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Established
We have many digital rangefinder options now...
Which option is for you?
Please tell your reasons.
Which option is for you?
Please tell your reasons.
laptoprob
back to basics
m4/3 is missing. Not a rangefinder, but a serious alternative!
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Personally I wouldn't go so far as to say that there are many digital RF options. In reality you have 3. The R-D1 trio are for all practical purposes the same camera. The M8.2 is an upgrade of the M8, but essentially the same camera. Even counting all versions as real options, doesn't count as many in my book.
I have the R-D1 and am happy with it. May get an M type digital RF later, when and if the R-D1 gives up the ghost, if the M's are still around that is.
I have the R-D1 and am happy with it. May get an M type digital RF later, when and if the R-D1 gives up the ghost, if the M's are still around that is.
bennyng
Benny Ng
I like the R-D1. Cheapest and not at all shabby option for a digital Rangefinder.
Cheers,
Cheers,
phototektour
Established
I´m missing voting for multiple choices.
Colman
Established
M9, it seems, rather sadly, since I can't afford one right now: there's no point to the others since I want to be able to use my wide-angles as wide-angles, not short teles.
A 4/3 is a distant second option - the 2x crop is considerably more useful to me than the smaller crops of the other options/
A 4/3 is a distant second option - the 2x crop is considerably more useful to me than the smaller crops of the other options/
back alley
IMAGES
i only have experience with the rd1 and rd1s, i like them both.
Robin Harrison
aka Harrison Cronbi
I could have voted for all options!
M8 - I have one, love it, is by my side right now. I'm about to sell it (see below).
M8.2 - I've just bought one! Well...a fully upgraded M8, so same thing minus the dot color! Chose to upgrade for the quieter shutter, nothing more.
M9 - It's evolution, not revolution. The extra resolution is welcome, but I'm actually not too fussed about full frame. 1.3x provides a really enticing 32mm, 37mm, 45mm, 66mm (equivalent) FOV grouping, perfect for the 'normal' focal length lovers (M9 only provides two focal lengths 30<x<70, M8 has four).
R-D1 - I've owned two, about to sell the remaining one to fund the difference in values in the above two. Probably the best shooting experience of DRFs. Great big viewfinder, great ISO/shutter/AE/exp comp dial, great shutter/wind feel.
R-D1s - Have upgraded firmware on above, heard some things about improved vignetting prevention.
R-D1x - exciting because it's a new Epson RF! Fingers crossed a feeler for a version with improved sensor in the future!
M8 - I have one, love it, is by my side right now. I'm about to sell it (see below).
M8.2 - I've just bought one! Well...a fully upgraded M8, so same thing minus the dot color! Chose to upgrade for the quieter shutter, nothing more.
M9 - It's evolution, not revolution. The extra resolution is welcome, but I'm actually not too fussed about full frame. 1.3x provides a really enticing 32mm, 37mm, 45mm, 66mm (equivalent) FOV grouping, perfect for the 'normal' focal length lovers (M9 only provides two focal lengths 30<x<70, M8 has four).
R-D1 - I've owned two, about to sell the remaining one to fund the difference in values in the above two. Probably the best shooting experience of DRFs. Great big viewfinder, great ISO/shutter/AE/exp comp dial, great shutter/wind feel.
R-D1s - Have upgraded firmware on above, heard some things about improved vignetting prevention.
R-D1x - exciting because it's a new Epson RF! Fingers crossed a feeler for a version with improved sensor in the future!
I'm currently using a M8 and am very happy. The 35mm lens acting like a 50mm is a blessing in disguise. I actually like the 50mm again....especially since I wear glasses, it is just the best frame in the viewfinder.
Leikon68
Member
Vote for M9 ( but it is and it would remain a dream for a long time ), maybe like other people I am waiting an hypothetical Zeiss FF rangefinder.
I wasn't convinced by the M8.2, had one in test, an exhibition model, interresting price, and the first time I loose a digital picture was with this camera. After that I decided to buy an R-D1. I am very happy with it, I hope it will live a long time !
I wasn't convinced by the M8.2, had one in test, an exhibition model, interresting price, and the first time I loose a digital picture was with this camera. After that I decided to buy an R-D1. I am very happy with it, I hope it will live a long time !
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Out to Lunch
Ventor
I absolutely love the RD-1, especially when I use it with the CV 35 and 50 1.2/1.1 Noktons...beautiful signature. Very affordable and so far I've not had any problems using it. I find the M9 too expensive and 'will make do' with the 5D~!
snausages
Well-known
So far I love the R-D1. If a full frame digital M ever drops to a normal-person-can-afford-it price that'd be cool, but in the meantime the Epson has far surpassed my expectations.
back alley
IMAGES
do the 14 (so far) who voted for the m9, actually own an m9 now?
DrLeoB
Shoot a IIIc "K" !!!
Still Waiting ....
Still Waiting ....
My M6/M4-2/RD1/G1 combo is hard to beat for flexibility and digital/film mix.
Still Waiting ....
My M6/M4-2/RD1/G1 combo is hard to beat for flexibility and digital/film mix.
Ken Shipman
Well-known
I know one who does. Don't know about the rest.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Roughly in order of price. Surprise!
I've taken very few pics with the M9 so far (not had it long enough), but it's nicer than the M8.2, which in turn...
Cheers,
R.
I've taken very few pics with the M9 so far (not had it long enough), but it's nicer than the M8.2, which in turn...
Cheers,
R.
--
Well-known
RD1s for its swivel screen, the viewfinder magnification and the ability to cock the shutter manually.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
R-D1 has too many problems: broken wires to the swivel screen; only 3 framelines; canted framelines; rangefinder alignment; hot pixels ; dead cameras . . .
M8: Needs weird filters; noisy shutter; undersized framelines.
I go back and forth between these two and always talk myself out of both.
M8.2: Much better idea. Still needs the funny filters, but much improved. In time I might get one.
M9: Very nice, but too expensive pour moi.
D200: I've gotten pretty comfortable with flipping this one around, and getting good results. Think I'll stick with it for a while. might even get a D300 for the live view, self-cleaning sensor, flash, and a bunch of other things that even an M9 doesn't have.
M8: Needs weird filters; noisy shutter; undersized framelines.
I go back and forth between these two and always talk myself out of both.
M8.2: Much better idea. Still needs the funny filters, but much improved. In time I might get one.
M9: Very nice, but too expensive pour moi.
D200: I've gotten pretty comfortable with flipping this one around, and getting good results. Think I'll stick with it for a while. might even get a D300 for the live view, self-cleaning sensor, flash, and a bunch of other things that even an M9 doesn't have.
swoop
Well-known
I paid for an M9. I just don't have it yet. Should be about 3-4 weeks.
scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
One does.
Never had any experience with the R-D1 series. They look like fun to use, though. More than a few times I considered buying one.
I have handled and fiddled with a M8, but it just didn't excite me like the M9 did. I can say, though, this had less to do with the M8 and more to do with where I was experience-wise.