R-D1... How wierd will it be???

[sfaust]

I am seriously considering the R-D1 digital rangefinder. We all know its a true rangefinder in every sense of the word. I have grown fond of the RF's I have, yet I still prefer working in digital in a lot of ways. Film has been a divsersion for me, and I still enjoy the diversion. However, I think that diversion was fueled by the fact I like the RF's. If I go with the R-D1, I'm pretty sure my film usage will drop quite a bit, and only consist of the stuff I shoot through my beloved QL17!

Are the digital images going be to welcome here? Will I put myself in 'outcast' status? Are the purists going to stage an uprising and have digital voted out? Is the ice below me clear or blue?

 

[Peter]

Come on! So long it is a rangefinder!

 

[rover]

It's a rangefinder through and through. Not for me, but a rangefinder no doubt.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Still a Rangefinder

Still a Rangefinder

I am of the same opinion: a rangefinder is a rangefinder and the RD-1 certainly has my interest, as well. However, if my past patterns give any clue to my future behavior I'll probably wait a while and see how it "settles out" with the digital RF market. For example, I bought an F3 (Nikon SLR) when everyone was moving to F4, bought an F4 when they moved to F5 -- I always seem to be behind the curve, not in front of it

D2

 

[back alley]

IF i had the $$ i would buy one, no doubt!

joe

 

[StuartR]

I am more enamoured of the design and ergonomics of classic cameras than I am of the fact that they use film. I love slides and I love black and white, but if there were a way to achieve the same quality in the same bodies with digital, I think I might embrace it. I would love to have that "digital film" thing that they aborted development for awhile back. I am sure eventually they will be able to engineer a high quality digital sensor and storage/electronics into this size an item, whether or not there will be demand is the real question. I think it would be great.

 

[Designer]

It is of course a rangefinder, but without film wastage.

 

[sfaust]

Have you guys no controversy in your blood! What a disappointment. Not even so much as an little argument

But I guess thats exactly why I stick around here !!!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Have you guys no controversy in your blood! What a disappointment. Not even so much as an little argument

But I guess thats exactly why I stick around here !!!

Stephen,
You either are, or would be an excellent attorney: you won the trial with your opening statement!

D2

 

[Doug]

Hey, it's a rangefinder, with most of the same ergonomics and usage quirks of other rf cameras, just a different post-processing.

I like the analog "character" of film, but the R-D1 is still intriguing. For my purposes with digital, I need accurate close-up framing, so the Canon G3 I got this year is a better fit. Still, there's the future to assess when it comes!

 

[JohnL]

The RD1 is certainly a rangefinder. The only hang-up I have about it (apart from the price ) is the mismatch between its greatest asset, the ability to use M glass, and the APS sensor. You need the CV 12mm to get down to (about) 18mm, the 15mm to get down to (about) 23mm, etc etc.

 

[sfaust]

Time will bring us a full sized sensor, however not this year. In the mean time, I find its biggest advantage is the ability to use the M lenses with digital period. I'll still have a small, light, compact rangefinder that now shoots digital, and I won't always need to lug my larger digital SLR when I want quality digital images.

 

[DougK]

I love the idea of a digital RF and the Epson sounds really cool, but ye gods, the price!

The main issue which has kept me from embracing the format the way I thought I was going to when I bought my digital camera is a simple one - battery life sucks. This may be less true for other folks, but my camera can't get through a day's shooting on one set of batteries. I've found that I generally need two sets of 4 2100 mAh AA batteries for an average day of shooting and three sets to have a comfortable power reserve. That all adds unwanted extra weight to my bag.

If they can fix the battery life issue, I may take another look at moving totally to digital, but for right now, I'm happiest shooting with film.

 

[g0tr00t]

Fine I will be the one that goes against the grain/noise. Even though I voted for you to sit down with a beer.

The only way I think you will be accepted 'round these here parts is if you.....share.

You can't buy that thingamijigger and not share. How else are we to see if you are still welcome 'round here.

So, Mr Stephen, after you purchase this R2D2, I will gladly send you my address and pay for shipping...

Welcome to the digital arena....I went backwards. Film SLR to Digital SLR now to Film Rangefinders....

 

[sfaust]

is a simple one - battery life sucks. This may be less true for other folks, but my camera can't get through a day's shooting on one set of batteries.

This is very dependent on the camera. I know I can easily fill a 1GB CF card on a single set of batteries. Thats well over 200 exposures. Rarely do I shoot that much unless its action related and for business purposes. (Its the Fuji S2 pro, typically I use 1800 to 2100 NIMH AA's)

I know a friends D70 will last him a full week on a single charge, but I doubt he breaks the 100 image mark during that time.

My P100 Cypershot gives me a few hundred exposures prior to needing a recharge as well. It used lithium packs. I charge it about one a week, and shoot about 100 or so images during that time.

My daughters Nikon Coolpix 990 seems to eat through he AA's rather quickly. She might be on her second or even third set, while my S2 or P100 are still on their first. I had an Expson that chewed through batteries as well.

If you shop and pick wisely, you should have no problem finding a camera that will give you over 200 exposures on a single set of batteries or charge. Thats about 6 rolls of film, and for most people thats far more than a days shooting. If you plan on shooting heavily, a second set of AA's is still more compact that carrying 6 additional rolls of film! Cheaper too!!

g0tr00t, I'll gladly share! Although shipping might be kind of high, since the camera comes with personal delivery person (being me of course). Thats the only way I can safeguard my expenditure, but more importantly also get to see the world in 6.1 megapixels!!

Send my your credit card info, and I'll charge the airline tickets right away!

Hey, check the poll! We have two 'no' votes. Dissension in the ranks!!!

 

[DougK]

Stephen,

You're absolutely right, of course, that was why I qualified my statement by speaking of my camera versus all digital cameras. My point was simply that battery life is still a major concern for digital cameras where it is not so much in the film world (unless you use the big motor drives, large flash units, etc.) and for me, it was enough to send me back to film.

Besides, I can afford to buy more film cameras to play with than I can digital cameras

 

[plexi]

A few weeks ago I tried the battery capacity of my D70, after about 1650(yes, 1650) RAW images I gave up...., at least 25% with flash, varying exposure times, ....
I have to change batteries in my F100 more often....

 

[DougK]

Interesting results, folks... must be my camera then for sure. To be candid, I didn't really notice battery life being a significant problem much until I did a firmware upgrade a couple of months ago, so Minolta must have changed something in the way the camera manages power compared to the way it used to.

Thanks all for setting me straight with your experiences. Seems like I need to get hold of a dSLR before I come to any final judgements. Oh great, just what I needed, ANOTHER camera to start saving for :bang:

 

[g0tr00t]

Stephen I hope you don't mind the weather. 75 during the day and 50's at night. You can hang out at the beach all day, catch a tan and not even break a sweat thanks to the breezes we have been getting....



Now wheres the wifes credit card....searching......searching.....searching.....

 

[sfaust]

Hmmm. 75deg and sunny mid fall vs 29 deg right now with frost on the grass. Reminds me of when I lived in CA. Tough choice..... thinking...... decision made......

Snowmobiles up for sale, going to buy a bathing suit and an R-D1, and packing my gear. Second though, I've looked at myself in the mirror this morning after my shower, I'll skip the bathing suit and bring extra lenses instead.

Warm up her credit card.....

Can I pack my wife in my suitcase?


dkirchge, I wasn't trying at all to lighten up your wallet, add another item to anyones long want lists, or fuel anyones addiction further.I just wanted to point out that the battery issue really isn't anymore for many DSLR's on the market. When digital cameras came out all those issues (lag, auto focus, battery longevity, etc) were present in just about every camera offered. But things have drastically changed, especially in the last couple years.


Not specific to dkirchge but more to all my posts regarding digital or SLRs. I guess I am just overly sensitive to hearing over and over that digital and/or AF SLRs suck because of these types of issues, when in fact they have long been solved in most of the current higher end models. Mostly I'm just letting people know that things have changed in response to posts that may bring up some of the old issues. I'm not one to try to convince others to join my bandwagon, but am the 'live and let live' type of guy. In fact, I am more influenced by others choices and would rather join their bandwagon to see what its all about, than try to get others to follow along behind me. Its one of the reasons I am here, and now own a handful of excellent rangefinders. I personally like shooting digital, but I am not blind either to why others would choose not to for so many valid reasons. Just thought I should mention this in case any of those posts felt pushy in any way.

Now back to packing for my trip to Florida ....

(If things go well, I'll be there in Feb working for the magazine covering the Florida Jet Rally regardless of the status of g0tr00t's wifes credit card. Yea!!!)