wintoid
Back to film
I got my RD1s from Robert White earlier this week, and thought I'd post a few impressions. These are intended to be just personal opinions, not scientific, and certainly not an indication of how everyone would feel.
I've been using a Voigtlander R2a with a Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2.0 lens and a Leica 35mm f/2.0 IV cron. I'm now using those same lenses on the RD1s. Doesn't it teach you a lot about the lenses!! It's really hard to know what to attribute to the lens when you have film and developer issues thrown into the mix. I feel like I know what's going on much more with the RD1s.
My first thought on opening the box was "big isn't it". It's quite a bit bigger than the R2a. I'd assumed it was the same body shell but I suppose that can't be true. My second thought was that the shutter sounds completely different, and I love the RD1s sound (never did like the R2a sound). My third thought was that the rangefinder patch is smaller than on the R2a, but in spite of this it's probably easier to focus.
RAW conversion was a problem for me. I've used Capture One for all my RAW conversion for about 2 years now, so I was disappointed that it didn't work with RD1s RAW files. I did find a way to get it to work in the end though, and am now happy with the workflow. Issues like colour reproduction are obviously quite dependent on the converter you use, and I have to say I don't really like the colours I'm getting out of Capture One, but I only ever use it in B+W mode anyway, and the files from Capture One using the Phase One BW profile are exactly what I need and love. Far closer to B+W film than I expected (this is a very personal thing, I'm sure not everyone would agree). There's a real possibility that I could ditch film at this point.
Like everyone, I was worried about QC. Mine seems to be perfectly aligned on the rangefinder, and I haven't seen any hot/dead pixels. Perhaps that's down to the firmware though.
One thing I've really learned is how much more brutally sharp the Leica is than the Hexanon. The Hexanon is glorious and soft, whilst keeping good contrast on edges. The Leica is viciously sharp. I'm struggling for the words here, but I would say that the transition between sharp and OOF is different between these two lenses. The Hexanon seems to be a very gradual scale, very gentle in its transition, and probably harder to focus. The Leica seems to stay very sharp even when slightly OOF, but then disintegrates into bokeh very quickly. I have to say that I don't really like the bokeh of this, the supposed "king of bokeh". I love the Hexanon in this respect though, as its bokeh is quite beautiful to me.
Whether or not I like the bokeh, I'm finding that the Leica just stays on the camera. It's a better focal length for me I suppose. It's also easier to use, and I feel like I have about a year of exploration to really understand it. I'm looking forward to that year
I've attached two photos. The bespectacled young man is the Leica wide open at ISO400 outdoors. The Japanese lady is the Hexanon wide open at ISO1600 indoors.
All in all, absolutely zero buyer's remorse here.
I've been using a Voigtlander R2a with a Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2.0 lens and a Leica 35mm f/2.0 IV cron. I'm now using those same lenses on the RD1s. Doesn't it teach you a lot about the lenses!! It's really hard to know what to attribute to the lens when you have film and developer issues thrown into the mix. I feel like I know what's going on much more with the RD1s.
My first thought on opening the box was "big isn't it". It's quite a bit bigger than the R2a. I'd assumed it was the same body shell but I suppose that can't be true. My second thought was that the shutter sounds completely different, and I love the RD1s sound (never did like the R2a sound). My third thought was that the rangefinder patch is smaller than on the R2a, but in spite of this it's probably easier to focus.
RAW conversion was a problem for me. I've used Capture One for all my RAW conversion for about 2 years now, so I was disappointed that it didn't work with RD1s RAW files. I did find a way to get it to work in the end though, and am now happy with the workflow. Issues like colour reproduction are obviously quite dependent on the converter you use, and I have to say I don't really like the colours I'm getting out of Capture One, but I only ever use it in B+W mode anyway, and the files from Capture One using the Phase One BW profile are exactly what I need and love. Far closer to B+W film than I expected (this is a very personal thing, I'm sure not everyone would agree). There's a real possibility that I could ditch film at this point.
Like everyone, I was worried about QC. Mine seems to be perfectly aligned on the rangefinder, and I haven't seen any hot/dead pixels. Perhaps that's down to the firmware though.
One thing I've really learned is how much more brutally sharp the Leica is than the Hexanon. The Hexanon is glorious and soft, whilst keeping good contrast on edges. The Leica is viciously sharp. I'm struggling for the words here, but I would say that the transition between sharp and OOF is different between these two lenses. The Hexanon seems to be a very gradual scale, very gentle in its transition, and probably harder to focus. The Leica seems to stay very sharp even when slightly OOF, but then disintegrates into bokeh very quickly. I have to say that I don't really like the bokeh of this, the supposed "king of bokeh". I love the Hexanon in this respect though, as its bokeh is quite beautiful to me.
Whether or not I like the bokeh, I'm finding that the Leica just stays on the camera. It's a better focal length for me I suppose. It's also easier to use, and I feel like I have about a year of exploration to really understand it. I'm looking forward to that year
I've attached two photos. The bespectacled young man is the Leica wide open at ISO400 outdoors. The Japanese lady is the Hexanon wide open at ISO1600 indoors.
All in all, absolutely zero buyer's remorse here.
Attachments
Last edited:
pfogle
Well-known
Hi Wintoid, thanks for the nice post. I've got an M-Hexanon, and I thought it was sharp! But, then, I haven't yet tried the 'cron - I guess I'm nervous that if I do, I'll have to buy it
wintoid
Back to film
Hi Pfogle,
Well I think the M-Hexanon is sharp but in a more subtle way. For example, the Leica would show every pore of the skin whereas the M-Hexanon seems to be very sharp with edges (eyes, lips and so on), but with a glorious softening effect on skin. Seems like a very nice portrait lens to me.
Cheers
Well I think the M-Hexanon is sharp but in a more subtle way. For example, the Leica would show every pore of the skin whereas the M-Hexanon seems to be very sharp with edges (eyes, lips and so on), but with a glorious softening effect on skin. Seems like a very nice portrait lens to me.
Cheers
Gid
Well-known
It is a very nice camera. I've neglected mine of late having got the film bug, but seeing your shots is making me want to get back to it. Nice shots BTW. I have both of those lenses, but have never tried the hexanon on the RD-1. Most of the time the 35 cron stays on the RD-1, except when using the M6.
I'm sure that you will enjoy it. Whether or not you stop using film ..... time will tell.
I'm sure that you will enjoy it. Whether or not you stop using film ..... time will tell.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
GeneW has some Hexanon 50 shots (on an M2) in his Flickr photostream, many taken during the last Toronto RFF meet.
When first saw the b&w (Neopan) shots using that combination, I was just delighted. The look is obviously a bit different because he used film, and the Rodinal adds its special pizzazz, but the signature of that lens really comes through.
Wintoid, your post is very helpful; those kinds of subjective observations are, IMO, very valuable. It will be interesting to see what happens to interest in and the price of the R-D1 when the M8 is launched. All-in-all, acquiring M mount lenses sounds like a worthwhile activity.
When first saw the b&w (Neopan) shots using that combination, I was just delighted. The look is obviously a bit different because he used film, and the Rodinal adds its special pizzazz, but the signature of that lens really comes through.
Wintoid, your post is very helpful; those kinds of subjective observations are, IMO, very valuable. It will be interesting to see what happens to interest in and the price of the R-D1 when the M8 is launched. All-in-all, acquiring M mount lenses sounds like a worthwhile activity.
Aurelius
Well-known
nemjo
Avatar Challenge
However I'm only a six-hours-owner of an RD1s, I'm sure those are right who find this camera (at least nearly) perfect.
Just for the fun I put Canon 135 on it - and am impessed with the results.
I think I will miss the frames for 75 and 90...
Cheers,
nemjo
Just for the fun I put Canon 135 on it - and am impessed with the results.
I think I will miss the frames for 75 and 90...
Cheers,
nemjo
Attachments
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
If only we could get THAT Budweiser over here!
nemjo
Avatar Challenge
But the perfect workflow is:
first drink the beer and then take the picture...
first drink the beer and then take the picture...
wintoid
Back to film
nemjo
Avatar Challenge
Hi ,
after a few days of usage, I'm still impressed...
Both the machanics and electronics are great.
Therefore I now know that I really miss the framelines for 75 and 90.
I think that a 28/90 , 50/75 solution shouldn't break the viewfinder...
The latter however is quite gussable, but the 90 - that i really miss.
Cheers,
nemjo
BTW do you have a method not to forget the selector?
after a few days of usage, I'm still impressed...
Both the machanics and electronics are great.
Therefore I now know that I really miss the framelines for 75 and 90.
I think that a 28/90 , 50/75 solution shouldn't break the viewfinder...
The latter however is quite gussable, but the 90 - that i really miss.
Cheers,
nemjo
BTW do you have a method not to forget the selector?
frankweir
Member
NEMJO: I have the RD-1 and picked up a Tewe zoom finder, 35-200, on the 'bay for about 70 bucks. If you want to play around with longer lenses on the epson, you really need to get a zoom finder....especially since with the 1.6 magnification, you will need to set the zoom finder higher than what your lens is. Others on RFF have gone into this in detail. I used a Leica 135mm with the epson at the Ann Arbor Art Fair and it worked really well setting the Tewe at about 180mm or so. I am attempting to include a sample with this note...not sure if I am doing it correctly...
Frank weir
http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1482206/0/nouser_1482/TO_-1_1482206.jpg
Frank weir
http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1482206/0/nouser_1482/TO_-1_1482206.jpg
frankweir
Member
Didnt work...i really need help in how to post images here...I tried to copy and paste but I had to hand-type into the RFF dialog box and didnt get it right....puhleeze....no flames...I will look at the site directions....there must be some somewhere...
frank weir
frank weir
Didier
"Deed"
Trius said:
Yes THAT Budweiser is a real beer! But you guys over the atlantic got Samuel Adams beer, ain't that bad, too...
cheers,
Didier (enjoying a Paulaner Weissbier in this hot summer night)
frankweir
Member
Ok....uploaded the shot to RFF and it is in my galler...I assume I can cut and paste here so you can click and go to it? It's called epsonartfair....here's the link??
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=39998&cat=500&ppuser=5672
frank weir
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=39998&cat=500&ppuser=5672
frank weir