Pinphot
Established
Many years ago, Leica used to offer a service whereby M4P veiwfinder optics could be transplanted into M3 , (or was it M2?), bodies. Does anybody on these forums know enough about the mechanics of the r-d1 finders to say whether it might be possibble to cannibalise the 21/25/28/35/50 frames and optical system from the new Bessa R4 and transplant them into an r-d1. I have a feeling that I already know the answer to this and I think it's probably a NO, but it's an interesting idea.
Obviously, the frames are designed for 35mm full frame, but the r-d1 frames as they stand are approximate at best, the 21//28/35/50 frames of the R4 would be close enough to use with 15/21/25 or 28 and 35mm lenses respectively. Its a shame that there is not a 75mm frame, as I do like the short telephoto of a 50 on the r-d1 for loose head and 3/4 length portraits.
Perhaps we could charm and flatter the sweet Mr Kobayashi of Cosina into offering this service, assuming it's possible? I don't think there would be a snowball in hell's chance of getting Epson themselves to be interested in this, likewise a firmware upgrade to fix a few niggles would be appreciated too, but hey, daydreaming is free!
Mark
Obviously, the frames are designed for 35mm full frame, but the r-d1 frames as they stand are approximate at best, the 21//28/35/50 frames of the R4 would be close enough to use with 15/21/25 or 28 and 35mm lenses respectively. Its a shame that there is not a 75mm frame, as I do like the short telephoto of a 50 on the r-d1 for loose head and 3/4 length portraits.
Perhaps we could charm and flatter the sweet Mr Kobayashi of Cosina into offering this service, assuming it's possible? I don't think there would be a snowball in hell's chance of getting Epson themselves to be interested in this, likewise a firmware upgrade to fix a few niggles would be appreciated too, but hey, daydreaming is free!
Mark
Last edited:
ddimaria
Well-known
This is the first thing I thought of when I saw this camera. I think down the road I may try to have the finders swapped. I wonder if you could by just the rangefinder and not the whole camera.