Epson mulls future digital camera launch

[Leigh Youdale]

Rangefinder and interchangeable lenses. Epson would have to find out a body though. Perhaps a new Bessa, i don't know.

Look how quickly Olympus and then Panasonic have produced the second generation of their compact m4/3 cameras with added features. I'd be expecting Fuji to do the same with the X100 at least as far as interchangeable lenses go but maybe not a manual rangefinder. And then again, maybe not the lenses either. Your investment in "old" glass might become a rapidly depreciating asset.

Look at it from the camera maker's perspective. The money is in the lenses, eventually, as the electronics in the bodies get cheaper and cheaper to make. Yet I see people here desperately wanting to fit 30,40,50 year old "heritage" lenses to new technology cameras because they "like the look". People need to get a grip - use an old camera if you're so in love with using old glass. No modern camera manufacturer is going to be at all interested in modifying a good, saleable design to suit the fringe dwellers unless there's a sound commercial reason that relates to the mainstream purchasers too.

 

[froyd]

not anymore...

not anymore...

The body is not important, the lens is........

Not when the sensor is integral part of the body. With film, put a good M lens on a Bessa/Zeiss/Leica/Canon and you get comparable results. The same lens on a NEX/Panasonic G/Olympus E/leica digi M/ Epson R-D1 etc will yield results far more different that you would likely see among the three film M cameras mentioned above.

Also, the ergonomics of "modern" cameras are a big cause for debate...one of the reasons why so many people still love the R-D1.

 

[jsrockit]

Not when the sensor is integral part of the body. With film, put a good M lens on a Bessa/Zeiss/Leica/Canon and you get comparable results. The same lens on a NEX/Panasonic G/Olympus E/leica digi M/ Epson R-D1 etc will yield results far more different that you would likely see among the three film M cameras mentioned above.

Well, a lens can't take a picture by itself. If the camera body didn't matter, we'd all use the same body. Today especially, I think the body is very important because different sensors will give you a different look.

Also, the ergonomics of "modern" cameras are a big cause for debate...one of the reasons why so many people still love the R-D1.

Exactly why the camera body is just as important as the lens. A user's comfort is important in photography.

 

[froyd]

jsrockit, i think you missed my point... or rather you got it, but misunderstood my intention🙂

 

[Rob-F]

I'd like to see better reports around customer service issues before putting my money down.

 

[iwaki]

Am I missing something here? I thought that Epson had decided against further involvement with a digital RF (and probably told Cosina the same thing).
Cosina/Fuji have in recent times produced or signalled a couple of really innovative cameras like the Fuji GF670, the Fuji GF670W and the now the Fuji X100. What exactly, will the X100 NOT do that you think a new Epson DRF would do, even if Cosina were willing to ditch Fuji in favour of Epson again or produce competing designs and brands alongside each other? Who's going to make a new DRF camera for Epson given their track record?
My take on it is that Epson have now realised they might have made a missed the boat and are trying to keep an option open with their "announcement" (which isn't an announcement at all, really).
My money says Epson will never produce a new DRF and that the Fuji X100 is the camera that Epson now wish they'd developed.

Uh? what would the X100 NOT do what an Epson DRF would?
How about rangefinder? 😛

X100 is NOT a rangefinder, and it will never be. It could be a close enough alternative to some people but it still is not a rangefinder.

 

[iwaki]

wouldn't it be nice...12mp, great high iso images and those rd1 colours...

honestly, i couldn't agree more.

What is it with digital sensors nowadays? out of all my digitals, the RD1 produces the most beautiful color i have ever seen. Or is it the image processor?

 

[Kawabatnam]

Epson is developing technology for use in digital cameras and has not ruled out the future launch of another interchangeable lens model.

Well, let's hope they won't rule out proper quality control this time... I still feel bitter that my r-d1s' sensor just fell apart (not even talking about the rangefinder mechanism, nor the rubber coverings etc.).
Still, one must admit that this camera has no equivalent... (yet?).

 

[noimmunity]

Another sign. (Hey, eleskin, where are you?).

For sure there is going to be a market alternative to Leica.

 

[user237428934]

Another sign. (Hey, eleskin, where are you?).

For sure there is going to be a market alternative to Leica.

Alternatives are always good for the market but there are so many questions. Will it be a real rangefinder? Crop-factor? Price?

 

[Yhbv24]

SONY building a rangefinder would be like Honda building racing cars

Honda does build racing cars; they compete in Formula 1!

 

[oftheherd]

...

Someday someone is going to produce an entry-level (read: affordable) M-mount digital camera and the first manufacturer to do so stands to sell a lot of cameras and make some decent money...

Yeah, where's Zorki when you need them? 😀 😀

 

[smile]

Honda does build racing cars; they compete in Formula 1!

sony should start making racing cars too IMO

 

[kuzano]

Will Epson ever break out of their primary market???

Will Epson ever break out of their primary market???

Printers that clog?

 

[Catto]

Honda does build racing cars; they compete in Formula 1!

Ummm...you remember the part where Honda pulled out of F1 two years ago, leaving the team high & dry, right? They managed to make a go of it somehow or other, and won the world championship - just not for Honda. But you knew all that. Right?
R!

 

[Keith]

Well, a lens can't take a picture by itself. If the camera body didn't matter, we'd all use the same body. Today especially, I think the body is very important because different sensors will give you a different look.



Exactly why the camera body is just as important as the lens. A user's comfort is important in photography.

That's a very good point IMO! Digital photography is very different to analog in this area ... lens aside your roll of tri-x will give you pretty much the same result no matter what camera you put it in.

 

[Pablito]

sony should start making racing cars too IMO

No, Epson should.

 

[eddie1960]

and no i don't think Sony should make an RF, I don't think Epson should either despite the fetishistic love for the RD1
I do think Bessa (cosina) should under the bessa name and perhaps co-branded with Fuji who have an RF history as well and a history of great lenses from both companies

 

[morgan]

I've been shooting my 7D mostly lately, but took the R-D1/35 1.2 combo as well to thanksgiving. I forgot how awesome that combo is. While the 7D is a great camera, there's something extra special about the R-D1 and the 35mm. I'd love a newer version of the R-D1 with better higher iso and reliable servicing.

 

[menos]

Alternatives are always good for the market but there are so many questions. Will it be a real rangefinder? Crop-factor? Price?

The crop factor is an issue.
I think in the Leica price range (used M8 - new M9 prices) is no place for a newly introduced crop sensor camera apart from being one, that is significantly bettering performance of existing FF RFs at time of introduction (crazy low light capabilities or crazy resolution, or crazy ergonomics).

Apart from having to be a lot better than existing offerings, to even out a "lack" of a 24x36mm sensor, only a significantly lower price than the Leica offerings and a competitive price/ crop factor to non RF offerings, taking M-Mount lenses can lead to good sales.

The EPSON R-D1/s/x is considered a premium specialty camera for it's then new price.
I don't think, a similar package (crop, updated to 12 or 18MP sensor) would sell at that target price.

I would not buy one, but would think about skipping the "new R-D…" entirely.

I hope, that if Cosina+EPSON is up to something, it is entirely smashing, has a competitive FF sensor and comes with a reasonable price for it's performance (why it has to be much less than Leica, if it might potentially be much better than a M9?).
There is no competition in DRFs - I hope, another player comes up quickly.