Epson R-D1 going away notice

Quick translation:

Epson seems to stop producing cameras: the R-D1 will stop being produced as far as we know:

Once so badly wanted, but today a bit outdated, the R-D1s (6MP, 2000 euro) based on a Bessa body made by Cosina, seems to near its end. According to our information current stock of the camera will be sold, but new ones will not be produced.

If and when Epson will produce a digicam again, is a matter of speculation. At the moment we do not know of a successor.

We will keep ourselves informed, have asked Epson Germany about this, and they told us they will ask Epson Japan. We expect their answer by the end of the week.
 
I thought that Epson launched two batches of 5,000 copies in 2004 and did not produce any more bodies since then. Even the R-D1s came from those batches if i remember well. Am i missing something here?
 
That is bad news indeed. There is a footnote dated 31 May to that German article which (if I understand well) says that Epson Japan confirms the end of the R-D1s and that there will be no successor. The R-D1/1s is a marvel, I love mine which is always with me wherever I go, but I think it's like the Hexar RF: contempt and criticism from another well known brand sectarians has killed it (maybe also the neglect with which Epson has persistently treated its own baby...)
I checked on Epson's Japanese site for the R-D1s: http://www.epson.jp/products/rd1s/
There is no such news...
 
LCT said:
I thought that Epson launched two batches of 5,000 copies in 2004 and did not produce any more bodies since then. Even the R-D1s came from those batches if i remember well. Am i missing something here?
Click to expand...

Indeed most R-D1 fans keep saying that the production of the camera was limited to 10000 pieces, but I remember reading on a French site 2 years ago an interview by the head of the R-D1 project with Epson (I don't remember his name), mentioning specifically that the production would be limited to 10000 pieces =per year=, which is quite different. That would make 20000 to 30000 cameras produced altogether. I'll try to find that article to make sure.
 
yoshimura said:
Indeed most R-D1 fans keep saying that the production of the camera was limited to 10000 pieces, but I remember reading on a French site 2 years ago an interview by the head of the R-D1 project with Epson (I don't remember his name), mentioning specifically that the production would be limited to 10000 pieces =per year=, which is quite different. That would make 20000 to 30000 cameras produced altogether. I'll try to find that article to make sure.
Click to expand...

Bingo, I found it. The man's name is Edatsune Isao, director-general of Epson's printer and photo division. He gave an interview to a French web magazine called Zone numerique on 17 March 2005. He gave very interesting details:

- the production would reach 10000 pieces annually ,

- the manufacture is upervised by Epson, wit Cosina in charge of the view/range finders and of the body, Seiko ("Epson's mother company) in charge of the analog gauges, and Epson, the CCD,image processing and general leadership of the project .
- the manufacturing takes place in Japan, by subcontractors supervised by Epson.

- Epson was at the time working on a successor to the R-D1, without a date in view.

So let's hope for the best!
 
The R-D1 is such a lovely camera. No camera has ever just connected with me, and connected me with photography, as it has done (I'm a relative youngin who has never shot film (other than on my dad's Nikon FE when I was 8 years old)). I would be greatly saddened if all the obvious work, pride and emotion put into it at Epson and Cosina ends with just that one single camera.

Best regards,

-Jason
 
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I had the distinct impression there had been no new production for quite some time, and no successor planned, so I can't say I'm surprised. A shame, it was a good idea, and the camera is excellent. It was my route into RF photography, so I will always think fondly of it.

Ian
 
the footnote actually says, that epson (germany) confirmed the end-of production of the R-D1(s) as well as the information, that there will be no successor.

so, we need to hope for zeiss?

cheers
sebastian
 
After Epson and Leica's entrees and attendant difficulties can Zeiss step up and 'do it right'? that is the challenge for them. We know the market is ready to snap up digiRFs. Can they do it?
Steve
 
The interesting thing would be if Cosina now brings out a Bessa version for less. If an R3a is $500, what could a RD-1 be, especially if you kept the same sensor, which I would be fine with. A 10-12 would be nice, but not needed.

I still think a B&W only camera from Cosina would be interesting. Maybe have an easily removed IR filter. With out a Bayer filter, even with a 6mp camera, you should have great resolution.

Mark
 
boilerdoc2 said:
After Epson and Leica's entrees and attendant difficulties can Zeiss step up and 'do it right'? that is the challenge for them. We know the market is ready to snap up digiRFs. Can they do it?
Steve
Click to expand...

That my friends is the $64,000 question. People contended with the Epson's foibles because it was the only one of its kind until last fall, and recently because the M8 came out with so many problems. People contend with the M8's foibles because....well, let's face it, some part just because it's a Leica 😉 With a supply of used RD1/RD1s's and the M8 available, I suspect Zeiss wouldn't be cut anywhere near as much slack so they'd really need to nail it going out the door. And by the time they get it to market, it'd be price-competing with used M8's too.
 
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...R-D1s Lens Kit recently released in Japan

...R-D1s Lens Kit recently released in Japan

The German announcement is interesting, considering that Epson just released a special R-D1s Lens Kit package here in Japan from April. The kit includes the R-D1s, a Color-Skopar 28mm F3.5, with a special edition strap and soft-release button with red accents.

It could be seen as either
(i) a strategy to breath new life into the R-D1s now that the M8 is drawing attention and new users to the digital RF field, OR...
(ii) it could be a way to blow out the remaining stock.
 
Tohoku Ben said:
It could be seen as either
(i) a strategy to breath new life into the R-D1s now that the M8 is drawing attention and new users to the digital RF field, OR...
(ii) it could be a way to blow out the remaining stock.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I assume the latter...
 
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