Is it smart to buy a used RD1 now?

[Didier]

Buying a used R-D1(s) now is only smart if you have the opportunity to check it closely before buying. Mainly RF adjustment (vertical, horizontal), frameline accuracy (vertical, horizontal, tilt), focus accuracy (wide open close, mid, infinity), sensor (cleanness, position [my first one was tilted]). If you can buy it from a trustable seller that can clearly confirm that all mentioned points are correct, it's ok, too. Otherwise it's quite risky, I'd say (and less than smart).
Didier

 

[Mean Panda]

I have many shot with my Rd-1. Great camera, and well built camera. However, I sold my R-d1 last month on ebay for 2200 buy it now. I was not completely satisfied with the result. I still prefer my elite 5400. Another concern would be the convertion factor. Overall, it is great if you don't mind to lose your wide angle.

 

[dacaccia]

I bought a used nearly mint R-D1 a couple of days ago, from a local dealer. I simply love working with it - mostly using an Elmar-C 2/40 (framing 50) which is ideal for street photography, and the camera is very small. The pictures are of great quality - no noise reduction necessary, esp. when converting to bw. The bw pictures much remain of analogue photography - more than M8, as far as I can judge it.

Concerning glasses wearer: the correction lenses of Nikon FM3a/FM2 are fitting (as is said on the Epson HP).

Cheers,
dacaccia

 

[thegadsby]

is it smart to buy an RD-1 now

is it smart to buy an RD-1 now

Well the choice as always is up to you as no one can advise in this matter.

I have various Leica and lens and and RD-1

I use the RD-1 all the time and I am a wide angle shooter generally.

There is no point in getting wound up by the angle of view Just accept what you can see and move you position to get more or less in rangefinder.

My frame lines are slightly out but again you get used to it and for the money the quality is outstanding

Buy one or Dont is my advise

 

[LCT]

...mostly using an Elmar-C 2/40 (framing 50)...

Do you mean Summicron-C 40/2? If so the 35mm frame will fit better for medium to long distance subjects.

 

[dacaccia]

Do you mean Summicron-C 40/2? If so the 35mm frame will fit better for medium to long distance subjects.

Yes, of course, the Summicron - sorry for the miswriting. 😉
That depends on the composition of the photo. I tried both, 35 and 50 frame, and I find it easier to scale the picture a bit than having the main motive cutted of ... 😉

 

[nksyoon]

Another question, there is a little fitting for leica that de-magnifies the viewfinder, if I find that I cannot indeed see the 28m framelines is there something that I can attach that will help that issue out if I dont feel like getting contacts?

Opinions on this thread are not very favourable:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/26929-hk-supplies-new-0-85x-minifier.html

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Who are we to judge other peoples priorities!! Avotius produces some of the very best work seen on this site. I'm sure his judgement on how to spend his money is just as good as his judgement as to where to point his camera!

 

[Avotius]

You stated that you make $300 to $350 per month. That's $3,600 to $4,200 per year for those who don't understand English. Asking your question on this forum is like asking Heroin addicts whether you should buy another hit of Heroin.

With all due respect, I would say that you need your head examined. Nobody in their right mind should consider spending almost HALF A YEAR's SALARY on a camera that is for a hobby.

A friend has offered me a mint one for $1,400 (with a spare battery, etc.) and I'm still wavering.

Please get your priorities straight. This is just a hobby.

Once again we have a guy who jumps to conclusions about me without bothering to push one of the three buttons in my signature.

I am a semi pro photographer/student majoring in photography. I am in the process or negotiations with a 25 year veteran national geographic photographer to spend next year to working with him here in China. Why is it you assume that it must be a hobby? I need a new digital camera to work with on this trip because my 20D actually has been near used to death. The photographer only works in digital because he says despite years of shooting film, at national geographic one year 80% of everyone shot film and the next year 80% of everyone shot digital. Period.


Endusty is right, this is way off now. All I wanted was a little digital camera advice not a justification of my living priorities.

Besides, many of the things that I have read here and the lack of ability to use true 35mm fov with the viewfinder is making me lean away from the RD1. Maybe I will just have my canon 20D overhauled and sell off my current lenses and upgrade to faster stuff like a 24 1.4 or maybe if I get my full scholarships im expecting this Christmas I will go buy an M8 and a good 28.

 

[Terao]

Yep, which means an external finder. However, the Voigtlander 21/4 does a fine job for the money 🙂

 

[LCT]

Yep, which means an external finder...

Not necessarily, i don't use one personally. Suffice it to open both eyes and to 'add' a bit more space around the viewfinder. Just a matter of habit but i's just me of course and it doesn't work for left-eyed people i guess.

 

[tomasis]

Avotius, go and buy Rd1. It never been such real enjoyment before as now. I underestimated this camera a lot before I got this. When I got this, I thought directly why I didn't got this some years earlier. You can always use Rd1 while saving money for other more expensive DRF body if you'd like. I think to try compact 28/35mm viewfinder for wider stuffs. Rd1 viewfinder is fantastic for me 50mm guy!!

 

[Jim Watts]

Many interesting comments here about the cameras. I neglected to try the 28mm framelines when I tried the camera a few months ago...pity...I was only shooting my zeiss planar on it.

One question though, my 20D exhibits strong banding at high ISO, how is the RD1 in this regard?

My 20D also exhibits strong banding (I recently brought the 40D, which has lower noise still, but best of all no banding issues), which is particularly anonying if you try to bring up the shadows.

My R-D1 exhibits no banding at all and I have not seen any on three other R-D1/s bodies. Although the overall noise is 'slightly' lower with the 20D if you have the banding issue then the R-D1 is the much better tool at high ISO's.

 

[Avotius]

My gf is quite fond of the 40D but walked right passed it and bought a 5D, hows that for stuck up? No she just likes the wides thats all....speaking of which...where the hell is my 17-40??? Anyway, its good to know about the banding thing, its one of the problems with my 20D that kinds of ruins the whole high iso experience. I have not totally ruled the rd1 out yet, but I haunt ruled the m8 out either, I think it will come down to when the time comes that I absolutely need one or the other how much I have in the bank will dictate my digital m mount, good to know there are options though eh?