Epson R-D1 vs. Leica M8

[mdspace]

Which camera fill your photographical purposes?

 

[gavinlg]

M8 for me - I had an r-d1 and while it is a good camera, I started preferring the images from even my 30d once I learned how to process them properly.

The m8's lack of an anti aliasing filter is pretty desireable to me - means that all those hard $$$ spent on leica lenses pays off with ultimate sharpness.

 

[Gary Sandhu]

I had both. I kept the M8.

 

[CDT]

I voted for the M8 under the assumption I don't have to pay for it. Since, in real life, I do have to pay for my cameras I'm sticking with the R-D1.

 

[FranZ]

R-D1s for me!

R-D1s for me!

Voted R-D1s.
In combination with my CV lenses this gives the most bang for the buck.
Will only reconsider if there will be a full frame RF in the (near/distant) future.

 

[RML]

Neither. I have an R-D1 which I shoot perhaps 95-99% of the time, but I also have a Canon Eos 300D for those times when an rf just isn't the tool to use. Why would it be any different for the M8? 🙂

 

[fgianni]

A camera that handles like the R-D1 and has an image quality comparable to the M8 but with a full frame sensor.
What are the chances of this happening in my lifetime?

 

[fgianni]

Voted R-D1s.
In combination with my CV lenses this gives the most bang for the buck.
Will only reconsider if there will be a full frame RF in the (near/distant) future.

On bang for the bucks I agree 110%, but not necessarily in absolute quality terms, that's why I haven't voted.

The R-D1 has a superb handling, and an adequate image quality.
The M8 has superb image quality (with some significant caveats) and an adequate handling.

At the end of the day, since I alredy own the R-D1, to me the deal breaker was the crop factor, 0.17 less is hardly a huge improvement, if I can't have my wides wide I may as well keep the R-D1 and save the money for the next one.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Why is this binary? It's like choosing between an apple and a slice of pizza . . . M8 has a medium-format like look at the lower ISOs, RD-1 handles high ISO's nominally better (although the new M8 firmware reportedly helps here). If money was no object, get the M8. But money almost always is an object. . . .

 

[Tuolumne]

I have an R-D1 and really like its handling and image quality. I see no reason to switch.

/T

 

[tomasis]

I might choose M8 as ultimate camera but I bought Rd1 because its lower cost and I realise that I photography rarely, not too often to justify costs of M8. But If I bought M8 as first camera, I'd end up having rd1 as second camera lol 🙂

 

[LCT]

R-D1 as i prefer its 1:1 viewfinder, discrete shutter noise, resistance to IR and moiré, reversible display, manual ISO setting and APS-C format.

 

[PetarDima]

R-D1 as i prefer its 1:1 viewfinder, discrete shutter noise, resistance to IR and moiré, reversible display, manual ISO setting and APS-C format.

nothing to add 🙂
I saw this camera in REFOTO magazine, october 2004 - after Photokina ...
love at fist sight 🙄
I hope that one day that camera will be with same price as Nikon D40 - D40x ...

 

[Keith]

I just voted for the M8 which is logical as I have one and I needed to justify my choice. I would quite like an Epson however as I hear so much about the handling and that is important in any camera ... and I feel it would be good backup to the Leica.

I am very surprised that the poll shows them running neck and neck! 😱

 

[Tthebrit]

I Got One

I Got One

So I voted for the RD1 because i am the proud owner for 12.7 hours. I only have the one lens but the feel and useability is amazing. Takes me right back there and actually I love to switch the screen around and it gives me the sense of shooting film again.

A nice surprise, nothing major yet, just some house stuff and the wife with a face on becasuse another camera has arrived.

I pine for the M8 but they need to improve the cost and iron out the issues. I have never used an RF before but the 1:1 is amazing, keeps you close to your subject and engaged.

I plan to use it for social and travel photgraphy, Cartier Bresson style. 😛

One happy bunny so far, now looking for a 28mm lens that does not but the bank or my marriage.

T the Brit

 

[tomasis]

LCT, it is right. You've taken good points. I never tried M3 before now I'm crazy to get such camera because it sometimes is hard to see 35 frame lines clearly in the rd1 (for equivalent 50mm) when I'm wearing spectacles so I see the APC sensor more as disadvantage though I like sweet equivalent 75mm compared with m8 66mm (sounds like devlish numbers). It would be cool if Leica releases a M8 with 1:1 viewfinder 😀 because I rather use 50mm than 35mm for to imitate bresson , LOL

 

[LCT]

Hi Tomas, yes to me the R-D1 is the digital M3 but i'm lucky enough to be able to remove my spectacles and use an eyepiece correction lens instead.

 

[Tuolumne]

The R-D1 is now favored over the M8 by 60% of RFF users. Wow!

/T

 

[georgef]

I voted for the RD-1. Have one, love it!
and once I actually HELD one of the M8s in my hand, I decided I liked the feel of the RD1 so much more (no offense everyone, no hate mail please LOL)...its that analog dial and winder, they get me every time!

Plus, I use RF for streetshooting where resolution is secondary to me; if I really need the resolution of the M8 I can get a CANON 1Ds mkII for even less.

...now a digital RF with a full frame CMOS...hmmmmm....🙄

 

[Ben Z]

As it turned out my solution to the "RD1 or M8" dilemma was a very expensive one 😀 Now having both I can say they each have their attractions and detractions, but because of the larger and more populated chip, plus the broader range of in-finder framelines, the M8 will be my primary body (as long as it functions) and the RD-1 will be my emergency backup, and also the one I will use if I need to shoot in an extremely noise-sensitive situation like a religious ceremony, and also the one I will use where a camera might get damaged or stolen.