I would like to thank Huck Finn for a really fun day at the PhotoPlus Expo in NYC today. We met and drove into the city this morning to take in the show, and then went on a quick side trip to B&H (very impressive operation to see live and in person).
So what did we see? Um, everything really. Of specific interest we had an opportunity to handle the Epson RD-1, Leica MP and Zeiss Ikon cameras. Wow, all three were impressive, where should I start?
The RD-1 is a dead ringer of a Bessa R2, on steroids. Just a little longer, wider and taller, but the same camera for sure (I had my R2 with me to compare). My impression is that it is exactly what they say it is, a digital camera with the traditional manual camera feel. All the controls are logically layed out and easily read. We didn't ask, but I don't think there are menues that drive any of the options. White balance, image quality, and battery level readouts are easily viewed on the camera's "tachometer" which you surely have seen in pictures. For all three cameras, I will make the comment that I believe the shutter is quieter than the R2's. They had a number of sample prints from images taken with the RD-1. They were 8x10s mostly taken at ISO 200, and were very crisp. Definately a nice machine. The working demo we played with was wearing a nice Leica Tri-Elmar. Available in the US in November, MSRP of $2,999 from B&H, Camulet and Samys. The Epson rep did mention to expect some sort of discount to get to the retail price, but didn't know how much of one. He also said that they are geared for and are stocking to a predicted manufacturing run, but perhaps thinking hopefully, mentioned that there may be backorders on this item based on demand.
What next, as expected the Leica MP is a wonderful machine. #1 hands down if you were going to take $ out of the equation, but we all know that. Leica is running a promotion offering a free accessory item with a value up to $300 with the purchase of a new MP or M7. To be very honest with you, we really didn't spend much time with the Leica folks.
Perhaps we were worn out from visiting with the fine folks from Hasselblad for 30 minutes or so, where we spent time with the Zeiss Ikon, serial number 0000003. This was a not fully operational demo, the same that was at Photokina a couple weeks ago. The shutter was operational, but meter and AE system were not. Well, this is a very nice camera. Build quality I would say it is equal to a much refined R2. It was not rock solid like the MP, but it is nicer than the R2. There appear to be a number of components which look like those on the R2 (inside the film compartment) but refined. The Hasselblad Rep did indicate that a number of little details are still in proto-type style and may be changed in the final camera. The rear door latch being one of those little details. The viewfinder and rangefinder though were excellent. Big, bright and crisply focused the ZM 50/2. In fact I would say that focusing was easier and clearer on ZI with 50/2 than the MP .72 was with the new aspherical 50/1.4 (note the faster lens on the Leica). All frame lines 28 and up were visible to me with my glasses on. This is a great viewfinder/rangefinder on the ZI. Again, the shutter seemed quiter than the R2's, to my ear it sounded less metallic. Now, lets talk about the ZM lenses. I can't wait to see some reviews and results from these. The build quality of these gems is as good as Leica, though much lighter overall. Huck asked about the quality control Zeiss had over the Cosina lens plant in Japan for these lenses and it may be best to wait for him to add some comments about the answer he got. I was satisfied though that these clearly will be "Zeiss Quality" lenses. Ergonomicly I felt they were excellent. The tab on the focus ring was less of a tab or nob and more of a curve or bump machined onto the ring. Sexy!!! I was interested in the size of the 35/2, which is clearly larger than the 35/2 Summicron. The ZM 50/2, ZM 35/2, Summicron 50/2 and CV 35/1.7 are all roughly the same size. Huck's chrome Summicron was clearly the heaviest lens in this comparison. The ZM 85 is a big can of soup. Hasselblad expects to begin shipping the lenses from Sweden by the end of November. The Hasselblad rep indicated that pricing has not been set yet, but he did quote the price target of a 40% discount off Leica prices which we heard before. He also added that the lens may be priced a little less due to the high efficiencies in the Cosina lens manufacturing process.
So, what was the star of the show? For me it was the Polaroid 20x24 Land Camera. Oh my god is all that I can say. 5 of these beasts were built for Polaroid in the 1970s, one is now housed in a studio in Soho. They are used for miscellanious promotional purposes by the corporation (they are planning a NYC street portrait trip for it), and this one can be rented along with all the lighting equipment, supplies and a very nice technician to make it work. While we were talking to the Polaroid folks about this camera they decided to set it up and shot a portrait of the lovely model sitting with them. It was a very impressive, I wish the lighting was better so we could see the image on the frensel screen. And the results, well it is more or less a life size contact print. Remarkable quality, I really enjoyed seeing this camera and watching the picture taking process with it. Are you interested in one? I will remember for sure, but I think Badger Graphic is making a 20x24 model similar to the Polaroid Land one.
Reporting for RFF...
So what did we see? Um, everything really. Of specific interest we had an opportunity to handle the Epson RD-1, Leica MP and Zeiss Ikon cameras. Wow, all three were impressive, where should I start?
The RD-1 is a dead ringer of a Bessa R2, on steroids. Just a little longer, wider and taller, but the same camera for sure (I had my R2 with me to compare). My impression is that it is exactly what they say it is, a digital camera with the traditional manual camera feel. All the controls are logically layed out and easily read. We didn't ask, but I don't think there are menues that drive any of the options. White balance, image quality, and battery level readouts are easily viewed on the camera's "tachometer" which you surely have seen in pictures. For all three cameras, I will make the comment that I believe the shutter is quieter than the R2's. They had a number of sample prints from images taken with the RD-1. They were 8x10s mostly taken at ISO 200, and were very crisp. Definately a nice machine. The working demo we played with was wearing a nice Leica Tri-Elmar. Available in the US in November, MSRP of $2,999 from B&H, Camulet and Samys. The Epson rep did mention to expect some sort of discount to get to the retail price, but didn't know how much of one. He also said that they are geared for and are stocking to a predicted manufacturing run, but perhaps thinking hopefully, mentioned that there may be backorders on this item based on demand.
What next, as expected the Leica MP is a wonderful machine. #1 hands down if you were going to take $ out of the equation, but we all know that. Leica is running a promotion offering a free accessory item with a value up to $300 with the purchase of a new MP or M7. To be very honest with you, we really didn't spend much time with the Leica folks.
Perhaps we were worn out from visiting with the fine folks from Hasselblad for 30 minutes or so, where we spent time with the Zeiss Ikon, serial number 0000003. This was a not fully operational demo, the same that was at Photokina a couple weeks ago. The shutter was operational, but meter and AE system were not. Well, this is a very nice camera. Build quality I would say it is equal to a much refined R2. It was not rock solid like the MP, but it is nicer than the R2. There appear to be a number of components which look like those on the R2 (inside the film compartment) but refined. The Hasselblad Rep did indicate that a number of little details are still in proto-type style and may be changed in the final camera. The rear door latch being one of those little details. The viewfinder and rangefinder though were excellent. Big, bright and crisply focused the ZM 50/2. In fact I would say that focusing was easier and clearer on ZI with 50/2 than the MP .72 was with the new aspherical 50/1.4 (note the faster lens on the Leica). All frame lines 28 and up were visible to me with my glasses on. This is a great viewfinder/rangefinder on the ZI. Again, the shutter seemed quiter than the R2's, to my ear it sounded less metallic. Now, lets talk about the ZM lenses. I can't wait to see some reviews and results from these. The build quality of these gems is as good as Leica, though much lighter overall. Huck asked about the quality control Zeiss had over the Cosina lens plant in Japan for these lenses and it may be best to wait for him to add some comments about the answer he got. I was satisfied though that these clearly will be "Zeiss Quality" lenses. Ergonomicly I felt they were excellent. The tab on the focus ring was less of a tab or nob and more of a curve or bump machined onto the ring. Sexy!!! I was interested in the size of the 35/2, which is clearly larger than the 35/2 Summicron. The ZM 50/2, ZM 35/2, Summicron 50/2 and CV 35/1.7 are all roughly the same size. Huck's chrome Summicron was clearly the heaviest lens in this comparison. The ZM 85 is a big can of soup. Hasselblad expects to begin shipping the lenses from Sweden by the end of November. The Hasselblad rep indicated that pricing has not been set yet, but he did quote the price target of a 40% discount off Leica prices which we heard before. He also added that the lens may be priced a little less due to the high efficiencies in the Cosina lens manufacturing process.
So, what was the star of the show? For me it was the Polaroid 20x24 Land Camera. Oh my god is all that I can say. 5 of these beasts were built for Polaroid in the 1970s, one is now housed in a studio in Soho. They are used for miscellanious promotional purposes by the corporation (they are planning a NYC street portrait trip for it), and this one can be rented along with all the lighting equipment, supplies and a very nice technician to make it work. While we were talking to the Polaroid folks about this camera they decided to set it up and shot a portrait of the lovely model sitting with them. It was a very impressive, I wish the lighting was better so we could see the image on the frensel screen. And the results, well it is more or less a life size contact print. Remarkable quality, I really enjoyed seeing this camera and watching the picture taking process with it. Are you interested in one? I will remember for sure, but I think Badger Graphic is making a 20x24 model similar to the Polaroid Land one.
Reporting for RFF...
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