Do I or Don't I

[Terryc]

I really like the R-D1s and cannot make up my mind to buy or not. I had decided to go ahead, when I found this site and discovered the problems associated with the camera and Epson's apparent blasé attitude to customer support. Do I buy a M6 or M7 and stick to film or wait for the M8. For sheer cost and convenience The R-D1s must win but then there is those issues.

Help is required for this newbie.:bang:

Terry

 

[Silva Lining]

Well only you can make the final decision Terry, but what I would say is that if you read the reviews for any consumer electrical product you will find people who have had problems. It is human nature to complain more than it is to praise I am afraid! There are plenty of people who love their RD1 and are quietly enjoying them.

I am currently looing to buy an RD1s and I know that there is a possibility that I might have problems with it, but people are having problems with their M8's too!

The M6 & M7 are great cameras too, I still use my old , battered M3 daily. I'd love an M8 but the price of the RD1 would allow you to get it and a good lens or two for the price of an M8. If you are a newbie you might like to consider a smaller investment to get you started?

Good luck and whatever you ed up with, make sure you post ome pics 🙂

 

[Terryc]

Thanks for the encouragement I have just been speed reading Sean Reids long term review, will now read it properly and if my first impressions are correct Robert White will have an order tomorrow.

Thanks again

Terry

 

[Topdog1]

Ask the seller to open it up and check it for the common problems. Most will do that, especially Robert White.

Regards,
Ira

 

[Steve Litt]

I bought my RD-1 from Robert White earlier this year and its perfect and my all time favorite camera.You can read Seans reviews and the threads here and make your own informed choice.If I could afford to I would get a second one right now.
Regards
Steve

 

[jmarcus]

I bought mine from Robert White. The camera was fine, and then one minor problem, that I fixed myself.
I had a point and shoot Contax Tvs Digital before the R-D1s, and I love it. Part of the fun for me is the learning curve. Slowly getting faster at manual focus etc. The quality of the picutres is awesome. I read a lot of reviews that were luke warm on the camera, I disagree with all of their complaints. Most reviewers are far to used to using a SLR, except for the ones that own a R-D1. I would be hard pressed to recommend the camera to myself looking back on the learning curve, but at the same time I think it is the best thing for me, and my pictures keep getting better.

Good Luck
James

P.S Plus you have excellent support from the people on this forum.

 

[mwooten]

I second what Ira and Steve wrote.
I'm in the states and bought my RD1s from Robert White completly on the recomendations of people on this forum. The Robert White folks were kind enough to check out the camera before shipping it. Everything has been good since (knock wood) it arrived.

Several years ago I bought a new Nikon FM2n. This camera line had been in production for a very long time. So you would think that Nikon had everything all sussed out. Still, I got one that wouldn't always advance the film. Halfway through a roll things would lock up. I sent it back to B&H, and the replacement hasn't had a lick of trouble. What I'm trying to say is that it can always be a bit of a crap-shoot with machines more complacated than a hammer or wheelbarrow. Just buy from an honest vendor.

The RD-1s is a wonderful camera, and I highly recomend it and Robert White. I too would buy a second body if I could afford one. If you do get an RD-1, buy extra batteries. I use Epson branded batteries.

Take care,
Michael

 

[Sailor Ted]

I purchased mine from Robert White for among other things a trip I am still on to Hong Kong. It arrived in perfect working order ASAIK but three days later developed vertical alignment problem. This is anoying however I will contact Robert White when I get back to figure out a solution.

As far as the camera is concerned I LOVE IT! It shoots like my M6 and takes breath taking shots that are film like in appearance and comes with outstanding conversion software standard. I have never before now owned a digital camera that satisfied me until now- at this point I cannot honestly see myself shooting film very often (provided the camera holds up).

My advise- get the camera but I'll let you know on the service on my less then one month old R-D1s.

 

[JeffGreene]

Get the camera!

Get the camera!

I bought my RD1 this last May from Calumet and (knock on wood!) have had no problems with it outside of the regular rangefinder alignment issues others have spoken about. DAG cleared things up satisfactorily. Get the camera! You won't regret it.

 

[RML]

I don't want you to buy something you don't want but you asked for it... so, BUY IT! 🙂

I've been shooting with my R-D1 since June 2005 and have not experienced ANY problems. I bought mine from Dr Yao in HK, and he had the camera checked before shipping it to me. The original R-D1 box is a packaging gem and protected the camera well. It suffered no rf disalignment during shipping or after.

 

[Terryc]

Ok, Ok, I am convinced will place my order with Robert White later today.

Thank you all for you kind and friendly help.

Terry

 

[RML]

Woohoo! Another one saved from the Dark Side! 😛

 

[Terryc]

Order placed.

Terry

 

[RichC]

Order placed

Congratulations - you won't regret it: this camera is a design classic. After a day spent watching its gauges spin on and off, you'll find it takes darned good photos too...! 😛

Any questions, just give the forum a shout. Also, there's loads of really useful stuff in the old threads: there's not too many pages, and it's morning well spent trawling through them.

 

[Steve Litt]

Well done-glad you decided to join us-when youve charged the battery and got a lens on it you will understand why with all its foibles we love it so much.I still sometimes forget I am using a digital camera the Rd-1 being so fluid and intuitive with its analogue controls.A true rangefinder camera.
Regards
Steve.

 

[Ben Z]

Congratulations! The way I see it, $1400 for a refurb that might have some problems but is under 1-yr warranty is a better deal than $4800 for an M8 that definitely has problems and requires me to buy a bunch of costly filters and have my lenses coded to deal with it. I can adjust the rangefinder of the RD-1 myself if that's all it ever needs, and I figure in a year's time I will have saved enough on film/developing that the camera is free, so if it concks out the day after the warranty expires and nobody can fix it, I haven't lost a cent. Sure I'd like a 10MP sensor with less cropping but the total cost (of the camera plus filters plus coding) is just insane for a retired guy in my position. When they come out with a new model that doesn't need the filters I'll take another look at getting a Leica.

 

[Topdog1]

Now you've got me thinking about buying a second body! :bang:

All the analogue controls turned out to be a stroke of genius, although my first reaction was that it was the craziest thing I had ever heard of. I hope Zeiss takes a hint and brings out an analogue controlled model, especially since this is more than likely Epson's last hurrah on the digital rangefinder front. It would be nice to have a top notch RF digital body giving Leica a run for my money.

/Ira

 

[Terryc]

Analogue controls one of the main reasons I chose the R-D1 Determine exposure /DOF set shutter speed twist two rings on the lens and shoot. Easy? no consulting elaborate menus, just the way things were when I started taking pictures. I am also retired Ben.

Terry

 

[mwooten]

Welcome to the family.

 

[Robert]

Buy it. Most of the reports are favourible. Faults can be fixed under warranty with a little inconvenience.