Future for the R-D1 ?

[Paul T.]

What's interesting (and regrettable) is that the M8 price has dropped from $3k to $2.2k used, but the price on the R-D1 has hardly shifted.

WHich, like the poster above, is a pain for me, as I sold mine and regretted it. I hope Leica do well with the M9 but I have no interest in one, nor the M8.

 

[Garfink]

I think that the R-D1 will hold its value for a long time, I understand that digital equipment just get obsoleted by progress and hence their quick depreciation. But unless some other camera maker out there build a camera with analog dials, a seemingly useless lever, out dated LCD shutter speed lights in the viewfinder, a flip LCD to hide the digital component, an ISO dial that is so cleverly hidden in the shutter speed dial, than I think this camera will remain unique and the prices will hit a threshold and stay for a long time, at least until the camera becomes unrepairable.

For me I would never sell the R-D1s I have, I would probably sell the M9 for a M10, like I did the M8, but the R-D1 is here to stay. Just love the handling and the pictures are fine within its limitations.

I dream of a R-D2 to make the R-D1 obsolete. I just love these Bessa Bodies, I have a R4A and I think it is well made and tough, I dare say just as good as a M7 in some ways. Handling on the Bessa bodies is superior in my opinion, better grip.

In Hong Kong the R-D1 is selling for around HK$9000 or US$1153, I am tempted to buy another one. I am heading off to Tibet this week with the M9 and R-D1s and if the R-D1s makes the grade and performs I will probably buy another.

 

[Ezzie]

I really didn´t know what I was in for when I bought the R-D1. Even reading up on it for weeks didn´t prepare me for the experience. Nothing compares, not that I know of. I sticking with it, until it exhales it´s last breath.

 

[Ezzie]

5 R-D1/R-D1s' on sale in the classifieds at the moment. Do you think the wife will forgive me getting another one, now that I bought her a MacBook (for our money)?

EDIT: Make that 6

 

[lightshot]

5 R-D1/R-D1s' on sale in the classifieds at the moment. Do you think the wife will forgive me getting another one, now that I bought her a MacBook (for our money)?

EDIT: Make that 6

It is very tempting to see all of those pretty R D1's for sale....

I'm sure your wife will forgive you. 😀

 

[Ezzie]

I just can't stand the thought of being without one. Should the one I have break down, I've no idea where to send it for repairs in this backward part of the world.

 

[dws21uk]

I'm so close to finding one of these in the UK, but am waiting to see what the EP-2 is like before doing so. That said if one appears at the right price... 🙂

 

[1joel1]

I had the same type of dilemma earlier this year with my bicycle. The new ultra light, carbon fiber 20/30 speed wunder-bikes are amazing. They climb hills and rocket down them at great speed. I really wanted one until I went back out on my old DeRosa 16 speed, Campy C Record oldie (1992). You know what, it actually goes up and down hills just like a newer bike, but perhaps a tad slower. Well, I'm a tad slower myself so I decided to keep the antique and the $8k that would leave my bank account.

I find a parallel in the R-D1. Sure, it's only 6mp and a few years old, but the images still wow me.

fwiw,

Joel

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Ha. I feel the same way about my 1990 Vitus with an eclectic mix of C-Record all the way up to 2004 Record Ti. It's a wonderful machine.

Same goes for the R-D1. I'm buying a second body this week. People ask me why and I say "because I don't like changing lenses".

When I worked as a Navy photographer out in Iraq in 2004 I shot with a Leica M4 and M2 (as well as the issued Nikon D2H) and seldom did I have a need to change lenses on the two M bodies.

I've had the R-D1 now since April and it's served very well. A few hiccups but they were overcome easily. It's such a nice camera that I gave in and decided to go wider with my lens selection, purchasing a Zeiss 21mm and a CV 15mm, both focal lengths that I would not really use on my M4, but for work in digital, I find I need more and more.

As for the longevity of the R-D1, I too think that it will be around for a while. I have hope for longer term repairs in the future since the camera is very modular with regard to its internals. Many parts can be sourced from other CV cameras and the sensor was one of the longest lived and best selling ones to ever hit the market. They are definitely out there. I don't know about the viability of transferring one sensor from one camera to another if spares grow scarce, but I think that it could certainly be done. Hopefully by that time we'll see an R-D2 or R-D1 mkII or whatever someone wants to call it.

Anyways, I'm sold on the camera and looking at it as a workhorse which I'll have for as long as possible.
Phil