Need advice, I have blindly fallen in love!

[witzansky]

Hello everyone!

So I have got a bit of a problem!

I have:
Two Fuji X-Pro1's
Fuji 35mm 1.4
18mm 2.0
Canon F-1N
50mm 1.8
28mm 2.8
135mm 2.8

I love all of the cameras, but I've completely fallen in love with the Epson R-d1 and I have not even seen one in real life.
I'm no pixel peeper, I just like a sharp picture and a nice well built camera.

I sold all of my Canon 1ds mark III gear, because it just was no fun. I don't need that kind of resolution and speed.
The camera had no soul, no charm!

I like my Canon F-1N, heavy solid and big viewfinder,
Shooting film in Denmark is just very expencive so I don't get to use it as much as I would like to.

The Fuji I really love as long as I only use autofocus lenses (I have a Canon FD converter) - But it's a pain in the A.. to manual focus on Fuji so I don't!

So! - I'm thinking about selling one of my x-pro1's to get a Epson R-d1.

A couple of questions for you (you don't have to answer all of them, if you can't 😛):

1:
I have found an adapter on ebay that will let me use Canon FD lenses on M mount, but does this work on a Epson R-d1?

2:
Is the viewfinder as big as, lets say a Leica m6? (My friend has one and thats why I wish to compare)

3:
Does the built quality match my Canon F-1n? or is it more like the Fuji X-pro1 wich is nice, but not that nice?

4:
Are there any Fuji x-series owners who also owns a R-d1, who can tell me a bit about what to expect?

5:
Where do I find an Epson R-d1? - There is just one on ebay in europe? Import from Japan to Denmark would be very expencive, but is that the only way?
Any other websites I can find one?


Thank you so much! - Hope I will join your club soon! 😀

/Louis
www.witzansky.com
louwit.blogspot.com

 

[Out to Lunch]

I am an Epson R-D1 (s) fan myself. In my experience the cleanest bodies are to be had in Japan. I just had a look on ebay and noted that prices have dropped significantly (matsuiya). I've read that Epson Japan will no longer service the R-D1 so perhaps you'd want to look for alternative care in Europe or get the R-D1s. I am happy to further discuss the in and outs of this great camera in PM. Cheers, Peter

 

[Vickko]

I had an RD1 a few years back when the M8 was scarce. It was fine, but I found the memory writing speed slow and that was the biggest frustration.

I moved to the M8, and was okay with its limitations but when the M9 came out, I was finally satisfied that I had a proper digital M.

As for your questions:


1. any M mount adapter should work, but you won't get RF coupling. And the RD1 doesn't have live view

2. RF is very similar to an M. But less robust.

3. never had an F1-N, but the RD1 is well built, feels solid, but I do recall the RF going out of alignment from just riding around in a car. I had to go into it to glue the screws.

4. ?

5. I anticipate that you can only get one through ebay, or keh.com or private sales on RFF. Maybe www.popflash.com. The RD1 has been discontinued a long time.

1:
I have found an adapter on ebay that will let me use Canon FD lenses on M mount, but does this work on a Epson R-d1?

2:
Is the viewfinder as big as, lets say a Leica m6? (My friend has one and thats why I wish to compare)

3:
Does the built quality match my Canon F-1n? or is it more like the Fuji X-pro1 wich is nice, but not that nice?

4:
Are there any Fuji x-series owners who also owns a R-d1, who can tell me a bit about what to expect?

5:
Where do I find an Epson R-d1? - There is just one on ebay in europe? Import from Japan to Denmark would be very expencive, but is that the only way?
Any other websites I can find one?


Thank you so much! - Hope I will join your club soon! 😀

/Louis
www.witzansky.com
louwit.blogspot.com[/COLOR]

 

[ottluuk]

Hello everyone!

....
I sold all of my Canon 1ds mark III gear, because it just was no fun. I don't need that kind of resolution and speed.
The camera had no soul, no charm!

I like my Canon F-1N, heavy solid and big viewfinder,
Shooting film in Denmark is just very expencive so I don't get to use it as much as I would like to.

The Fuji I really love as long as I only use autofocus lenses (I have a Canon FD converter) - But it's a pain in the A.. to manual focus on Fuji so I don't!

So! - I'm thinking about selling one of my x-pro1's to get a Epson R-d1.

...

Have you thought about selling one of your X-Pro1s to and using the money to buy film for your F-1n? No need to worry about unknown tactile qualities, buying from abroad, possible repairs, etc 😉.

 

[lewis44]

Get over it!!! Your X-Pro 1 camera is 10x better

 

[jsrockit]

The only reason to make this move is if you are sure you want a mechnical rangefinder and can live with only 6 mp.

1: the lens will mount, but you will have to scale focus... not a very good solution based on why you don't like the Fuji.

2: Yes, but not as elegant.

3: In-between.

 

[raid]

The F1 is built rock solid. No digital camera by any make can match it for solidness.
Your FD lenses are "OK" lenses, but if sharpness is not really that important, then any lenses should do.

Buying into a system that is vanishing may be a risky approach to take.
Still, you may appreciate using an M8.

 

[bonatto]

The R-D1(s/x whatever) is a great camera. They're all essentially the same, save for the larger card capacities on the newer ones.

2: The viewfinder is excellent. 1:1, nice and bright, and reasonably accurate, like any other high-end rangefinder. It is, however, more susceptible to heavy knocks and can go out of alignment. Depending on the knock, so can a Leica. I've seen the R-D1s' mechanism up close and it must be well tuned in order to have perfect vertical and infinity alignment.

3:
It's a bright and usable viewfinder, body is well built, but I wouldn't bang it around.

4:
I've had an x100 and x100s, sold both, still have the R-D1s. They are entirely different cameras though.

5:
In Denmark, not sure. I'm located in Aarhus, so if you're ever in the area, you're welcome to try it out!

 

[witzansky]

I am an Epson R-D1 (s) fan myself. In my experience the cleanest bodies are to be had in Japan. I just had a look on ebay and noted that prices have dropped significantly (matsuiya). I've read that Epson Japan will no longer service the R-D1 so perhaps you'd want to look for alternative care in Europe or get the R-D1s. I am happy to further discuss the in and outs of this great camera in PM. Cheers, Peter

Thanks Peter, I might send you a private message at some point!

 

[witzansky]

The R-D1(s/x whatever) is a great camera. They're all essentially the same, save for the larger card capacities on the newer ones.

2: The viewfinder is excellent. 1:1, nice and bright, and reasonably accurate, like any other high-end rangefinder. It is, however, more susceptible to heavy knocks and can go out of alignment. Depending on the knock, so can a Leica. I've seen the R-D1s' mechanism up close and it must be well tuned in order to have perfect vertical and infinity alignment.

3:
It's a bright and usable viewfinder, body is well built, but I wouldn't bang it around.

4:
I've had an x100 and x100s, sold both, still have the R-D1s. They are entirely different cameras though.

5:
In Denmark, not sure. I'm located in Aarhus, so if you're ever in the area, you're welcome to try it out!

Thank you for the offer! - But I live in Copenhagen, so that might be a bit of a problem.

 

[witzansky]

The only reason to make this move is if you are sure you want a mechnical rangefinder and can live with only 6 mp.

1: the lens will mount, but you will have to scale focus... not a very good solution based on why you don't like the Fuji.

2: Yes, but not as elegant.

3: In-between.

Sounds like Canon FD lenses only would be a temporary solution, scale focus is not for me! :bang: - But then again I should be able to find a nice m mount lens thats not to expencive

 

[witzansky]

The only reason to make this move is if you are sure you want a mechnical rangefinder and can live with only 6 mp.

1: the lens will mount, but you will have to scale focus... not a very good solution based on why you don't like the Fuji.

2: Yes, but not as elegant.

3: In-between.

Thank you!
Sure can live with 6 mp. My Canon 1ds with 21mp was waaay to much, and I don't even need the 16 mp of my Fuji.
My first dslr was a Olympus with 10 mp and the files were big enough for any of my use.

 

[bonatto]

Sounds like Canon FD lenses only would be a temporary solution, scale focus is not for me! :bang: - But then again I should be able to find a nice m mount lens thats not to expencive

I use a 40mm rokkor f2 on it. you can get a nice clean copy between 350-500US. It's a very compact setup.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Used Epson RD-1 body.

Used Epson RD-1 body.

Hi,
I am based in the U.K. and regulary use Ffordes in Scotland for used purchases, as they offer a 6 months parts and labour guarantee. They currently have a RD-1, complete with charger, 7 batteries and E.R.Case for £899.00
Any of course you are also in the European Union, so no further import duties or taxes to pay on importing into Denmark - only the postage !
Cheers,
Mike.
Website :
www.ffordes.com

 

[Vickko]

Ffordes is an amazing store. Steve Byford is the man for used gear. I highly recommend them (and I've bought from them receently, for delivery to Canada).

 

[shadeofpale]

I do understand falling in love with R-D1. I own it, but I house a
Ricoh GXR-M and some Pentax cams too.
Yes, it's a very nice cam, it produces great pictures and it is pretty
old fashioned imo. But- if you purchase one, you'll have to look for
some M-Lenses or adapt LTM-Lenses for having real rangefinder fun.
It's kinda luxury keeping a R-D1 nowadays- if you want to afford that
go for one! 😎

 

[umcelinho]

I had an R-D1, sold it in a rush to raise money for an M9, but didn't end up getting one.
Then exchanged my X100 for a friend's R-D1s and was happy again.
Then he decided he still preferred the R-D1s, so it went back to him.
I've considered getting an XE1 to use my M lenses (currently with no bigger sensor digital here).
But in late october Sony might announce their fullframe mirrorless and Fuji might announce the XE2... so I'm waiting to see.

The R-D1 is a fantastic camera. It is a digital with a soul. I want to have another one at some point. 6mp is enough for pretty much anything. I've had great results with the R-D1 and the R-D1s. even iso1600 is good, but I'd usually keep 800 as my higher iso, leaving 1600 for extreme low light situations. Go for it, but it's kinda hard to find one, I'm having a hard time...

 

[lewis44]

OK, If you really have to do it, here is a link to GetDPI's for sale listings. Lot's of these folks are also here at RFF:

http://www.getdpi.com/forum/gear-fs-wtb/48268-fs-epson-rd1s-plustek-8100-film-scanner.html

Never purchased from the seller, but he's a senior member there.

Good Luck

 

[grapejohnson]

the new f-1 will last you for life, and is a good film camera to have around.
the rd-1 is a cool camera but they're getting so old these days you'd probably be better off to just wait until m8s/m9s depreciate a bit more and get the real deal, they'll hold value in the future a bit better, and are built better/would be easier to service (to my knowledge)

 

[le-alain]

Sounds like Canon FD lenses only would be a temporary solution, scale focus is not for me! :bang: - But then again I should be able to find a nice m mount lens thats not to expencive

You have all the reason to fall in love for the RD1 !
I have 2 of them (Rd1, but mor reasons 🙂 )
I have choosen it over the M8 for many reasons:

IQ: in BW the M8 is so great, but colors are unpredicable, and often "out" for me, even with ir filter.
not that problem with the M9, but some prefer M8 "special" colours

RD1 is also great at ISO till 1600.

Ergonomics: All is mecanics: Not like the M8, you don't need the LCD to change ISO, or make a +- exposure adjustment or change WB !
in fact you don't need the LCD at all, and it's great to keep it flip bacward, as shooting film (don't take an RD1x, you can't flip it !!!)

all is selectable by mechanical buttons.

The finder is 1:1, and you can shoot both eyes open t see all the context of the scène

I had my both RD1 rangefinder adjusted when I bought it, and on problem, it stays really accurate.

RD1s is faster writting raw than RD1, and as you must push the level for the shutter, buffer is sufficient, .
Good news, you only have to put RD1s firmware in a RD1 to have a RD1s !


For the lenses, you have ""cheap"" altenative, and excellent,
for instance, I boughjt very sharp lense as Canon 50mm 1.5 for 150€, Nokton 1.5 for 250€, 21mm f4 for 250€, 90mm Leica f4 for 75€, and you have the russian good lenses, Elmar 5cm f3.5 copy for 25€, and I tested better than my real Elmar's, many Good Rusian lenses between 20 to 100€
( Don't forget you cans put RF coupled LTM lenses )

you can shoot with the 21 without external finder, it cover all the RD1's finder, external the framelines.

If you want, we can exchange one RD1 (green real leather , leatherette) with one of your XPro 1 🙂

You can have a look at the album in full screen, all taken with 5cm Elmar f2.8 and Nokton 5cm f1.5, Canon 5cm 1.5,
exept the last one, with a Nikkor 3.5cm with "some fungus"
https://picasaweb.google.com/ARPHOTO81/27Juillet201302?authuser=0&feat=directlink
(didn't manage to put a picture in the post... ) 🙁


or this one, all with Rd1,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77032702@N07/sets/72157632210875848/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77032702@N07/sets/72157632366101414/



Ah, OK, with flickr BBcode

[/url] CPSN0274M [/IMG]




but when I reduce, lot's of sharpening added ?

[/url]

??


taken with canon LTM 5cm f1.5 at f2.8