my second R-D1

[Thomas W]

My first one's serial number is 1354, and my second one, which I got second hand (not refurbished, I think) toay, is 1210. I paid HK$22,000 (about US$2,800) nearly two years ago for the first one (new) , and the second one for US$1,250. I have the usual (obligatory?) M-lenses (35 summicron, 50 Summicron, 90 Summicron, 90 Elmarit), and an excellent Konica Hexanon 60/1.2, and also the Contax Sonnar, the Nokton 50mm, etc. I am very happy with the results (yes, the smoothness, the colours, the very fine results on B&W...), and the recent success with arriflex cinema lenses (e.g., the Schneider Cinegon) and the Contarex 21mm Biogon (fitted with an adapter for Leica M), makes me desire for a second R-D1. And this in the midst of the commotions for the M8.

Am I being reckless?

Thomas

 

[anglophone1]

IMHO not at all.....................
I've been shooting professionally with 2 R D1s since January this year.
No complaints or problems, just a great intuitive system [see www.clive-evans.com > NEW for some results]
I tried an M8 in early September [a Magnum photographer friend had one at VISA pour l'image] and didn't really like it [no fold in screen, no wind lever giving you rhythm, terrible menus] but then maybe I'm just an extremely analogue person needing digital output................
Clive

 

[msadat]

konica 60mm lens

konica 60mm lens

how is this lens, i have the 50 1.2 limited and i was very close to buying the 60 on ebay and missed it by that much

 

[Thomas W]

Hexanon 60/1.2

Hexanon 60/1.2

I like this lens very much. I actually compared it with other standard lenses that I could get hold of, and they include the Summicron 50 and the 50 dual range, the Konica 50/2, Canon 50/1.2, Canon 50/1.5, Contax 50/1.5, Nikon 50/1.4 and 50/2, and the old Nokton 50. I prefer the Hexanon to the others. The 'test' is to shoot at the widest aperture at cloest distance. The resolving power of the Hexanon is amazing, and it does not give up anything else (colours, micro-contrast or the intangible feeling of image body). Mine is in chrome, and I was told that it could be a prototype. Later production units (which are limited) are in black.

Thomas

 

[AusDLK]

Is the Hexanon 60mm an M-mount lens?

I have never heard of it.

 

[Thomas W]

hexanon 60/1.2

hexanon 60/1.2

This Hexanon is avaiable in Leica screw mount only, as far as I know.

Best,
Thomas

 

[Sailor Ted]

IMHO not at all.....................
I've been shooting professionally with 2 R D1s since January this year.

Clive,
Wow- I just took a look at your portfolio and all I can say is WOW. Great composition, great color, great images and a great sense of humor! Are the majority of these shots from the RD-1 or are some shot on film? From the appearance of at least a few of these shots they appear to be film. Also what do you like best about your images shot on the RD-1 and how do these compare to images from other digital cameras you have used? How about your film cameras- any comparisons?

Hopefully you can share your expertise with your fellow RFf’ers who aspire to such greatness.

PS. was your stock shot on Tips #327CLE00016 taken in Sardinia?

 

[anglophone1]

Very kind......................thanks!

All the portoflio images are on Rfinder, either Bessa R2/R2a or Rd-1s,, with the exception of one landscape [Pentax LX + 300mm and a panoramic [Noblex]
About half are film [velvia 50 or 100] the remainder RD-1.
Really to me thats the real beauty of the R D1, I haven't really had to change my style/habits to go digital, just now use a 28 an 21 in the main instead of a 35 and 28.

I went digital becuse the market demanded it and processing is getting silly, and as oan shoot I get through 5-6 rolls daily also also expensive. Now I shoot around 4-5 1gb card a day and drive myself nuts editing................
If you go to NEW the whole story [apart from a fisheye and a couple of pans] were shot on R D1, as ia the Ortigia story at my photoshelter archive.

As to other digital cameras, honestly I havent used one!The R D1s do most everything for me , apart from:
As a professional travel photographer I also need to shoot panoramics [xpan + noblex] and landscape/architecture [Pentax LXes + fisheye , lensbaby [yes!] , 28mm shift , long lenses, all on film........................
My only gripe, I'd like a higher flash sync speed.

As to advice, I think the two best investments you can make are travel and learning [preferably combined] go somewhere and do some workshops with great phtographers. Since retuning to photography 5 years ago,I have worked with Bill Allard, David Harvey, Alex Webb, Bob Sacha ,Andrea Pistolesi and Antonin Kratchovil , much better investment IMHO than an M8!🙂
If you can't do that then buy books [not technique but picture books] by great photographers and soak them up!
Hope this helps!
Clive

 

[anglophone1]

PS. was your stock shot on Tips #327CLE00016 taken in Sardinia?

Antibes, France about 500m from my home!
Clive

 

[Sailor Ted]

Thaks Clive- it does help and I'm living your advise right now 🙂