Future Reliability of R-D1

sooner

sooner

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Hi Folks,

I'm considering selling some medium format gear in order to buy a used R-D1, and could use a little advice. It seems folks are quite attached to the camera, but a friend of mine is telling me to avoid the 5-year old technology and go with a Canon 500D instead. Should I be worried about the age of used R-D1's in terms of longevity/reliability on the used market? I don't care about only having 6mp, and I like the thought of having the same set of lenses for my digital and film option (I also have a Bessa R3a). And frankly, the R-D1 photos posted in this forum blow me away. Help push me off the fence! Thanks....John.
 
i decided not to worry about that.
my goal is to have an enjoyable experience with my hobby and to date, the rd1 is bringing that and more to me.
i like using a rf, i like my zm lenses and essentially nothing has changed with moving from film to digital, for me.
my images look good on screen and on my walls.

what's not to like?
 
There seem to be a fairly specific number of issues with the R-D1, and it is much more amenable to repair than most digitals, especially as Steve Camera seems to be developing some expertise with them.

You should look at the repair threads on here., I think this is the main one. There's also someone who posted a shutter repair

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=819766

I sadly sold mine, but I'd still rather get another R-D1 than an M8. However, that depends on the price. M8s are now going for $2200-$2400, so an R-D1 at $1500, which a few people are asking, seems over-priced.
 
Yeah Paul, but they are so collectable and coveted they deserve to be worth $1500! (Note that I own one and am glad they still fetch a penny.)
 
Hey, joe, don't you only have two hands? 😉

Are you going to the folkfestival? Do you want to meet-up for a hot chocolate and a camera geek-out? Send me a PM.

Awe, I just topped 1,000 posts on RFF in this thread. It looks paltry sitting under Back Alley's post.
 
sirius said:
Yeah Paul, but they are so collectable and coveted they deserve to be worth $1500! (Note that I own one and am glad they still fetch a penny.)
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Sorry, no, you are simply wrong. They were collectable and coveted when I sold mine for $1450, but when I have some money in a few months they will be obsolete, with a clouded future.
 
sirius said:
Hey, joe, don't you only have two hands? 😉

Are you going to the folkfestival? Do you want to meet-up for a hot chocolate and a camera geek-out? Send me a PM.

Awe, I just topped 1,000 posts on RFF in this thread. It looks paltry sitting under Back Alley's post.
Click to expand...

congrats on the 1k!!

not going to the festival, had a falling out with the brass...
open to a meet though.

joe
 
I agree with Paul T. regarding price (although I will deny saying this if I ever put one of mine up for sale.🙂) The reason I agree is that I think anyone buying one has to factor in a probable repair. Both of my R-D1s (plural not the R-D1S) have had shutter failures requiring repairs; one I had bought new, the other one used. The shutter issue is a known problem, and anyone purchasing a R-D1 should look through the old threads about problems. Another consideration is that some parts may become unavailable. For example, my original R-D1 has a hinge problem with the screen (not serious, at this point, but the screen doesn't close firmly), and the part is unavailable to Steve.
That said, I love my cameras and don't regret buying either. But as used M8s fall towards $2000, they might be a wiser purchase.
 
Paul, I guess I should have put a smilie...I like seeing my investment keep-up it's value. That M8 vs. RD-1 thread is great for that...
 
Hi Sooner,
the R-D1 has no more problems than any other camera, I haven't had any apart from the viewfinder to recalibrate slightly.
To give you a comparison with the M8, for the user who wants to get something the R-D1 has natively (i.e. accurate frames + discrete shutter + IR filter), they have to buy expensive IR filters plus send the camera to Leica for a VERY costly upgrade what costs not far from a used R-D1... 🙂 they call that "upgrade" and "improvement" while we'd consider that sort of things being "bug fixing" or "repairs" with the R-D1...maybe we're unfairly over critical towards the cool R-D1...
 
Well, in the last two weeks I got an R-D1 of fthe Bay, and so far I'm thrilled. It's just like using my Bessa film camera, only I see the pictures right away. I took a test shot of my neighbor's trees and the resolution of the foliage was excellent. I only have one lens for it right now: the Hexanon 50mm f/2. One issue for me is in taking raw photos the initial look that comes up using the software converter changes the photo as I load it, so obviously I need more practice "developing" the raw files. And I'm trying to decide what lens to get next. Right now I'm thinking a 28mm, and later on a very wide like the 15mm or 21mm if I decide the vignetting is going to be a pain.
 
I was nervous about buying my R-D1, but I haven't looked back at all since picking one up. I love this thing to death and only wish it had a lesser crop factor and higher iso capability. I don't abuse mine, but I'm not easy on it either and so far I haven't had any issues (knocking on wood as we speak).

As for price, I've seen a few going in the $1300 range, which i guess could still be perceived as a lot for a camera that is in some ways unrepairable. But given the paucity of alternatives, seems like a good deal. I'd love to have an M8 (actually an M7 is my top choice), but not sure I want to deal with the filters and coding and such. Just seems like too much hassle. The R-D1 is a camera that doesn't get in your way at all.
 
sooner said:
Well, in the last two weeks I got an R-D1 of fthe Bay, and so far I'm thrilled. It's just like using my Bessa film camera, only I see the pictures right away. I took a test shot of my neighbor's trees and the resolution of the foliage was excellent. I only have one lens for it right now: the Hexanon 50mm f/2. One issue for me is in taking raw photos the initial look that comes up using the software converter changes the photo as I load it, so obviously I need more practice "developing" the raw files. And I'm trying to decide what lens to get next. Right now I'm thinking a 28mm, and later on a very wide like the 15mm or 21mm if I decide the vignetting is going to be a pain.
Click to expand...

Congrats! The cv 15mm vignettes heavily, but can be easily fixed in software when shooting raw. I've been thinking about getting the 12mm, just because I miss how wide the 15 is on film. RE: software, what are you using? I'm in love with Adobe Lightroom. It's easy to use and does a pretty good job.
 
Morgan, I'm using the Epson software that came with the camera to process the raw files. I also haven't figured out if there is any difference between taking a picture set to monochrome versus shooting it in color/raw and then processing the file as monochrome. In fact, I have no prior experience with raw files but it seems you can shoot a picture with almost any settings and then just change them in software. Is that true, or am I missing something?
 
There seems to be an overall impression that the RD1 does not benifit from the use of IR cut filters. Although the M8 is more sesnitiveto IR than the RD1. Cut filters should also be used with the RD1 to avoid magenta cast with some fabrics.
It's a super camera and one that I will not sell. My understanding from Steves camera in LA is he will be supporting the camera for another 10 years. It seems safe to assume now with the RD1x. Epson will have a parts supply line available for some time. Honestly it would seem Epson/Cosina has a better chance of being in the marketplace in 10 years than Leica 😉
 
f16sunshine said:
There seems to be an overall impression that the RD1 does not benifit from the use of IR cut filters. Although the M8 is more sesnitiveto IR than the RD1. Cut filters should also be used with the RD1 to avoid magenta cast with some fabrics....
Click to expand...
I use IR-cuts filters indoor from time to time, under tungstene light mainly, but cons are hardly balanced by pros outdoor IMHO. Setting usual flare and ghosting problems aside, those filters do modify colors actually contrary to what Leica users may say here and there. Mainly greens that may look overcooked in grass and foliage with quite hideous effects.
 
It seems safe to assume now with the RD1x. Epson will have a parts supply line available for some time.
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Except where there have been changes -- although the screen is the only one I am aware of.
With respect to the 15mm, the Epson software works well in lessening vignetting. Just remember to turn that variable off when processing a shot done with another lens.
 
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