pevelg
Well-known
I am thinking of leaving the film world for an Epson RD-1. Below is my very detailed reason. Skip to bold if you wish.
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An old FED 5 was my introduction to RF photography. It hooked me instantly and I was in love. I have used several RF cameras since then; a Zorki 4k, a Leningrad, Bessa R2M, and a Leica M6TTL. Also used a Mamiya 7 and a Hassy 500cm. What hooked me was the process. I loved thinking about all the little things that would make my pictures turn out. When using the FED 5 for the first time, I was greatly excited to see that the majority of my first pictures actually showed up on print, focused and exposed correctly. During this time I also started using positive film. It was an exciting new medium for me and I loved the colors and detail. Projecting the images on a wall was wonderful. My problem is now that I want to share my images, I have to either carry around my projector or I scan all my slides. I've had both the Nikon Coolscan 5000 and now the Epson v750. I got the v750 so I can scan MF. I've had the Epson/Nikon scanners for about 1 year total. Little did I know how much I would hate the work flow. The hardest thing for me was working with the colors. I could never get my scans looking like the original scans. Negative film is much easier to use, but I have not found one that compares to Kodachrome or Velvia. I have recently used Ektar 100, but the workflow remains the same, though easier and also that I can get prints easier. Also, I was only truly happy with the results of my MF scans. Man, were they detailed and beautiful!!!! It seems that I am happy with slides, but only if projected; and happy with negatives, only as prints. And I still need to digitalize my photos, so both mediums poss the same issue.
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So, after many months of thinking, I have decided that I need to make some choices regarding my photography equipment. Here are the three most likely choices:
1. Go digital SLR: nope, can't do it. I love the RF experiance.
2. Use only negative film
3. Get an Epson/M8: M8 is out of my price range, so Epson RD-1 is my only option.
There are several things i like about the Epson. It's an RF, it has a winder, it has a hideable LCD, it has all manual controls, etc., etc. Also, it is similar to the Bessa R2, which I enjoyed using.
The M6TTL has been my most favorite camera that I have ever used. As I am unable to acquire an extra body, any switch I make will mean I must sell the M6. My greatest fear though is that I might not like the Epson. For this reason I am afraid of selling my M6 before testing an Epson. I can't own both bodies at the same time. So, what should I do?
Would someone be willing to make a temorary trade for about 2~3 months? What other advice can one offer? I do not think the Panasonic G1 is an answer as it is not an RF.
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An old FED 5 was my introduction to RF photography. It hooked me instantly and I was in love. I have used several RF cameras since then; a Zorki 4k, a Leningrad, Bessa R2M, and a Leica M6TTL. Also used a Mamiya 7 and a Hassy 500cm. What hooked me was the process. I loved thinking about all the little things that would make my pictures turn out. When using the FED 5 for the first time, I was greatly excited to see that the majority of my first pictures actually showed up on print, focused and exposed correctly. During this time I also started using positive film. It was an exciting new medium for me and I loved the colors and detail. Projecting the images on a wall was wonderful. My problem is now that I want to share my images, I have to either carry around my projector or I scan all my slides. I've had both the Nikon Coolscan 5000 and now the Epson v750. I got the v750 so I can scan MF. I've had the Epson/Nikon scanners for about 1 year total. Little did I know how much I would hate the work flow. The hardest thing for me was working with the colors. I could never get my scans looking like the original scans. Negative film is much easier to use, but I have not found one that compares to Kodachrome or Velvia. I have recently used Ektar 100, but the workflow remains the same, though easier and also that I can get prints easier. Also, I was only truly happy with the results of my MF scans. Man, were they detailed and beautiful!!!! It seems that I am happy with slides, but only if projected; and happy with negatives, only as prints. And I still need to digitalize my photos, so both mediums poss the same issue.
---------------------------------------------------
So, after many months of thinking, I have decided that I need to make some choices regarding my photography equipment. Here are the three most likely choices:
1. Go digital SLR: nope, can't do it. I love the RF experiance.
2. Use only negative film
3. Get an Epson/M8: M8 is out of my price range, so Epson RD-1 is my only option.
There are several things i like about the Epson. It's an RF, it has a winder, it has a hideable LCD, it has all manual controls, etc., etc. Also, it is similar to the Bessa R2, which I enjoyed using.
The M6TTL has been my most favorite camera that I have ever used. As I am unable to acquire an extra body, any switch I make will mean I must sell the M6. My greatest fear though is that I might not like the Epson. For this reason I am afraid of selling my M6 before testing an Epson. I can't own both bodies at the same time. So, what should I do?
Would someone be willing to make a temorary trade for about 2~3 months? What other advice can one offer? I do not think the Panasonic G1 is an answer as it is not an RF.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The thing that worries me about digital if I was restricted to it totally ... is not being able to venture into areas that only seem to be available with a film negative. Irrespective of whether you choose to scan it and digitally print or wet print or just use it for web based viewing there's things you encounter with film that you just don't see with a digital image and it's not to everyones taste either I accept.
Nine times out of ten a clean sharp well exposed digital image will make me happy but now and then for a certain type of image I want to see outrageous grain from 400 ISO film pushed to 3200 and I know that as yet no photoshop plug in can quite duplicate what you see when you look closely at a negative used in this way.
Sell the M6 by all means as in reality it can easily be replaced and you won't have lost much in the transistion if you decide digital's not the way and need to go back to where you started from. If you're happy with an Epson good luck to you and be sure to ignore all the digital verses film nonsense that goes on here and elsewhere and continue to enjoy photography in whatever way suits you!
Nine times out of ten a clean sharp well exposed digital image will make me happy but now and then for a certain type of image I want to see outrageous grain from 400 ISO film pushed to 3200 and I know that as yet no photoshop plug in can quite duplicate what you see when you look closely at a negative used in this way.
Sell the M6 by all means as in reality it can easily be replaced and you won't have lost much in the transistion if you decide digital's not the way and need to go back to where you started from. If you're happy with an Epson good luck to you and be sure to ignore all the digital verses film nonsense that goes on here and elsewhere and continue to enjoy photography in whatever way suits you!
Carlos Cruz
Established
I bought r d1 month ago, my reasons were pretty similar I wanted to share my images more easily. Epson is good camera, but it's still aeons behind negative. When shooting important /for me/ pics I still prefer to shoot negs.
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pevelg
Well-known
Well, the M6ttl is now listed!!!! My heart is racing... I will treasure my last few days with her... 
I think for me to go back to film would mean a darkroom... I sure will miss Kodachrome.
I think for me to go back to film would mean a darkroom... I sure will miss Kodachrome.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Welll... I don't know where you are, but I solved that problem by using print film and then, at the lab, ordering negatives only and a CD with images, no prints. I got my negatives (filed away), and the photos in a CD. From there, all I needed to do was open some of them, fix them a bit in Photoshop and, if I wanted, print them, or resize them for the web.
I hope you still can rescue your M6TTL...
I hope you still can rescue your M6TTL...
pevelg
Well-known
I have never been happy with the result of local lab picture cd's. I've tried Walgreens, Walmart, and also Costco. I once also used a pro lab and their standard cd's were poor quality too. It seems a waste to me to get such poor scans from such a magnificant camera body and lenses. I will miss the M6ttl though..... I still have this itch to get myself a Mamiya 6/7 again... Must resists (I've only scanned about 18 slides of MF.... still have about 40 to go).
kross
sonnarism
personally, if i were u, i would keep the m6 and try saving up for the epson.
i have a m6 and recently gotten a rd1s... although the rd1s satisfy my instant gratification need, it still can't beat the joy of using the m6 and of coz the film output....
if u replace the m6 with rd1, i'm quite certain that u will end up getting a m6 or film camera again in the near future....
i have a m6 and recently gotten a rd1s... although the rd1s satisfy my instant gratification need, it still can't beat the joy of using the m6 and of coz the film output....
if u replace the m6 with rd1, i'm quite certain that u will end up getting a m6 or film camera again in the near future....
JoshRoot
The NW will rise again.
The RD1 is a great camera. I was really happy with mine in most ways. The thing that really killed it for me was the fact that I could not get any sort of fast 35mm equiv. The closest thing was the Voigt 28/1.9 which gave a 42mm FOV on the RD1. Close, but not exactly what I wanted.
My thoughts are summed up pretty well in my RD1 review here on photo.net.
I will say that I miss the camera and had I not needed the money at the time I sold it, I would still have it today.
My thoughts are summed up pretty well in my RD1 review here on photo.net.
I will say that I miss the camera and had I not needed the money at the time I sold it, I would still have it today.
Erik L
Well-known
i just want a projector so i can use my medium format slides. :bang:
these seem rare...
these seem rare...
dseelig
David
Wait till you can afford an m8 . I have seen them down to 2400 used and it will get lower.
If you are a wide angle lens user that 1.5 crop on a rd 1 is a killer . Also supprt for a dead camera is never very good.
If you are a wide angle lens user that 1.5 crop on a rd 1 is a killer . Also supprt for a dead camera is never very good.
pevelg
Well-known
I just sold mine here on RFF!!!
True, but that is still $1k over what an RD1 is going for.
I thought about this. What will more likely happen is that I will purchase a Mamiya 6/7 or the new Fuji. I looked at some of my mamiya 7 slides when getting ready to sell my MF projector.... Wow, do I miss the mamiya 7 and MF.
Eric T
Well-known
Keep the M6 and buy a Panasonic DMC-G1. All of your M-mount lenses will fit on the G1 with an adapter. The G1 will give you more flexibility than the Epson RD-1 and is much cheaper.
Erik L
Well-known
Im hurt! how could you not think of me first
im sure shipping would have been horrible anyway.
pevelg
Well-known
It was a little over $22 UPS ground, with insurance... MF projected is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Erik L
Well-known
well i guess im better off since i dont have any slide mounts anyway.
my lab will not do mounting.
my lab will not do mounting.
pevelg
Well-known
Well, I just purchased the Epson R-D1!!! I still have my M6, so I will be able to make an informed decision if I want to part with it or not. Hope to receive the Epson by Friday.
Mine neither. I also shot 6x7, so I had to cut my slides after scanning for them to fit in a 6x6 mount. If you shoot 6x6 slides though, I think it is worth the $$ for a MF projector. High quality Gepe glassless mounts are not expensive, and mounting is relatively easy. Projected MF slides are amazing and well worth the $$ for the experiance. I used the Rollei P66s projector with standard 150mm lens. Even though the lens was on the cheap side, the slides looked amazing compaired to Kodachrome on my Golden Navitar. The Rollei is a solid and great projector. They sell around 300 on ebay I believe.
Mine neither. I also shot 6x7, so I had to cut my slides after scanning for them to fit in a 6x6 mount. If you shoot 6x6 slides though, I think it is worth the $$ for a MF projector. High quality Gepe glassless mounts are not expensive, and mounting is relatively easy. Projected MF slides are amazing and well worth the $$ for the experiance. I used the Rollei P66s projector with standard 150mm lens. Even though the lens was on the cheap side, the slides looked amazing compaired to Kodachrome on my Golden Navitar. The Rollei is a solid and great projector. They sell around 300 on ebay I believe.
pevelg
Well-known
Well, I just got my Epson R-D1 with updated firmware 2.0 today. My first shock was how much larger it was compared to the M6. Second was how great the luigi half case feels. I just installed Lightroom 2 to manage the RAW files. When out and took a bunch of shots in RAW, threw the sd chip into the pc, set "direct positive" as standard developer and exported images as jpeg. They look fabulous. The 6mp sensor is great, and I like the look of the ISO 1600 files. The 1.5 crop factor bights, but is forgivable to get a drf at 1.3k. I am quite happy with the purchase. Looks like it is time to list the M6ttl on ebay.