not as often as with the M9, of course.