R-D1s Questions

[manojd]

Just got my R-D1s (directly from Japan). Still waiting for lenses, so not able to take pictures yet. Everything seems to be great.

I do have a few simple questions:

1. How does the Dial Lock Rlease button work. And what is the function of that button? When does the dial actually lock?

2. If the shutter is cocked how do you release it if you want to switch off the camera? Will the shutter remain cocked?

3. The speed dial on my camera seems to be very hard to turn. I have to use two fingers to turn it. Is this normal?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jlw]

These answers are based on the R-D 1 (non-"s") but I believe they're still applicable:

1) The shutter speed dial locks at the "A" position, to keep you from accidentally dialing in exposure compensation or switching to a manual shutter speed. If you DO want to switch the dial off the "A" position, press the dial release lock to free it. Once you have switched away from the "A" position, you do not need to keep the dial lock release button depressed -- the shutter dial will turn in either direction. The lock will click in again when you switch back to "A."

2) The shutter is cocked mechanically, so switching off the power doesn't un-tension it. This shouldn't be a problem unless you're planning to store the camera for years. If it does worry you, simply release the shutter -- since it's a digital camera, you're not wasting anything.

3) Mine is fairly firm (again, probably to avoid accidental mis-settings) and I normally use two fingers to turn it -- but it's possible to turn it with one finger. If yours is very stiff, AND if the dial lock release doesn't work as described above, it's possible that something is wrong with the dial lock release mechanism. If the dial lock release works correctly but the dial still seems hard to turn, try using the camera for a few days and see if it eases up a bit -- it may simply be stiff because the camera is new.

Good luck, and let us know how you do!

 

[Bob Parsons]

Just got my R-D1s (directly from Japan). Still waiting for lenses, so not able to take pictures yet. Everything seems to be great.

I do have a few simple questions:

1. How does the Dial Lock Rlease button work. And what is the function of that button? When does the dial actually lock?

2. If the shutter is cocked how do you release it if you want to switch off the camera? Will the shutter remain cocked?

3. The speed dial on my camera seems to be very hard to turn. I have to use two fingers to turn it. Is this normal?

Thanks for your help.

1. The shutter speed dial lock button only engages when you turn the dial to AE "Auto exposure". That makes sure you don't accidentally knock the dial away from the AE position. To apply +/- exposure compensation or return to manual shutter speeds from the AE position you have to depress and hold down the small release button while turning the dial.

2. You can't release the shutter without making an exposure. I always cock the shutter after taking a picture so the camera is ready for the next picture as soon as it's switched on. Once cocked the shutter remains so even after the camera is switched off. It's mechanical with an electronic release.

3. Yes, you need two fingers to reliably adjust the shutter speed. I think the stiffness is deliberate to prevent it from being changed accidentally.

If you bought the camera from Japan, does it have an english manual? If not there's a pdf copy here and how to clean the sensor here.


Bob.

 

[Terence T]

I've noticed the speed dial on the R-D1s is a tad stiffer than the original R-D1. This is from the 2 copies that I've tried out against my own R-D1.

 

[manojd]

Thanks everyone for help. The dial lock does seem to work. I did download the English version of PDF and software. I think the printed guide is different from the PDF. I can tell from the pictures. Also, the guide for "1s" is different from the original.