Is it worth the effort of buying ?

A

alexbuga

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Aug 31, 2008
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Hi guys,
I'm looking for an R-D1 for a while, but it's so expensive that I'm having second thoughts on buying it.

I know the camera very well, I know what it can do, but I want to buy it and keep it for a while.

So my main concern is that I live in Europe (Romania) and if something breaks I have to send it to USA (or Japan ?) for repair. And second concern is about the electronics.

It's a rather "old" camera judging by the rate these digital cameras keep popping out, and if something like... the sensor breaks... it's toasted!

I'm also considering a Micro Four Thirds camera as well (The E-p2 is awesome), but even if it looks retro and all, it doesn't compare to the R-D1 shotting feeling. Nor the Panasonic LC1 which I own and love, but it's getting rather sluggish for what I need.
 
I've read it and honestly... I'm not excited because it will be uber expensive for my pocket.

I want to buy a MFT camera for 2 main reasons:
1) Use of my old lenses (Jupiter, Industar, etc)
2) Using those lenses to create cool hd movies.

But as I said... If R-D1 was cheaper... I would buy it with my eyes closed over those fancy hd movie capable cameras.
 
From my point of view (late at night, with wine) - if photography is what you love, you should get it.

Frankly, I messed around with countless other smaller-than-an-SLR digital cameras over the years, the list goes something like Canon G3 / Fuji F11 / Ricoh GR-D / Canon G9 / Leica D-Lux 4 / Canon S90 - and that's quite aside from the 7 SLR bodies! I can say to you in all honesty, if I'd found & bought an Epson R-D1 in the first place, I would never have bothered with any of them. (Apart from the SLRs, that is.)

If you like control over depth of field, this is your camera. If you like vintage lenses, this is your camera. If you like feeling like you've achieved something - simply by remembering all the steps, winding / stopping down / setting the shutter speed & ISO / focussing, THEN capturing the moment you were doing all that for; this is your camera.

I liken it to why I enjoy driving a manual car: when you nail it, when the downshift is perfect and smooth halfway round a corner, or when a perfectly crisp & exposed image pops up on the LCD and you know YOU did it - not the AF / AE / AISO system in the camera...well, that's why we all got into photography, right? To capture those moments that fly past us, through a bizarre mix of skill, luck, persistence, determination, practice and timing.

Yes, it's potentially tetchy, yes, you might have to send it somewhere to be serviced (much like my car needs constant attention, but is a joy to drive when it's running!) - but when it works, it's like nothing else. Well, apart from an M9, of course - but if you're worried about cost...

Hope that helps -
R!
 
Thanks guys!

@Robert. You described me perfectly in those lines :))
I know. That's the main reason I want to buy it. To use vintage lens, to fiddle with those manual controls and to wind that shutter every time. I'm not much of a photographer (here's my Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbuga/ ), but I love the feeling when you snap a photograph, and when you nail it.

My lovely Panasonic LC1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbuga/sets/72157622815177436/) does all that, but shooting RAW is damn slow, and those JPEGS don't turn out that beautiful at night :(
Plus... you can't change lens.
 
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No sure if the R-D1 is for you then.
First of all it is a rangefinder. If you really want one only choice are M9, M8, R-D1 or film cameras.
But if you don't want really a rangefinder there is no serious reason to spend much on a discontinued camera.
 
alexbuga said:
Hi guys,
So my main concern is that I live in Europe (Romania) and if something breaks I have to send it to USA (or Japan ?) for repair.
Click to expand...

I think that's a legitimate concern. Both of my bodies have needed repairs, one more than once. I live in Canada, and it's been a costly pain.

I enjoy my cameras, and don't regret buying them, but the repair factor is definitely something you should factor into your consideration.
 
since i bought the rd1 i have questioned myself if it was worth keeping a few times. thought about selling it and getting an m8.... came to the conclusion i'd prefer the r-d1. though about selling it twice, but couldn't leave it! rational says "sell it, get a nex5", heart says "keep the rd1". so far, heart has been winning :)
 
Get it, try it for a month, and sell it if you don't like it. For a used item, price is not going to drop much, and you still have a chance to "feel" it
 
alexbuga said:
So my main concern is that I live in Europe (Romania) and if something breaks I have to send it to USA (or Japan ?) for repair.
Click to expand...
I have been under the impression that it is possible to get repairs done by Epson in France, but I'm not entirely sure about this. Smaller mechanical issues you can probably fix yourself or get done locally.

I'm also considering a Micro Four Thirds camera as well (The E-p2 is awesome)
Click to expand...
These are no alternative to a rangefinder camera. If you want a rangefinder, you have very few digital options.
 
One thing I've noticed is that the cost of accessories for the R-D1 are much lower than other camera systems. 2gig SD cards are 5 USD. Batteries & Chargers are equally as cheap. Compare that to the cost of Leica or even Canon batteries. After a lower priced camera body and some FSU glass, I seem to have an affordable & fun-to-shoot kit. As far as a digital rangefinder experience goes... this is as cheap as it gets.
 
Thanks guys for the replies.

I know what a rangefinder is, I have a Leica M4-2 also, and some russian stuff. You know... the classics :))

I want to buy the R-D1 because I'm still in love with film cameras, but I got tired of the whole developing/scanning workflow. I don't want specifically a rangefinder so I'm not thinking about the Digital M's. I want a good interchangeable lens digital camera, that behaves and feels like a film one. And the R-D1 is the ONLY one :)

I think I'll stick to my Panasonic LC1 for the moment. I discovered that even ISO400 RAW's look awesome with a bit of processing.

Who knows.. maybe someone will come up with a MFT body with proper manual controls, or... the R-D1 will go cheaper.

It's pretty expensive, considering I make 1300EUR a month.
 
sevres_babylone said:
I think that's a legitimate concern. Both of my bodies have needed repairs, one more than once. I live in Canada, and it's been a costly pain.
Click to expand...

I had a shutter problem just after I bought it and I sent it directly to Epson Customer Service in my city (in Spain) and they sent to their Official Service in France.

Epson did a good work and sent it back in a few weeks. No need to send it to USA. But, finding where to send it drove me crazy at first.

Just buy it and feel the real thing.
 
Catto said:
From my point of view (late at night, with wine)

If you like control over depth of field, this is your camera. If you like vintage lenses, this is your camera. If you like feeling like you've achieved something - simply by remembering all the steps, winding / stopping down / setting the shutter speed & ISO / focussing, THEN capturing the moment you were doing all that for; this is your camera.

I liken it to why I enjoy driving a manual car: when you nail it, when the downshift is perfect and smooth halfway round a corner, or when a perfectly crisp & exposed image pops up on the LCD and you know YOU did it - not the AF / AE / AISO system in the camera...well, that's why we all got into photography, right? To capture those moments that fly past us, through a bizarre mix of skill, luck, persistence, determination, practice and timing.
Click to expand...


Yes! This is the best and most concise way to describe why I love the RF system. Whenever my friends ask me what my expensive camera does that a D40 can't, I always feel like I am at a loss for words - this is perfect, thank you!
 
Catto said:
If you like control over depth of field, this is your camera. If you like vintage lenses, this is your camera. If you like feeling like you've achieved something - simply by remembering all the steps, winding / stopping down / setting the shutter speed & ISO / focussing, THEN capturing the moment you were doing all that for; this is your camera.

I liken it to why I enjoy driving a manual car: when you nail it, when the downshift is perfect and smooth halfway round a corner, or when a perfectly crisp & exposed image pops up on the LCD and you know YOU did it - not the AF / AE / AISO system in the camera...well, that's why we all got into photography, right? To capture those moments that fly past us, through a bizarre mix of skill, luck, persistence, determination, practice and timing.
Click to expand...

AMEN :angel:
 
I am from Mexico and I got my RD 1 from a person in Romania, Buchatesti and i have no regrets, it is wonderful.
 
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