Those of us who want to buy or have wanted to buy the RD-1 have certainly hoped the price would fall. Those of us who are selling the RD-1 hope the price will stabilize...hhhhmmmm........perhaps is simply an issue of supply and demand!!
I think its correct that since the price of a used M8/u/.2 is unreasonable (IMO) the next choice of a used RD-1/s would be in the cards. But I dont think its a coincidence that the price of the M8s are what they are: Im pretty sure the boys at Leica had this planned out from the beginning: they understand supply and demand and how to market and retain the value of a prestigious product. The M8s are discontinued, so the used market stabilized since the price of the M9 is so high most of us cant afford them........overproduction of the M8 would cause the price to decrease, which hasnt happened.
So the next choice after the M8 for many of us is the RD-1/s. The new RD-1x is apparently $3k plus tax/S&H........so a used RD-1s, even though STILL at the $1200-1500 mark, looks like a pretty decent deal. (And Epson has not overproduced the RD-1, so the value, in terms of S &D, stabilizes at said price above). Personally, I bought a RD-1s a month ago (thanks Steve G) for $1350. I only paid that much b/c it has been CLA-ed by Steves Camera one year prior, the camera was well taken care of.......and well, if I hadnt have bought it, someone else would have!!!!!!! As noted repeated in a recent thread by a gent looking to buy a used RD-1, even though the price hasnt decreased, they sell fast-----> so if you dont act on them soon, they are gone.....even if the camera isnt assuredly in great condition !!!!!!
Having said all this (and sorry for the length, I actually tried to be succinct), I am very happy with this RD-1s, the analog controls and IQ, and am VERY HAPPY I did not buy that used M8 with no or very limited warranty, fiddling around with a bunch of stoopid IR filters, and expenseive repairs. I will stick with my M6, iiif, and RD-1s for now, and am very happy with it!
