Buying advise for a beginner

[Adski]

Hi, I recently purchased an Epson R-D1X camera and Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4. lens.

I am a complete beginner and exploring and enjoying this new hobby on a budget.

I would appreciate some buying advise on some items I plan to get.

A small camera bag that will fit across the body that will fit the camera and made one other lens?

M mount lenses (or maybe different with an adapter if it’s worth it) budget around 400 EUR each or cheaper if possible:

A lens that would be good to play with wide shots, I was thinking maybe the TTArtisan 21mm f1.5?

A lens that will be good for a bit more distance on street photography but not too big to carry around?

A star filter that would fit the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4? (Maybe some other options to create the flare effect)

A shutter button?

A screen protector for the back?

Any other recommendations very welcome.

I would really appreciate any advice on building up my kit as I am a complete beginner but really enjoying it so far.

I am currently travelling in Japan so I maybe able to pick up something at a good price or maybe some used lenses for cheaper.
Thank you!

 

[KoNickon]

I'm surprised no one has responded to you -- lots of folks here with strongly held (but well informed) opinions on all your questions. I really don't have much to provide, other than to say that I think a 21mm might be a little wide. 28mm would be a better choice I think, to start with anyway. When you say a lens that's "good for a bit more distance" I assume you mean a short telephoto. There are lots of good choices in the 85-90mm range. I assume the Epson has 90mm framelines? If so, maybe a collapsible 90 Elmar?

Good luck, and hopefully others will start weighing in.

 

[raid]

I would first use the 40mm lens that you own, and see if you like this focal length or not. Then only start buying other lenses and "stuff".
Good luck with it all.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I have a Voightlander 21mm that lives on my R-D1x, I use others but the 21 is my favorite on it. I set the lens selector on 35 and use the frame line corners as rule of thirds points and it works pretty well. My next favorite is the 35mm CV. All are available used at pretty reasonable prices. I think that the more expensive Leica lenses are somewhat lost on the 6MP sensor which is another reason to love the Epson.

 

[Beemermark]

Save your money for awhile and shoot a few thousand pictures with your current combo. Only then will you begin to realize/wish you had a wide angle or tele lens. Don't ask other people to determine what you like.

 

[raydm6]

Welcome to RFF!

I don’t have any suggestions or sage advice other than to have fun.

Most of us here are/were GASaholics at some point and have acquired a myriad of cameras, lenses, and accessories; myself included. It’s ok if you go through that phase. It’s part of the fun!

But, taking a simple, minimalist approach is also fun as well.

Looking forward to seeing some of your images.

 

[lynnb]

Your Epson R-D1X has a "DX" APS-C size sensor which is smaller than "full frame" (24x36mm image size, the same as 35mm film). In practical terms it crops the image size of a traditional film 35mm rangefinder by 1.53. So your 40mm has a field of view that approximates a 61mm lens on a full frame camera. 61mm is somewhere between "normal" and "short telephoto". It's often considered a really nice focal length for portraits and some street photography.

Rangefinder cameras are particularly suited to wider field of view lenses, from "gentle wide" to "ultra wide". A 21mm lens will have a field of view that is similar to a 32mm lens on a full frame camera. This is a really useful focal length for interior work, portraits that include what's around the subject ("context") and also street photography. If you want an inexpensive, compact and quality 21mm lens the Cosina Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar is worth looking at. I'd recommend the CV 21mm metal external finder that slips into your hotshoe to complement it.

Before getting additional lenses I'd take Raid's and Beemermark's advice and shoot a few thousand frames with your 40mm. You'll have a better idea then.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I am currently travelling in Japan so I maybe able to pick up something at a good price or maybe some used lenses for cheaper.
Thank you!

Where are you in Japan?

All the best,
Mike

 

[Out to Lunch]

Congrats on the R-D1x, which is a great camera, warts, and all. I've had good results with the following lenses:

- Voigtlander Super-Wide Heliar 4.5/15 V.III -NOT the V.II, which gives a lot of vignetting;
- Zeiss Biogon T* 2.8/28 ZM
- Zeiss Biogon T* 2/35
- Voigtlander Nokton 1.2/35 V.I
- Zeiss Sonnar T* 1.5/50
- Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 4/85

I have recently bought some TTArtisan lenses (the 1.5/21 - 5.6/28 - 1.4/35), but haven't used them with the R-D1x, yet.

With wide lenses, I'm using this viewfinder that has an adjustment for the cropped R-D1x's sensor: Voigtlander 15-35mm Multi Format Zoomfinder (Type A)

Happy shooting and cheers, OtL

 

[Adski]

Where are you in Japan?

All the best,
Mike

I came out just over 2 weeks ago, started in Tokyo and travelled to Kyoto, Himeji, Nara, Arashiyama, Osaka, currently in Hakone before going back to Tokyo for the final few days. Japan is an incredible place, already started making a list of things to do the next time I visit! I actually brought the camera and lens here and there has been such great things to photograph so worked out really well!

Thank you everyone for all the recommendations and information!

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I came out just over 2 weeks ago, started in Tokyo and travelled to Kyoto, Himeji, Nara, Arashiyama, Osaka, currently in Hakone before going back to Tokyo for the final few days. Japan is an incredible place, already started making a list of things to do the next time I visit! I actually brought the camera and lens here and there has been such great things to photograph so worked out really well!

Thank you everyone for all the recommendations and information!

It looks like you're having a terrific time here!

If you pass through Yokohama you should check out: Camera Ohnuki
They have a nice selection of new and used M-mount stuff; a lot of other cameras and lenses too!

All the best,
Mike

 

[Scrambler]

I've an earlier R-D1, use the 21mm/f4 Voigtlander, and 35mm and 50mm lenses. 50mm is long enough for portrait work, 21mm is plenty wide enough BUT there is no great way to frame a 21mm on the R-D1. I tend to point, expect the wider frame, and shoot. ( Actually, there was an external 21mm viewfinder for the R-D1 but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale).

I'd suggest a 28mm as a wideish "normal" lens, and the 40mm as your almost-a-tele lens.

I like to shoot RAW with black-and-white JPGs. The Epson b&w algorithm is very nice. And the RAW lets you get whatever else out of the image if you want.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Actually, there was an external 21mm viewfinder for the R-D1 but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale)

Which is why I bought this viewfinder: Voigtlander 15-35mm Multi Format Zoomfinder (Type A)

 

[Adski]

I've an earlier R-D1, use the 21mm/f4 Voigtlander, and 35mm and 50mm lenses. 50mm is long enough for portrait work, 21mm is plenty wide enough BUT there is no great way to frame a 21mm on the R-D1. I tend to point, expect the wider frame, and shoot. ( Actually, there was an external 21mm viewfinder for the R-D1 but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale).

I'd suggest a 28mm as a wideish "normal" lens, and the 40mm as your almost-a-tele lens.

I like to shoot RAW with black-and-white JPGs. The Epson b&w algorithm is very nice. And the RAW lets you get whatever else out of the image if you want.

I am really enjoying shooting black and white probably 50% of the time. I have the setting on RAW & jpeg but was wondering if there is a quicker or better way of changing between the two? At the moment I am pressing the review image button, waiting for it to load, pressing menu, going to the next settings and changing from one to the other.

Other question, if it get a better memory card, would the review images load quicker or is that just the speed? I have a san disk right now.


Also, on my 40mm I am using the 50 frame line switch as a kind of zoom at times, is that okay or is there a disadvantage for using in this way?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, I am just at the start of my camera/photography journey

I appreciate all the advise so far!

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Adski, It's cool to have the funds for original purchases. I'd suggest using your 40mm until you find it's short comings....then add what's missing be it a wide angle or a tele. This kind of approach keeps you from endlessly changing lenses searching for the right look. Best of luck

 

[Scrambler]

@Adski
Sorry about the late reply.

As I said above, I set for RAW (which is colour), a black&white JPG, and then process the RAW to colour JPG if I decide I want that. You can of course process the RAW to black and white (and Adobe turns up a nice image). As I say, I just like the in-camera black-and-white. Either the Epson software or Adobe suite do colour images I don't mind.

I don't know how to quickly flick on-camera settings, but others may. You can certainly have "film" equivalent presets but you need to define these yourself or take the offered versions.

Your camera has better card handling than mine (which is limited to 2 GB). I've never given any thought to finding a faster card - just FINDING a card has been enough!

If you need fast image handling, don't use RAW. It's a pretty bulky file format, and if you are swapping between monochrome and colour on camera you may not need the RAW file. It just lets you "develop" a slightly different JPG rather than accept what the camera gives you.

The frames on any combined rangefinder/viewfinder are fairly conservative. That is, they usually are a noticable amount smaller than the actual amount captured. Make a note of exactly how it frames up. I would expect the 40mm to be pretty close to the 35mm frameline rather than the 50mm.

As for "zoom", I am afraid the 50mm framelines are simply smaller than the 35mm framelines. There is no other change in the viewfinder.