flyalf
Well-known
After using M9 for a while I dare to compare it with the Epson RD-1.
Conclusion: I wish the inside of the RD-1 was crammed with Leica stuff at Leica quality level.
The RD-1 wins at all major points. The viewer is better. All knobs and buttons are better designed. In particular the +/- for AE, I really hate to try to guess this a the M9. Also RD-1 has a lock for AE. Not to mention analogue display of battery and remaining storage space. RD-1 has a lightning fast quick format, but alas not on dedicated button. One can with a glance see ISO and +/- as well as other critical information on the RD-1 as opposed to menus at M9.
The grip is superior on th RD-1 , at least with my hand.
Can the M9 beat the RD.1 on any points at all? Well, of course on resolution, USB connection and durability, but the latter remains to be seen. Oh, and perhaps a better solution for self-timer.
The M9 is a really great camera compared to DSLR's, its just that the RD-1 is a far superior design. Time for a RD-2 to show Leica how to design?
And yes, this is just my own subjective view on the two "best" digital around.
Conclusion: I wish the inside of the RD-1 was crammed with Leica stuff at Leica quality level.
The RD-1 wins at all major points. The viewer is better. All knobs and buttons are better designed. In particular the +/- for AE, I really hate to try to guess this a the M9. Also RD-1 has a lock for AE. Not to mention analogue display of battery and remaining storage space. RD-1 has a lightning fast quick format, but alas not on dedicated button. One can with a glance see ISO and +/- as well as other critical information on the RD-1 as opposed to menus at M9.
The grip is superior on th RD-1 , at least with my hand.
Can the M9 beat the RD.1 on any points at all? Well, of course on resolution, USB connection and durability, but the latter remains to be seen. Oh, and perhaps a better solution for self-timer.
The M9 is a really great camera compared to DSLR's, its just that the RD-1 is a far superior design. Time for a RD-2 to show Leica how to design?
And yes, this is just my own subjective view on the two "best" digital around.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Really? Hmmm.
(yes, that's sarcasm)
(yes, that's sarcasm)
yanidel
Well-known
I own both, but I disagree with you because
- the lousy LCD and menu interface of the R-D1
- the viewer of the M9 is brighter, has more framelines choices.
- the smaller rangefinder patch of the R-D1 makes focusing more difficult
- the ISO dial you hardly can read in low light
- the max speed of 1/2000
- no auto-ISO
- 18 mpx vs 6mpx.
- the 1.5x crop factor, framelines for only 43mm to 75mm equivalents.
- the noisy shutter
- no soft mode
- the rewind mechanism is an anachronism, even if fun.
- the light build (both the rangefinder and shutter already broke on my R-D1)
- the unreliable batteries.
- the grip that starts to peel off easily.
- the manual change of framelines
- ... I could probably go on for a while.
Don't mistake me, I love the R-D1 and will never sell mine. It has as few things in its favour, but overall, the M9 wins easily IMO, there is no contest.
- the lousy LCD and menu interface of the R-D1
- the viewer of the M9 is brighter, has more framelines choices.
- the smaller rangefinder patch of the R-D1 makes focusing more difficult
- the ISO dial you hardly can read in low light
- the max speed of 1/2000
- no auto-ISO
- 18 mpx vs 6mpx.
- the 1.5x crop factor, framelines for only 43mm to 75mm equivalents.
- the noisy shutter
- no soft mode
- the rewind mechanism is an anachronism, even if fun.
- the light build (both the rangefinder and shutter already broke on my R-D1)
- the unreliable batteries.
- the grip that starts to peel off easily.
- the manual change of framelines
- ... I could probably go on for a while.
Don't mistake me, I love the R-D1 and will never sell mine. It has as few things in its favour, but overall, the M9 wins easily IMO, there is no contest.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I agree with you if your point is that the RD1 is more user friendly and even "film camera like" in use. The output of course is what 90% of photographer focus on (punny 
) and what 100% should be focused on. The M8/9 is quite superior there making the RD1's advantages in use pointless. That said I have and RD1 and traded away my M8 and do not plan to adopt an M9. RF's are for fun in my photography. The workhorse is and will continue to be a reflex.
) and what 100% should be focused on. The M8/9 is quite superior there making the RD1's advantages in use pointless. That said I have and RD1 and traded away my M8 and do not plan to adopt an M9. RF's are for fun in my photography. The workhorse is and will continue to be a reflex.
kshapero
South Florida Man
only at RFF, a really interesting thread.
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
I'll trade ya!
filmfan
Well-known
What a statement. Sounds to me you are making justifications to yourself for not purchasing the M9...
Personally, I think the main reason the RD-1 is better than the M9 is value for the $.
Personally, I think the main reason the RD-1 is better than the M9 is value for the $.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Chevrolet and Rolls Royce, too...
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
fotomeow
name under my name
Whaddya sayin' bout my Chevy?! I think the RD-1 is a better bang for the buck as well. I have the RD-1 but no M8/9 for a variety of reasons.
I would say,based on what I've seen, that the M9 has higher resolution, contrast, and better sharpness, but I simply love the user-friendly finger controls of the RD-1 without having to go thru menus.
Its a helluva lotta fun to use, and Im not a pro photog, so 90% of my shooting is not for the end result. And thats assuming that we all want the same end result of higher resolution, higher contrast, and sharper images. The journey for me in more valuable than the end result, and Im even happy with the results I get with the RD-1, for the money (IMO)
I would say,based on what I've seen, that the M9 has higher resolution, contrast, and better sharpness, but I simply love the user-friendly finger controls of the RD-1 without having to go thru menus.
Its a helluva lotta fun to use, and Im not a pro photog, so 90% of my shooting is not for the end result. And thats assuming that we all want the same end result of higher resolution, higher contrast, and sharper images. The journey for me in more valuable than the end result, and Im even happy with the results I get with the RD-1, for the money (IMO)
flyalf
Well-known
Fair enough, but I prefer not to use menues ;-)
and smaller...
really, in practical use I find no differences?
If in doubt its quick to check by lifting and adjusting on RD-1 without even looking,
yeah
auto - I beg your pardon
obvious
agree
I dont think the M9 is that noisy ;-)
Uuuh, no need for a soft mode when there is no advance of shutter mechanism?
True, so true. Thats way I want a Leica quility on RD-1
No need for my sake,
Perhaps if the pictures are the final jugde, but in term of usability the M9 has some way to go (my point)
Btw, thanks for response
flyalf
Well-known
Have both - couldnt resist, otherwise I would nor dare to compare. But please keep justification coming...
ferider
Veteran
Try a 75 Summilux.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Sure. Lovely camera. But a good burger (not McDo) is better bang for the buck than oscietra malossol caviar. That's no reason to reject the caviar, if you can get it.
Cheers,
R.
kxl
Social Documentary
Any argument for the R-D1 versus the M9 will have relative words/phrases such as "value" or "for the money." In terms of absolutes, the question should be: which one would you take if someone were to give you one or the other?
I think very few people (if any) would take the R-D1.
I think very few people (if any) would take the R-D1.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
I bet you preferred a Bessa over an MP. I never could bring myself to like the Voigtlanders. To me they are clunky unergonomical things. But likes and dislikes differ per individual.
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back alley
IMAGES
i bought 2 rd1 bodies and not 1 m8...
the 6mp doesn't seem to limit me for what/how i shoot and present my images.
not saying it's for everyone but the rd1 is one funky digital rangefinder.
the 6mp doesn't seem to limit me for what/how i shoot and present my images.
not saying it's for everyone but the rd1 is one funky digital rangefinder.
back alley
IMAGES
not unergo at all, i prefer the handling on the rd1 to an m3 anyday.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Somehow the controls are all in the wrong place for my hands - as I say - individuals differ.
