Not a happy Chap

[stumar]

Hello all,

Got my RD1s on Tuesday! and its broken down allready! 🙁 lucky if i have managed 20 shots in total!

The shutter release stops working, several "reboots" get it going again but after another 15-25 shots its stuck again! I see this has been a reported fault before.

The lovely chaps at Robert Whites have arranged for collection/replacement no problems atall......superb customer service i must add..........but my qundry is do i go for another body in the hope i get a good one or cut my losses? i have had a small re-think about the Leica M8 and considering the RD1s is slighly over a 3rd of its price, it may well be worth investing in good 'ol Leica engineering instead or get stuck with the Epson and end up with it worth nothing and never being able to afford an M8 without selling my left kidney?? Darn another decision!!!

P.S Does the Leica M8 work with any M mount lens or are the new "bit coded" ones required?


Stuart.

 

[garethc]

Sorry to hear that. I love my R-D1 but am constantly worried it will braak down.

As for the M8...any M or thread mount will work. The coding is to allow the camera to do some adjustments to compensate for vignetting etc (as far as I understand).

 

[B&W Norway]

Stuart, despite all reported Epson problems it is a very nice camera. But considering the problems continues to increase with the sales – I really start to loose my confident to Epson.

As the most reported problems is very known to all the dealers, I do think they have an obligation to check very well before selling/shipping.

I am in a very lucky position and have ordered a M8 and as soon as it is in my hand, I will send the R-D1 for a complete check and adjustment

I love the camera and will not let it go……

Good luck with your camera and decision!

 

[stumar]

Thanks Gareth, Jarle , i too loved useing the RD1, but even allowing for the 3 grand price tag of the M8, the shear though of 1400 quid of possible scrap camera after waranty has elapsed sends my tight scotsmans wallet into cardiac arrest!😀

Why did i not choose a cheaper passtime (obssesion)????🙄

:bang:

Stu.

 

[Keith Cocker]

Grit your teeth and wait for a beter camera

Epson should be ashamed of them selves. They have put good dealers like Robet White in an awful position. RW have dealt with this very profesionally.

The M8 Should be beter but Ill wait for the reviews before buying
In the meantime its my M6 and a scanner🙂 🙂

 

[B&W Norway]

Grit your teeth and wait for a beter camera

Epson should be ashamed of them selves. They have put good dealers like Robet White in an awful position. RW have dealt with this very profesionally.

The M8 Should be beter but Ill wait for the reviews before buying
In the meantime its my M6 and a scanner🙂 🙂

'

That’s correct, but they choose for themselves the brands they want to sell…
Maybe they will skip Epson when the M8 arrives

 

[Andrew Touchon]

Hello all,

Got my RD1s on Tuesday! and its broken down allready! 🙁 lucky if i have managed 20 shots in total!

The shutter release stops working, several "reboots" get it going again but after another 15-25 shots its stuck again! I see this has been a reported fault before.

The lovely chaps at Robert Whites have arranged for collection/replacement no problems atall......superb customer service i must add..........but my qundry is do i go for another body in the hope i get a good one or cut my losses? i have had a small re-think about the Leica M8 and considering the RD1s is slighly over a 3rd of its price, it may well be worth investing in good 'ol Leica engineering instead or get stuck with the Epson and end up with it worth nothing and never being able to afford an M8 without selling my left kidney?? Darn another decision!!!

P.S Does the Leica M8 work with any M mount lens or are the new "bit coded" ones required?


Stuart.

I agree with Kieth. I am very content with my two M6TTLs and am not in the market for a digital rangefinder. However, if I was going to purchase a digital rangefinder, I would wait at least six months after the M8 hits the market and then make my decision. I know quite a few rangefinder members are very happy with their RD1, but I am very afraid that Epson will discontinue service on it and I would be stuck with a very expensive piece of nonrepairable junk.

 

[Jon Perry]

In regards to the thought that Epson (Cosina?) would discontinue servicing of the RD1.

What is their position on expired warranty support. Do they have a declared period of time that they will still service the camera after they stop selling them (ie. 7 years or such), or is it a case of as soon as they stop selling them and the warranty expires that's that?

Jon

 

[sevres_babylone]

What is their position on expired warranty support. Do they have a declared period of time that they will still service the camera after they stop selling them (ie. 7 years or such), or is it a case of as soon as they stop selling them and the warranty expires that's that?

I don't know, but I suspsect that's that.

I do hope that somebody (Cosina? Zeiss?) buy/takeover the design and build on it. I have read a couple of the articles on the M8, and there is much to admire about it. And I'm sure it will have few QC problems and better support. But there is no way in this world I could afford one. The R-D1 was a stretch for me.

I could do with or with out the "film advance lever", although as a concession to nostalgia it seems preferable to the base-plate idea on a digital, but I love the 1 to 1 VF when I shoot 50mm, and I love being able to change the ISO by feel.

I also like the fact that you can hide the screen and deny it's a digital. "No, I wasn't taking a picture of you. I was shooting the wall behind you. You may have gotten in the way..."

That said, the QC is deplorable, and there is no excuse for it. I have skewed framelines, and never sent the camera in because I was afraid of getting a replacement with more serious defects.

All of that said, I have no regrets about buying it. It is with me almost all the time, day and night. If there was an affordable successor, I would think about getting a second body someday.

 

[eyeman]

I had gone through seven RD-1 bodies in a two month period and was unable to find one that functioned properly. The majority of the issues was rangefinder alignment but I even received one directly from Epson that had a sensor alignment issue. I really wanted to keep this camera but ultimately gave up. I'm number three on the list for the M8 at my dealer in NYC and at approx. a 50% premium above the cost of the RD-1 the comfort of the Leica Passport and their wonderful service is well worth the additional cost. Also, 10.3 mp on a 1.33 crop should make a significant difference in resolution and noise performance. My opinion is to go for the M8 even if you need to wait a bit and save some extra cash...good luck.

 

[stumar]

Thanks all

My feeling is that i shall give the RD1S back for a full refund. Whither i purchase an M8 or not will remain to be seen, it's such alot of money!, i was talking about it with a chap at work who nearly choked on his tea when i told him the price! "........for a camera?..." he shouted

Yes i have the money, but is it justified to spend it on such an item...........the age old question iam sure allot of us ask ourself!

Cheers all

Stuart