dabevalem
Member
Hi to everyone,
I'm new to this forum and would like to get some opinions on
the following.
I recently bought a rd1 from RW and found two non-serious issues:
1- very small vertical RF misalignment (noticeable but not really
hurting),
2- in raw mode I have half a dozen of hot pixels (among with only
a couple of them are really visible). In jpeg, hot pixels proliferate
much better... but I don't care much about jpeg's.
I understand that RF alignment can be solved "easily" (in other
words: without having to return the camera to epson).
So, the question is only related to the hot pixels. Based on your
experience, what would you suggest ?
RW proposed that I ship back the camera and they'll try to fix/replace
it but despite my fully confidence and trust on RW, I still have some
doubts on epson tech-support efficiency (understatement ?) so wonder
if it's not better to keep what I have and to live with the small
problems (that don't really hurt me, this camrea is simply great!).
Thanks in advance for any opinion.
ste.
I'm new to this forum and would like to get some opinions on
the following.
I recently bought a rd1 from RW and found two non-serious issues:
1- very small vertical RF misalignment (noticeable but not really
hurting),
2- in raw mode I have half a dozen of hot pixels (among with only
a couple of them are really visible). In jpeg, hot pixels proliferate
much better... but I don't care much about jpeg's.
I understand that RF alignment can be solved "easily" (in other
words: without having to return the camera to epson).
So, the question is only related to the hot pixels. Based on your
experience, what would you suggest ?
RW proposed that I ship back the camera and they'll try to fix/replace
it but despite my fully confidence and trust on RW, I still have some
doubts on epson tech-support efficiency (understatement ?) so wonder
if it's not better to keep what I have and to live with the small
problems (that don't really hurt me, this camrea is simply great!).
Thanks in advance for any opinion.
ste.
R
RML
Guest
Well, I have some hot pixels in RAW as well but I don't care. I find it easier to clone them out when necessary than to return the camera to Epson (for me that would mean Epson HK as I bought my R-D1 from Dr Yao).
Bob Parsons
Established
On mine I have 3 very visible hot pixels one of which is bright red. There are probably about half a dozen or more others which are white and not very bright. The 3 very hot ones are present at all ISOs and shutter speeds.
All the bright pixels appear in the jpegs and in files converted with the Epson RAW converter. However NONE of them appear if I use the latest Adobe RAW converter for Photoshop. I have similar results using Pixmantec's Raw Shooter Premuim if I set the hot pixel/pattern noise suppression slider to 1 or 2.
So it's only the jpegs I'm not so happy about. I could ask Robert White if they'll exchange but the rangefinder is accurate and the camera is otherwise excellent. I'm reluctant to send it back.
I've used a hot pixel mask with Photoshop's dust & scratches filter to easily fix jpegs but I can't re-save as a jpeg without a quality/file size compromise.
I'm hoping the bad pixels will be able to be mapped out by the R-1Ds firmware upgrade which should be available in June. In the meantime I may call Robert White to ask if they'd be willing to exchange mine after the upgrade if the mapping doesn't work. (The red pixel could be a cluster.)
As far as the rangefinder is concerned you may be willing to correct it yourself, detailed instructions are on this site. Difficulty with returning an otherwise working camera is you do not know how the replacement will turn out. AFAIK Epson/dealers are still replacing and not servicing cameras.
Bob.
All the bright pixels appear in the jpegs and in files converted with the Epson RAW converter. However NONE of them appear if I use the latest Adobe RAW converter for Photoshop. I have similar results using Pixmantec's Raw Shooter Premuim if I set the hot pixel/pattern noise suppression slider to 1 or 2.
So it's only the jpegs I'm not so happy about. I could ask Robert White if they'll exchange but the rangefinder is accurate and the camera is otherwise excellent. I'm reluctant to send it back.
I've used a hot pixel mask with Photoshop's dust & scratches filter to easily fix jpegs but I can't re-save as a jpeg without a quality/file size compromise.
I'm hoping the bad pixels will be able to be mapped out by the R-1Ds firmware upgrade which should be available in June. In the meantime I may call Robert White to ask if they'd be willing to exchange mine after the upgrade if the mapping doesn't work. (The red pixel could be a cluster.)
As far as the rangefinder is concerned you may be willing to correct it yourself, detailed instructions are on this site. Difficulty with returning an otherwise working camera is you do not know how the replacement will turn out. AFAIK Epson/dealers are still replacing and not servicing cameras.
Bob.
Last edited:
pfogle
Well-known
I would second Bob's comment about Raw Shooter - I use the E version (free 
) and find it deals with almost all hot pixels, depending on the subject matter.
I went through four bodies before being happy, and ended up with the same number of hot pixels that caused me to complain in the first place! However, QA issues seem to be more under control now.
As for the vertical adjustment of the rangefinder - it's pretty safe and if you're reasonably handy, it's quite good to feel that you don't have to send it in whenever it gets out of adjustment. Still - it's your baby, so you have to feel comfortable with it.
) and find it deals with almost all hot pixels, depending on the subject matter. I went through four bodies before being happy, and ended up with the same number of hot pixels that caused me to complain in the first place! However, QA issues seem to be more under control now.
As for the vertical adjustment of the rangefinder - it's pretty safe and if you're reasonably handy, it's quite good to feel that you don't have to send it in whenever it gets out of adjustment. Still - it's your baby, so you have to feel comfortable with it.
Terence T
Where'd my Bessa go?
Ever since acquiring the R-D1, I've become very proficient in using the healing brush tool (used in replace mode) in photoshop cs. I get about a dozen stuck pixels in jpeg mode and somewhat less in RAW.
No point returning the camera, never know if it'll be replaced by a body with more issues.
No point returning the camera, never know if it'll be replaced by a body with more issues.
R
RML
Guest
I'm using PSP 7 (hey, I don't have money for PS, no time to learn Elements and I'm content with PSP7 as it is ). Does anyone know how to make a "hot pixel mask"? Might be useful in those cases where I have lots of dark area and don't want to waste time to clone out those handful of hot pixels.
). Does anyone know how to make a "hot pixel mask"? Might be useful in those cases where I have lots of dark area and don't want to waste time to clone out those handful of hot pixels.Bob Parsons
Established
RML said:I'm using PSP 7 (hey, I don't have money for PS, no time to learn Elements and I'm content with PSP7 as it is
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5854
I'm not sure if you can do all of this in PSP7 but it gives you the general idea.
Bob.
hth
Well-known
I think you should send it back. Epson deserves all cameras that are sent out not up to spec back in return. That is the best way to encourage Epson to improve QA, by having it cost in the warranty repair end.
BTW, did you ask RW to check the camera before sending it out?
/Håkan
BTW, did you ask RW to check the camera before sending it out?
/Håkan
dabevalem said:
dabevalem
Member
hth said:
well.... yes I did ask and they confirmed they did it.
My only concerns at this stage is that replacing the camera
may end in finding other problems that will require to replace
it again...
ste.
S
sreidvt
Guest
I wouldn't send it back. Wait for the new firmware in June and see if installing it allows you to map out hot pixels. It should.
Cheers,
Sean
Cheers,
Sean
dabevalem
Member
Hi,
thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.
Finally, the camera itself took the decision: shutter blocked...
so I had to ship it back... :-(
Hope to get it fixed soon... I really had great time taking the first
~400 shots.
thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.
Finally, the camera itself took the decision: shutter blocked...
so I had to ship it back... :-(
Hope to get it fixed soon... I really had great time taking the first
~400 shots.
rvaubel
Well-known
Dabevelem
Sorry to hear about your shutter problem. However its nice to see you have been bitten by the "bug". You are now officially a member of the R-D1 Pioneer Club. As a member, it is your duty to report back to the other members your experiences with the Epson warrenty tribe. We are all moving together into a new world of Epson repair work. As they run out of new camera bodies to replace returned bodies with, they will have to actually repair the bodies that are returned for sevice. Your experience can provide insight into how Epson will treat the rest of us as these cameras start closing in on the end of the second year since production. Epson's strategy of camera replacement must draw to an end as they deplete their existing stock, especially with the introduction of the R-D1s.
How they handle repair work is particularly important now that rumours are starting to surface that there may be a long backorder list for the M8. That is, a long wait for those that can afford it!
By the way, I have had NO problem with my camera. But I love my camera and I want to know that I can continue to enjoy using it for the next 50,000 pictures. Even if I do get an M8, and I certainly want to, I will still keep and use my RD1 unless its an ashtry.
Hope Springith Eternal
Rex
Sorry to hear about your shutter problem. However its nice to see you have been bitten by the "bug". You are now officially a member of the R-D1 Pioneer Club. As a member, it is your duty to report back to the other members your experiences with the Epson warrenty tribe. We are all moving together into a new world of Epson repair work. As they run out of new camera bodies to replace returned bodies with, they will have to actually repair the bodies that are returned for sevice. Your experience can provide insight into how Epson will treat the rest of us as these cameras start closing in on the end of the second year since production. Epson's strategy of camera replacement must draw to an end as they deplete their existing stock, especially with the introduction of the R-D1s.
How they handle repair work is particularly important now that rumours are starting to surface that there may be a long backorder list for the M8. That is, a long wait for those that can afford it!
By the way, I have had NO problem with my camera. But I love my camera and I want to know that I can continue to enjoy using it for the next 50,000 pictures. Even if I do get an M8, and I certainly want to, I will still keep and use my RD1 unless its an ashtry.
Hope Springith Eternal
Rex
dabevalem
Member
rvaubel said:
Well... this is a honor I wasn't really looking for...
Anyway, I'll do my homework and will report the outcome
of this...
Luckily my digilux2 is still there...
ste.
zanydave
zanydave
Was gonna buy one of these but hell I'll stick with my box brownie
rvaubel
Well-known
Chicken
Rex
Rex
dabevalem
Member
Folks,
last week I got my rd1 back from RW with all problem fixed (and
upgraded to "s"). So far so good... I enjoy it a lot with a 40mm
nokton SC... and an additional battery...
ste.
last week I got my rd1 back from RW with all problem fixed (and
upgraded to "s"). So far so good... I enjoy it a lot with a 40mm
nokton SC... and an additional battery...
ste.
rvaubel
Well-known
Dabevalem
Its very interesting that they sent you an "s" instead of trying to repair your camera. I've had my RD for awhile now and the question of long term repairability looms in the background. With Epson's "replace, not repair" policy, it doesn't look like they will ever be able to actually sevice one. I wonder what they will do when they run out of cameras and someone wants their camera fixed under warrenty?
Rex
Its very interesting that they sent you an "s" instead of trying to repair your camera. I've had my RD for awhile now and the question of long term repairability looms in the background. With Epson's "replace, not repair" policy, it doesn't look like they will ever be able to actually sevice one. I wonder what they will do when they run out of cameras and someone wants their camera fixed under warrenty?
Rex
dabevalem
Member
Rex,
maybe I've been confusing... when I said I got the RD upgraded to"s" I meant
the firmware upgrade. However, I confirm the camera is a different one
(different SN). Also, the upgrade has been done by RW, not epson (as far as I
know).
ste.
maybe I've been confusing... when I said I got the RD upgraded to"s" I meant
the firmware upgrade. However, I confirm the camera is a different one
(different SN). Also, the upgrade has been done by RW, not epson (as far as I
know).
ste.
pfogle
Well-known
On the question of servicing in the longer term, does anyone know if the shutter is the standard Bessa shutter? That's my biggest concern - getting a new shutter, as that seems to be the most likely point of failure to me.
Bob Parsons
Established
I don't know if the shutters are mechanically/electrically the same but looking at the cocked shutter blades it appears as if the printed metering patterns are different
Bob.
Bob.