tomk126
Newbie
I realize the scenario is unlikely for all of you purists out there. However, I'm thinking about purchasing a digital camera for my wife. She's a novice photographer who has mainly used SLR's for the past 15 years. I'd prefer something more compact, but still has fully manual settings. Hope I don't get banned for this post! And please don't include the Leica M8, as it's out of my price range.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Tuolumne
Veteran
Is the R-D1 too expensive? It can be had used around $1500. Highly recommended.
/T
/T
Peter_Jones
Well-known
Panasonic LX2 or Canon G9 . LX2 is a compact with a good lens and manual with RAW files, but no viewfinder. G9 feels really nice - feels like a camera 
I'll duck for cover now
I'll duck for cover now
tomk126
Newbie
No, that seems like a good price. Are they planning on releasing the R-D2 anytime soon? And is there anywhere online I can purchase it new?
tribal.snake
Member
try the p5100, wonderful companion to my xpan
Tuolumne
Veteran
You should also take a look at the Ricoh GX100 and the GRD. They are favored by many rangefinder afficianados. The GX100 has a zoom lens that goes wide, all the way to 25mm film-equivalent, which is really nice. Also many manual settings, but alas, with a menu system, not dials and aperture rings.
/T
/T
Tuolumne
Veteran
The Epson R-D1 has been discontinued by Epson. There will be no new models. You can buy a new one from Matsuiyastore on eBay for around $2100 US. They are a highly reputable dealer. Your shipment will come faster from them in Japan that from most US sellers.tomk126 said:
See here: http://cgi.ebay.com/EPSON-R-D1S-Rangefinder-Digital-Camera-Body-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ150209116887QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30020QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
/T
P.S. There are many threads here discussing the R-D1. Use the SEARCH function to find them.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I wooooooould. I reeeeally woooooould.
Some nice P&S out there, too.
Some nice P&S out there, too.
RF-Addict
Well-known
tomk126 said:
I would first make sure that she is comfortable with a rangefinder camera - they are not for everyone! You could spend a lot of money on the RD-1 plus lenses only to find out that she'll never use it.
If she wants a DSLR, then there are tons of choices.
If she is looking for a compact P&S that allows full manual control in addition to AUTO modes, then I would suggest the Canon G9.
Tuolumne
Veteran
RF-Addict said:
I fully agree with this. However, I was a SLR/dSLR shooter exclusively for many years. Now almost all I shoot (aside from my P&S digital) is rangefinder. It can become addictive.
/T
tomk126
Newbie
RF-Addict said:
Point taken. (I think that's just me being selfish, wanting to buy a digital RF.)
bmattock
Veteran
I generally find that my suggestions run counter to nearly the entire rest of the world, but for what it may be worth...
I did a long and exhaustive search for a suitable digital point-and-shoot pocket-sized camera which had, to the extent possible, the following characteristics:
1) Shirt-pocket sized.
2) Manual controls.
3) Very sharp lens.
4) Integrated optical viewfinder.
5) No zoom.
6) AA-sized batteries.
7) SD memory card.
I found only the Kodak C530 that fit most of those characteristics, but it did not have manual controls. However, I bought one and I like it very much. It now resides permanently in my vehicle, ready for use if required. I take it out and test it every so often.
I decided to also try again a year or so later. I found that the Canon A-series cameras tend towards that realm - as do the G-series, but they are too expensive for me. The A530, the A540, and if I had to pick one now, it would be the A570IS for bang-for-the-buck.
However, I have a soft spot in my head for Kodak, and so I bought a C663, which I got refurbed from Kodak on eBay for $50. It is very much like a Canon A-series digicam, and the 663 (not the nearly identical 633) has a Schneider-Krueznach lens - very nice and yes, you can tell the difference. Plus, I like Kodak 'color' more on the digital than I do Canon - it reminds me of Kodachrome. I tend to shoot it in B&W mode, though.
Both the C530 and the C663 (which has zoom, unlike the C530) make reasonable photos. Both are reasonably well-made and seem durable. Both can be used in fully automatic mode, and the manual modes wtih the C663 is not too difficult to access (but is not as easy as the Canon A-series are supposed to be).
Hope that helps.
I did a long and exhaustive search for a suitable digital point-and-shoot pocket-sized camera which had, to the extent possible, the following characteristics:
1) Shirt-pocket sized.
2) Manual controls.
3) Very sharp lens.
4) Integrated optical viewfinder.
5) No zoom.
6) AA-sized batteries.
7) SD memory card.
I found only the Kodak C530 that fit most of those characteristics, but it did not have manual controls. However, I bought one and I like it very much. It now resides permanently in my vehicle, ready for use if required. I take it out and test it every so often.
I decided to also try again a year or so later. I found that the Canon A-series cameras tend towards that realm - as do the G-series, but they are too expensive for me. The A530, the A540, and if I had to pick one now, it would be the A570IS for bang-for-the-buck.
However, I have a soft spot in my head for Kodak, and so I bought a C663, which I got refurbed from Kodak on eBay for $50. It is very much like a Canon A-series digicam, and the 663 (not the nearly identical 633) has a Schneider-Krueznach lens - very nice and yes, you can tell the difference. Plus, I like Kodak 'color' more on the digital than I do Canon - it reminds me of Kodachrome. I tend to shoot it in B&W mode, though.
Both the C530 and the C663 (which has zoom, unlike the C530) make reasonable photos. Both are reasonably well-made and seem durable. Both can be used in fully automatic mode, and the manual modes wtih the C663 is not too difficult to access (but is not as easy as the Canon A-series are supposed to be).
Hope that helps.
foto_fool
Well-known
Another vote for the Panasonic LX-2. It really does nearly everything I want in a digital p&s. My wife carries an FX-01, which is even smaller (not much bigger than a candy-bar cell phone), but it is limited to ISO400 and does not shoot RAW - if thost things matter to you.
I have looked at and used the Canon G and A series and they are nice, but I am sticking with the Panasonic: Leica lens, optical image stabilzation, acceptable noise at high ISO - there's a lot to love. Oh, and you can find them new for under $300.
That said I am intrigued by the Kodak offerings - I simply have not considered them.
I have looked at and used the Canon G and A series and they are nice, but I am sticking with the Panasonic: Leica lens, optical image stabilzation, acceptable noise at high ISO - there's a lot to love. Oh, and you can find them new for under $300.
That said I am intrigued by the Kodak offerings - I simply have not considered them.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
I would get a Ricoh GRD-II. Pocketable, fixed lens, and if your wife doesn't wind up using it, then you can play with it.
Ben Marks
Ben Marks
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
+1 for the Panasonic Lumix LX2. It's nice to handle and the wide-format is beautiful.
andrealed
Established
Just got from ebay an olympus camedia 3040. A rangefinder like camera. Manual if you want manual, ap, sp. Fast lens (1,8 at 35mm eq.). 35-105 eq lens range. 3mp but you will got plenty of resolution and sharpness from 3mp if the lens is worth.
There are other camedias 3030, 3040, 5050 and so on...
And now the cons: smartmedia card 128mb is the max size, and smartmedia card are quite expensive now.
three samples from the first day: first shot in black and white, second for testing color and the third was shot at night in my car, without flash, in bw mode, the exp was quite long (seconds..) but I had a steady hand.
ciao
Andrea
There are other camedias 3030, 3040, 5050 and so on...
And now the cons: smartmedia card 128mb is the max size, and smartmedia card are quite expensive now.
three samples from the first day: first shot in black and white, second for testing color and the third was shot at night in my car, without flash, in bw mode, the exp was quite long (seconds..) but I had a steady hand.
ciao
Andrea
Attachments
Ducky
Well-known
Plenty of good P&S out there. Some range from simple to full manual or many combinations thereof. I use a Canon SX 100 is which goes from simple auto to full manual. Amazon, about $250.
tomk126
Newbie
Thanks everyone who responded. I like the Panasonic Lumix LX2. I'll read more about all of them. I am drawn to the wide angle lens that that particular camera boasts. You guys are awesome, thanks again.
peterm1
Veteran
I personally use a Panasonic L1. Though its an SLR it does not use a conventional penta prism and looks like a rangefinder if thats a factor. But its quite big especially with the stock Leica zoom lens. Originally double this you can now get them on eBay for around $800-900 US. If you like the concept the Olympus evolt e-330 is similar but smaller and cheaper. Both also have live-view (ability to reveiw image on the rear screen instead of the veiwfinder) which is novel for am SLR but useful when the camera is on a tripod. If this is a factor the Olympus 4/3 format which these use is conducive to using other system lenses on an adapter. I use Nikon and Pentax but its almost unlimited. Will not use Leica M or screw mount however but will use Leica R.
Oh there is one other thing about the L1 that some people like and is something which attracted me. The camera uses a conventional old style shutter speed dial and aperture ring (on the stock lens.) So its somewhat like using an old manual SLR if you do not wish to leave it on full program settings. Just move the aperture dial and you have aperture priority. Move the shutter dial and you have shutter priority. Move both and you have full manual. If you are using another brand (say Olympus) AF 4/3 lens without the aperture dial, you can still set this using the menu settings and if you are using a manual lens with an adapter, its just stop down metering. This makes for a pretty flexible package.
Oh there is one other thing about the L1 that some people like and is something which attracted me. The camera uses a conventional old style shutter speed dial and aperture ring (on the stock lens.) So its somewhat like using an old manual SLR if you do not wish to leave it on full program settings. Just move the aperture dial and you have aperture priority. Move the shutter dial and you have shutter priority. Move both and you have full manual. If you are using another brand (say Olympus) AF 4/3 lens without the aperture dial, you can still set this using the menu settings and if you are using a manual lens with an adapter, its just stop down metering. This makes for a pretty flexible package.
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Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
I have an old Sony DSC-V3 which has a rangefinder look to it. It is a bit big however.