RD1 Availability

W

washy21

Established
Local time
10:31 PM
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
155
Well - I have ordered a new RD 1 from Robert White at the special price, but I fear that they may be hard to get hold of. It turns out that they didn't actually have them in stock and are at the mercy of Epson for delivery dates.

To be fair Ken at Robert White's has been great, and I am just hoping that it doesn't turn out to be a mammoth wait only to discover they can't be obtained, because I had got pretty exited about getting it for my trip to London this weekend.

If the Epson are indeed just getting rid of existing stock and are not going to continue making it - does anyone know whether warranties will be honoured.
 
Hi Washy ;D

They just announced a new one (which seems to be a firmware update) and I also read they didn't plan to distribute them into the UK.. It's hard to figure what they are trying to achieve!
 
Well, in a twist of luck and fate I managed to actually get hold of one today and it is in my possession now.

I am just hoping that I have got a good example because being new to the rangefinder I haven't a clue whatt I'm looking for.

The lens is coming from Robert Whites tommorow so I'm ready to go.
 
Where did you get one, and how much : What lens did you order ?

I'm thinking of a R3A or an Epson with a 40mm f1.4,. I've been iching to decide :D
 
uhh, there is in my opinion something strange. Personally I discover this forum when looking for info about RD-1, camera on which I had much interest and many doubts. not necessary to mentione because already discussed by other people in other thread in this forum. What surprise me is that being an expensive camera anyway, even the new RD-1 s is not so cheap, is so difficult to be found, seen, tested or even try to keep in hands ! At least in Italy, even if you decide to buy one, you'll loose the desire to do it ! For what is my opinion worth, it was (is) an excellent idea from Epson to project and realize such a camera, but the sales and marketing has been not appropriate! just a comment,ciao
rob
 
Buze:

I got if from Calumet and I paid £1300. I had earlier that day been offered one for £1000 but the seller then backed off.

I am getting the CV 35mm 1.7 ultron for now and I will add the CV 50mm 1.5 when I can.

Robert:

I totally here your frustration and at one point I was thinking that if Epson can't get their act together with these cameras then I won't patronise them. That said, and like many others have stated it is currently the only digital rangefinder camera available so I had to go with it.

What I will do though is use it to see if I get on with the RF. If I do then when the Leica arrives I will be able to buy with more experience.

Cameras are always going to cost a fortune and launch and drop off in price if you are prepared to wait. I waited and low and behold I have saved over £700 from what I would have paid two weeks ago.

I will hopefully be testing the camera over the next week (if the lens arrive) and will be interested to see if I can make it work for my style of photography which is perhaps more graphic than documentary.

First impressions of this camera though are very positive.

Light - but feels well built

Controls where you want them and not by pressing loads of buttons

Size is lovely - not too big and not too small

Battery compartment could be a little sturdier but I'm sure it's fine.

As soon as I have used it I will post some pictures.
 
Yes, I agree it is the only digital RF camera available. It s like a "real" camera and bot like a gadget, should be relatively easy to be used by "conventional" photographer.
And probably not bad. For the moment I decided to stay with film + scanner (if necessary) solution. But my surprise is that seems Epson is not selling these cameras as planned, but they are not promoting it ! They are not making many effort to sell it ! ok, it s their job !
ciao, rob
 
Nice one John. :cool:

After reading your post above, I contacted Calumet here in Liverpool and I too now have another R-D1 for the princely sum of £1355.

Even better, this one actually has accurate focus in both the close range and infinity with all of my lenses. WooHoo.

I previously had had two other R-D1's, but not at the same time.
In the closest focus range the first front focussed, the second rear focussed. After adjustment at Epson France the second was better, but not perfect and also when it was returned the vertical focus was off !!!!!!!
In both of the bodies above the hotshoe was swapped between bodies by Epson to keep the same serial number. The new body i purchased today has an older serial number but appears to be spot on. :D

Cheers
Eric
 
EricC and Washy21 - How did you get the R-D1 for 1300+? It still shows as 1799 in the UK....is there some sort of special available? Which stores did you go to.....

I'm trying to tell Calumet in the US to reduce its price and sell me one for what you paid in the UK!!!!
 
Steve L said:
EricC and Washy21 - How did you get the R-D1 for 1300+? It still shows as 1799 in the UK....is there some sort of special available? Which stores did you go to.....

I'm trying to tell Calumet in the US to reduce its price and sell me one for what you paid in the UK!!!!
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,
I bought mine from Calumet in Liverpool and I believe that Washy21 bought his from Calumet in Manchester. I just went into the Liverpool branch and mentioned that i had read on here that one of the members had bought one last week for £1300. The guy checked the price on their system and came up with the price you quoted.
He then made a couple of phone calls and I ended up with the R-D1 for £1355.
On the receipt it was sold as Clearence Price.

Hope this helps to get you one at the same price.

All the Best
Eric
 
Thanks, guys....Calumet here in Cambridge Massachusetts has one and I'm they are checking into the price over there....so "Clearance" is the key...
 
Sorry I didn't pick up on the messages. Just good olf fashioned barter and price matching really.

Anyway, I am loving this camera and hope every one else who has just got one does as well
 
Well...the story is that Calumet US has only 6 more R-D1's in the country, and they are trying to send them back to Epson...they paid so much for them (around $2700 or so, they say) that they don't want to discount them and sell them at a loss....

They think that Epson has probably made a deal with Robert White in the UK for a rebate to them on R-D1 sales, and that is why Calumet UK is selling cheaper, to match prices, but they don't have that issue in the US.

So it is $2800 or nothing.....on the other hand, buying one of these new rather than used seems to make sense, given the quality control issues....so maybe it is worth the difference.
 
I might sell you mine if we can agree on the price.

I might sell you mine if we can agree on the price.

I currently have an R-D1 that has the best rangefinder of three that I have owned, so it is probably a better bet in terms of performance than a new one right out of the box (that's just a matter of probabilities). It also shows virtually no use, so it looks like a new one. Also, if it helps, I am in the U.S. and could ship it to you overnight fedex.

If we can agree on a price that I like, I would sell it to you and perhaps get an R-D1S, but I am frankly torn about doing that because the new RD1S could end up with a rangefinder that is worse.

I am willing to discuss this if you would like, but I will need to do this quickly if I am going to take the chance on an R-D1S. Email me your phone number at edlaurpic@gmail.com. if you would like me to call you to discuss this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom