R-D1s 2 Month Report

[M4streetshooter]

So it's been 2 months since I have this camera and I feel the need to make a report on my findings.

The camera has worked in all situations flawlessly and comfortably. I even did a reportage event with a 283 on top and after 225 images was told by the members here that, that was a no no due to the voltage being to high. Ok, I stopped that and still have to say that the camera worked great and no problem from that mistake, that will not be repeated. I've used a slew of lenses non it and have to admit that the 28 is made for the camera. I have a 35mm for sale or trade because as I learned from here that the 40mm is a better choice....that's being resolved soon. The 50mm is a great fov and the framelines are pretty accurate ...

The camera has a traditional feel that is only equaled by a Leica M series...not the M8. It works like a M...kinda like an M3 but better due to it's being digital.....

Changing ISO (asa for us old timers)...is a snap..unlike any other camera...the meter is accurate enough to depend on in any situation....

The LCD screen is great in the fact that you can get rid of it..I use it to format and thats about it.....

The shutter cocking is like camera sex.....the M8 hurt me there....

The camera records fast enough so that that image didn't get away....

I've been in really close on the streets and focusing has not been a problem....the rangefinder patch is accurate enopugh for me....I focus maybe 10% of my images...the rest are done with the DOF scales....

My only complaint with this camera is that after I got it...in 1 week, I returned $10,000.00 in M8's...I just couldn't feel that Leica feel with the M8's...The Epson gave me a satisfaction that just was missing in the more expensive and more poorly designed Leica....I love Leica's...used them for over 40 years...been through hell and back with them...
made a living with them...made a life with them....broke the bank many times with them...and

NEVER EVER thought that I would return them....very happy/sad for me....


The Epson may have it's flaws, all machines do...but the flaws are not interfering with image making....so who the H-LL cares...I don't...

What do I love about this camera....everything....

What do I hate about it.....1 thing......

The name.......it should say LEICA...........

not a printer company..........don

 

[Joe Mondello]

I have to say that while the M8 is growing on me I find myself wishing it had more of the *spirit* of the R-D1.

As I posted in another thread, the analog gauges, the flip LCD, the dedicated manual controls for ISO and EV compensation -- and yes the shutter winder -- all bring an "air" to the Epson that the M8 essentially dispenses with.

Maybe Leica can hire away the Epson RD-1 designer for the "M9"! ;-)

What I'd wish for is a camera with the RD-1's spirit and genuine Leica build quality.

 

[M4streetshooter]

DITTO......unfortunately

 

[LCT]

...What I'd wish for is a camera with the RD-1's spirit and genuine Leica build quality.

RD-1's spirit... sad and funny...
The R-D1 has the Leica spirit but doesn't sell any more whereas the M8 has lost the Leica spirit but seems to sell well in spite of IR filters.
Our R-D1's won't fall apart before Leica (or Zeiss?) launch a true digital M hopefully.

 

[espressogeek]

I just hope the R-D1 project ends up in the hands of Zeiss or someone else who will take it and run with it. Give us a 10mp or 8mp sensor and the same film like images it produces and DANG.

 

[louisb]

I bought a s/h R-D1 two weeks ago without lenses. I'm still waiting to get the two I won on e-Bay. Hopefully by the weekend. That said, I keep getting the camera out and playing with it. It feels sooooo good in the hand. And those analogue guages ... sad to say I get a thrill each time I see them spring into life.

LouisB

 

[Didier]

I just hope the R-D1 project ends up in the hands of Zeiss or someone else who will take it and run with it. Give us a 10mp or 8mp sensor and the same film like images it produces and DANG.

This has been discussed largely, here at RFF. It is not likely that Zeiss takes something over from Epson - but there's a link through Cosina, who, on one side, produced the Bessa-based body/rangefinder part for the Epson, and on the other side, manufactures the Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera as well as several Zeiss manual focus lenses in M-, Nikon- and M42 mounts.

If there's a Zeiss digital rangefinder in the future (I belong to those who believe that), the body will be rather based on the Zeiss Ikon body (with larger RF baselength) than the CV Bessas. The sensor could come from the same source, Sony in this case, but with new specs. Software would be new, likely, I could even imagine that this would be done in Germany.

"film like images" - not shure about that. Sensors do produce another look than film emulsions. But IMO, it is anyway more the lens than the medium that makes the image. Not talking about the light. Or the timing. or the photographer. Or...

Didier