jamxo
work in progress
Okay so I am tempted by the R-D1(s).
I am doing a few magazines and shoots around christmas, combined with a few odd jobs, and if I sell some cameras, and save a little, I should be able to scrounge together around £1,250 - which is what refurbed R-D1s with 1 year warranty cost at Robert White. Or If I am lucky, get a decent second hand one at a little less.
But my mind is far from made up - please allow me to explain my thought process:
For pleasure I shoot 100% film on my Bessa R2a, Hexar AF, Canon A-1, Minolta Autocord, Bronica ETRS etc etc. I scan this on an Epson V700 and then printing digitally or quite often go into the darkroom. I love film. I love having to wait and work towards my images, I prefer the detail/contrast/color rendition/tones/dynamic range of film. I really do love it, and whilst its not perfect, this scanning work flow allows me to shoot alot of film reasonably quickly and get pretty good results.
For paid work which specifically requires digtital, I currently use a Canon 30D which is more than enough to get good results that I need.
However a digital rangefinder, which could print decently up to A4, and would allow me to use IMO lenses that are more affordable, faster, smaller and genereally better than SLR lenses would be incredible. I could use this camera in tandem with my film rangefinders and get the best of both worlds, for both personal and paid work.
Pro's and Con's I can think of for getting the R-D1:
+ Love the rangefinder way of working, perfectly suits the jobs I get
+ Already have an R2a so would get on find with the Epson
+ I love the analog style of the camera, and the fact that I can get rid of the screen
+ Camera seems suited to shooting digital in a film working method sort of way
+ Already have a decent set of lenses
+ Can just, just, just about afford it.
+ 6MP is realistitcally all I need at present, dond need a 21MP monster
+ Seems that the camera, if without RF flaws etc, is actually pretty decent?
+ Just love the idea that I could have one set of core lenses, and then have similar film and digital bodies to interchange to suit my needs
+ I have a 30D for longer lenses and so this could work well if paired with the R-D1 for digital shoots
+ Apart from the M8 which I can't afford and doesnt really appeal to me, no other digital Rangefinders seem likely in the next few years?
- For alot less I could get a Leica M6, or some awesome medium format kit and further enjoy my film workflow
- Are the images the R-D1 produces good enough for small professional work? (it has a pretty old sensor doesnt it?)
- Quality issues with the camera out of the box
- I dont get sucked up in the megapixel race, if i got a working R-D1 I would use it untill bust, but the lack of support in a few years slightly worries me?
- Unless this camera really will suit me, and I will enjoy it, and the images it produces, maybe I should hold off spending £1000+ and putt it toward saving for future purchases...
I hope I have explained clearly where I am at and why the R-d1 is attractive to me, yet what position I need it to fufill, and so I would just like to ask all of you that have and use the camera (especially in an almost everyday occasionally professional context) if you enjoy it and if you find it a decent workable tool with which to make photos?
Thanks alot in advance,
Jamie.
P.s. Please check out my photos in the links below to see what kind of things I shoot, if it will help you decide if this camera would be useful to me?
I am doing a few magazines and shoots around christmas, combined with a few odd jobs, and if I sell some cameras, and save a little, I should be able to scrounge together around £1,250 - which is what refurbed R-D1s with 1 year warranty cost at Robert White. Or If I am lucky, get a decent second hand one at a little less.
But my mind is far from made up - please allow me to explain my thought process:
For pleasure I shoot 100% film on my Bessa R2a, Hexar AF, Canon A-1, Minolta Autocord, Bronica ETRS etc etc. I scan this on an Epson V700 and then printing digitally or quite often go into the darkroom. I love film. I love having to wait and work towards my images, I prefer the detail/contrast/color rendition/tones/dynamic range of film. I really do love it, and whilst its not perfect, this scanning work flow allows me to shoot alot of film reasonably quickly and get pretty good results.
For paid work which specifically requires digtital, I currently use a Canon 30D which is more than enough to get good results that I need.
However a digital rangefinder, which could print decently up to A4, and would allow me to use IMO lenses that are more affordable, faster, smaller and genereally better than SLR lenses would be incredible. I could use this camera in tandem with my film rangefinders and get the best of both worlds, for both personal and paid work.
Pro's and Con's I can think of for getting the R-D1:
+ Love the rangefinder way of working, perfectly suits the jobs I get
+ Already have an R2a so would get on find with the Epson
+ I love the analog style of the camera, and the fact that I can get rid of the screen
+ Camera seems suited to shooting digital in a film working method sort of way
+ Already have a decent set of lenses
+ Can just, just, just about afford it.
+ 6MP is realistitcally all I need at present, dond need a 21MP monster
+ Seems that the camera, if without RF flaws etc, is actually pretty decent?
+ Just love the idea that I could have one set of core lenses, and then have similar film and digital bodies to interchange to suit my needs
+ I have a 30D for longer lenses and so this could work well if paired with the R-D1 for digital shoots
+ Apart from the M8 which I can't afford and doesnt really appeal to me, no other digital Rangefinders seem likely in the next few years?
- For alot less I could get a Leica M6, or some awesome medium format kit and further enjoy my film workflow
- Are the images the R-D1 produces good enough for small professional work? (it has a pretty old sensor doesnt it?)
- Quality issues with the camera out of the box
- I dont get sucked up in the megapixel race, if i got a working R-D1 I would use it untill bust, but the lack of support in a few years slightly worries me?
- Unless this camera really will suit me, and I will enjoy it, and the images it produces, maybe I should hold off spending £1000+ and putt it toward saving for future purchases...
I hope I have explained clearly where I am at and why the R-d1 is attractive to me, yet what position I need it to fufill, and so I would just like to ask all of you that have and use the camera (especially in an almost everyday occasionally professional context) if you enjoy it and if you find it a decent workable tool with which to make photos?
Thanks alot in advance,
Jamie.
P.s. Please check out my photos in the links below to see what kind of things I shoot, if it will help you decide if this camera would be useful to me?
M. Valdemar
Well-known
You will not regret buying an R-D1. I have three.
You have to be prepared for a certain amount of technical problems, mainly the rangefinder going out of whack. This is usually something you can fix yourself easily, if not, many offer alignment service.
Shutter problems are rarer, but happen. The real catastrophe would be an electronic failure. On one of my cameras, the sensor developed a vertical streak, this was repaired under warranty.
Looking at your photos, if you shoot RAW, the 6 megapixel sensor should present no problem.
In my opinion, the pleasure of using this camera far outweighs the risks. You are also paying about twice the price in sterling for what I paid in dollars for my refurbs with a one year Epson warranty.
.
You have to be prepared for a certain amount of technical problems, mainly the rangefinder going out of whack. This is usually something you can fix yourself easily, if not, many offer alignment service.
Shutter problems are rarer, but happen. The real catastrophe would be an electronic failure. On one of my cameras, the sensor developed a vertical streak, this was repaired under warranty.
Looking at your photos, if you shoot RAW, the 6 megapixel sensor should present no problem.
In my opinion, the pleasure of using this camera far outweighs the risks. You are also paying about twice the price in sterling for what I paid in dollars for my refurbs with a one year Epson warranty.
.
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Uwe_Nds
Chief Assistant Driver
- you can only use three focal lengths w/o external viewfinder - actually, being left-eyed reduces that to two focal lengths (equiv. 50 and 75 mm), because the 28 brightline was not fully visible on the one I tried.
I was also very tempted and actually tried out the R-D1, but it wasn't for me.
Best regards,
Uwe
I was also very tempted and actually tried out the R-D1, but it wasn't for me.
Best regards,
Uwe
JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
I was tempted and decided to take the plunge when Epson was selling refurbs at US$1400. I have to tell you that I am very, very pleased. I started a thread that summarized my reactions so far last weekend, titled something like "Me & My R-D1." Shouldn't be too far down the forum thread list. In a nutshell, even as a diehard M user, I really enjoy (=enjoy=) using the R-D1. Further, the results are really very good. (I shoot it only in raw mode.)
I am left-eyed and have no problems with the framelines. I have a Tri-Elmar mounted on the camera and it is IMO an ideal lens for everything that isn't "available darkness."
My only caution would be that the rangefinder seems to need frequent attention, but you are probably aware of that. Thankfully, once you get the hang of it the adjustment isn't a big deal.
I am left-eyed and have no problems with the framelines. I have a Tri-Elmar mounted on the camera and it is IMO an ideal lens for everything that isn't "available darkness."
My only caution would be that the rangefinder seems to need frequent attention, but you are probably aware of that. Thankfully, once you get the hang of it the adjustment isn't a big deal.
Terao
Kiloran
Haven't touched mine for two months, too busy shooting film, mostly in a Ricoh GR1v. The camera no longer interests me but am sure that will change in due course...
Bob_McBob
My paycheque goes to RFF
I'm going through hoops to get mine fixed, but I still don't regret buying it. I agree with the comment about the 28mm frames not being visible if you shoot left-eyed. I could probably make do in a pinch, but I would have to practice right-eyed shooting for everyday use.
JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
This really puzzles me! Are you wearing glasses??? I have no troubles with it (and my left eye) at all.
--
Well-known
Although I am having an issue with my demo model from Robert White (which hopefully is the lens only and Robert White is currently investigating) I can only recommend this camera. I would not buy 2nd hand though.jamxo said:
Epson UK will support the camera a considerable period of time from now [5-10 years ] - I asked them prior buying so I think you need not worry.
The camera will put a big
on your face.Tuolumne
Veteran
I can only say I love mine. I have a hard time NOT shooting it. Consequently all of my other cameras (dSLRs and Leica Ms) are jealous. The only problem I've ever had is with the rangefinder alignment, which was easily fixed. And once fixed, never reoccurred. Try it - You'll like it!
/T
/T
emraphoto
Veteran
i have an epson r-d1s and have absolutely no problems at all selling a3/a4 prints taken with it. it also has been very, very reliable with no issues over the last year. NONE.
i also enjoy using film and the process but i just don't have the time to develop and scan my film. i almost swore off digital a few weeks ago (long story involving my own stupidity not the camera) but the time involved in processing film just doesn't exist for me.
i believe that the sensor really isn't a big hindrance (age etc.). invest your efforts in coaxing the most out of your exposure/post proccessing/ printing process and you'll find the r-d1 very, very capable.
i think, most importantly, it's really fun to use!
i also enjoy using film and the process but i just don't have the time to develop and scan my film. i almost swore off digital a few weeks ago (long story involving my own stupidity not the camera) but the time involved in processing film just doesn't exist for me.
i believe that the sensor really isn't a big hindrance (age etc.). invest your efforts in coaxing the most out of your exposure/post proccessing/ printing process and you'll find the r-d1 very, very capable.
i think, most importantly, it's really fun to use!