RD-1 Still Going Strong?

[Benjamin Marks]

What has been the life-span of this camera? I had one for a couple of years and then sold it when I bought an M8. I always liked the files though from that chip. So; some questions:

Are RD-1 owners satisfied with the camera's longevity?

What is the current wisdom on options for service?

For those of you who have had something break on the RD-1, what broke and what have you done about it?

Ben Marks

 

[borrel]

Bought mine from Calumet Chicago in late 2004. My wife has been using it since the M8 came and it's still going strong. Nothing wrong, great "film", but it's not getting intense use either.

- Børre

 

[back alley]

have had my 2 for maybe a year, no complaints and no problems.

 

[nimcod]

Had mine a year now (2nd hand 4000 clicks apparently), alongside day to day use it travelled 10,00 miles and 26 countries, snow/sand/rain, bumping around in the car or in my hand most of the time. i shot around 6000 frames, only problems with it, fair amount of paint loss and rubber grip has come loose.

 

[jmarcus]

Had mine for four or five years now, can't really remember what year I got it. Probably 40,000-60,000 shots on it. My only camera. Its been to Steve's camera for a shutter rebuild. Steve called me and said "I get these cameras in from all over the world, and I have never seen one used like this".
Latest problem: my mount is broken, but only when I put a Voigtlander 35 1.2 on it.

James

 

[umcelinho]

Bought mine early October last year, it had around 3k shots, now it has a little more than 9k. Rubber grip is starting to come loose, but nothing too serious yet. had some paint loss on a couple corners. I hope this camera goes strong for years and years... the only thing that annoys me a bit is that its RF can come out of alignment easier than a Leica's and the 35mm framelines do not have the bottom line.

 

[kena]

I've had mine for about 5 years, and roughly 12000 clicks.....Have no problems yet besides rubber on right side of body coming unglued a bit and a bit of brassing. It's worked in extreme cold, and california desert heat. Also my 2 original batteries are still going strong.

 

[pagpow]

Bought mine second hand couple of years ago second hand, been my most active camera since and has crossed the Atlantic several times, absorbing some knocks. No problems at all.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Had my R-D1 for a year and a half, it had 6K activations on it. I think I've added about the same amount now.

It's been in hot and cold weather, rain and dust. And so far has never let me down. The original Epson Battery is doing fine too, the none-brand ones that came with it only work long enough in warm weather. Some new ones I acquired a year ago are doing fine too.

"Problems":
Paint loss: some chips here and there
Frame lines: slightly rotated. I guess 2 degrees off horizontal
RF: slight vertical miss-alignment (had this from the start)
VF: the rubber ring around the eye-piece was worn out and has since been replaced.

And I've had to clean the sensor a few times already.

It has been a great companion and has stolen quite a bit of time away from my Leicas and other classic RFs

 

[Wallo]

Are RD-1 owners satisfied with the camera's longevity?

No problems on my R-D1, so I'm very happy. The biggest problem I see is that it will be very difficult or expensive to replace if I lose the camera or if it breaks and can't be fixed.

A new model should be introduced.

 

[Ezzie]

Mine is working fine too, knock on wood, and only a slight focus patch adjustment needed since I got it. I´ve no idea how many actuations its been put through, but I´ve added 3500 over the last 8 months, and not a single hick-up. I´ve cleaned the sensor twice, and am getting the hang of it. Easy really.

I´ve replaced the rubber with leather, but that was more a cosmetic biased decision than anything else.

 

[kermaier]

I've had my R-D1s for a couple of years now, and I've taken thousands of pictures with it. About a year ago, I started to get worried about it's longevity and bought an R-D1 as a backup. The only problems I've had are a bit of vertical misalignment of the RF patch, and the edge of the rubber peeling up a bit adjacent to the SD card door. So I'm probably going to sell the backup. 🙂

Great camera, though I'm thinking about going for an M8.2 if I find one a the right price.

Ari

 

[bobdubois]

I sold mine when I bought a second M8. It was missing a bit of paint at the corners and the rubber was starting to separate. It made some of my favorite pictures. I miss it.

 

[morgan]

Been using mine as my primary camera for around 2 years. It's got a half-case on it but nothing more and it practically lives in my messenger bag. It's been to four continents and still going strong. I love this camera, although I can see the day when I move towards an 8.2. An M9 is out of the equation for me because of price.

 

[Graham Line]

Haven't noticed one being offered used for a while. http://shashinki.com/shop/epson-rd1x-digital-rangefinder-camera-body-only-p-3381.html?currency=USD seems a little steep.

 

[fotomeow]

Lots of positive experiences, and they seem to hold their value thus far.
Bought my RD-1s 9 months ago with 5k clicks, now has 9k. I am third owner, and the prior owner had sent to Steves for some fine tuning. Apparently the RF wasnt "glued" as some have suggested to keep it alignment, since this is a common "problem". The RF is now slightly out of vertical alignment, which, from what I understand doesnt affect focussing (righ?????).
As others have testified, great chip, and superior Analog controls.
Just wish Epson/CV could boldly present a FF model !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????

 

[SteveM_NJ]

I have my R-D1s (I've upgraded its firmware, nothing else needed) - I have No complaints at all - -it gets light usage. ( if anything breaks, i'll be sure to check here for advice for repair) till then -just keep using it.

 

[kkdanamatt]

I recently bought an RD-1 upgraded to an RD-1s from a fellow RFF'r across the pond. Steve's in California serviced this one in '09 and the RF is in perfect alignment. Other than the 1.53X crop factor I love it. Well, it "forced" me to buy a 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit pre-Asph so I could get a decently fast medium-wide angle, but I rationalized that purchase by thinking that I would use the Elmarit with film bodies. Well, that hasn't happened yet because I'm so in love with the RAW files of the Epson. No issues so far after 8,000 clicks. Oh, the rubber eyepiece is a bit worn.

 

[Johnmcd]

I've had mine for a couple of years and it has always been in constant use. No problems whatsoever. Body still in great shape - no worries with the rubber peeling due to some beautiful leather..

 

[gilpen123]

Almost a year bought used and still going strong. Alignment is intact thanks to Steven.

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