zuikologist
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Whilst not wishing to side track this discussion (once again!) it seems that the pros that have posted here can afford (in $'000's prices) but cannot afford to be without (in performance, reliability, client expectations) digital slrs. For them, the downside of reduced portability and inconspicuous use of a rangefinder is of secondary importance.
As has been said elsewhere on this forum, for us amateurs/mortals, the first important point is to have a camera with you at almost all times. Digital slrs and even the RD-1 cannot fulfil this function as well as a small, light rangefinder. They are just not pocketable. Any amount of image quality is of no use if your camera is not with you.
You should also not be fearful of going into certain areas for the right shots. Carrying several thousand dollars of equipment would make me somewhat fearful in certain situations. Even an old but valuable Leica does not look valuable to most ordinary folks and does not get a second glance, which should also make street/candid photography easier.
The RD-1 is a step in the right direction. Perhaps higher end digital p&s equipment is the true street tool of the future, but until the performance and user interface is improved, I'll stick to a Canon ql17, Oly 35SP, Vivitar 35ES ....
As has been said elsewhere on this forum, for us amateurs/mortals, the first important point is to have a camera with you at almost all times. Digital slrs and even the RD-1 cannot fulfil this function as well as a small, light rangefinder. They are just not pocketable. Any amount of image quality is of no use if your camera is not with you.
You should also not be fearful of going into certain areas for the right shots. Carrying several thousand dollars of equipment would make me somewhat fearful in certain situations. Even an old but valuable Leica does not look valuable to most ordinary folks and does not get a second glance, which should also make street/candid photography easier.
The RD-1 is a step in the right direction. Perhaps higher end digital p&s equipment is the true street tool of the future, but until the performance and user interface is improved, I'll stick to a Canon ql17, Oly 35SP, Vivitar 35ES ....
S
sfaust
Guest
You make some very valid points, and that's why I mentioned my ideal camera bag would include a R-D1 or R3a. And when I want to go 'naked', I carry a pocket digital P&S that fits inconspicuously in my front pocket. Its only very slightly larger than my cell phone, takes awesome pics, is much quieter than an RF, and makes very good 8x10's. I've gotten many shots that I might otherwise have missed with that camera. No one pays any attention to it when I use it. So I always have a camera with me! Be it a P&S, RF, DSLR, or MF, I've always got something to shoot with. Here are some of the shots I've taken with it, many that would have been missed if I didn't take it with me. Most are just family snaps, but show the quality the little guy is capable of.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=429735
The R3a is the next best thing to carrying very light. With the 21mm, 40mm, and 75mm, its very compact and capable. My QL17 GIII is next on my list. Both of these attract a lot more attention than the P&S because of their classic nature, but are still inconspicuous for the most part.
I think the R-D1 is indeed a trend that I'd like to see continue. If the price point wasn't $3K, I would already own one. But as mentioned earlier, I need the D2x DSLR for work, and can't justify the R-D1 as well when I already have the R3a and digital P&S that can serve in the same capacity. It would just be an expensive overlap to existing functionality. Even so, I still want one!! Lets see how my equipment budget works out after taxes for the 2005 year, since Santa didn't bring me one
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=429735
The R3a is the next best thing to carrying very light. With the 21mm, 40mm, and 75mm, its very compact and capable. My QL17 GIII is next on my list. Both of these attract a lot more attention than the P&S because of their classic nature, but are still inconspicuous for the most part.
I think the R-D1 is indeed a trend that I'd like to see continue. If the price point wasn't $3K, I would already own one. But as mentioned earlier, I need the D2x DSLR for work, and can't justify the R-D1 as well when I already have the R3a and digital P&S that can serve in the same capacity. It would just be an expensive overlap to existing functionality. Even so, I still want one!! Lets see how my equipment budget works out after taxes for the 2005 year, since Santa didn't bring me one