lubitel
Well-known
I am curious to know, how many of the R-D1 owners in this forum are professional photographers who earn money with this camera. If you are a pro, then what kind? Are you journalists, artists, etc?
Excuse my curiousity.
I am an amateur, would love to have a camera like R-D1, because I enjoy the classic rangefinders, and as a designer work a lot with computers. But something like $3000 is way out of my reach for a hobby.
thanks
Excuse my curiousity.
I am an amateur, would love to have a camera like R-D1, because I enjoy the classic rangefinders, and as a designer work a lot with computers. But something like $3000 is way out of my reach for a hobby.
thanks
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
I am an amateur, and the RD-1 has been quite a stretch on my finances, but I don't regret it.
S
Sean Reid
Guest
I own an R-D1 and am a professional photographer. My commercial work is primarily of weddings/special events and architecture. My personal work, which also earns money through print sales, is primarily of people in public places.
Cheers,
Sean
Cheers,
Sean
ducttape
Established
alas, just a hobbist.
However, as to the 3 bills, I agree. I thought the M7 was rich! (I don't now, I did then) Anyway, I got a lightly used R-D1 with 3 1-gig cards and an extra battery, delivered with the original B&H receipt (ie, 8 months left on warrantee) for $2400. And, I put it on my Amex thru PayPal for miles.
Don't dispare. Just look around. I don't know your personals, but you will really enjoy this camera body.
However, as to the 3 bills, I agree. I thought the M7 was rich! (I don't now, I did then) Anyway, I got a lightly used R-D1 with 3 1-gig cards and an extra battery, delivered with the original B&H receipt (ie, 8 months left on warrantee) for $2400. And, I put it on my Amex thru PayPal for miles.
Don't dispare. Just look around. I don't know your personals, but you will really enjoy this camera body.
lubitel
Well-known
Thanks for your replies.
2 to 1 for hobbyists. interesting. I think for now it will still be on my "whishful thinking list" near the M7, and other things. May be when I figure out how to make some money out of the hobby I could afford it or at least justify buying it, but then it wouldn't really be a hobby.
2 to 1 for hobbyists. interesting. I think for now it will still be on my "whishful thinking list" near the M7, and other things. May be when I figure out how to make some money out of the hobby I could afford it or at least justify buying it, but then it wouldn't really be a hobby.
Phil_Hawkes
Established
Hi!lubitel said:
I would define myself as an amateur that is thinking about being a professional some day. At the moment, I am interested in learning to take good quality photos. For me, owning the R-D1 made sense from this perspective in a few areas.
1) I can take lots of photos for little additional cost. I have taken over 10,000 photos since I bought the camera in February. In one sense, the camera has already paid for itself, since film developing and printing would have cost me more than the $3K for the camera. My theory is that taking more photos allowa me to learn more.
2) I can learn faster with the R-D1. I get fast immediate feedback on the image quality, and make approraite changes. THis means that I am getting better photos than with film.
3) If I decide to go back to film or buy the digi-M (when it arrives) then the practise I obtained with the R-D1 will transfer directly across.
Then there are the additional benefits that are shared with other digital cameras.
I don't know if I will ever be fully professional, but it is nice to be able to take professional quality photos. People are always really impressed with the quality of the available light photos from the R-D1, and I am finding myself burning DVDs and CDs for friends with copies of photos from receptions, parties etc. . So, among my friends, I am being used as a pseudo-professional. I could not afford to take so many photos for friends using film.
Phil
lubitel
Well-known
These are some good arguments. I am also considering purchasing the canon xt (or 350d), sorry, I know its not a rangefinder, but its more affordable, I can use a lens I already have, and I can still use my film rangers and other goodies (like sx-70 or holga) when needed.
saxshooter
Well-known
I'm a professional photographer working for a wire service. I use D-SLRs for my job, and use the RD-1 as my "off duty" camera. I have a few contract magazine photographer friends who are using the RD-1 for some of their work. If anyone saw Newsweek's Billy Graham in NY piece a few weeks ago, that was shot on the Epson RD-1. We all had Leica lenses already and were thrilled to be able to use them digitally. I unloaded a full Contax G2 kit (Black kit, and another chrome body and 21mm lens) to finance my Epson purchase.
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Sukiari
Member
Do non-pros use Leica M's?
Do non-pros use Leica M's?
Seeing as how the R-D1 is the same price as a Leica, I don't really see why it'd be limited to pros. Unless only pros shoot with M's as well?
Do non-pros use Leica M's?
Seeing as how the R-D1 is the same price as a Leica, I don't really see why it'd be limited to pros. Unless only pros shoot with M's as well?
vincenzo
Established
I speicailise in documenting eastern european stories and recently used the RD-1 exclusively to create a series of pictures of Chernobyl victims. FYI these pics can be seen at www.humanityforchernobyl.com
pfogle
Well-known
vincenzo said:
Nice work, vincenzo!
I worked pro in NZ for years, but coming back to UK I've fallen in to the limbo that is IT work
Hope to escape back to wilds of photography in the next year or so.
Phil
vincenzo
Established
pfogle said:Nice work, vincenzo!
I worked pro in NZ for years, but coming back to UK I've fallen in to the limbo that is IT work
Hope to escape back to wilds of photography in the next year or so.
Phil
Cheers Phil)
Chuck A
Chuck A
lubitel said:
lubitel,
While I have not used an R-D1, I have used other film rangefinders and love them. I currently have the XT that you are thinking of. It is small, light, has fast AF, handles well and takes superb quality digital files. The main problems are the small LCD, which get pretty hard to see outdoors, the small viewfinder and the placement of some of the buttons. The way I carry the camera (over my left shoulder) I accidently press the drive buttton to self timer on a regular basis. Other buttons that change modes get pressed as well. I found myself shooting outdoors but using tungsten white balance one day. That was not by choice. The small viefinder makes it very hard to manual focus.
You might also look at the Pentax ist DS or the new DS2 coming out soon. They have a better viewfinder and larger LCD. I may even switch my Canon and buy the DS2. The problem with the Pentax is that their AF is not as fast as the Canon.
I will eventually be buying a digital rangefinder. I will just have to wait a while for the prices to get a bit better. Perhaps after the DM comes out there will be a glut of R-D1s being sold for cheap. I can wish, can't I?
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lubitel
Well-known
Well, I just ordered the XT, couldnt wait any longer. I hear you chuck, I am going to wait some time and see what happens in the digital rangefinder world, and may be purchase RD1 some time in the future, or may be something else that comes along (digital Zorki? ) in the meantime I'll get plenty of digital practice with the XT.
) in the meantime I'll get plenty of digital practice with the XT.
S
simonclivehughe
Guest
I'm not a pro (although I have done some paying jobs over the years). I've always had the feeling that if I had to do this on a full-time basis for someone other than myself, I'd lose a lot of the pleasure of it. I've been a rabid photographer since a teen, my father having gotten me hooked.
I started with a 2-1/4 ZI bellows RF and made my way to 35mm, eventually ending up with F5s. When the D1 came out, I swiched to that and then added a D100, moving to the D1X and then finally to the D2H. At one point (between the D1X and the D2H), I sold all the stuff and picked up an M7, an M6TTL and a bunch of Leica glass. I loved it but I ended up horrified by the film and lab bills, so it went and I returned to the D2H. At that time, I also picked up a couple of Bessas and some of the CV lenses as I had really been bitten by the RF bug. When I started to hear about the RD-1, I sold all the Nikon gear and bought an Epson. A few weeks ago, I picked up my second RD-1 body, and I've really never been happier.
I find that the RD-1's fit my hand so perfectly, and that the change in mindset is much more fulfilling. It's so much less obtrusive/intrusive... try taking candids with a D2H body with a 70-200 f2.8 AFS VR lens. I honestly came to realize that a great deal of the need for the BIG equipment was (at least in part for me) a status thing and I feel less of a slave to it now.
For all of you lurkers or those who are on the cusp of making the decision, stop waiting for the mythical Leica or ZI digital RF body. Even if the Leica does happen, I know that I'll never be able to afford the red dot versions of what I have now. Get yourself an RD-1 and get out there and shoot!
My wife and I are off to Paris for 3 weeks shortly and the RD-1s are going with me with a few lenses in nice small bag... it'll be quite a change from the backpack of D1X and lenses I hauled around Europe two years ago. I can't wait!!
I started with a 2-1/4 ZI bellows RF and made my way to 35mm, eventually ending up with F5s. When the D1 came out, I swiched to that and then added a D100, moving to the D1X and then finally to the D2H. At one point (between the D1X and the D2H), I sold all the stuff and picked up an M7, an M6TTL and a bunch of Leica glass. I loved it but I ended up horrified by the film and lab bills, so it went and I returned to the D2H. At that time, I also picked up a couple of Bessas and some of the CV lenses as I had really been bitten by the RF bug. When I started to hear about the RD-1, I sold all the Nikon gear and bought an Epson. A few weeks ago, I picked up my second RD-1 body, and I've really never been happier.
I find that the RD-1's fit my hand so perfectly, and that the change in mindset is much more fulfilling. It's so much less obtrusive/intrusive... try taking candids with a D2H body with a 70-200 f2.8 AFS VR lens. I honestly came to realize that a great deal of the need for the BIG equipment was (at least in part for me) a status thing and I feel less of a slave to it now.
For all of you lurkers or those who are on the cusp of making the decision, stop waiting for the mythical Leica or ZI digital RF body. Even if the Leica does happen, I know that I'll never be able to afford the red dot versions of what I have now. Get yourself an RD-1 and get out there and shoot!
My wife and I are off to Paris for 3 weeks shortly and the RD-1s are going with me with a few lenses in nice small bag... it'll be quite a change from the backpack of D1X and lenses I hauled around Europe two years ago. I can't wait!!
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Simon: That's a great story, and makes a great point about RFs in general (size, intimacy) and the R-D1 in particular.
However, I do expect you to post some photos from Paris! I have not been to France yet, but it is on my list. My only concern is that I might never return. Ooops, that's not really a fear, is it!
Trius
However, I do expect you to post some photos from Paris! I have not been to France yet, but it is on my list. My only concern is that I might never return. Ooops, that's not really a fear, is it!
Trius
S
simonclivehughe
Guest
Trius,
Time allowing, I'll certainly put some Paris pictures into my Gallery (which I could never get created, but has magically appeared recently!). I've plenty from the last trip in which we spent 5 days in Paris (and then drove through France, Swirtzerland, briefly into Bavaria and then on through Austria to Viena), but they were all shot with the D1X.
We absolutely fell in love with Paris and decided that this time we would spend the entire 3 weeks there. We've got an apartment right downtown for the duration and I'll be taking lots of pictures with the twins (RD-1 #1 and RD-1 #2).
As far as getting stranded there? We should be so lucky!
Time allowing, I'll certainly put some Paris pictures into my Gallery (which I could never get created, but has magically appeared recently!). I've plenty from the last trip in which we spent 5 days in Paris (and then drove through France, Swirtzerland, briefly into Bavaria and then on through Austria to Viena), but they were all shot with the D1X.
We absolutely fell in love with Paris and decided that this time we would spend the entire 3 weeks there. We've got an apartment right downtown for the duration and I'll be taking lots of pictures with the twins (RD-1 #1 and RD-1 #2).
As far as getting stranded there? We should be so lucky!
hamsong
Member
I'm a seasoned professional considering the R-D1. Most of my work is travel/destination weddings, portraits and live music. A local camera shop was kind enough to lend me their display R-D1 over the evening and my first impressions are good. My plan is to offset some of my processing costs by shooting wedding receptions digitally, shooting the earlier part of the day with the Leicas and the same films I've been using forever as I prefer the look and character of film. Receptions are the time with the most film consumption for the fewest "hits" as far as what the couple will receive.
Long story short: I like the camera, it's a great and easy to use interface (I have no manual with the loaner) and the image quality is very good, but certainly not what I am used to with film. What caveats, if any, are there in using the R-D1 with a Mac? I read that the software is only for Windows, and I can open Epson RAW files with Photoshop CS and the new plug-in, but can I batch convert RAW to JPEG without Epson's software? Also, I can't tell if the R-D1 will simultaneously write RAW AND jpeg. THe top plate shows "R", "H" and "N", but no combos.
Long story short: I like the camera, it's a great and easy to use interface (I have no manual with the loaner) and the image quality is very good, but certainly not what I am used to with film. What caveats, if any, are there in using the R-D1 with a Mac? I read that the software is only for Windows, and I can open Epson RAW files with Photoshop CS and the new plug-in, but can I batch convert RAW to JPEG without Epson's software? Also, I can't tell if the R-D1 will simultaneously write RAW AND jpeg. THe top plate shows "R", "H" and "N", but no combos.
S
simonclivehughe
Guest
Check here for software (Windows and Mac):
http://emeasupport.epson-europe.com...7cgtRiz8A8NoGnIeFpBGr8qjP4nV6kBbu4SSPiyicHLza
No combos... either RAW (H), jpeg large (H) and jpeg small (N).
http://emeasupport.epson-europe.com...7cgtRiz8A8NoGnIeFpBGr8qjP4nV6kBbu4SSPiyicHLza
No combos... either RAW (H), jpeg large (H) and jpeg small (N).
hamsong
Member
Simon-
I'm also in Seattle. My whirlwind testing of the R-D1 was very informative. Clever use of the "film rewind" knob and beautiful dials. Occasional vagueness of focusing from the short RF baselength, but nothing major.
My only real issues were finding the manual advance a bit novel (I don't mind it on my M6 and M7 bodies, but come on!) and the surprisingly vague framing in relation to reality. When I frame something in the brightlines of the 90mm on my Leicas, the results on film are exactly what I expected, in the same position as they were in the finder. When I would frame something in the foreground and background with the Epson, I found that the framing was very different from what I expected, and also that there is quite a bit more information in the image that I expected from the desired crop while shooting, perhaps as much as 20% more. (This is somewhat true of the XPAN, BTW). I am a very experienced RF user, so this was very new to me. Is anyone else having this problem with the RD-1?
I'm also in Seattle. My whirlwind testing of the R-D1 was very informative. Clever use of the "film rewind" knob and beautiful dials. Occasional vagueness of focusing from the short RF baselength, but nothing major.
My only real issues were finding the manual advance a bit novel (I don't mind it on my M6 and M7 bodies, but come on!) and the surprisingly vague framing in relation to reality. When I frame something in the brightlines of the 90mm on my Leicas, the results on film are exactly what I expected, in the same position as they were in the finder. When I would frame something in the foreground and background with the Epson, I found that the framing was very different from what I expected, and also that there is quite a bit more information in the image that I expected from the desired crop while shooting, perhaps as much as 20% more. (This is somewhat true of the XPAN, BTW). I am a very experienced RF user, so this was very new to me. Is anyone else having this problem with the RD-1?
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