Any Other Digital Rangefinders?

[Bike Tourist]

Those of you with your ear to the ground — are there any other digital rangefinders in the offing besides the M8 and RD-1? One is too expensive for me, the other is too scarey. Come to think of it, the expensive one is scarey, too!

Most of the time I would love to combine my Bessa R3A with my Canon 5D to acheive my ideal camera.

I know it's a niche market, but surely some brave manufacturer will see an opportunity sooner or later.

Maybe not.

 

[Avotius]

As far as I know thats big no. We all have our fingers crossed that someone will take notice

 

[Richard Black]

How hard would it be to create a Bessa R2 style dgital camera with the least amount of automation, i.e. no apeture priority, no shutter priority, just plain simple. Use a small size LCD and minimal information, use raw and jpeg capture only, and rely on the photographer to use the tool according to his/her talent. Light meter like the new R3M/2M and sell them. I use an Olympus SP-350 and it is use in a manual mode most of the time. Keep it simple, most of the folks here like there cameras that way so why not. I know about small markets, etc, but how small is the M8 and RD-1?

 

[JonathanA]

A bessa R3D would be the PERFECT camera.

 

[Joe Mondello]

Most of the time I would love to combine my Bessa R3A with my Canon 5D to acheive my ideal camera.

Well in a sense the RD-1 IS that combo: a Bessa R3A body with a decent (Nikon D100 class) sensor with excellent high ISO performance like the 5D (but not "full frame" obviously).

Believe me the RD-1 isn't half as scary as people make out. It's a terrific camera.

If you buy a new one, get it at a place with a liberal return policy. If you buy a refurb or used one and don'[t like it, just turn it around on the market. These things sell in a day or two around here.

 

[kshapero]

A bessa R3D would be the PERFECT camera.

oh yes, that would be da bomb!! Go Rd-1!!

 

[arbib]

Personally, I would like to see Epson update the R-D1 QC, and have an 8mp sensor, and priced closer to Mid-DSLR camera. $1,500.00 or so without a lens. after all, it is a lot less camera than a DSLR, Guts wise. Ya a RF may be more complicated than a mirror/pentaprism box,... But it ain't $1,500.00 more complicated !!

The R-D1 looks like CV designed the body for Epson. Probably did.

But I don't think Epson is going anywhere with the R-D1. Too bad. A lower price point might just be the ticket.

That is why I bought cheaper Bessa R2. (a poor mans Leica) It allows me to enter into the world of Leica M and LTM lens's at a much lower price than a new or used current Leica M6 M7. Or older M5.

 

[Athena]

My guess is that the major Japanese manufacturer's are placing their bets on EVF rather than RF. They "conceded" the RF market (in film) to Leica 40+ years ago. Why would they go back now?

 

[Topdog1]

The R-D1, as has been pointed out, is exactly the camera marriage of the Cosina R2A with a digital sensor. Unfortunately, it is horribly overpriced at its original price point. Perhaps if Leica has a resounding success with the M8 someone will have another run at a R-D2-type camera. I suspect no one is in a hurry to do this, though.

/Ira