Buying a R-D1(s)

[kopmann]

Hi together,

this is my first posting here. I have already read a lot.

I recently bought a Pentax istDs DSLR. It makes very good pictures. I have 2 objectives: AF 35mm 2,0, M 50mm 1.7. And a zoom which i don't use too often.

My main motives are: Portraits, parties, birthdays, weddings. No landscapes.

Do you think, it is senseful switching to a R-D1(s). In that case i had to sell my Pentax. Just because of not being in position of having too much money.

I have seen a lot of pictures here in the forum and on pbase. I am really amazed of the quality of the pictures made with that camera!

Thanks for your answers, Greetings, Christian

 

[anaanda]

Hi Christian,

A DSLR is going to be faster in most of the situations described and a little more stress free (because the camera will do everything for you, however you won't necessarily get better pictures ).. but I believe that with a R-D1 you'll have a different flow and come up with better pictures. Its all a manner of how you want to work. I happen to like the manual focus and the viewfinder of rangefinders as well as the size and quality of the lenses. If you have never shot with a range finder I would recommend buying a cheaper film one like a bessa R or R2 or R3A or M or some old 70's rangefinders before dropping a lot of money on the R-D1. I have an R-D1 and love it. However I don't like digital as much as film. (I shoot almost exclusively black and white. The R-D1 has 4 in camera filters which work nicely.)

Regards
Scott

 

[RML]

Christian, the first question you should answer is "Is rangefinder photography really for me?" If you don't know than I suggest you start out with a cheap Russian FED-2 or Zorki 4AM, or a bit more expensive Voigtlander Bessa R. If, like I, you feel that rf photography is really a more productive way of shooting than you can consider buying the R-D1.

 

[kopmann]

Thanks for your answers!
I looked at ebay and there are a lot of Fed-2's. I gonna bid on one and check it out.
@RML: Your blog is really awesome! Really nice pictures! That is in deed the way i want to take pictures!

Regards, Christian

 

[Tsai]

another things might be to try a VC bessa R/R2/R3/R4 rangefinder. they are much closer to the build type of the epson R D1.

and the bessa R arent too pricy on the used markets.