Just got my R-D1...

Phil_F_NM

Phil_F_NM

Camera hacker
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Jun 14, 2004
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The anticipation is over finally. The camera arrived today, purchased from an RFF member. I got the strap through the lugs, put on my Canon 35mm f/2 lens, switched the framelines to 35, took a look through the viewfinder and was very pleased. I've been using a Leica M4 daily for the last 5 years and this VF is just so big & bright.
So I turn the camera on, aim it out the window and snap a photo. Quiet shutter, more quiet than I'd expected. I turned the camera off, flipped over the lcd and turned it on to check out the menu settings. I was navigating through the camera settings, got it mostly how I liked it then the lcd just decided to switch off. I thought it might have been a time issue so I pushed the display button again, the lcd lit up then shut off immediately. This repeated itself a few times and now the lcd won't turn on at all. This, all within 10 minutes of opening the box. The camera will take photos fine, but I don't have any access to the screen to manipulate camera settings. If only I could just switch a few things I could even live without the lcd (one reason why the R-D1 appealed to me.
Is this a common problem to occur right out of the box? Is it expensive to get repaired?

Disappointed,
Phil Forrest
 
Phil, I don't have an R-D1, but until someone who has more specific knowledge of the camera responds, I would suggest charging the battery. It sounds like it might just be a weak battery. The LCD screen will draw a fair amount of current, so if the battery was nearly discharged, as it might be after shipment, this might explain the problem.

Good luck with it!
 
3 batteries came with the camera. I tried different batteries, all showed full or almost full charge. No joy with the lcd screen. Aside from having to format cards occasionally, I could live without a screen. It's just a few settings I have to get to in order to use it.
 
Are the batteries Epson original equipment, or 3rd party after-market items? I've heard that some of the latter can cause irregular behavior in the R-D1, including intermittent shutter malfunction.
 
I was going by the battery status gauge on the camera but I just took out the battery and stuck it in a charger. Looks like the battery needs to be charged. Lets hope. That just means that I'll have to re-calibrate the needles if battery power is the issue. :::crosses fingers:::
 
the after market batteries have lower ma ratings, 1300, 1400 and the original battery is 1500.

i bought 2 after market batteries that are rated 1400 but have not used them yet.

joe
 
The lower capacity of the 3rd party batteries (1300mAh) have given me trouble, usually in some colder weather.
After turning on the camera the shutter fires fine, but when you try to take the second picture the shutter refuses to fire until you turn off the camera and turn it on again.
I had no problems with the Epson battery at all.

I hope it's just the battery and nothing is seriously wrong with your RD-1, Phil.


Regards,
 
I've had no shutter problems, only the LCD. I figured out the problem though. The modified Leica grip made it difficult for the user to get a thumbnail in the groove to open the LCD panel and turn it around. This caused an undue amount of upward pressure on the panel and opened part of the circuit at the pivot point. When the LCD is in the viewing position, I can rectify the problem for now by putting a very small amount of downward pressure on the panel to reconnect the LCD. While this will suffice in the very short term, it's going to have to be fixed and I'm going to get a hold of Steve's to see if I can get an estimate prior to sending the camera in.
Thanks all for your help. I'll be posting some photos soon.
Phil Forrest
 
So there was a modified Leica grip on the camera! We would never have guess that.

Still, it's good to hear you have problem resolved. Hope to see some of your pictures soon!

Cheers,
 
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