Help: Pros and Cons of Two R-D1s

[Chaser]

and here is a sample of the 100mm lens

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaseallgood/52078130/in/photostream/

 

[Chaser]

and now i feel like i am going to go to rangefinder hell....but i really love both.....and i do love the Leica the most....

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

The LC1 only goes up to 400 (the aperture range is 2.0-2.4). 400 is managable in most instances, but some images may require some post-processing. I do not find the noise any worse than at 400 with the R-D1.

Off the immediate topic but to the point of your original post...The LC1 addresses the lens switching issue. Further, you could buy 2 (or maybe 3, used) LC1s for the price of one R-D1 to address the buffer thing.

Hope this helps...Val

Hi again Val,
I think I will requirer higher ISO for most of what I am current doing, but I the LC1 might prove useful in some cases, so I will keep it in mind.

So much to think about.. so little time

Phil

 

[sreidvt]

Starting with a wedding this coming weekend, I'll be shooting with two R-D1 bodies. You're right about needing to have the different focal lengths available rapidly and that does require multiple bodies (since the Tri-Elmar is too slow a lens for many of us doing this kind of work). My two R-D1 bodies will have the 28 Ultron and 50 Nokton on them during weddings. I'm also going to start playing with using a Vivitar 285 flash (handheld in my left hand) using the remote flash sensor option on the hotshoe via a Wein safesynch. I'll report back as to how that works out.

Cheers,

Sean

 

[simonclivehughe]

Phil,

I guess at this point, I seem to be the only member yet to reply who is currently shooting with two R-D1s. I have had my original since Feb of this year and immediately bonded with the camera. (I won’t go into the details of transitioning from DSLRs, which I’ve covered in previous threads.) About 6 weeks ago, I purchased body number 2 and just last night, we returned from 3 weeks in Paris where I shot with the two bodies. I was going to put together a detailed trip report for the Forum but your thread seemed a perfect place to incorporate some of my observations.

First, yes, having two bodies with different focal lengths was exactly my plan. You can see my lens choices below in my signature, but here’s how I eventually found the actual choices to run:

1. Walk around lenses for general street scenes:
CV 21mm and 90mm Elmarit-M

2. Lenses used in and around cathedrals, large buildings etc:
CV 12mm and 90mm Elmarit-M

3. Lenses used in museums for paintings, sculptures and close ups:
CV 28mm Ultron and CV 50mm Nokton

4. General observation as to lenses used most often:
CV 21mm and 90mm Elmarit-M

Having the two bodies was invaluable, even though we had lots of time during our trip for me to spend time on subjects (other than “decisive moment” images). The sheer joy of using the camera was only enhanced by having two and not having to change lenses to get the best focal length for the scene as it unfolded.

One strange thing I found, however, is that when I (do a full) format of the cards after I had off-loaded them, that the newer body takes noticeably longer to format the card than my original! There seems neither rhyme nor reason to this, and it occurs with the same card under identical conditions. (I was shooting Sandisk Extreme III 1 GHz cards.)

Another good reason for not changing lenses is, of course, the risk of getting dust etc., on the sensor, and indeed this did happen to me from time to time.

Do I recommend the use of two R-D1s? Absolutely!

As an afterthought I can tell you that last night we looked at the pictures (all RAW) using the CS2 Bridge slideshow feature blown up to fill my Sony 23-inch monitor and I was absolutely blown away with the quality of the images with no processing whatsoever... these little cameras rock!

 

[Sean Reid]

Waiting for my second body to arrive this week. Bought a 285 with remote sensor cord but it needs repair so am returning to seller for repairs. It strikes me that the 285 handheld (with its sensor on a Wein adapter on the hotshoe) might work well. Will report back on both. In cold weather shooting, my "A" lock lever (for the shutter speed dial) jammed and would not allow the camera to move from A. It's mysteriously come back to life (warmer conditions in my office?)

Sean

 

[einolu]

pick up an slr with a zoom lens as your second camera. they can be had for well under $1000 and will produce results just as good as your rd1.

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your report!

I guess at this point, I seem to be the only member yet to reply who is currently shooting with two R-D1s. <snip> About 6 weeks ago, I purchased body number 2 and just last night, we returned from 3 weeks in Paris where I shot with the two bodies. I was going to put together a detailed trip report for the Forum but your thread seemed a perfect place to incorporate some of my observations.

<snip>

Having the two bodies was invaluable, even though we had lots of time during our trip for me to spend time on subjects (other than “decisive moment” images). The sheer joy of using the camera was only enhanced by having two and not having to change lenses to get the best focal length for the scene as it unfolded.

Brilliant.. that is what I needed to hear. Well, my bank balance won't be happy, I am

Do I recommend the use of two R-D1s? Absolutely!

As an afterthought I can tell you that last night we looked at the pictures (all RAW) using the CS2 Bridge slideshow feature blown up to fill my Sony 23-inch monitor and I was absolutely blown away with the quality of the images with no processing whatsoever... these little cameras rock!

I completely agree.

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

Starting with a wedding this coming weekend, I'll be shooting with two R-D1 bodies. You're right about needing to have the different focal lengths available rapidly and that does require multiple bodies (since the Tri-Elmar is too slow a lens for many of us doing this kind of work). My two R-D1 bodies will have the 28 Ultron and 50 Nokton on them during weddings.

What kind of shots will/do you use the 28 for?

I'm also going to start playing with using a Vivitar 285 flash (handheld in my left hand) using the remote flash sensor option on the hotshoe via a Wein safesynch. I'll report back as to how that works out.

I think I have one of those... I find it fairly large, and haven't tried hand-holding. I look forward to your report. Are you planning to have another flash on the camera as well?

Phil

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

I succumbed to temptation and bought a second R-D1. I picked it up today. My first R-D1 is a 0026xx serial number, while the 2nd is a 0046xx.

Thank you all for your advice, both for the pros and cons. Much appreciated. Now I just have to make sure I use the camera.... but somehow I don't think there will be any problems with that :angel:

Cheers,
Phil

 

[jameshays]

p.s I do it my way at the moment,... two M4P's, 35f2 and 75f1.4, motor bases, and an assistant to reload. The critical bit is the reloader !

Two M4's, how are you metering? What type of film are you using? Sounds very challenging (and rewarding) if you are estimating exposure with those fast lenses. That's inspiring to hear events are still shot with this equipment.