tajart
ancien
this is such a well thought out camera, perhaps it will join the ranks of earlier classics, with avid supporters into the future. with that in mind, does anyone know of anyone performing surgery, or experimenting with replacement sensors in this ergonomic wonder?
Didier
"Deed"
The future of the Epson rangefinder camera has been discussed here many times. So far, nothing is known about Epson's plans, but actually not many here do expect a R-D1(s) follow up. Personally I believe Epson will not continue this path. I also doubt if any third party might have an economic interest in developing a sensor upgrade for a camera that was sold in about 10-15'000 units (estimated). Especially with a model that is known for a high rate of quality control drop outs (like my second body who went nuts a few days ago)
I can not completely share your opinion about it's ergonomy being a wonder. The shutter lever finally is not as ergonomic as NO shutter lever like on almost all digital cameras, including the M8. And setting the framelines manually is everything else than ergonomic compared to my 22 yrs old M6 which does it automatically - I don't know how many times I had the wrong framelines on my Epson... Also the "Freeze AE value" button at the bottom left of the shutter lever is not very ergonomic to handle, at least with my right hand which is medium sized (for european dimensions).
The merits of this camera are somewhere else: first digital rangefinder and good picture quality, plus nice-to-have features like analog display and hideable LCD. The ergonomy is less in the foreground if you have ever handled a M6, M7 or MP.
Didier
I can not completely share your opinion about it's ergonomy being a wonder. The shutter lever finally is not as ergonomic as NO shutter lever like on almost all digital cameras, including the M8. And setting the framelines manually is everything else than ergonomic compared to my 22 yrs old M6 which does it automatically - I don't know how many times I had the wrong framelines on my Epson... Also the "Freeze AE value" button at the bottom left of the shutter lever is not very ergonomic to handle, at least with my right hand which is medium sized (for european dimensions).
The merits of this camera are somewhere else: first digital rangefinder and good picture quality, plus nice-to-have features like analog display and hideable LCD. The ergonomy is less in the foreground if you have ever handled a M6, M7 or MP.
Didier
kevin m
Veteran
This camera sadly shares a future with the Hexar RF: Future paperweights. 
yanidel
Well-known
I wonder if at some point it will be better not to use our RD1 before it fails forever. Being the first digital rangefinder ever built, it will have collectible value 20-30 years from now. But then, who really cares about what will happen in such a long time ...
Anyway, at some point, I'll buy a M8 and keep my RD1 as back-up, I just don't want it to die of elderness without life support from Epson
Anyway, at some point, I'll buy a M8 and keep my RD1 as back-up, I just don't want it to die of elderness without life support from Epson
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
I do not believe one can cram a better sensor in and RD1s any more than I could put an Itanium chip in my PC. Like any old camera, it's future is that it will end up either on a shelf or in a landfill. Hopefully, after someone enjoys it for many years.
JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
This camera sadly shares a future with the Hexar RF: Future paperweights.
Certainly true, but in the meantime, d@mned good users.
I think it's a mistake to worry too much about the future of this camera - use it now. With digital, the future belongs to some other camera.
Johnmcd
Well-known
I have many cameras, all take great pictures and all are hampered more by my lack of talent than anything else.
But it is the R-D1 that makes me want to take photos every day. So every message I see that talks about it's 'frailty' makes me fret and worry that mine is a ticking time bomb that can't be fixed.
But...
It works like a charm today and there is every chance it will tomorrow as well. And if it ever breaks I will worry then. Like any other problem, I solve it in any number of ways, including an M8 (though I don't know where on earth I would get that type of money).
To think any other way is to worry for nothing - wait until you have something to worry about to make the angst worthwhile
If over twenty years in the emergency services has taught me anything, it is to enjoy what you have today. Cameras, lenses and hobbies will mean nothing when life really gets tough and that change of fortune can unfortunately happen in the blink of an eye.
Life's too short, the R-D1 gives me great enjoyment now so I make hay while the sun shines.
John
But it is the R-D1 that makes me want to take photos every day. So every message I see that talks about it's 'frailty' makes me fret and worry that mine is a ticking time bomb that can't be fixed.
But...
It works like a charm today and there is every chance it will tomorrow as well. And if it ever breaks I will worry then. Like any other problem, I solve it in any number of ways, including an M8 (though I don't know where on earth I would get that type of money).
To think any other way is to worry for nothing - wait until you have something to worry about to make the angst worthwhile
If over twenty years in the emergency services has taught me anything, it is to enjoy what you have today. Cameras, lenses and hobbies will mean nothing when life really gets tough and that change of fortune can unfortunately happen in the blink of an eye.
Life's too short, the R-D1 gives me great enjoyment now so I make hay while the sun shines.
John
__hh
Well-known
John,
what great advice from a professional... thank you John
"If over twenty years in the emergency services has taught me anything, it is to enjoy what you have today. Cameras, lenses and hobbies will mean nothing when life really gets tough and that change of fortune can unfortunately happen in the blink of an eye."
what great advice from a professional... thank you John
"If over twenty years in the emergency services has taught me anything, it is to enjoy what you have today. Cameras, lenses and hobbies will mean nothing when life really gets tough and that change of fortune can unfortunately happen in the blink of an eye."
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
For some reason that statement rings very loudly in my ears.
So true!
Johnmcd
Well-known
Hi Hung,
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you have gained something from my thoughts. I imagine any fireman, paramedic or police officer might say the same.
Off topic, but to expand...
When I fret over not enough money, the ups and downs of human relationships or maybe I'm just a little tired and irritable, I go into work and when the bells go off at the Station, I suddenly find myself at the scene of some sort of tragedy where somebody else is really having a bad day. Ask anyone who's ever been in a serious car accident about a very 'sudden' change in priorities.
I call it a 'wake up call' and it puts my life's little problems in perspective. It's a constant reminder about what is really important in life and perhaps, to some degree, how fragile our lives really are.
So I try to stay healthy, enjoy my loved ones and do what I enjoy doing - this life ain't a practice
All the best - John
georgef
Well-known
This camera sadly shares a future with the Hexar RF: Future paperweights.
...including a whole lot of LEICA, CONTAX, ZEISS, CANON and NIKON M bodies: perfectly usable cameras in an age without film availability.
tomasis
Well-known
hope we still can made films ourselves. Buy machines from Kodak and Fuji plants It would be cool to own trix machine
It would be cool to own trix machine