New Thinking of getting an RD-1 Thread

[losta]

I have been perusing almost all the posts on this RD-1 forum and it has really got me interested in an RD-1.

Of course I have several trepidations about this aquisition:

Possibility of an RD-2 in a few months.

Price.

Unusual interface.

Technical issues.

I considered buying used but with the issues I've read about I would feel safer buying new.

1.5 lens factor, do you need to use a viewfinder when using a 21 elmarit? Or does it show 32mm (35mm) frame lines in the viewfinder?

I have a Canon 5D and lots of L glass as well as an M6 and Leica lenses. I see Sean shoots both 5D and RD-1, anyone else? Other than size issues is the image quality really that good?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sean Reid]

If you haven't yet seen it:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/epson-rd1.shtml

Cheers,

Sean

 

[losta]

Thanks for the link Sean, I had read your article before and I just scanned through again.

Please clarify
If I want to use my current lenses on the RD-1 I would need a Voigtlander 21 D viewfinder?

I noticed Voigtlander also makes a 25 D viewfinder, but the camera quest website says the RD-1 has framelines for 25, 35 and 50 mm lenses, I'm confused. Can you please explain how the viewfinder works.
Thanks

 

[pfogle]

Thanks for the link Sean, I had read your article before and I just scanned through again.

Please clarify
If I want to use my current lenses on the RD-1 I would need a Voigtlander 21 D viewfinder?

I noticed Voigtlander also makes a 25 D viewfinder, but the camera quest website says the RD-1 has framelines for 25, 35 and 50 mm lenses, I'm confused. Can you please explain how the viewfinder works.
Thanks

Voigtlander makes a 21D viewfinder, which is the one you want (or an equivalent)

The built-in viewfinder lines are for 28/35/50 - *as seen by 1.5 crop* - so they really cover the angle of view as seen by approx 42/56/75 mm lenses on a full frame 35 camera. For that reason you'll need a separate v/f for the 21.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

pfogle, have you decided to hold on to your R-D1?

I too am in the camp of wanting an R-D1...I find that I am thinking about it constantly 😀
I think I am in an especially good position to do so (although there's that little issue of cash), as I have a number of leica mount lenses, am not wrapped up in any other lens system, and want to replace my current digicam. I gotta believe there are an awful lot of people who own an R-D1 and never experience problems.

 

[taffer]

I'm really tempted by that camera as well but can't really justify spending even the money of a used body.

Now, if Epson could come out with a digital version of the Bessa-T, pretty good quality plastic housing, just a RF without viewfinder, and even a smaller screen offering only the necessary menus and histogram review, and do it with a taffer-compliant budget 😀

 

[Sean Reid]

What Phil said... <G>

Sean

 

[Honus]

Now, if Epson could come out with a digital version of the Bessa-T, pretty good quality plastic housing, just a RF without viewfinder, and even a smaller screen offering only the necessary menus and histogram review, and do it with a taffer-compliant budget 😀

Taffer - that is an incredibly good idea. An entry-level, bare-bones digital rangefinder. You should send an email to Mr. Kobayashi (seriously).

- robert

 

[taffer]

Taffer - that is an incredibly good idea. An entry-level, bare-bones digital rangefinder. You should send an email to Mr. Kobayashi (seriously).

- robert

Well that would be certainly superb, I think though that Mr. K. is not too digitally oriented, so it should be Epson that would have to carry on with the idea...

I just think so many of us are tempted by the RD-1 but put apart due to the price tag, which as, mainly, aficionados we can't afford without having to dodge flying ashtrays coming from our significant other.

Yet the rangefinder renaissence of the Bessa family was highly due to normal users, aficionados like us who in many cases discovered with them the whole new world of rangefinder photography.

Why not looping the loop again and offer a bare bone entry digital rangefinder as you said ? Well, the idea is there, but I'm not sure it's feasible and has a good marketing perspective...

Well, if Stephen Gandy reads the boards and is willing to suggest this to Mr. K., for sure I won't complain 🙂

Meanwhile, I'm still looking with hope at the future second hand market once the RD-2 is out there...

My (very) humble 0.02...

Taffer (Oscar)

 

[pfogle]

Seems to me there are two types of photography enthusiasts (with some overlap, of course) which are those who get on and take photos with what they can get/afford, and those who are dreaming of the next upgrade.

I tend to jump into new technology as soon as possible, which naturally means I'm a lousy businessman and always lose money! Still, it's a lot of fun, and to my mind it's worth it.

There are plenty of threads on the mythical digital-M or the imaginary full-frame digital RF. I'm sure these cameras will turn up eventually, but I'm a sort of 'live for today' guy. So I'd say, if you wanna get one, get one by whatever means possible - you won't regret it 😉

This camera will make you have to work at your photography, but for me it was a real wake-up to how complacent I'd got - like going back to photo school. There's really nothing out there like it.

Sorry for preaching to the converted, but I couldn't help it 🙂

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

So...did you get a new RD-1 thread? ::rimshot::

I'm jealous of your 5D. Wish I had one (well, the money for it). Personally, I really would wait until they have the full-frame thing licked for the LTM/M people. I don't know what's the holdup: if Leica would get into a partnership with Canon ... oh boy. <drool>

Think of the price of making a 5D, substitute SLR mechanism for rangefinder. etc. etc. etc.

Actually, scratch the partnership. I don't know why Canon doesn't just get into the market itself (again). Wouldn't that rock the camera world (again)?

 

[losta]

I went for it and ordered an R-D1 today the 10% off coupon and $18 overnight shipping from Epson closed the deal. Now I'm sure the R-D2 will be out in no time.

How many shots can you get from the battery? I also got a $25 off coupon from Epson with my purchase, how many do I need?

 

[RML]

I went for it and ordered an R-D1 today the 10% off coupon and $18 overnight shipping from Epson closed the deal. Now I'm sure the R-D2 will be out in no time.

How many shots can you get from the battery? I also got a $25 off coupon from Epson with my purchase, how many do I need?

I get about a full 1GB card from a battery. A bit more if I switch off the camera after every shot (I don't tend to shoot much in a row).

I have three batteries, which suits me well. 1 is simply not enough. 2, and you'll find out you left one home to recharge and you're shooting more than expected. So, 3 seemed a good number to me. I have never ran out of juice while shooting this way.

I would recommend buying the Epson batteries. There's a thread here on RFF about them batteries and most non-Epson batteries tend to cause a few problems when they're near empty.