RD1s - Current price

P

paragon

Established
Local time
3:31 PM
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
161
Location
France
View My Gallery
Thinking of buying a RD-1s - before all the "very low mileage" ones have gone

I do think think I could ever part with M8 money for the only other Digital RF that will ever be made, (?), - even if I won it

Is the current price of a new or "as new" RD-1s fair at US$2,000 to US$2,500, (depending on the country), with zero or under 100 actuations and possible. (I have just seen a couple on EBay recently)

Is it a good buy at this price

or is a 2 year old one with 3000 to 4000 just as good for half the money

I want the camera to use, not to keep in "mint" condition

Will RD-1 wear out or just keep going with no problems as i would expect the M8 to do

Any owners around that have had their for some time with no problems

Thanks in advance for any comments
 
Last edited:
I think chances are the number of dead pixels will increase with use, the bottom "bumpers" (legs) will wear out unless you use a case, and the shutter will jam (probably). But, I find those a minor detail if one takes into account the dreamy image quality and the camera’s superb handling. I think 1800-2K is pretty good for a new/low usage body. I got mine used for $1600 or so, then had Steve Camera do preventive maint. on the shutter.
 
akptc said:
I think chances are the number of dead pixels will increase with use, the bottom "bumpers" (legs) will wear out unless you use a case, and the shutter will jam (probably). But, I find those a minor detail if one takes into account the dreamy image quality and the camera’s superb handling. I think 1800-2K is pretty good for a new/low usage body. I got mine used for $1600 or so, then had Steve Camera do preventive maint. on the shutter.
Click to expand...

😱

I have been contemplating this purchase for a while now and I was pretty confident in getting a new one from matsuiyastore.
I've never heard of shutter jamming being a problem (unless the battery is dying) or dead pixels either -- do you have any references for these issues?
 
I have had mine for over a year. I use it regularly with no problems. It probably has over 15,000 shutter actuations. One just sold here for $1300, so if you're patient and lucky you can find one in that range. Or you can get a new from Matsuiyastorte on eBay. A more realistic used price is around $1500-$1600.

/T
 
Tuolumne said:
I have had mine for over a year. I use it regularly with no problems. It probably has over 15,000 shutter actuations. One just sold here for $1300, so if you're patient and lucky you can find one in that range. Or you can get a new from Matsuiyastorte on eBay. A more realistic used price is around $1500-$1600.

/T
Click to expand...

I have occassionally had a few dead pixels. Not a big deal. The camera will just map them out.

/T
 
agentsim said:
😱

I have been contemplating this purchase for a while now and I was pretty confident in getting a new one from matsuiyastore.
I've never heard of shutter jamming being a problem (unless the battery is dying) or dead pixels either -- do you have any references for these issues?
Click to expand...

Ooops...this is the one I meant to reply to:

I have occassionally had a few dead pixels. Not a big deal. The camera will just map them out.

/T
 
agentsim said:
😱

I have been contemplating this purchase for a while now and I was pretty confident in getting a new one from matsuiyastore.
I've never heard of shutter jamming being a problem (unless the battery is dying) or dead pixels either -- do you have any references for these issues?
Click to expand...
No worries, those are not big issues, really. There are hundreds or more posts here about RD1 maintenance, just do a quick search.
 
Tuolumne said:
I have occassionally had a few dead pixels. Not a big deal. The camera will just map them out.

/T
Click to expand...

pardon my need to learn. you mention that "the camera will just map them out." what does this mean? does the camera correct for the dead pixel?

thanks!
 
ramosa said:
pardon my need to learn. you mention that "the camera will just map them out." what does this mean? does the camera correct for the dead pixel?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Mapping out the dead pixels is a menu option in the V2 firmware. I'm not completely sure how it works algorithmically, but it probably replaces the dead pixel with the average value of the immediately adjacent pixels. Suffice it to say that you can't see any difference, other than the fact that the little white dot dead pixel disappears.

/T
 
Tuolumne said:
Mapping out the dead pixels is a menu option in the V2 firmware. I'm not completely sure how it works algorithmically, but it probably replaces the dead pixel with the average value of the immediately adjacent pixels. Suffice it to say that you can't see any difference, other than the fact that the little white dot dead pixel disappears.

/T
Click to expand...

T: great thanks for your reply.
 
I have had my R-D1 in regular use for 3 years and have had no problems with the camera itself.

I did manage to bounce it on the pavement (sidewalk) from shoulder height a couple of days ago. Apart from a few scrapes and the rangefinder vertical alignment being knocked out (which I now need to adjust) it survived without any other problems.

'Don't try this at home', but it shows they are reasonably tough.
 
I asked the original question as I feel the urge to "buy" - happens once or twice a year. I am looking for a digital to go with my Pentax K100D.

I am really tempted by the Epson, (I use an M3 and M6)

But after reading the comments regarding the Panasonic DMC-L1 I am also tempted to go that route as I have a lot of really good Nikon and Pentax glass accumulated over the years

I know that they are not the same and that the Epson would be a lot "more handy" but ???

The Epson is tempting but if I go that way will I get "sucked in" by more expensive lenses and the financial guilt that comes after the purchase?

I suppose it will depend which "bus" or deal comes along first as a handy, simple life - i.e. the Epson with two lenses, appeals, after years of lugging the SLRs around with a bag full of kit.

After all it is about photography not the "magpie" obsession of aquisition - or is it? - cameras and camera kit is, (can be), addictive and the internet increases the craving every time I "log on"

Do I need help, an Epson RD 1, or should I donate my money to a third world charity?

Thanks for your comments
 
Bill, I can't answer your questions, but IF you feel the NEED to buy something, then I would suggest some gear that complements what you already have, that is, which adds another colour to your palette, or give you a capability that you currently don't have. I don't know anything about the K100D, so I can't answer if the RD-1 will complement it or not.

Good luck in any case.
 
Bill, we have to be careful with all these photo forums. They promote the urge to buy. I also use Pentax DSLR, but when I wanted to get a digital "rangefinder" type camera, I ruled out the Epson, even though I have a number of CV Leica-mount lenses (and bodies). I work in computer technology and I'm just not going to put all that money into a discontinued/orphaned product.

So, I settled on a Canon G9, for reasons that have been amply covered elsewhere. It may have limitations, but since I also shoot with a Retina II and a Vito B, those limitations don't rise above the trivial threshold for me. It feels good in my hands and it's nice to look through an optical viewfinder, so it's sort of like using the Konica S-II I started out with in the 1960's.
 
paragon said:
I asked the original question as I feel the urge to "buy" - happens once or twice a year. I am looking for a digital to go with my Pentax K100D.

I am really tempted by the Epson, (I use an M3 and M6)

But after reading the comments regarding the Panasonic DMC-L1 I am also tempted to go that route as I have a lot of really good Nikon and Pentax glass accumulated over the years

I know that they are not the same and that the Epson would be a lot "more handy" but ???

The Epson is tempting but if I go that way will I get "sucked in" by more expensive lenses and the financial guilt that comes after the purchase?

I suppose it will depend which "bus" or deal comes along first as a handy, simple life - i.e. the Epson with two lenses, appeals, after years of lugging the SLRs around with a bag full of kit.

After all it is about photography not the "magpie" obsession of aquisition - or is it? - cameras and camera kit is, (can be), addictive and the internet increases the craving every time I "log on"

Do I need help, an Epson RD 1, or should I donate my money to a third world charity?

Thanks for your comments
Click to expand...

Bill,

Need is an interesting concept, no? I don't need much, but then we'd need to define "much," another interesting concept.

I can more directly address your comment about the L1. I would recommend against it--even though the price has come down (to about $799 these days). I had the camera for a while (more than a year ago), but returned it. I loved the camera's solid build, nice lens, and simple controls. BUT I really disliked the viewfinder, problems with focusing in low light, and high prevalence of noise. The viewfinder, simply put, is the worst that I have ever witnessed.

I have continued in the Nikon DSLR direction, but--like you--have a hankering for an R-D1s.

Anyway, good luck in your quest ... for a developing-world purpose or, perhaps, a new camera.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom