R-D1: is it or isn't it?

[akptc]

- capable of doing justice to the best M-lenses?

Erwin Putts says “the implementation of sensor technology and the post-processing algorithms are inadequate to faithfully record the essence of image quality of the Leica lenses (and for that matter Zeiss, Konica and Voigtlander lenses too). Persons who base their comparative assessments of lenses on the evaluation of images taken with the RD-1 might be tempted to draw unqualified conclusions. The recently updated version of the RD-1 does not correct the basic problems.” (link here)

Ben Lifson says: “With all lenses the image quality is at least as good as anything I’ve achieved with the Leica Ms and Tri-X. With these five lenses the R-D1 sensor gives pictures having the same combination of sharpness and subtlety as has distinguished Leica photographs from the beginning--that combination of precise drawing and a sketch-like softness that gives Leica photography its immediacy and intimacy. […] If anything, the R-D1 is enabling me to get closer to the tones, forms and compositions that I’ve long been envisioning and striving to articulate than has any other camera I’ve used." (link here)

I have an R-D1 coming in the mail – what should I expect, I mean, really?

 

[fgianni]

- I have an R-D1 coming in the mail – what should I expect, I mean, really?

I partially agree with Erwin Putts, you cant judge the performance of a lens with film using the RD-1, however you can really see the digfference between good lenses and bad lenses with that camera.

The thing is that the digital sensor behaves quite differently coompared to film:

1) It is more susceptible to vignetting since the sensor does not like light at an angle

2) Corner sharpness is less critical since the crop factor essentially cuts out corners.

This means that a lens that behaves very well with film may not be very good with the RD-1, while a lens that has not a too good performance on film might be significantly better on the RD-1.

That said I am very happy with the camera and I think it actually does justice to the best lenses (like my summilux 75)

 

[saxshooter]

Andy, it is a great camera. Not perfect, but a joy to use. I am a little over a year using one (first of which died at 17,000 exposures 🙁 ) but the replacement so far is fine. It was my main weekend warrior so it took a lot of abuse. I recently got a Fuji F30 (asa 3200 digi point and shoot - great!) to ease the mileage on the RD-1, so the two are a great team for travelling.

Charlie

 

[Peter Klein]

I've shot with a borrowed R-D1 one several times. It is "only" a six megapixel digital camera, so it can't show all of the resolution of a really good lens. However, the general characteristics of the lenses show up just fine. These include differences in acutance (ie. edge sharpness), tonal rendition, flare, color, "fingerprint," etc. And the R-D1 is one of the best, if not the best six megapixel machines I've tried.

If you shoot available light, it doesn't matter so much, because most 400 speed film and faster doesn't show the absolute resolution of lenses either. Ditto for fairly close-in shots of people, where the finest details may be within the sensor's capabilities. If you shoot landscapes with Velvia or Provia, the R-D1 probably won't have enough fine detail to satisfy you. If you shoot Tri-X, you will probably like the R-D1 just fine. And if you compare lenses using the R-D1, you will see differences, particularly at wider apertures.

Remember that when Erwin talks about resolution, he's talking about the optical stratosphere which can only be obtained by very careful technique. But there's more to a lens' performance than resolution. Consider the early 1950s Nikkor lenses vs. pre-Summicron Leitz lenses. The Nkkors had less resolution, but better edge sharpness and local contrast. David Douglas Duncan and his colleagues preferred the Nikkor lenses for their coverage of the Korean War.

Check out Sean Reid's reviews of the R-D1 and lens performance on it:
,http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/epson-rd1.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/fastlensreview.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/rd-1-lens.shtml

There is also a long-term review of the R-D1, and other lens reviews using the R-D1, on Sean's subscription site at:
http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/

--Peter

 

[Erl]

Andy,

Be confident that you will enjoy and appreciate the RD-1 when it arrives. It does have its shortcomings, which I assume you are familiar with, but at present it does what no other camera can! The Leica M8 will change all that of course, but that is in the future.

Erwin Putts can photograph all the newspapers he likes to prove his theories, but you will be photographing 'real' world subject, I assume. How ANY camera performs in the hands of a photographer is quite different from that which Putts and the like determine. I had problems with mine, but fixed them myself, easily. Hope you don't need to, but it is not a big deal.

Low light situations and fast decision shooting is where the RD-1 excels. It reproduces like ITSELF, not like a film camera. Much like the book and the film aren't the same, simply because they ARE different media.

Attached is a shot done in a bottleshop under mixed lighting.

RD-1 + Noctilux @ f1.0 exposed at 1600ISO.

I don't reckon my M7 + Noct + whatever film could have done better.

 

[akptc]

Ian, Charlie, Peter – thank you for your replies, I feel much, much better now. The R-D1 got ordered mainly because of so much positive owner feedback I’ve read and, of course, to take a break from developing the film in my bathroom 🙂

Being a rank amateur, I’ve not been exceedingly concerned about the general performance of the R-D1; however, since I intend to keep it a while AND get a couple of modern Leica lenses, reading Erwin Putts’ review was a bit a of a kick in the ribs to my long term plans (dreams). Peter’s point about the resolution vs. general characteristics of the lenses is a key point that I tend to forget in all the excitement about new equipment.

One thing I probably should have considered is how incredibly well my 77mm Pentax lens performs on my DS, which also has the 6 mp sensor.

Of course, now I really can’t wait for the R-D1 to get here 😀

Thank you again,

 

[akptc]

... Attached is a shot done in a bottleshop under mixed lighting.
RD-1 + Noctilux @ f1.0 exposed at 1600ISO. I don't reckon my M7 + Noct + whatever film could have done better.

Erl, thanks a bunch for your reply. Not sure if it's my PC or what but I cannot see the image you've attached, I tried IE and Firefox. Is it in your gallery?

 

[rvaubel]

AKPTC
You are going to love your RD-1. I can attest to the fact that individal lens characteristics are easily decernable. Its a lot of fun comparing a couple of different 50mm lens as to their qualities. I did a series of portraits with a 1950's Canon F1.2 vs a modern CV F1.5 and I can tell you the 6.1MB Epson was more than capable of capturing different, unique impressions of the subject.
Thats part of the fun of using a Leica mount camera. There are so many "brushes" available for the body!

Rex

 

[akptc]

It's here! ... with a weird charger cable

It's here! ... with a weird charger cable

US Customs in NY were very nice to the package from Robert White - not a scratch on anything. Just got the R-D1 this afternoon - wow! it's a pretty cool camera 😀 Tried framing with a few lenses, I can see this will be a lot of fun.

Btw, the R-D1 came with a strange-looking charger cable, definitely won't fit any outlets in my house, wonder if it fits Japanese outlets? (I tried attaching a picture of it but it seems attachments don't work right now) - Basically, it's a large electrical plug with 3 thick, rectangular (in c/s) prongs. It's no big deal though, I just plugged the charger in using a generic cable, seems to work just fine.

 

[nksyoon]

Andy, that's a UK plug, keep it for if you ever visit the UK.

 

[Flinor]

Andy, we really are neighbors.

The reason for my ads is my R-D1. I hemmed and hawed after I got it, worried about all the QC comments I heard and even offered it up for sale. Then I decided that I haven't given it a chance so I went out shooting with the R-D1 exclusively for about a month.

rvaubel said it best: You are going to love your R-D1. The only advice I can give is to shoot raw and enjoy.

 

[akptc]

Nick, thanks a lot, this is good to know. I am going to France in a month, may take a trip up north, never know.

Gerry, so nice to know someone else on the west side is wielding a rangefinder. I’ve already reserved this weekend to give the Epson a workout, hope its not going to be another scorcher. Btw, it’s funny to say “Epson” in this context, sounds like I will be carrying an inkjet 🙂

 

[sf]

I agree with Putts on this, but I also think that film is equally sketchy unless you have a perfect development process and get the very most from the film. I know that I probably only get 80% at best from my film. I mean, I get better negs from the lab, and labs vary greatly. So, really, it's just a matter of what you are comparing your RD-1's performance to.

 

[garethc]

Congratulations on the new purchase. What lenses do you have with it?

My R-D1 is making its way to me now with a 50.15 and the 12/5.6 to go with the 35 I already have. I am looking forward to it and check the tracking site every few minutes!

 

[akptc]

...Attached is a shot done in a bottleshop under mixed lighting.

RD-1 + Noctilux @ f1.0 exposed at 1600ISO.

I don't reckon my M7 + Noct + whatever film could have done better.

Erl, I shut down my firewall and now can see image attachments. Wow! I love your shot - sure hope the R-D1 in MY hands can do stuff like this!

 

[akptc]

Congratulations on the new purchase. What lenses do you have with it?

My R-D1 is making its way to me now with a 50.15 and the 12/5.6 to go with the 35 I already have. I am looking forward to it and check the tracking site every few minutes!

I know the feeling - I even emailed the shipper to check on the parcel!

So far I have some CV lenses: 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, and 75mm. Also a couple of Jupiters (35 and 50). Trying to talk my family to buy me some Leica glass (nameday's coming up in Nov 🙂) but once they see the prices, I will probably end up with a neck strap 😀

Good luck with your mail, hope your R-D1 arrives soon!

 

[Didier]

Btw, the R-D1 came with a strange-looking charger cable, definitely won't fit any outlets in my house.

I had the same problem as this UK plug does not work in my country, too. I just replaced the cable from the charging unit (which has a standard plastic plug) for a few $.
I'll keep the UK plug if I travel there once.
Didier

 

[Gid]

Congratulations on your new RD-1s. You will love this camera. As for lenses, they all have their unique character on the RD-1 just as they do on film. Most of the shots in my gallery are with the RD-1.

BTW I didn't have any problems with the UK charger plug🙂

 

[ChrisN]

One thing I probably should have considered is how incredibly well my 77mm Pentax lens performs on my DS, which also has the 6 mp sensor.

Andy - congratulations on the arrival of your new baby!

And if your Pentax 77 Limited feels rejected, and needs a new home, please let me know!

 

[Angel]

Andy, the charger they supplied is for 220 volts . The USA is on 110 volts . You'll need a voltage convertor or a new power supply . Covertors are really inexpesive in the US. Changing plugs worked for Didier because across most of Europe the voltage is 220. Check the specs on the convertor if your lucky it maybe 110 /220
If thats the case you just need to buy to buy a plug. Enjoy your new camera.