Will a DRF really work with my Planar?

[Bobfrance]

Hi Guys,

I really like Zeiss lenses and the 50mm F2 Planar I shoot on my Hexar just blows me away with its crispness and it's ability to give a sense of depth so well.

Recently I have been toying with the idea of of an R-D1 and was lucky enough to be loaned one for an afternoon by a fellow RFF member.

I thought the feel of the R-D1 was great and my initial reaction was 'I gotta get me one of these' however upon getting the shots home I felt that the images just were not up to the quality I'd come to expect when using Zeiss on my Hexar RF.

Now, my questions are: Was it me? Do I need to put in more post production effort to get the most of the Epson's RAW files?
Or could it be that the cameras resolution is just not high enough to successfully render the sharpness obtainable from a planar? I must admit it seems a little low after shooting an Olypus E-420.

Here's a few (albeit low-res) examples of what I mean.

Probably the best shots I got out of the Epson on the day.
1.

2.

An the general quality from the same lens shooting film on my Hexar RF.
1.

2.

3.

I know there's probably not much in it, especially at these sizes, but I'd love to hear from anyone else who shoots Zeiss glass on a M8 or R-D1.

Thanks for reading,

Bob.


Oh, and please forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong forum. 🙂

 

[back alley]

i can't say what quality is good enough for others but you can check out my flickr account to see other zm lenses on an rd1.

joe

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

In my view, you do need to work the RAWs a little bit with the R-D1. But I do think the R-D1 can equal your film pictures. I actually like the Zeiss 28 Biogon BETTER with the R-D1 than on film!

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the reassurance guys.
Anyone use the 35mm? I'm toying with the idea of getting one.

 

[back alley]

i prefer the 28 on the rd1.

 

[Krosya]

I have Rd, I have a Hexar RF as well as others. I dont have Planar anymore, but have Hexanons and other lenses. I have ZM 25. While RD delivers some very good results - it doesnt equal film. Well, good film anyway. I prefer results i get on film, but RD is just faster and still very good. It seems that some lenses do better on RD than others -dont know why. I have Hex 28mm and its awsome on both - film and digital. ZM 25 I prefer on film. Hex 50/2 - good on both, yet better on film. etc. I have no idea how to explain it - maybe its me, but maybe its not. Bottom line - I use both - film and digital for different things, so it all works out. But I can tell you, while RD1 is a very very good camera - put some Velvia or another QUALITY slide film in your Hexar - it'll blow RD away!