To Santa Epson – R-D2 – just for fun

[--]

I know it is (probably) not going to happen, but just in case Epson decided to put out a new digital rangefinder based on the R-D1(s) what would you like to see changed (apart perhaps from the QA)? After having taken some 1500 shots there is not a lot I would like different – actually I cannot think of anything but these five things of which 2, 3, and 4 are nice to haves:

1)Expanded ISO range – based on the Nikon D3 and dreaming something like 50 to 6400 would be nice
2)Automatic frameline change based on the lens (I just shot 35 test shots with a 35mm lens on 50mm framelines :bang🙂
3)Dual slots for SD cards
4)A better battery life
5)A dedicated lightweight grip


Cheers - Karspoul

 

[meven]

I have to say ISO 50, 100 and 3200 would be nice. I would appreciate a smaller crop factor (x1.5 is just way too much).

And that's it, I am so happy with my R-D1, this is such a good camera.

 

[steverett]

My Canon 7 has selectable framelines, but I never get mixed up, since they're labeled in the VF. I preferred it to the automatic ones, since you can use any type of LTM to M adapter, it doesn't have to match the lens

 

[Steve Litt]

I am happy with my RD-1 as it is and prefer to change the frame lines manually otherwise I would have to file my 40mm cron as it would bring up the 50mm lines and therefore give me 75mm field of view instead of 60mm which is perfect.If you combine your lightweight grip and extended battery life to give a battery grip you would have my vote.The main thing I would like is a longer base rangefinder.
Regards
Steve

 

[kevin sykes]

Bigger, faster buffer without a doubt. Been doing some night photograhy lately and the delay is even worse - OK I'm shooting RAW plus JPG - but even so!

 

[photorat]

Longer RF base length (would be nice to shoot 90mm wide open) and bigger, perhaps higher resolution sensor (would be nice to shoot 35mm at 35mm) are the most logical improvements in my mind. Battery life seems excellent to me, especially with the LCD tucked away nicely. As for viewfinder and framelines, keep the 1:1 viewfinder, keep the framelines manual but switch to 35/50/90, like the M2. 28mm is just a bitch of a fl on the R-D1, especially with glasses.

But I agree, with or without these novelties it is still a great camera.

 

[Terao]

D300 or similar sensor for high ISO performance
Smaller crop
Longer RF baselength
Spot meter
25mm/28/35/50/75/90 framelines
Support for SDHC
Keep everything else as it is

 

[CameraQuest]

Folks,

dream all you want on the RD2

but the entire line was dead when Epson's completely incompetent marketing failed to deliver the necessary sales to keep it alive

-- long before the RD1s upgrade to get rid of remaining stock.
there is no way it is coming back

Stephen

 

[sevres_babylone]

I don't think the dreams/suggestions are aimed at Epson, as much as providing a wish list for any other manufacturer who wants to take a run at a digital RF, and wants to start with what was good with the R-D1 and fix what was not.

But my hopes, if not my money, are on Nikon coming up with the not quite an RF that has been blogged about, with as sensor capable of superb high ISO performance.

 

[PetarDima]

Give me an Epson RD1s ... and I'll will show you what MAGIC means !
All best to you. my RFF frinds,
PMDima

 

[ferider]

But my hopes, if not my money, are on Nikon coming up with the not quite an RF that has been blogged about, with as sensor capable of superb high ISO performance.

Yes ! Together with M-mount Nikkor 50/1.4 and 35/1.8. That would be great at the next Photokina, Santa ! 😀

 

[bchang]

Folks,

dream all you want on the RD2

but the entire line was dead when Epson's completely incompetent marketing failed to deliver the necessary sales to keep it alive

-- long before the RD1s upgrade to get rid of remaining stock.
there is no way it is coming back

Stephen

Stephen,

We knew that Espon won't do it, but will Mr. K of Cosina do it in the future? With the experiences of CV R series and R-D1 (digital RF), plus the experiences of Zeiss Ikon (longer baseline), I think he is the only person that has the ability to do it right! Though Mr. K is quite anti-digital in mind, but the market is here, will he do it?

 

[Terao]

Not sure that the market is here

Would be interesting to know how many Bessas vs Ikons vs M7s are sold each year compared to M8 sales figures

With the enthusiast market making less of a move away from film I wonder if it will be a white elephant (much like the R-D1)

 

[Kawabatnam]

Ah dreaming!
Since we are prime shooters, won't a sensor antidust device (same as the one found in Olympus dslrs) be a nice addition? [changing lenses outdoors is always a pain... I mean real "outdoors", i.e. while trekking where the RD-1 becomes my camera of choice]. And while still dreaming, a stabilisation system would be fine also, resulting in extended low light capability...

 

[jmarcus]

ISO 3200. 6-bit, and a larger faster buffer. One of those sensor shakes to get dust off.

 

[Iron Flatline]

Folks,

dream all you want on the RD2

but the entire line was dead when Epson's completely incompetent marketing failed to deliver the necessary sales to keep it alive

-- long before the RD1s upgrade to get rid of remaining stock.
there is no way it is coming back

Stephen

🙄 Killjoy... we know, we know... 🙂

Bigger, faster buffer without a doubt. Been doing some night photograhy lately and the delay is even worse - OK I'm shooting RAW plus JPG - but even so!

Amen to that!

 

[Tuolumne]

Better paint job. The paint on the R-D1 wears off rather easily exposing the ugly underlying metal. Better (quieter) high ISO performance, up to 3200 at least. Support for memory cards larger than 2 MB. Yes, a smaller crop factor sensor would be nice, but if too hard to do a noiseless 1.5x crop factor will suffice. Larger memory buffer. I'm always running up against the limits of the R-D1 now. A different RAW format - very little support for Epson RAW format. A high eyepoint finder, at least 10mm eye reief, for us glasses wearers.

I know this is all rather unrealistic, but you asked...

/T

 

[dacaccia]

updated sensor for better density of the images - lower and higher ISO - maybe a frame selector for 75mm - stabilized rangefinder adjustment.
And a firmware that still allows producing BW pictures similar to "analogue" ones, without that usual digital touch. As it is now.

I like that camera and its handling, and I would much appreciate its further development ...

Cheers,
dacaccia

 

[pvdhaar]

Folks,

dream all you want on the RD2

but the entire line was dead when Epson's completely incompetent marketing failed to deliver the necessary sales to keep it alive

-- long before the RD1s upgrade to get rid of remaining stock.
there is no way it is coming back

Stephen

I think the real mistake is trying to sell a camera without a lens. For over the counter sales, that's a sure killer.

The main obstacle is that Epson and Voigtlander are represented by different importers and distribution networks. The trick now becomes to get an Epson camera in the same shop as a line of Voigtlander lenses to help move the product. In a number of markets, Voigtlander is exclusively sold through the Ringfoto chain of shops, most of which don't even have RF gear in stock. Only stores selling Voigtlander in sufficient numbers would even remotely consider stocking the Epson (which they'd have to order specifically), but at 2000-3000 Euro most wouldn't want to run the risk of not being able to sell it at a profit.

Can you imagine what even the most dedicated buyer would have to go through to even see an Epson in the flesh?

Now, Konica, Contax and Rollei may not have been the most successful companies when it comes to pushing a product, but at least I've seen their kits (HexarRF w. 50, G2 w. 45, and 35RF w. 40) in brick and mortar stores..

 

[mn4367]

D300 or similar sensor for high ISO performance
Smaller crop
Longer RF baselength
Spot meter
25mm/28/35/50/75/90 framelines
Support for SDHC
Keep everything else as it is

Yep!
But the easiest and cheapest thing they could do is to change the sensor to some D200 or D300 thing and keep everything as it is.
My personal favourite would be an interchangeable digital back for the Zeiss Ikon. I think the film cavities offer enough room for the electronics; personally I don't really need an LCD. Modifications to the current body wouldn't be too extensive: transfer ISO and shutter action to the back. But the biggest problem remains: It would then have to be full frame since the framelines wouldn't match smaller sensors. Nevertheless we would have the possibility to choose between film or digital with one camera.
Just dreaming....
But I'm afraid that in the future my budget will be hurt by a Leica since other real alternatives are not on the horizon.