Ideal lens focal length array for RD-1

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Frankie

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The Leica M9 news compelled me to buy an RD-1 instead, and likely an RD-1s rather than the new RD-1x.

I am not a histogram/chimp and I prefer to bracket. A reversible LCD big enough to re-set camera parameters when needed is just fine.

I don't worry much about having no SD-HC, a 2GB SD accommodates 200 RAW pictures and cost less than a roll of film. I don't mind changing rolls once or twice a day. By then I will have to change battery anyway.😀

The more complex decision is a suitable lens array. The Epson manual did not say it, BUT is it possible to select any of the available 28/35/50mm focal length regardless of lens mounted?

The idea was:

If I buy a CV 25/f4P, I would have a 38mm/f4 equivalent...wide enough for now. The 28mm frameline, likely 15% loose to begin with (making it really a 32mm frameline), will provides ~30% crop margin (~15% each side) for a 38mm equivalent...so long as the 28mm frameline could be selected despite the 25mm/f4P being mounted.

[The 25mm/f4P will also work well on my ZM, providing about the same crop margin if the ZM 28mm frame line (also 15% loose) is selected. I have made a tiny bracket to hold the ZM frameline preview lever down.]

I only have a CV 40mm/1.4 for my ZM and modified to bring up the 35mm ZM frameline, which is proven 15% loose (really a 40mm). I would expect the RD-1 35mm frame line to be no different.

This way, I would have a 38/60mm lens pair for the RD-1, which doubles as 25/40 lens pair for the ZM. Adding a 75mm lens later will round out the array nicely. [I am predicting/hoping CV will have an M-mount 75mm before too long. Their lens release program for the 15, 21, 25...(same glass but from LTM to M) so far indicates that.]

Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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I use a Summicron c 40/2 and it just fits the 35 frame lines. Great combo. I think your 40/1.4 will work as well you just have to select 35mm frame.
 
EPSN5792.JPG

Duesseldorf street lantern with Summicron 40/2

My favourite is the Leitz Summicron C 40/2. Very usable focus length, you only have to move some steps back or forth to "emulate" the 35 mm or 50 mm length.

It is small, handy, and available for very fair prices.

It delivers perfect Leica Bokeh and perfect colours.

While on the street, there will be the VC Color Skopar 21/4 in the jeans pocket and the Leitz Elmar 4/90 in the inner pocket of the jacket (would be too strange to wear the Elmar in the jeans pocket...)

If I know that there will be only "available light" (who invents that term? Isnt all light available? Or ist hte light outside a jazz club more available than inside? Questions, questions...), I put the Jupiter 3 50/1,5 in the other pocket.

I am playing with the idea to substitute Summicron and Jupiter with the CV 40/1.4 Nokton - have to test it...

Just my two cents.

Cheers,

Andreas

PS: And yes, as said before: Framelnes are complete manually, and there are some helpful indicators in the different framelines to give an idea of the FOV, so an addtional finder will not be mandatory - take a look at this page of Rich Cutlers website: http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_04.htm
 
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I´ve used 21, 28, 35 and 50mm over the last week. Framelines for the latter three are available. When using the 21mm I select whatever really, but 28mm works OK, and then imagine the frame to be ever so slightly larger than the viewfinder. Works fine.

CV Color Skopar 21/4:

EPSN0647-2.jpg
 
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Thanks guys for the useful inputs. Now I will start shopping.

If I found nothing at le Baie, 1 will be in Tokyo in 29 days...

I expect to be able to fondle the Pany GF1 anywhere as they are now shipping in Japan.😀
 
Hi Frankie, I have tried the CV 40 1.4 (SC) and now own the Cron 40. The mechanical feel is better with the cron 40, the image as well (my taste, the colours, the bokeh). Frames with the R-D1 are quite spot on when the R-D1 frame selector is set on the 35mm index. With a 35mm like the lux 35, I find that the R-D1 28mm framelines will be a bit larger then the captured image, but really marginally.
PS: I have the exact same reflection about the M9...
 
aldobonnard said:
PS: I have the exact same reflection about the M9...
Click to expand...

The M9 tells me that Leica will not face reality. Those who won't will soon die.

A price three times that of an RD-1 is ridiculous. Kodak developed the 6.8 micron CCD years ago [and Kodak's latest 6 micron chip is now a year old] and Leica had little to do with it. Whatever Leica magic many are gushing about made the whole scene look silly.

I hope Epson, CV and Zeiss will soon teach Leica a lesson. The benchmark price of $7000 is easy to beat.

My decision to buy an RD-1 now is only buying time...longing for a ZMd.

2010 Photokina?😀
 
andreas.pichler said:
Wonderful shot, Ezzie...now I am feeling like on vacation! Thank you!

Cheers,
Andreas
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Thanks Andreas. I was lucky enough to capture this while on the job (non-photography related). Very much tempted to use the R-D1 more or less exclusively in B&W, but the colour rendition on this camera is so rich and smooth, I just can't stop taking pictures of colourful scenes. Very glad the 21/4 was in my pocket. Had no problems using it without extra viewfinder, since I can have both eyes open, I can visualise the frame - even if it is slightly outside the borders of the viewfinder.

EDIT: Oh, and I set the hyperfocal distance from approx 1m og inifinity, with an f11 aperture on this capture.
 
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Frankie, I'm currently using the CV15/4.5, CV28/2 Ultron and a Hexanon 50/2 and they all work well with the RD1. I also own a 40mm Rokkor and a Jupiter-8 50/2.

I've used the CV25/4p up until a few weeks ago I traded it in against the Hexanon. I really like the lens but couldn't justify hanging on to both. Shame really as the CV25 is a compact lens and suits the RD1 well and I never had a problem with it only being f4. That's more than adequate for outdoors and with the ISO upped a bit, it worked well indoors too.
Tomorrow I'm out with some other RFF members for a shoot and we'll be calling into the shop where I traded it. Hope I can refrain from buying it back.
 
kuvvy said:
Frankie, I'm currently using the CV15/4.5, CV28/2 Ultron and a Hexanon 50/2 and they all work well with the RD1. I also own a 40mm Rokkor and a Jupiter-8 50/2.

I've used the CV25/4p up until a few weeks ago I traded it in against the Hexanon. I really like the lens but couldn't justify hanging on to both. Shame really as the CV25 is a compact lens and suits the RD1 well and I never had a problem with it only being f4. That's more than adequate for outdoors and with the ISO upped a bit, it worked well indoors too.
Tomorrow I'm out with some other RFF members for a shoot and we'll be calling into the shop where I traded it. Hope I can refrain from buying it back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the CV 25mm/f4P specific input. F4 is 4 stops wider than sunny-16 rule and should be ample. I never understood why others want ISO 6400 or f1.2 when they had been happy with Tri-X. Setting the ISO at 400 in the RD-1 should no be so bad.

I had considered 28mm lenses and liked the Leica 28mm/f2.8 asph and CV 28mm/f3.5 LTM, both being small and would not protrude into the viewfinder.

Thinking further and hoping that a full-frame ZMd might soon be available, I decided a 25/40/75mm combo is a better array.

If I manged to acquire an RD-1 for now, selling it later will not upset my lens policy. 😀
 
Got an R-D1 yesterday on eBay...with R-D1s firmware upgraded. Now it is lens shopping time.

Unless new thoughts from you guys come about, I am going to get a CV 25/4. That coupled with my darling CV 40.1.4 would make a nice array.

The disappointing Leica M9 made me do it. And I would be happy if ZMd rear its head by 2010 Photokina.
 
I've just added a lens to my array. A hexanon 90. if looks are anything to go by, this light to be a killer lens. Now shooting 21/28/35/50/90
 
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Frankie said:
I hope Epson, CV and Zeiss will soon teach Leica a lesson. The benchmark price of $7000 is easy to beat.
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too bad we're not having a square meeting where we could vote whats the correct price new M9.

over the time, probably generations of photo hobbyist have been wishing someone to teach Leica a lesson due to their premium prices. have they yet shown any sign of learning ? 😀

I dont have afford to M9 neither, but am not declaring a vendetta against Leica in the net forums either. they have right to ask what ever they want from their cameras, you have your right to buy or not to buy. fair game.
 
good setup

good setup

I think the 25 and 40 should work well. I like the 40 length on the RD1, as mentioned, it fits the 35 framelines better than a 35 lens for most distances.

Haven't used a 25, but 28 is also fine with the RD1.

Not sure what this thread has to do with the M9.

Frankie said:
Got an R-D1 yesterday on eBay...with R-D1s firmware upgraded. Now it is lens shopping time.

Unless new thoughts from you guys come about, I am going to get a CV 25/4. That coupled with my darling CV 40.1.4 would make a nice array.

The disappointing Leica M9 made me do it. And I would be happy if ZMd rear its head by 2010 Photokina.
Click to expand...
 
Ezzie,

Looking forward to seeing what the 90mm does on the R D1. I have a nice 90mm that I can use but haven't put it on the camera yet.

I'm shooting with the 15mm, 35mm, and am trying out a 50mm now.
 
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