Marin3r
Member
Hello everyone,
I wanted to say thanks for the useful information on this forum. After visiting several times, i took the leap, and my very first rangefinder arrived from Japan this morning--simultaneous with a Nokton 50 from CameraQuest. Sweet torture--I had to work all day--but then the fun began.
It was dark. I set the ASA to 1600 and the "film" to night-time settings, and opened the aperture all the way. Walked through mid-Cambridge and discovered that I could shoot at 1/60 in the shadows between the street lights. The shallow depth of field was amazing. I got some shots that I've only imagined in my head over the years, but never been able to make real. No one looking at me imagined I was actually photographing, since there was no flash and it was "obviously" too dark.
But the best part was the rangefinder experience itself. I'd picked up Leica M's before (I'm a long time R user, in love with my 90mm F2 portrait lens), but I'd never actually used one. At first I thought the focusing was really tricky, but I got the hang of it quickly (when I got lost, I covered the viewfinder window, so I could figure out what the tiny rectangle was up to).
I'm astonished at the truth of the ideas so often repeated on this forum--it's amazing to be able to see well beyond the frame lines. It's amazing to not have the viewfinder go black while a picture is taken ( I got several people's expressions perfectly, and knew I did, because I could still see them while the shutter was open). It's amazing that the camera hardly twitches when the shutter snaps. Put together, these facts led to effortless picture-taking, even in my first hour with the camera. I suspect that as I get more used to it (learn where the focus for this lens is by heart) it'll become even more an extension of my hands and eyes than my R-4s.
So far, at least, I don't feel like an idiot for spending $2K on a defunct camera. I'm with those who say the analog gauges are wicked cool, and cocking the shutter by hand just feels right.
Oh--I do have one question. Does anyone know at what angle it's best to store the camera for a bumpy ride (e.g. bicycle touring)? I'm going to cut some foam out, and could put it lens down or lens forward--or upside down--whatever's best for the most delicate mechanisms... not sure if that's the rangefinder or the little analog gauges). Thanks : )
Sanjay
Cambridge, Mass.
I wanted to say thanks for the useful information on this forum. After visiting several times, i took the leap, and my very first rangefinder arrived from Japan this morning--simultaneous with a Nokton 50 from CameraQuest. Sweet torture--I had to work all day--but then the fun began.
It was dark. I set the ASA to 1600 and the "film" to night-time settings, and opened the aperture all the way. Walked through mid-Cambridge and discovered that I could shoot at 1/60 in the shadows between the street lights. The shallow depth of field was amazing. I got some shots that I've only imagined in my head over the years, but never been able to make real. No one looking at me imagined I was actually photographing, since there was no flash and it was "obviously" too dark.
But the best part was the rangefinder experience itself. I'd picked up Leica M's before (I'm a long time R user, in love with my 90mm F2 portrait lens), but I'd never actually used one. At first I thought the focusing was really tricky, but I got the hang of it quickly (when I got lost, I covered the viewfinder window, so I could figure out what the tiny rectangle was up to).
I'm astonished at the truth of the ideas so often repeated on this forum--it's amazing to be able to see well beyond the frame lines. It's amazing to not have the viewfinder go black while a picture is taken ( I got several people's expressions perfectly, and knew I did, because I could still see them while the shutter was open). It's amazing that the camera hardly twitches when the shutter snaps. Put together, these facts led to effortless picture-taking, even in my first hour with the camera. I suspect that as I get more used to it (learn where the focus for this lens is by heart) it'll become even more an extension of my hands and eyes than my R-4s.
So far, at least, I don't feel like an idiot for spending $2K on a defunct camera. I'm with those who say the analog gauges are wicked cool, and cocking the shutter by hand just feels right.
Oh--I do have one question. Does anyone know at what angle it's best to store the camera for a bumpy ride (e.g. bicycle touring)? I'm going to cut some foam out, and could put it lens down or lens forward--or upside down--whatever's best for the most delicate mechanisms... not sure if that's the rangefinder or the little analog gauges). Thanks : )
Sanjay
Cambridge, Mass.
Gid
Well-known
Congratulations on your new acquisition and welcome to a great place. Let us see some of the shots you have taken.
Can't help with the best way to protect the camera on a bicycle - I usually just sling mine over my shoulder and across my chest (in a half case with no padding) and it has survived so far. However, my bike rides are usually only 10 miles or so. I think the camera is much more robust than some web posts would have you believe, just don't use it to knock in nails.
Enjoy.
Can't help with the best way to protect the camera on a bicycle - I usually just sling mine over my shoulder and across my chest (in a half case with no padding) and it has survived so far. However, my bike rides are usually only 10 miles or so. I think the camera is much more robust than some web posts would have you believe, just don't use it to knock in nails.
Enjoy.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Welcome to the forum. Congrats on your acquisition, and discovering the RF experience. It's a slippery slope, but lots of fun. 
.
.
ferider
Veteran
Welcome, Sanjay !
PS: try a 90/2 on an M3 ....
PS: try a 90/2 on an M3 ....
Marin3r
Member
Thank you, all. I just bought
Thank you, all. I just bought
a card reader, and downloaded my first pix. Here are four:
http://web.mac.com/deafeq/iWeb/Site/Epson R-D1s.html
The last one, of the café at night, is the type of photo I've had in my head for years, but not known how to make happen.
Now I need to go understand RAW versus JPEG. I use a Mac, and don't own a current edition of Photoshop. But it is weird how the JPEG files shrink after you look at them!
Sanjay
Thank you, all. I just bought
a card reader, and downloaded my first pix. Here are four:
http://web.mac.com/deafeq/iWeb/Site/Epson R-D1s.html
The last one, of the café at night, is the type of photo I've had in my head for years, but not known how to make happen.
Now I need to go understand RAW versus JPEG. I use a Mac, and don't own a current edition of Photoshop. But it is weird how the JPEG files shrink after you look at them!
Sanjay
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
Defunct! I have been shooting the last two days with 1. a Nikon S2 & a Yashica Lynx. I walk right up to people and take their picture. And, they say: That's a real camera. Today I had to pass my Lynx over to a few people who wanted to see one with the f1.4 lens. I had a news woman come over and tell me about her film camera....a pentax K1000. Okay so digital is faster. And when you get them back in a week or month it's fun all over again. Anyway, welcome aboard and remember this is for fun.
mwooten
light user
Welcome to the RD1 branch of the rangefinder family! I've had my RD1 for a little over a year now, and have really enjoyed it. There is a great deal of useful information and opinion deep within the RD1 forum of RFF. RichC has coalesced most of it on his web site.
As for processing the RAW images, the Epson application does a really good job. It respects the settings the camera uses -- great when shooting in BW. I use Lightroom for "developing". You didn't say which version of Photoshop that you use, but make sure you either have the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw that your version supports, or the Epson Photoshop plug-in, installed.
As for processing the RAW images, the Epson application does a really good job. It respects the settings the camera uses -- great when shooting in BW. I use Lightroom for "developing". You didn't say which version of Photoshop that you use, but make sure you either have the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw that your version supports, or the Epson Photoshop plug-in, installed.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Sanjay,
Welcome.
Beware about any RF and bicycles, bouncing and rangefinders do not mix if you are on a bumpy surface.
There was a thread several weeks ago about this subject (another bessa user, I think an R3 or R4).
Again, welcome, enjoy, shoot and share!
B2 (;->
Welcome.
Beware about any RF and bicycles, bouncing and rangefinders do not mix if you are on a bumpy surface.
There was a thread several weeks ago about this subject (another bessa user, I think an R3 or R4).
Again, welcome, enjoy, shoot and share!
B2 (;->
Marin3r
Member
BillB, thank you for this
BillB, thank you for this
information. I guess I will stick with my little waterproof Pentax Optio for bike touring (I use it for kayaking--all the other shots on the website above were taken with it--not too awful, right?)
Photoshop... hmm... I have to dig out my old disc. I'm a film guy at heart, still, and don't know much about digital imaging yet. Shot a wedding this past weekend and almost cried when I went to buy Tri-X, and found it relegated to a little wooden bucket, while the rest of the store was overtaken by glittering electronics. My daughter loves the old R too, and won't let me sell it.
Probably, I'll upgrade my Photoshop to the newest version if it's not too expensive.
Re: "defunct," I guess that was too strong a word. Hard not to feel a bit sensitive after reading some of the critical reviews of the camera. Yes, old tech is often better. My bike has a steel frame and leather seat, and I still use a fountain pen : ) Maybe I'M defunct!
I added a few more pix from tonight to the above web page. My focusing is improving. I'm still not used to the aperture being outside the focus rather than the other way around. I'll get it. It's still WEIRD to be shooting handheld at night!
Sanjay
BillB, thank you for this
information. I guess I will stick with my little waterproof Pentax Optio for bike touring (I use it for kayaking--all the other shots on the website above were taken with it--not too awful, right?)
Photoshop... hmm... I have to dig out my old disc. I'm a film guy at heart, still, and don't know much about digital imaging yet. Shot a wedding this past weekend and almost cried when I went to buy Tri-X, and found it relegated to a little wooden bucket, while the rest of the store was overtaken by glittering electronics. My daughter loves the old R too, and won't let me sell it.
Probably, I'll upgrade my Photoshop to the newest version if it's not too expensive.
Re: "defunct," I guess that was too strong a word. Hard not to feel a bit sensitive after reading some of the critical reviews of the camera. Yes, old tech is often better. My bike has a steel frame and leather seat, and I still use a fountain pen : ) Maybe I'M defunct!
I added a few more pix from tonight to the above web page. My focusing is improving. I'm still not used to the aperture being outside the focus rather than the other way around. I'll get it. It's still WEIRD to be shooting handheld at night!
Sanjay
2hwang
Newbie
Hi, I am too just registered as a member as I find this forum is very useful. I am a Canon user and having the old 1Ds and all EF lenses which I still like. But lately I think I fall in love with the RF after trying out friend's Epson R-D1 and have visited most sites and try to read as much as I can regarding to digital RF.
I still do not have a RF camera and not a single RF lens. But I have decided to buy the Epson R-D1/s and lenses and will appreciate view and help from friends of this forum.
Steve Wang
Singapore
I still do not have a RF camera and not a single RF lens. But I have decided to buy the Epson R-D1/s and lenses and will appreciate view and help from friends of this forum.
Steve Wang
Singapore
Johnmcd
Well-known
Welcome Sanjay and Steve,
$2000 - cheap at twice the price
It is a camera that just begs to be used. Perfect for the shots that you have dreamed of. Maybe it has a real and tangible quality or maybe it's just all imagined. Who cares?
I never thought I would buy (or be able to afford) an M8 but if my RD1 ever dies and I can't replace it, I'll have no choice. That's got to be good for Leica, heh?
All that and I have only owned the camera for a couple of weeks. Will the honeymoon ever end?
Cheers,
John
$2000 - cheap at twice the price
It is a camera that just begs to be used. Perfect for the shots that you have dreamed of. Maybe it has a real and tangible quality or maybe it's just all imagined. Who cares?
I never thought I would buy (or be able to afford) an M8 but if my RD1 ever dies and I can't replace it, I'll have no choice. That's got to be good for Leica, heh?
All that and I have only owned the camera for a couple of weeks. Will the honeymoon ever end?
Cheers,
John