Rumors about the Epson R-D2?

[Nemo]

There are not rumors about the next R-D2 or the Zeiss Ikon Digital (maybe both will be the same camera).
Anyone knows something??

 

[sgy1962]

The fact that the R-D1, which waslimited to 10,000 pieces worldwide, has not sold out, makes me wonder if there will be an R-D2. Possibly once the competition comes closer to hitting the market the prices on the R-D1s will drop and they will sell out. You're already starting to see those prices to drop.

My own feeling is that many rangefinder users are loyal Leica folks, and those who want to go digital are waiting to see what Leica has to offer.

We'll see.

 

[zeos 386sx]

Possibly once the competition comes closer to hitting the market the prices on the R-D1s will drop and they will sell out. You're already starting to see those prices to drop.

Where have you seen price reductions on the R-D1?

 

[zeos 386sx]

There are not rumors about the next R-D2 or the Zeiss Ikon Digital (maybe both will be the same camera).
Anyone knows something??

Sean Reid posted the following in the Leica forum:

"Actually, I did interview Phil Amato, who is Epson's product manager for the R-D1, for an R-D1 article and there are plans for more cameras. No news as to what and when." - Sean Reid
http://www.leica-camera.com/discus_e/messages/3/161501.html

 

[jlw]

Sean Reid posted the following in the Leica forum:

"Actually, I did interview Phil Amato, who is Epson's product manager for the R-D1, for an R-D1 article and there are plans for more cameras. No news as to what and when." - Sean Reid
http://www.leica-camera.com/discus_e/messages/3/161501.html

Yes, but "plans for more cameras" isn't the same thing as "plans for more optical rangefinder cameras with M-mount interchangeable lenses."

If Epson plans to make, say, more "prosumer" cameras with electronic viewfinders and fixed zoom lenses, that's interesting for Epson fans but not necessarily of interest to us...

 

[zeos 386sx]

Yes, but "plans for more cameras" isn't the same thing as "plans for more optical rangefinder cameras with M-mount interchangeable lenses."

Hey, Nemo asked for "rumors". However, I stand, humbly, corrected. 🙂

 

[sreidvt]

Sean Reid posted the following in the Leica forum:

"Actually, I did interview Phil Amato, who is Epson's product manager for the R-D1, for an R-D1 article and there are plans for more cameras. No news as to what and when." - Sean Reid
http://www.leica-camera.com/discus_e/messages/3/161501.html

Hi Zeos,

That was an appropriate thing to quote, I think. Phil Amato did indeed tell me that Epson plans to have a successor to the R-D1 at some point but the timing for that was not clear. His official comment, as I quoted in the article, was:

"Epson is committed to the professional photographer. Over the past ten years, Epson has transformed the world of photography by developing industry-leading color ink jet printers, high-performance scanners, and a range of other digital imaging devices and technologies. The Epson R-D1 Rangefinder Digital Camera is a logical extension of Epson's heritage of image capture and photo printing devices where quality and performance have become synonymous. We've made significant investments in the research and development of the camera to combine all that defines classic rangefinder photography with today's advanced digital technology. Given Epson's ongoing pursuit to exceed industry standards for digital imaging technology, performance and quality, it is safe to assume we will continue the development of high end digital image capture devices for the professional photographer."

Cheers,

Sean

 

[zeos 386sx]

Hey, then I'm taking back my humble-pie apology. Thanks Sean.

It would be hard for me to imagine Epson giving up on the R-D1 and not developing it - it's too good a camera. Besides, if Leica blows it with the digital M then Epson will probably end up with more business than it can handle. The only thing keeping me from buying the R-D1 right now is a desire to see what Leica does with the digital M.

 

[sgy1962]

Where have you seen price reductions on the R-D1?

A couple stores selling it on Ebay severaal weeks ago in the $2599 range. One as low as $2500. All new with warranty.

 

[zeos 386sx]

A couple stores selling it on Ebay severaal weeks ago in the $2599 range. One as low as $2500. All new with warranty.

Thank you....

I could only find one seller with a "new" R-D1 - digibuyer-dot-com in Hong Kong. The "Buy it Now Price" is $2,650 but shipping is $90 - Total $2740 - about an 8.7% discount off the MSRP. That is significant if any other dealers follow. Thus far it appears that European and U.S. dealers are holding to the 3000USD / 2476EUR / 1704GBP price.

 

[jlw]

Phil Amato did indeed tell me that Epson plans to have a successor to the R-D1 at some point but the timing for that was not clear. His official comment, as I quoted in the article, was:

"...Given Epson's ongoing pursuit to exceed industry standards for digital imaging technology, performance and quality, it is safe to assume we will continue the development of high end digital image capture devices for the professional photographer."

Great, if he told you "under the radar" specifically that they plan to do a successor to the R-D 1 someday.

But going by the official comment, "high end digital capture devices" could mean anything from an R-D 2 to a back for medium-format cameras.

 

[einolu]

Whats this thread really about and why do people sound angry?

I dont think it was ever 'logical' for Epson to make the RD1, but they did it anyway. Just like it wouldnt seem 'logical' for Cosina to start making rangefinders, but they did.

Rangefinders are an enigma and Im sure we will see more of them in the future.

 

[zeos 386sx]

Whats this thread really about and why do people sound angry?

I dont think it was ever 'logical' for Epson to make the RD1, but they did it anyway. Just like it wouldnt seem 'logical' for Cosina to start making rangefinders, but they did.

Rangefinders are an enigma and Im sure we will see more of them in the future.

That's not anger - that is the normal intensity level of diehard photo-hardware-junkies talking about their favorite subject.

Actually, if you read Epson's statement about why they built the R-D1, there is logic behind their making it. Their stated intent was to produce a high quality Epson camera that would produce high quality images with their technology inside - they built the R-D1 to showcase their imagery technology.

I hope you are right - I hope we see more rangefinders in the future.

 

[Flinor]

B & H has dropped their price to $2795. Not a great drop but a drop none the less.

Stephen Gandy, who is generally not given to spreading rumors, posted to one of his groups several weeks ago that he's heard from an industry insider that there were Konica Minolta Digital rangefinders under test, including one with a full frame sensor.

Not much information, but very interesting if true. A Hexar RFD? Let the speculation begin

 

[nksyoon]

Thus far it appears that European and U.S. dealers are holding to the 3000USD / 2476EUR / 1704GBP price.

http://www.shphoto.de is advertising the R-D1 at 2099 Euros before VAT for non-EU buyers. He's also selling it in various combinations with the Zeiss Ikon lenses.

 

[zeos 386sx]

B & H has dropped their price to $2795. Not a great drop but a drop none the less.

Flinor,

Thank you. I missed that.

Before I wrote my previous post I checked with Smarter.com (a price comparison website). It is still showing B&H, Epson, and Wolf Camera at $2,999.99.

However, checking at the individual websites shows that, in fact, B&H and Adorama have begun discounting the R-D1 (Epson and Wolf still show full MSRP).

B&H's website stills shows the full price $2999.95 - You have to hit "add to cart for lower price" to see the discounted price of $ 2,795.95 - a 7% discount. Adorama has simply discounted the camera to $2,799.95.

 

[brightsky]

Question for Sean

Question for Sean

Hi Sean~

My hope is for a version upgrade to the current Epson Raw plugin that would better handle some of the pixel issues and chromatic aberation, saving me from upgrading to CS2 or buying Iridient Digital's Raw Developer, both of which seemingly do a better job of processing ERF files.

Is this "wish upon a star" type of thinking or something even remotely possible?

TIA for any insight.

CM

 

[zeos 386sx]

http://www.shphoto.de is advertising the R-D1 at 2099 Euros before VAT for non-EU buyers. He's also selling it in various combinations with the Zeiss Ikon lenses.

nksyoon,

Thank you for getting me up-to-date. At current conversion rates 2009EUR = 2543USD. It looks like R-D1 discounting has finally begun.

 

[sreidvt]

Hi Sean~

My hope is for a version upgrade to the current Epson Raw plugin that would better handle some of the pixel issues and chromatic aberation, saving me from upgrading to CS2 or buying Iridient Digital's Raw Developer, both of which seemingly do a better job of processing ERF files.

Is this "wish upon a star" type of thinking or something even remotely possible?

TIA for any insight.

CM

I'd like to see that program updated as well. I discussed this with Epson this past spring and was told that the suggested changes would be passed on to the software team. Nothing yet...

Cheers,

Sean

 

[Will]

The only thing keeping me from buying the R-D1 right now is a desire to see what Leica does with the digital M.

The only thing keeping me from buying the R-D1 right now is a desire to see what Leica does with the digital M & my bank balance :bang: