Condition of Epson-site refurb units, recently received?

[jim_buchanan]

I'm mostly interested in the rangefinder alignment, then cosmetics, etc. It would be interesting what quality of units we get for half price.

It took a major effort to get my order through, but I think I have a confirmed order with a ship date of today. I happened upon the Epson-site on Thanksgiving morning and placed an on-line order, only to get an email the next morning that it had been canceled due to conflicting phone numbers, just like another member here. I called and as of Monday, they have honored my original order with one of 4 cameras left. At least that is what they said. No shipping confirmation, yet.

With the very informative steps in rangefinder adjustment found on this forum, I feel confident to go forward with a digitalRF for my Leica lenses, that I feel is still overpriced at 50% off.

I think if anyone wants to effectively focus those faster 75s and 90s, not to mention the 135, they need to be prepared to confirm and adjust infinity and close 1 meter focusing.

So, thanks for any feedback on R-D1 refurbs, as you get to know your new cameras.

 

[scho]

I'm mostly interested in the rangefinder alignment, then cosmetics, etc. It would be interesting what quality of units we get for half price.

It took a major effort to get my order through, but I think I have a confirmed order with a ship date of today. I happened upon the Epson-site on Thanksgiving morning and placed an on-line order, only to get an email the next morning that it had been canceled due to conflicting phone numbers, just like another member here. I called and as of Monday, they have honored my original order with one of 4 cameras left. At least that is what they said. No shipping confirmation, yet.

With the very informative steps in rangefinder adjustment found on this forum, I feel confident to go forward with a digitalRF for my Leica lenses, that I feel is still overpriced at 50% off.

I think if anyone wants to effectively focus those faster 75s and 90s, not to mention the 135, they need to be prepared to confirm and adjust infinity and close 1 meter focusing.

So, thanks for any feedback on R-D1 refurbs, as you get to know your new cameras.

Mine should be delivered tomorrow and I'll report back on any problems. I'd also like to hear from others about the refurb quality.

 

[cysewski]

Mine is on the FEDEX truck now, I should get it in a couple hours. I will let you know. I had a Bessa R and R2 so I am used to some "fragility" in the rangefinder. We have a local repair person that is very good.

 

[Plasmat]

I ordered one refurb several weeks ago, and ordered another refurb last week. I now have three R-D1's. They suit my shooting style and I wanted a backup. I use my large assortment of oddball LTM lenses, such as Kinoptiks adapted to Leica mount, that I enjoy.

1) Both refurbs were in the 1700-1800 serial number range.

2) Both were cosmetically MINT, like new.

3) Both were Version 1 firmware, which I upgraded to Version 2 immediately.

4) The first has a very slight vertical rangefinder misalignment. No hot pixels. It goes into sleep mode erratically, and sometimes needs two presses of the shutter. It has a weird problem where maybe one out of 40 images saves as a "blank". Not sure if I want to send it back for "service".

5) I got the second refurb today. Infinity focus a bit off. So far, no other problems.

I love the camera. If I get a Leica M8 I'll sell one R-D1. Not sure if anyone will ever make another M digital and I'd like to make sure I have a digital platform for my lenses, that's why I did overkill and got three (first one got used off eBay. Alignment was off and fixed by DAG. Battery meter died, cannot be fixed by "repeat reset" method)

I had numerous conversations with Epson at high levels and they are clueless. NOBODY can fix the camera if it breaks, I'm sure. It will be a big problem if one needs a shutter repair or if the electronics fail, it will be a doorstop.

Shame on Epson. My wife (who is Japanese), wrote a letter to Epson Japan for me in Japanese where I complained to the President. I FedExed it to him. We will see if I get any response.

 

[AusDLK]

Mine arrived today, in was in the original 15xx batch.

It appears like new. As noted, the firmware update is necessary.

Now I have two.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I had numerous conversations with Epson at high levels and they are clueless. NOBODY can fix the camera if it breaks, I'm sure. It will be a big problem if one needs a shutter repair or if the electronics fail, it will be a doorstop.

Shame on Epson. My wife (who is Japanese), wrote a letter to Epson Japan for me in Japanese where I complained to the President. I FedExed it to him. We will see if I get any response.

That is depressing. Come on, Epson. Sell the R-D1 program to someone who will care.

 

[ampguy]

Mine arrived today, but the battery is still charging, it appears mint, s/n 45xx. If I do the "s" upgrade, can I revert it back to non "s" should I ever wish to?

 

[Bob Parsons]

Mine arrived today, but the battery is still charging, it appears mint, s/n 45xx. If I do the "s" upgrade, can I revert it back to non "s" should I ever wish to?

As far as I know the answer to that question is No, you cannot revert back to the original software for the simple reason Epson has never made it available. 🙁

There are so many advantages to the new software such as hot pixel mapping, single shutter press wakeup etc. you wouldn't want to go back to the original.


Bob.

 

[ampguy]

OK, Thanks Bob

OK, Thanks Bob

Thanks for the info.!

As far as I know the answer to that question is No, you cannot revert back to the original software for the simple reason Epson has never made it available. 🙁

There are so many advantages to the new software such as hot pixel mapping, single shutter press wakeup etc. you wouldn't want to go back to the original.


Bob.

 

[newyorkone]

Apparently mine shipped today but I don't see a tracking number on the track my order page. I emailed them but as of yet still no reply.

The notion of owning this camera feels very mad max to me... 🙂

 

[Plasmat]

I forgot to mention the latest R-D1 came with a DVD with a bunch of promotional shorts, interviews with photographers, and "how tos", such as using the Photoshop plugins.

Interesting, never saw it before.

 

[cysewski]

Mine just came, the rangefinder looks fine, it looks as new, it does not have the current firmware. I will install it tonight. I am happy.
Steve

 

[Joe Mondello]

Mine arrived today and I've just come back from B&H with a pair of lenses.

I was *very* disappointed to see a warning in the Owner Manual not to put my 50mm f2 DR Summicron on this camera as it is en route from my brother in Florida! At least I'll have a nice 'Cron to sell!

So far as I am able to tell everything looks to be perfect on mine. S/n is 0046xx and I didn't even charge the battery first, I just loaded it and the meter read at 2/3 charge.

I picked up a used CV 15mm 4.5 (silver, no back cap) and a new black Nokton 40mm 1.4 as the 28 1.9 was huge and the 35 1.7 wasn't available in the store.

So now I have 3 necessary things "normal/fast" and "wide" all covered.

Seems like a really nice camera!

 

[Plasmat]

I don't understand the warning about the DR Summicrons.

I have tried several on the R-D1. I just shot with one today.

No problems at all. Of course, you can't mount it with the "eyes" attached, but mine mounts and focusses absolutely perfectly, in in fact, it gives beautiful results.

What am I missing?

(DR Summicron mounted on Epson R-D1)

 

[gdi]

...
It took a major effort to get my order through, but I think I have a confirmed order with a ship date of today. I happened upon the Epson-site on Thanksgiving morning and placed an on-line order, only to get an email the next morning that it had been canceled due to conflicting phone numbers, just like another member here. I called and as of Monday, they have honored my original order with one of 4 cameras left. At least that is what they said. No shipping confirmation, yet.
...

Ha!, exactly what happenned to me! They do an automated match on the Phone# given, vs. what is on record with the CC company - and they Cancel you if they don't match!

I called yesterday and wouldn't let the rep off the phone till she promised to work it out. It took all day with mulitple calls back and forth but it shipped yesterday and should be here tomorrow according to FedEx.

 

[usayit]

Mine just arrived today but I arrived home late from work which means limited time shooting with it. It is in mint condition..not a scratch. It arrived with the clear plastic protectors on the LCD screen and dials. Firmware is old and will update as soon as I have a full battery. Close examination shows 2 hot pixels in the upper left area. The rangefinder seems to be aligned properly but again.. I just got it. Serial is 0045xx series.

 

[Joe Mondello]

I don't understand the warning about the DR Summicrons.

I have tried several on the R-D1. I just shot with one today.

No problems at all. Of course, you can't mount it with the "eyes" attached, but mine mounts and focusses absolutely perfectly, in in fact, it gives beautiful results.

What am I missing?

(DR Summicron mounted on Epson R-D1)

Huh. Good to know. The warning is in the manual. It may refer to the manner in which the rear of the lens projects into the body in the close-range of the lens (the range that unlocks when you put the "eyes" on. (I don't have the 'Cron in front of me, but it seems I recall this.)

Something to do with interference/damage to the shutter.

 

[nrj]

I've used the DR Summicron on the RD1 with no problems at all, in fact it takes excellent pictures and the metering works as it should. You cant use the goggles though. I haven't tried it in the close focussing range but it should work as well since there is LESS protrusion at the back of the lens when close focussing - great lens

Nik

 

[Plasmat]

The DR Summicron rear element does not project anywhere near the shutter. It would be physically impossible for the rear lens element to touch it whether it was in "macro" mode or not.

I've also used a chrome 3.5cm 1962 Jupiter-12, and and a 20mm Russar (both of which have protruding rear elements) with no ill effects.

I suspect the manual is in error. The warning probably pertains to using the DR Summicron with the "eyes" attached, in which case it obviously won't match up with the finder windows of the R-D1. Otherwise, no problem whatsoever.

 

[Joe Mondello]

The warning probably pertains to using the DR Summicron with the "eyes" attached, in which case it obviously won't match up with the finder windows of the R-D1.

I'll bet that's it!

The eyeglasses for this lens are long gone anyway when a bunch of stuff got stolen. 😡

Thanks so much for the info. I was hoping to have at least the one piece of Leica glass to use with this camera!

Now let's hope it hasn't gone all hazy inside (it's likely a 1950s vintage lens)