First few photos with the R-D1

[zoom2zoom]

I have just recently been using the R-D1 and has been a learning curve from my Nikon D2X shooting. With the D2X, i shoot until my card runs out of memory, but with the R-D1, I need to think about composition, lighting, focus, subject, etc.

Also the rangefinder with lenses is easy to carry around - 4 lenses and camera fits in a Leica M shoulder bag, just great.

DC metro has a wonderful architectural characteristic.

The CV 15 is a great little lens, the lens is not coupled with the R-D1 rangefinder, but its fine as I set the lens to infinity and set the aperture to f5.6.

I then hold the camera to my chest to stablize any possible shake and have the shutter around 1-2 secs.

Its good that I dont need to focus from my eye level as DC security get uncomfortable seeing someone taking pics.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1246706

 

[gregarpp]

What ISO setting was the camera on?

That is one thing that I like my Minolta for... Built in AS

 

[zoom2zoom]

setting : ISO 200

 

[RML]

I have just recently been using the R-D1 and has been a learning curve from my Nikon D2X shooting. With the D2X, i shoot until my card runs out of memory, but with the R-D1, I need to think about composition, lighting, focus, subject, etc.

I'm wondering why the R-D1 forces you to do so while the Nikon doesn't. I assume you also would have to think about all those aspects when you're shooting with the Nikon, or else you might just as well not shoot at all.

I prefer shooting with my R-D1 because it suits my "ergonomics" better and, for me, gives me easier and greater control over aspects as aperture, shutter time, DoF, etc., but these aspects are for me just as important when I shoot my Eos 300D.

 

[zoom2zoom]

with a DSLR such as a D2X, along with a 4GB card, one can get spoiled with shooting hundreds of shots and only selecting a few. Especially with fast AF lenses, you tend not to worry about how to approach the subject, or what lens you need to have on the camera ( SLR have zooms that are very versatile). if you see something you want to take a pic, you just aim, zoom and fire away.

with a rangefinder, for me, I first observe the surroundings that would be appropiate and then think about the lens that would be suitable, then I need to make sure that the subject will not chase me away when i take their pics as I need time to focus. and the R-D1 is has a slower FPS reaction.. similar to your 300D.

two different cameras, two different philosophy,

 

[jano]

I still don't get it.. why not just turn the dial to "m" for manual on the d2x/dslr-of-choice (it's there for a reason, you know!), then take the time to observe the surroundings, think about your lens (whether it's zoom or not), etc. I'm with RML on this one 🙂

Your pictures, by the way, are excellent!
Jano

 

[zoom2zoom]

talk to anyone who has jumped on the DSLR bandwagon due to technology and lower consumer price, alot of these photographers have never stepped into a darkroom, nor have ever used film camera before. Many, like myself, tend to be 'spoiled' by technology and thus the 'art' of photography is lost within.

Everyone now (including me again) always keep wanting faster camera and larger pixels, auto this and auto that, larger LCD and faster computer to post -process, etc.

I shoot 35mm, MF, and also LF film, but honestly I dont really know when the last time I have actually taken the MF and LF gear out, eventhough they produced beautiful slides, the DSLR is much more convenient and most of the time and accomplish or duplicate what a MF or LF can do.

Here are a series taken with a D2X in a wash dc night where I would of taken out the LF.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1224589

..and in reality, I sold my M6 to get the R-D1 is so that I can see my results quickly instead of film..

 

[RML]

I'd feel very much depressed very quickly if from hundreds of shots only a handful would be keepers. 🙂 I'm glad my 1GB card holds about 100 RAWs, and that most are at least worth selecting for conversion. I'd be very disappointed if of the 300 shots I took in NYC only a handful would be worth keeping or displaying. But the same goes for my 300D. I don't need 6 fps to take photos by the ton. I just want to come home with as many keepers as possible. No dSLR, fast lenses, multi-fps, auto-focus or super-zoom will keep me from composing and thinking about the shot I'm about to take.

 

[zoom2zoom]

I'd feel very much depressed very quickly if from hundreds of shots only a handful would be keepers. 🙂.

of course i meant that as an overstatment, but you know what i mean.. cards are now coming out at 8gb cards... what's next... technology is pushing us to be like this..

I have a wedding shoot coming this summer, the couple is expecting digital of course, but they also expect 1000 or more pics to choose from.. that is more than 30 rolls of 36 exp film.. I will need my D2X for this job, but the upcoming trip to Taiwan, I am taking the R-D1.

 

[Trius]

This is a really interesting discussion. Ultimately it is about the conjunction of design, function, the human-machine interface, and how all that affects the photographer. There is always the element of how one controls the machine/technology rather than allowing the technology to completely dictate the process and expression of one's art.

zoom2zoom is bringing up issues that lots of people don't think about ... or don't want to.

What I want in a digital system is a minimalist digital RF that I can afford, and a minimalist DSLR that can accommodate the same lenses.

I think feature-laden digital cameras and the predominance of zooms doesn't preclude the photographer from using the equipment in a more traditional, controlled manner. But those design present serious barriers to doing so and the photographer, in some cases, often just gives in to the design. Who is serving whom?

I really like your photos, zoom. Once again, I find the R-D1 enticing. But it's just too damned expensive for most amateurs, and for me for sure.

 

[jano]

cards are now coming out at 8gb cards... what's next... technology is pushing us to be like this..

Pffft! It's not pushing us to be like anything. That's all your choice -- and if you think any different, well you really ought to rethink what technology is for: Technology is supposed to work for US, not us for IT. If you want to push that shutter 500 times in a second, be my guest. Just because the system can do it, doesn't mean it has to. I know I'm just preaching to the choir.

And I do understand your point.. the D2X/other-dslr probably beg to be used in such a manner. Kinda like taking your sports car for a fast spin up the coast on a sunday morning instead of going 5mph in downtown los angeles traffic 🙂 Although.. sometimes it's nice to just cruise and play the radio, too.

 

[Jim Watts]

I'd feel very much depressed very quickly if from hundreds of shots only a handful would be keepers. 🙂 QUOTE]

Well Ansel Adams thought that if he had 12 real keepers in a year he was having a good year. 🙁

But then I prefer Robert Adams work to Ansels. :angel:

 

[zoom2zoom]

here is my analogy.. although I never hunt before, so I apologize if my analogy doesnt make sense.

to me, the difference between my D2X and R-D1 is like having two rifles - a single round rifle and a machine gun and going out to hunt for birds in the wild.

with a single fire rifle, one would need to think about the environment, and types of target, etc. and would be conscious about the location of where to shoot. the art of hunting...

with a machine gun, one feels more bold as what to shoot- cause the tool is fast, quick reload, and accurate.. so one may be able to shoot anytime as the subject arises. espeically if the rifle is equipped with laser.. ( I compare that with Nikon AFS and VR 🙂 , then one sort of loose the essence of hunting.

now, there is a setting on the machine gun to go single round and turning off all the gidgets.. but then what is the reason to get this tool in the first place..

 

[pfogle]

I'd feel very much depressed very quickly if from hundreds of shots only a handful would be keepers. 🙂 QUOTE]

Well Ansel Adams thought that if he had 12 real keepers in a year he was having a good year. 🙁

But then I prefer Robert Adams work to Ansels. :angel:

I went to a retrospective show of HCB - there were around 200 images from a career spanning about 50 years. You can do the math 😉