Tell me why I should keep my RD1

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Vickko

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Tell me why I should keep my RD1.

I bought it from a meticulous Leica user, and it is virtually in mint condition, with an RF that is aligned. I have no complaints about its proper functionality, the camera works fine.

But I'm just not overjoyed with the images.

I don't get a thrill from post-processing the images to make them better.

It doesn't give me the "snappy WOW" that prints from the photo finisher provides.

I wish I could compare to an M8, but I don't know that there are any around me.

So - is it time to say goodbye to my RD1 and revert back to film?

...Vick

My film cameras would be overjoyed. 🙂
 
Sure

Sure

If walking all the way to a shop to collect prints (and pay for them) is more of a thrill to you than the pain in the proverbial it is for me, then by all means take advantage of the inflated second hand prices for the R-D1 and get rid of it. It's a seller's market but won't stay that way for long. On the other hand, I love the images my R-D1 produces with good quality glass and will continue using it even when it is so dinged up it is unrecognisable. By then it won't be worth the dust pan and brush needed to pick up the pieces but I will still have taken some priceless photos with it on the way.
 
The stock answer as always is - only you can make this decision.

I have an R-D1 and an M8. I'm not about to get rid of the R-D1. In my opinion it is capable of producing superb images and I have lots of A3 prints that hold up very well against the M8 and also against MF and 35mm scans. If you want to go a lot bigger than 18x12 then you might start to see the difference in resolution to the M8 and MF scans, but the difference is not huge at normal viewing distances.

You may need to look at your workflow to determine if you're getting the best from the camera. For example, do you shoot RAW? What RAW converter do you use? Is you monitor profiled? Are you printing yourself and if so what printer? There are lots of variables just as there is with film. However, if it doesn't work for you that's fine and nobody's going to shoot you for returning to film.

Good luck in you decision.
 
Vickko said:
Tell me why I should keep my RD1.
Click to expand...

It sounds as if what you're really asking is, "Tell me why I should keep doing digital images instead of going back to film."

It also sounds as if you've already made up your mind.

It's going to take more than just an R-D 1 to get that "snappy WOW" you say you get from machine-made photofinisher prints from film -- at the least, you'll also need a photo-quality printer and a certain amount of practice in prepping your images to print well.

If you don't want to make those investments, and if you're genuinely, fully satisfied with the photofinisher prints you get -- then of course the easiest way to get the results you're used to is to stick with the process that provides those results. So you should go back to film.

The real advantage of digital is for people who tend not to be satisfied with commercial photofinishing and want to be able to custom-tailor the results they want. In the pre-digital era, those people had to invest in darkroom equipment and climb a fairly steep learning curve (especially if they wanted to work in color.) Shooting digitally, the investment requirement is still there and the learning curve is still there -- it's just not quite as steep (and doesn't smell up your house quite as much.)
 
When I read your previous posts I get the feeling that you're more into camera talk
than into photography itself.
I am glad that Gid pointed out that there is hardly any difference in quality up to A4,
so if i were you I would go out and shoot and concentrate on what's the best way to 'devellop' your RAW images.
You have the tools, so now it's getting time to become as good as your camera.
Geo
 
Vick, I'm with you 100% on not wanting to post-process. Luckily I have a great lab nearby that does a bang-up job, still does E6 and 120 too. Thing is, how much longer is that going to be true for me, or for you? I use my RD1 very little. I got it as a refurb and like yours it's in perfect fettle. I bought it mostly as a backup for the M8 which I planned to buy but haven't yet. I don't plan to sell it, at least not in the near future, but I'm still using film as long as it's viable for me to do so and I wouldn't let anyone shame you into going digital. My Canon 20D satisfies my needs perfectly, I have zero complaints about it, so I have no burning desire to drop thousands of dollars on any so-called "pro" digital camera. Don't fix what ain't broke, that's my motto.
 
Vick - you shouldn't. Just box it up and send it to me. My wife keeps stealing mine and the only way it will stop is if I get one for her. I'll be waiting...

- John
 
Vickko said:
Tell me why I should keep my RD1.

I bought it from a meticulous Leica user, and it is virtually in mint condition, with an RF that is aligned. I have no complaints about its proper functionality, the camera works fine.

But I'm just not overjoyed with the images.

I don't get a thrill from post-processing the images to make them better.

It doesn't give me the "snappy WOW" that prints from the photo finisher provides.

I wish I could compare to an M8, but I don't know that there are any around me.

So - is it time to say goodbye to my RD1 and revert back to film?

...Vick

My film cameras would be overjoyed. 🙂
Click to expand...

I didn't get it; I remember virtually every serious photographer I have ever known and myself (careful not to include myself in that group) spending a tremendous amount of time in the drakroom doing black and white prints...hence the chemically induced memory loos..I think LOL. All the while, we were all dreaming of owning a colour lab to spend the rest of our waking hours in. By comparison, digital p-processing is way healthier, more fun and versatile and it does not cost the fortune (and time penalty) of film. and in temrs of "blahh" image output off the RD1, I have owned numerous Nikon, Canon and Olympus DSLRs and none of them gave me a "jumpy" satisfactory image straight out of the camera

Now I get it! What you are talking about, I gather, is snapshots! Those wonderful, bright, in-your-face images you get out of point and shoots; if that's the case, I have a wonderful Canon PS to exchange for your RD1..its smaller, does not need a lens and in addition to that it takes videos too!!! You know I am kidding here:angel: :angel:

If you're not happy with the RD1, I will agree with JLW: "...It sounds as if what you're really asking is, "Tell me why I should keep doing digital images instead of going back to film."

It also sounds as if you've already made up your mind..."
george
 
Put the R-D1 in a draw and get yourself another film body and go shoot some film again and see how you feel about it. If you're happy, sell the R-D1. Simple.

I go through the periodic film shooting phase every few months and it's the reason I've kept my XPan. That said, every time I spend $$$ at the store for processing and then spend hours scanning/de-spotting and printing images I remember why I shoot digital again.

I sold my R-D1 and went to an M8. It's a great camera that has shot more keepers recently than any other camera that I've owned. Ironically, despite being a great camera I actually missed some of the charm of the R-D1 and bought another one! To be honest I love the images from both of them and their difference is part of the charm of using them.

Whatever you do, if it's not fun, change. Life's too short to do anything else.
 
tell me why i should keep my RD-1

tell me why i should keep my RD-1

I suggest you don't bother as you are clearly not enamoured with it

I think the images are excellent , but of course thats my view.

So sell it to some one who will enjoy and appreciate it
 
The R-D1 is marvelous and I love to post process.

It's a phenomenal camera when it's working.

If YOU don't like it, dump it. Let someone who enjoys it have it.
 
i bought Graham's... i love it. i love the quality of images i get from it. i love going between it and my film bodies. i don't mind the post processing. i can post process these very quickly.

sell yours now, while you can. if you decide you really miss it, you can get another one like Graham did, if you're lucky. or you can just stop using it for awhile as suggested...
 
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