zeos 386sx
Well-known
That too....Will said:
Nemo
Established
Zeiss is looking for a partner in the Zeiss Ikon Digital project. Two logic partners are Cosina and Epson. Epson, Cosina and Zeiss can develop a R-D2 camera based on the Zeiss Ikon body.
Zeiss can do all the work with other partner. Anyone knows if Fuji has contacted Zeiss or Kyocera for adquiring rights on the Contax brand?
Zeiss can do all the work with other partner. Anyone knows if Fuji has contacted Zeiss or Kyocera for adquiring rights on the Contax brand?
Peter Klein
Well-known
For me it's more than just bank balance. The R-D1 is very tempting. Great image quality, better than most if not all DSLRs of its megapixel class. I've got lenses for it already. It suits my shooting style. BUT. . .
1. The 1x viewfinder just doesn't work for me. I wear glasses some of the time, contact lenses other times. I just can't see shelling out $3,000 for a camera I can only use with a 50mm lens (75mm equivalent) when I'm wearing glasses. If Epson had made it with a .7x viewfinder, I'd probably own one now despite the other issues.
2. The quality control problems are simply unacceptable in this expensive a camera. Some people have had up to four bodies before they got one that worked acceptably. Or where they gave up and did the RF alignment themselves (voiding the warrantee), or sent it out (more $$). This only flies when you're the only game in town.
3. Short RF base may be an issue for close up and wide open photography, which is something I do a lot.
4. For a 35mm-ish view, you need a lens in the 21-25mm range. They are either slow and vignette (VC), or are expensive and still not f/2 (Leica, Zeiss).
I'm hoping a little competition will make the digital RF market a bit more sensible. Especially in price. The Bessa R series is priced appropriately for its build quality. The R-D1 is not.
--Peter
1. The 1x viewfinder just doesn't work for me. I wear glasses some of the time, contact lenses other times. I just can't see shelling out $3,000 for a camera I can only use with a 50mm lens (75mm equivalent) when I'm wearing glasses. If Epson had made it with a .7x viewfinder, I'd probably own one now despite the other issues.
2. The quality control problems are simply unacceptable in this expensive a camera. Some people have had up to four bodies before they got one that worked acceptably. Or where they gave up and did the RF alignment themselves (voiding the warrantee), or sent it out (more $$). This only flies when you're the only game in town.
3. Short RF base may be an issue for close up and wide open photography, which is something I do a lot.
4. For a 35mm-ish view, you need a lens in the 21-25mm range. They are either slow and vignette (VC), or are expensive and still not f/2 (Leica, Zeiss).
I'm hoping a little competition will make the digital RF market a bit more sensible. Especially in price. The Bessa R series is priced appropriately for its build quality. The R-D1 is not.
--Peter
Toby
On the alert
DO you think they should use the bessa R2 body with upgraded digital electronics the R2-D2 has got a certain ring to it....
Nemo
Established
No, I think they should use the Zeiss Ikon as a base for the R-D2. A larger base for the rangefinder and a better finder is necessary.
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
Peter Klein said:
With a Noctilux at f1 RF accuracy is not a problem, see other threads in the same forum. Probably the 1:1 magnification helps.
Nemo
Established
Epson is working in a new rangefinder camera. See the last question of this interview:
http://www.zone-numerique.com/DetailTest.aspx?Testid=40&p=1
(it is in French).
http://www.zone-numerique.com/DetailTest.aspx?Testid=40&p=1
(it is in French).
Viktor
Newbie
Maybe someone could translate the last question and answer from this interview? It is french to me...
pfogle
Well-known
Use alta-vistas babelfish (http://babelfish.altavista.com/) to translate the page. It's very funny, but you get the gist
Nemo
Established
My free translation of the two key phrases...
Will be a successor of the R-D1?
Yes, we have just started working on the next model...
... We will go definitively for the digital rangefinder market...
M
Marc Jutras
Guest
Translation:
Indeed, we have already started working on the next one. We don't have a release date yet but we can say that if we, at Epson, are ending the production of compact digicams, we are definitely going for the digital rangefinder market.
Indeed, we have already started working on the next one. We don't have a release date yet but we can say that if we, at Epson, are ending the production of compact digicams, we are definitely going for the digital rangefinder market.
JohnL
Very confused
Canon ought to produce a RF with a full-frame sensor. They already have the technology to do both. They just haven't put it together ... yet.
LCT
ex-newbie
Thanks for the link Ruben but the interview is dated March 2005 and it's not quite clear if Epson has sold many R-D1s since then given the QC problems of our beloved camera.
Our colleague DanielT got the membership card number 0037 in July 2005 when i've got the # 0001 in November 2004.
See http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9092
Looks like those cards are only issued in Europe AFAIK but 37 cameras in 8 months is not that many in a 500 million people continent...
Best,
LCT
Our colleague DanielT got the membership card number 0037 in July 2005 when i've got the # 0001 in November 2004.
See http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9092
Looks like those cards are only issued in Europe AFAIK but 37 cameras in 8 months is not that many in a 500 million people continent...
Best,
LCT
Nemo
Established
Dear LCT,
I tested the R-D1 a few days ago. I think the camera is really great, but the price is absurd. That is the problem. I guess there is a big potential market for a digital rangefinder with M mount, but the price is crazy, even if quality control is perfect. Epson needs to update the specifications and/or reduce the price substantially.
R
I tested the R-D1 a few days ago. I think the camera is really great, but the price is absurd. That is the problem. I guess there is a big potential market for a digital rangefinder with M mount, but the price is crazy, even if quality control is perfect. Epson needs to update the specifications and/or reduce the price substantially.
R
DougK
This space left blank
It seems to me based on the above statement (thanks for the translation, Marc) that the RD-1 was a trial balloon of sorts, almost a technology demonstrator combined with "is there a demand for this product?"
I'm guessing they received the answer "yes." Pardon the analogy here, but Leica might have to watch out or they might find out that their date left the prom with another guy....
I'm guessing they received the answer "yes." Pardon the analogy here, but Leica might have to watch out or they might find out that their date left the prom with another guy....
Nemo
Established
I am sure about the existence of a broad market for digital rangefinders. I think it is a good market for lens manufacturers, because M lenses are like candies. People buys several lenses, they like to try and compare... Zeiss, Leica, Voigtländer... 40mm, 35mm, 50mm... But affordable rangefinder cameras are necessary. I was tempted to buy a R-D1 one year ago, but the price was too high for a two years repaidment period (until the M Leica arrives).
LCT
ex-newbie
I don't know Ruben.
To compare apples and oranges, the Leica Digital M should sell at about 5,000 euro in Europe as far as we know and we can hardly expect a possible digital version of the Zeiss Ikon body to be an "affordable" camera knowing that its analog version should cost some 1,500 euro yet.
Then, setting aside its unforgivable QC problems and given that the R-D1 can be acquired new for 2,400 euro right now, at least in Germany, this latter price doesn't look that crazy IMHO.
BTW the price drop from 3,000 to 2,400 euro makes me think that the R-D1 doesn't sell that well i'm afraid...
FWIW
Best,
LCT
To compare apples and oranges, the Leica Digital M should sell at about 5,000 euro in Europe as far as we know and we can hardly expect a possible digital version of the Zeiss Ikon body to be an "affordable" camera knowing that its analog version should cost some 1,500 euro yet.
Then, setting aside its unforgivable QC problems and given that the R-D1 can be acquired new for 2,400 euro right now, at least in Germany, this latter price doesn't look that crazy IMHO.
BTW the price drop from 3,000 to 2,400 euro makes me think that the R-D1 doesn't sell that well i'm afraid...
FWIW
Best,
LCT
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Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Regarding QC, acknowledged there shouldn't be any problems. And I had a few at start-up. But post-resolution, I'm going on six months of flawless operation and don't expect any more hiccups. I had a similar experience with a VW Passat. One year of glitches followed by flawless performance. I know there are those who wouldn't stand for it; but I'm happy with the camera and the pics it produces.
Nemo
Established
The R-D1 price in Spain is 2.900 euros.
I think that is too much.
2.400 also is excessive.
I think that is too much.
2.400 also is excessive.
Grober
Well-known
Buying the Epson R-D1
Buying the Epson R-D1
One would be foolish to purchase an offshore R-D1 at any price, IMHO. I want a dealer to visit if I have warranty issues, given the fickleness of the s/w provided with the sale of this particular camera and essential to the success of any venture into digi-land.
(Yes, I do work for a s/w company but not one doing work in this space.)
-g
Buying the Epson R-D1
One would be foolish to purchase an offshore R-D1 at any price, IMHO. I want a dealer to visit if I have warranty issues, given the fickleness of the s/w provided with the sale of this particular camera and essential to the success of any venture into digi-land.
(Yes, I do work for a s/w company but not one doing work in this space.)
-g