R-D1s – problem with framelines

[purity]

Hello everybody,

this is my very first post on this great forum which I’ve been watching for a few months and which took me in the rangefinder cameras and rf culture in a large extent.

I was going to register here for such a long time, however always have been too busy. But now I’m kind of forced to register here as I have big troubles with finder on my R-D1s and strongly believe there are many nice guys willing to help me ;-). Nevertheless, I wish my very first post here was much more troublefree than it really is...

I tried to google any information before writing this post, of course, unfortunately haven’t find anything helpful so far... Well, I was shooting in the city yesterday; everything went smoothly, than the battery got empty, so I changed it for a new one and was very surprised when I looked through the finder again. Really don’t have a clue why it happened, however almost all the framelines disappeared, focussing patch got very badly visible (focussing was almost impossible) and the number in the finder (shutter speed) was and still is invisible as well. To be more specific, I can see only the frameline which is on the left side. When I want to see corner or horizontal framelines I simply have to look down or up – they are all very badly visible and so is the focussing patch sometimes (as I mentioned earlier), however sometimes the patch is normally visible. What is strange – it seems that the vertical frameline which should be on the right side is on the very left side – even much more on the left than the regular vertical left frameline. It is on the very edge of the finder.

As for the shape and age of my camera, it is still almost brand new and in mint condition. I’m the second owner of it, but the first owner had it for a very short time. Only 791 shots were taken with it up to date (and most of these by me). I’ve never had any problem with its finder up to now.

Well, what do you think I should do with it now? Is anybody here experienced with a similar problem? Do you think I should
1) try to fix it by myself? - Do you know how? Isn’t it too risky?
2) got it fixed by a local camera repairman? - I know a very handy, experienced and skilful serviceman located not so far away from me. I’m sure he has repaired many rangefinder cameras so far, but I bet he has never seen any R-D1 and maybe even never heard of it.
3) send the camera to the European Epson R-D1 service centre in France, which is mentioned on Rich Cutler’s website? Does anybody have an experience with them?

I hope I will sort it out soon and that it won’t cost me so much money. I invested almost all my money in the R-D1s purchase and being a student without any full-time job, any very costly repair would ruin my budget.

Well, I look forward to your responses. Thanks in advance!

 

[mwooten]

Is anything covering the "frosted" window on the front of the camera? Light passing through it allows you to see the frame lines and rangefinder patch.

--michael

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It sounds like a mirror is misaligned, ie came out of place. It sounds like a trip to the repair shop. If we were taling an inexpensive fixed-lens RF, I would tell you to fix it yourself.

This is an expensive camera, and complex. A Professional repair is probably required.

 

[purity]

Thank you for the very quick replies.

Is anything covering the "frosted" window on the front of the camera?

No, the "frosted" window is not covered with anything.

It sounds like a mirror is misaligned, ie came out of place.

Yes, this could be something with a mirror as the vertical frameline which should be on the right side and is on the very left side instead is (what is more) somewhat “trisection“ – i. e. I can see three framelines located very close to each other instead of a single one.

A Professional repair is probably required.

I agree as well, but am not sure „how much professional“ repair will be received in my local service. Well, we’ll see...

 

[purity]

Well, after a few weeks my camera is still not repaired at all. The issue which caused the delay was that I couldn’t find a repairman able and willing to repair this camera. Every service in our country was afraid of servicing this camera owing to its electronic components and their zero experience with it. Finally I found a repairman willing to try to repair this issue a few days ago but I also managed to obtain some electronic copies of the invoices as well as a copy of a certificate of warranty from the previous owner of the camera. So I consider whether I should try the repairman in my country or whether I should send the camera to the European Epson R-D1 service centre in France. What do you think? Repairing in my country should be fast and easy to arrange without sending the camera abroad, long and time consuming communication via emails etc., however servicing in Epson France could be much more professional.

So what would you recommend me? And is anybody here experienced with servicing in Epson service centre in France? Is communication with them fast and smooth (even if I don’t speak French)? And how long would it probably take to have my camera back?

As for the defect - the issue is not only that the framelines are badly visible, but the frame is also often somewhat displaced or dispositioned or inclined as the position of the frame was changing a lot when I was travelling with my camera from one service to another. There’s definitely something loose inside.

I look forward to your responses regarding the recommendation about servicing the camera (in my country vs. Epson centre in France) as well as regarding any experience with European Epson R-D1 service centre in France.

 

[Arie Intveld]

You really should consider shipping your R-D1s to the United States. Steve Choi is probably the best Epson R-D1(s) repair tech on the planet.

http://www.stevecamera.com/

In addition to rangefinder/frameline problems, the R-D1(s) also has a reputation for shutter jamming. If you send your R-D1s to Steve, ask him to also perform his shutter maintenance procedure while he has your camera.

I recently sent Steve my R-D1s along with my M-Rokkor 40/2 (my most used lens on the Epson) for rangefinder adjustment, focus calibration and preventative maintenance on the shutter. Both body and lens are perfect now.

 

[purity]

Thank you Arie for your recommendation. If I lived in the US, I would definitely go for the service in Steve Choi’s centre. However living in Europe, it would be too complicated and time consuming to send the camera there mainly because of the lingering customs procedure and related issues in our country. What is more, it is very likely that I would have to pay additional and high customs fees.

Well, really nobody here has any experience with servicing in Epson service centre in France as I asked before? Or should I prefer repairing the camera in local service in my country?

As for the shutter jamming, it seems that my camera suffers from this issue too. Is it that thing when you press the shutter button and nothing happens? Sometimes this issue happens to me. The button can be normally pressed, it isn’t stuck at all, but the camera simply doesn’t expose.

 

[kalex]

Shutter jamming is usually caused by aftermarket batteries which don't have enough MHA rating on them. are the batteries you are using freshly charged?

 

[purity]

Does the term 'aftermarket batteries' refer to the batteries which are not made by Epson?

I don't use any 3rd party batteries in this camera. All of my batteries are made by Epson. However they very likely weren't freshly charged when I was using them as I have four pieces of them and unfortunately didn't have an opportunity to use the camera much so far. Well, the batteries which are not freshly charged can evoke this issue even if they are genuine (Epson brand)?

As for the framelines, as it seems that nobody on this site have an experience with Epson service centre in France, I decided to try the local service in my country. It should be repaired fast and much easier to arrange which is important for me as I'm too busy these days.

 

[mwooten]

Does the term 'aftermarket batteries' refer to the batteries which are not made by Epson?...

Yes, 'aftermarket' refers to non-Epson branded batteries.

As to Epson Europe's service center-- I would suggest you try to contact one our our members "Didier". If I remember right, he sent his RD1 there a time or two.

--michael

 

[purity]

Well, my never-ending 'trying to find a repairman' story continues. Very sad days. When I finally have a free time to be able to finally go out and have a nice shooting day with my epson, I have to deal with its repair instead.

A few days ago, I finally decided to try the local service in my country as they were willing to repair it. However they change their mind in the meantime and they are now afraid of servicing this camera owing to its electronic components as well as their zero experience with it.

Nevertheless, thank you Michael for your last post as it seems to be very helpful! It would be hard to contact Didier as he hasn't been on this site since early August, however I used 'Find all threads started by Didier' option and the very first showed thread gave me the answer to my question.

According to this thread Didier was not satisfied with the Epson official service at all and finally went for the repair in Steve Choi's service centre. Well, it seems that I will go for the same option and will try Steve Choi's centre although my camera is still under warranty (this would mean that repair in Epson service should be free of any charge).

It won't be easy to arrange mainly because of the customs procedure but I think it's worth it. I only hope that it all will be reasonably priced as I can't afford too costly repair these days.

Well, thank you Michael once more. According to Didier's experience it seems that sending the camera to Epson official service might be a waste of time.