Used R-D1 or New E-P1

[radambe]

Which one to go for? This will be the first digital camera I buy with plans to use it everyday.

Let me add that my most used focal length in 135 is 50mm.

 

[kbg32]

What lenses are you interested in using? If M lenses, go for the RD-1. The EP-1 doubles the effective focal length of M lenses.

 

[rxmd]

They are completely different cameras. One is a discontinued, manual-focus rangefinder camera where you compose through a viewfinder, get six megapixels and need a good 35mm lens to get the same angle of view as you used to. The other is a digital compact camera where you compose on a screen, get twelve megapixels and need a 25mm lens to get the same angle of view, where you need to focus your MF lenses by zooming into a digital screen.

It's really difficult to tell you what to buy. If you like to compose through a viewfinder, you're unlikely to like the E-P1. If you want a new camera, you're unlikely to like the R-D1. You need to make up your preferences.

 

[Eric T]

The E-P1 had many advantages over the RD-1. It has a much higher resolution sensor, dust protection for the sensor, and it has in-body stabilization. In addition, you can buy adpators for many, many lens mounts.
The autofocus on the E-P1 is slow in low light but the RD-1 has no autofocus at all.
The only advantage I see of the RD-1 is the viewfinder. That is, the E-P1 doesn't have one. That is significant but taking all other factors under consideration (including a new factory warranty for the Olympus), I would choose the E-P1.

 

[Ronchnam]

With E-P1 you'll take pictures. With the R-D1 you'll make photographs...

 

[Mephiloco]

I concur with what kbg32 says. If your intention is to use your M mount lenses, I'd go with a R-D1. If you just want a nice compact digital camera that affords you more control of your pictures, the E-P1 and the 4/3rd lenses is good for that, then on top of that you could mount your M lenses

 

[radambe]

What lenses are you interested in using? If M lenses, go for the RD-1. The EP-1 doubles the effective focal length of M lenses.

I purchased the Voigtlander 40mm Nokton to pair with the Leica CL I bought two weeks ago and had to return due to a slipping frame advance. I'm just thinking that I may use this to justify my purchase of an everyday digital camera. Up until now, my use of digi cams has been limited to pure utility, once or twice a month.

The E-P1 sensor smallness does worry me as I do not like the idea of having to go to a ~25mm lens to get the FOV I have grown to love so much. Maybe it's not as big a deal as I'm making it out to be, but it could very well be even worse. It's such a subjective thing.

 

[wayneb]

Having used a RD-1 and tried out for a few minutes a EP1 - I'd say if you are really comfortable and happy with an M camera, the RD-1 is closest experience.

EP1 has some interesting features (face recognition?), better quality at higher iso. With the EP1 a lot of the functions rely on using the screen and the back controls. The ability of the RD-1 to swivel the screen back and shoot like it's a c/v Bessa or Zeiss Ikon, that's a really great feature if you want to ignore the digital-ness of the camera.

 

[back alley]

ultimately it boils down to what sort of photo experience you want.

they both will take fine images.

so, the rf experience or the digi p&s experience?

 

[rxmd]

I purchased the Voigtlander 40mm Nokton to pair with the Leica CL I bought two weeks ago and had to return due to a slipping frame advance. I'm just thinking that I may use this to justify my purchase of an everyday digital camera. Up until now, my use of digi cams has been limited to pure utility, once or twice a month.

The E-P1 sensor smallness does worry me as I do not like the idea of having to go to a ~25mm lens to get the FOV I have grown to love so much. Maybe it's not as big a deal as I'm making it out to be, but it could very well be even worse. It's such a subjective thing.

I don't think you'll be using the 40/f1.4 with th E-P1 all that much, certainly not if you want to use it as an everyday digital camera. For that, you'd be much better off with a Panasonic 25/f1.4 which has autofocus. Well, it is a big lens.

If your buying decision is motivated by a single lens purchase, possibly for a different lens mount, you don't have a pressing need. Buy neither and wait for a while.

 

[radambe]

thanks for everyone's input

 

[Chris101]

With E-P1 you'll take pictures. With the R-D1 you'll make photographs...

Huh? I thought they were both digital.

 

[flip]

The EP is first generation - if I were even to consider it, I'd likely wait for v.2 in a year or so. It's just the nature of P&S, feature-driven cameras to offer much more after the first round of user feedback.

They're apples and oranges. I like both. I want both. But I have the R-D1 now because it's more what I need. What are your needs? For 50, I'd go R-D1 because there may be more options in good 35s than good 28s. Also consider when you'll shoot. If after dark, the R-D1 can accomodate the 35/1.2. 1.9 is the limit in 28s.

 

[juzmister]

The R-D1 will hold its value better than the E-P1

 

[JonasYip]

I have both. I voted E-P1. But your needs may vary. As people have noted, depends on your preferences...

 

[radambe]

The 1st gen'ness of the E-P1 is definitely another thing that deters me from buying one. Maybe my solution here is to stick with film, as I have, and wait it out for a look at whatever the 2nd gen of the E-P1 will be. Or just wait it out a bit longer and grab myself an M8. I know there are those of you who completely understand, and those of you who don't 😉

 

[rxmd]

In fact the R-D1 is much more "first generation" than the E-P1, it's just that when you buy a used one in 2009 you've got a pretty good probability that it was a good specimen to begin with. I guess it's a case of survivor bias.

 

[f16sunshine]

In fact the R-D1 is much more "first generation" than the E-P1, it's just that when you buy a used one in 2009 you've got a pretty good probability that it was a good specimen to begin with. I guess it's a case of survivor bias.

Excellent point!

 

[ethics_gradient]

EP-1 and a pile of money

 

[250swb]

Don't buy either of them. Wait for the announcement of the Panasonic GF-1 in the next couple of days. Its has the potential for being a more credible alternative to the Leica-centric rangefinder school. The E-P1 can produce superb images but that or the Pana GF-1 will be a waste of time if people only want to use 35mm lenses on them. I think you need to embrace a new camera, and not try and mold it into an extension of your old camera.

Steve