How many of you have had problems with your Epson R-D1?

[rvaubel]

My RD1 purchased recently from Robert White is Perfect- serial 002414

Regards
Steve

Steve

You purchased the old model (the non-"s") from Robert White? Your serial number indicates that it is not the new RD1s. I wouldn't care myself, since the cameras are identical except for the firmware upgrade which you can get online.

It would be interesting to know if Epson or the distributers still have a stock of cameras left.

Rex

 

[Steve Litt]

You purchased the old model (the non-"s") from Robert White?

Yes, just before the RD1s arrived Robert White had a limited supply of RD1 for sale.They arent advertising them now and yes I upgraded the firmwire.

Regards
Steve

 

[usccharles]

my first RD-1 was returned due to a faulty shutter button.

my second RD-1 worked like a charm. a few months later, i dropped my RD-1 while running, completely smashing up the 35mm summicron i had on it and the camera rolled and rolled until it had cracks and dings on every corner of the camera. Sad and also really embarrassed, i took the camera back to the store to see if it was even fixable. I was pleasantly surprised that the only thing wrong with the camera was that the view finder needed alignment. the camera works fine!

i've had my RD-1 for close to a year now and i still carry it around all cracked and dinged up. gives my camera character 🙂

i know the RD-1 has had alot of quality control issues but i am utterly surprised at how the camera handled all that dinging and banging.

 

[nickmeertens]

I got my first Epson R-D1s directly from Epson about a month ago and it has given me well over 1200 shots since without missing a beat. I consider myself lucky not to have any of the problems users report having.
It is a wonderfull camera and I haven't missed my DLSR for a minute.

 

[rxmd]

This kind of thread has a natural bias against the subject, simply by way of its starting question.

 

[Terence T]

This kind of thread has a natural bias against the subject, simply by way of its starting question.

That's not entirely true. There have been posts which contain nothing but praise for the R-D1. And besides, what's wrong with users posting the problems their facing with their cameras? It's had a problematic history.

 

[Didier]

My RD1 purchased recently from Robert White is Perfect- serial 002414

Steve
Mine, from RW, too, has 002434 - looks like we're neighbours just around the block 🙂
Didier

 

[Mark Norton]

4 months in, and the paint is wearing off the base of the camera and the bottom right hand edge of the body.

 

[Steve Litt]

Steve
Mine, from RW, too, has 002434 - looks like we're neighbours just around the block 🙂
Didier

Dider,
Yes we are-Virtual neighbours and brothers in arms!! (Sorry for the slow reply been working this weekend)

Regards

Steve

 

[nickmeertens]

I reported no problems a few weeks ago but that seemed premature... I have since noticed that the frame lines are not completely level, which is a shame, but nothing to really worry about. Could I adjust them myself?

Other thing is that when cocking the shutter the lever is not as smooth as it was when new... The point in the lever-action where the shutter starts to travel has developed real resistance which is a bit unpleasant. Not only in use but also in that I worry if it will worsen...
Anybody else has this problem!?

 

[sirvine]

My R-D1 arrived today. UPS had their gory way with it, punching a hole right through the box. The UPS guy came to my door with a "you sure you want this" look in his eye. Anyway, I got a few exposures off but then the shutter froze. Nothing seems able to reset it. Anyone have any idea? I will wind once, but the shutter release does nothing. If I turn it off and on, it clicks, and will allow me to wind it once again, but still no shutter release.

I've also noticed a bunch of hot pixels. The few shots I got off were pretty great, though!

 

[Keith Cocker]

My R-D1 arrived today. UPS had their gory way with it, punching a hole right through the box. The UPS guy came to my door with a "you sure you want this" look in his eye. Anyway, I got a few exposures off but then the shutter froze. Nothing seems able to reset it. Anyone have any idea? I will wind once, but the shutter release does nothing. If I turn it off and on, it clicks, and will allow me to wind it once again, but still no shutter release.

I've also noticed a bunch of hot pixels. The few shots I got off were pretty great, though!

Hi,

Bad News! The shutter problem you described happend on my second RD1 - It went back to Robert White for a refund - they thought it was an unfixable problem. It started as an intermittent problem but quickly became a permanent feature. I now have a Leica M6 which has worked perfectly for 16 years!!

 

[sirvine]

Well, my hope is that Robert White will sort it out. Shame they're not open on weekends, though. I'm growing increasingly impatient with having this very expensive, dead camera on my desk.

 

[B&W Norway]

It is a shame that they don't find these kind of problems before shipping the R-D1 to customers!

Hopefully they send you a brand new one (no cuestion asked)

 

[sirvine]

Jarle,

Since you mention it, I asked them to check the finder alignment prior to shipment (I was assuming it was the most common problem) and they did this graciously. In my case, I believe the issue was caused by a combination of the rather flimsy box and padding it was shipped in, together with the choice of UPS as shipping agent. In my experience, UPS should never be trusted for anything valuable.

I will remain confident in Robert White while I await their response, but my faith in the R-D1 is another matter. Somehow, I doubt I'll ever regain confidence in this camera.

 

[rvaubel]

It is a shame that they don't find these kind of problems before shipping the R-D1 to customers!

Hopefully they send you a brand new one (no question asked)

sirvine

It's a shame that the purchasers of the RD1 have had to put up with this crap. However, when (or if) you get the problems sorted out, it is a wonderful camera. You have to be ready to accept the possibility of receiving a defective camera when you order an RD1. You have to be prepared to suffer a lot of pain to be allowed to join the exclusive digital rangefinder club. That doesn't mean that what is happening to you is right or fair,,,,, it just is.

If it is any consolation, Robert White has the best reputation of making things right. He will undoubtable send you a new camera, at which point you should test the hell out of it. I spent 3 or 4 days testing mine before I was convinced it was a good sample.

RD1 ownership is not for the faint of heart. But until the introduction of the M8, there has been no other choice. For me, it has been worth the effort.

However, I do have an M8 on order. I am #2 on my dealers list🙂

Rex

 

[sirvine]

Rex,

Thanks, I feel better now. As photographers, we must sometimes let the moment pass without regrets. I will persist, because, as you say, there is no other choice for digital rangefinders, if for no other reason.

 

[sirvine]

I'm sorry to reply to my own post, but everyone should know that Robert White is taking an exchange on my R-D1 with faulty shutter. I've been very impressed with their service, so I don't want to leave the wrong idea here. Before the new body is sent to me, they will be checking the rangefinder and test-firing the shutter. Now, I cross my fingers.

 

[jvr]

My first RD-1 didn't work at all, new RD-1s works well

My first RD-1 didn't work at all, new RD-1s works well

Hi!

I bought a RD-1 from Robert White (great service!) and I was appalled to realise it didn't work at all. Send it back to Robert White (again, great service!), got back a RD-1s as soon as they got one. Working ok, since a few months and some thousands of pictures already.

I have to confess that it was a bit frustrating to get a non-working camera: I've been taking pictures for at least 35 years, I had at least 15 cameras, have Leicas (old and new), have Nikons (old and new), Konica, Ricoh and Canon. Never had a problem like that.

Fortunately, I was dealing with a very professional camera shop (for the last time in this post, great service!)... 🙂

I'm happy with the camera, although I had to wait for the new version of Capture One Pro to get the same quality I get from my D100 and D70s in RAW...

Software matters a lot and I think Epson should be aware of that. My "old" NEF files from my D100 get a new life everytime Nikon updates Capture. The difference from the earlier versions is very noticeable. That's the same for my ERF files with the new version of Capture One, even when compared to CS2 conversions, let alone the RAW Converter from Epson.

For people shooting RAW, keeping the conversion software up to date is a very cheap way of extending the life of our gear...

Disclaimer: don't have any commercial or otherwise connection with Robert White or Phase One, just a happy customer!

 

[hopf]

finder issue

finder issue

I have noticed something odd with my R-d1 today. It seems that the right side of the viefinder has gone a little strange. On the 28mm frame lines I cant make out the right side any more and it even is a problem with the 35mm.It seems like for some reason I am getting reflection of the prism on the left side of the view finder. Could it have shifted? If I look into the finder form the lens side I can see the edge of the prism protruding just a hair into the window.

Has anybody come across this before?

Any sugestions?