Hi from a newbie

[TKH]

My name is Rainer and I´m a 43 y old Pentax K10D DSLR (1,5 crop) photographer from Germany. I like to shot landscape and street. My only lenses are three Pentax Limited primes in 21mm, 40 and 70mm. I like to switch to a RF and search for experiences from other people who used DSLRs in the past. My problem is that I never used a RF in the past and now I´m not shure if I can work with a RF.

What were your feelings when you switch from DSLR to the Epson RF?

Best,
Rainer

 

[sleepyhead]

Hello Rainer - welcome. I use an Epson R-D1 and some Leica M film cameras. I've used 35mm and medium format SLRs in the past, but not digital ones. I think you should try to borrow or rent a RF camera before spending a lot of money on, for example, an R-D1.

I say this because while RFs have their advantages, you may find that you miss the close-focusing ability, or the accuracy of framing, or the ability to use long lenses (or extreme wide angle lenses easily). Or you may find it difficult to focus an RF.

I bought my R-D1 body only because I already owned a lot of (expensive) Leica lenses for my film rangefinders. I wanted a digital camera that I could use almost exclusively for portraits of my kids. I get good results from the R-D1, but I find the camera is a bit like a violin - it takes practice to get good results in terms of focus (thin depth of field) and framing.

If I didn't already have a bunch of lenses, I now would probably buy something like the Canon 5D full-frame dSLR.

 

[TKH]

Hi Yaron,
thanks for your reply.
Long lenses or extreme wide angle lenses are not my cup of tea. I mostly use my Pentax 21mm (32mm on crop) and my Pentax40mm (60mm on crop) Pancake lenses. I think a camera can not be small enaugh and so the Pentax K10D is to heavy imho. The problem is that no shop here n Germany has the Pentax still in stock, so that I cannot rent it for a weekend an try.

Rainer

 

[tomasis]

to switch to rd1 from dslr is one of my best decision in my life like i did the same thing for analog stuffs.

have you tried any rf camera before? it can happen that you don't like the rangefinder thing.

 

[TKH]

have you tried any rf camera before?

Never. Thats exactly the point. I only looked one time (five minutes) through a Leica M8. Looks very strange.

Rainer

 

[Roverbovver]

Rainer, Abend,

I moved to RF from reflex because the lenses are small and they easily fit in your pockets. I prefer not to use a bag on the street and rf cameras can be carried much less conspicuously. The Voigtländer R and successors are not very expensive. Perhaps buy one used, try it out. Then move to R-D1 or M8 if you must have digital.

I like to enjoy 'the street' at the moment as well as the pictures later. Neither do I want my picture taking to alter the street.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I, too, have used film cameras slrs, twin lens, mf, rangefinders, etic. The camera that was most difficult for me to use was the DSLR. It was large and heavy with too much "whistles & buttons." I rarely ever use mine. A rangefinder is light weight and uses prime lenses. The lenses are extremely sharp. If you get one with a meter that would be all you will need. As for lenses a 35mm (street or general) & 90mm (portrait) will give a complete system. (Though, a 24mm or 28mm would be better for architecture.) If you are not sure and want to be cautious about money start out with a Canonet QL-17 or a Yashica GSN or any of the fixed lens models that often come up for around $100. I think that your biggest problem will be remembering to remove the lens cap.

 

[georgef]

I'll second Tomasis here; going from my DSLR to the RD1 wa probably the most productive move I have made in photography in years. I now look through the viewfinder in a totally different way (like I used to before the SLR photo-taking process crept and took over my creative side a long time ago).

He's also right in that you should try before you buy; you may not like the very signature RF way.

 

[filmat]

Throughout the years i really spent a lot of money buying and exchanging cameras until i found the one in which i fell in love and settled with 🙂 that is the R-D1.


Initially I used semi-pro point and shoot like the Nikon coolpix 5000 then the Panasonic LC1 (aka Leic Digilux 2). Then moved to my first DSLR the nikon D40 with the standard lens plus a Sigma 30/1.4 prime. Well it took me some time to adapt but despite the technical leap I really disliked the bulk, blackout, shutter noise. The big lens (though relatively ok by slr standard) attracted attention so could not be as conspicious as before for street photography.

Tried a portable Ricoh GRD in parallel but too wide to my taste (28mm)

Finally sold everything when I got the R-D1. Great ergonomics, focus on the essential, fastest shutter synchronised with my mind 🙂 and mainly not a standout, it looks like a 50$ old cam for most people.

Now it is mainly coupled to a UC-Hexanon 35/2 (eq. 50mm). It is (to me) a great mix of technical quality, great rendering (nice bokeh, colors, contrast). you can read more at http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hex352.html and find on ebay but expensive at around 600 euros

Still the best is to try first in a camera shop a r-d1 or Leica m8 (could be more available but similar in spirit to the epson). It is quite an expensive committment. You can also start with a cheap voigtlander lens and then sell and buy something better (if you would like to later). ebay is an easy exchange hub of rangefinder hardware


The r-d1 in a way helped me improve my photography. well we all know it is not the tool or the camera that makes the photographer, but the tool does help make you practice better (nb: i am an amateur not pro photographer)


Philippe

www.flickr.com/pmat

 

[Quinn Porter]

I found that rangefinders slowly crept-up on me and I didn't even realize it was happening. Then one day I found myself not wanting to shoot with my DSLR if I could avoid it. So now I shoot with a collection of rangefinders and use the DSLR only when it is clearly the better tool for the job.

 

[mn4367]

I used a Nikon F3 for more than 20 years. Fabulous camera, but somehow that RF thing got me and I think I'll never go back. Since I have a RF my interest in photography has increased a lot. That of course may be totally different with any other person.

Usually forum members suggest you to try the RF adventure with an inexpensive Bessa or a cheap used RF. Thats one of the good things here, nobody tries to convince you to something you possibly won't like in the end. So I second the suggestion to try first before spending a lot of money.

What I can offer: If you are in the region of Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Wuppertal, Düsseldorf we could meet and I would lend you my R-D1 for some hours to try it.

 

[MCTuomey]

Welcome to the forum, Rainer. It would be best not to sell your K10D and pancake lenses (brilliant dSLR kit) until you've had a chance to try a rangefinder for awhile. There is a learning curve for most photographers when adapting to RFs. For what you shoot and how you seem to use your present camera, I would think that a rangefinder would suit you. But that's not a certainty.

One benefit of this forum is the opportunity to buy and sell used equipment among trustworthy people. If you had the money, buying an R-D1(s), trying it for awhile, and perhaps having to sell it will not result in much financial loss.

 

[TKH]

What I can offer: If you are in the region of Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Wuppertal, Düsseldorf we could meet and I would lend you my R-D1 for some hours to try it.

Brilliant idea. Please send me a PN with your phonenumber and we can make a date. I live in Münster and can come into our area very easily.

Thanks a lot,
Rainer

 

[TKH]

Thanks a lot for this nice answeres. 🙂

My plan is now:

I stay with the Pentax K10D and my main lenses 21mm (landscape/street) and 43mm (portrait). I dont upgrade the body to an K20D the next two years, because theire features are not so important for me. I save the money and look forward for a hevily used R-D1 for around 800 Euros. Than I will buy a inexpensive Voigtländer lense for that and I than have two nice systems for the next future!

Best,
Rainer

 

[TKH]

Sometimes time is running. My dreams perhaps become true. A little time ago I tryed to sell speakers (Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage from Italy) from my not more used high-end audio system and today two people phoned for buying them. One make a date with me for pick up the speakers next sunday. This means 4.000 Euro cash! 😀
My wife confiscated at once one half of the money for ****ing gardening projects in the spring 🙂bang: ), but the other half is for my camera buying plans. So if the deal next sunday goes well (please keep your fingers crossed) , I can order than at once the R-D1s. I think I will pick up one from new one of the eBay offers from Japan. Must be around 1.700 Euro with custom and so on. Putting a Nokton 40mm 1.4 on the camera seems to be a good idea and it fits my budget.

🙂
Rainer

 

[MCTuomey]

Fortune smiles, Rainer. That's excellent news. Do consider matsuiyastore.com. I've used them - great service.

 

[TKH]

Yes Mike that sounds good. But I only believe in the money I hold in my hands. 😀
So I wait for sunday and than I report.

Rainer