ZI vs RD-1(s) VF

I've never used a ZI, but I know that the RD-1 viewfinder is almost exactly the same as the one in a Bessa R3A, if that helps at all.

Oh, and The RD1 is a very different beast from film rangefinders. If you like wide angles, as in anything under 40mm, I'd stay away from the Epson. I like 50mms myself, so I am currently swimming.

Good luck with your choice,

-Tim
 
Timmy P said:
I've never used a ZI, but I know that the RD-1 viewfinder is almost exactly the same as the one in a Bessa R3A, if that helps at all.

Oh, and The RD1 is a very different beast from film rangefinders. If you like wide angles, as in anything under 40mm, I'd stay away from the Epson. I like 50mms myself, so I am currently swimming.

Good luck with your choice,

-Tim
Are you saying that the RD-1 is not useful with a 28mm or 35mm lens? if so why?
 
Because the sensor is smaller than 35mm film and you get a crop-factor. A 28mm lens becomes a 42mm lens (I think the RD-1 sensor has a 1.5 crop factor - I'm sure someone knows better than me)! It's the same issue with the M8 (1.3 crop factor) or DSLRs. That's why a full frame sensor is so much desired by most RF shooters.
 
Sorry, when I said not night and day I meant that they are not all THAT much different.

The RD1S is fine in low light. Possibly better than bright light 😀 Just my opinion.
 
kshapero said:
Are you saying that the RD-1 is not useful with a 28mm or 35mm lens? if so why?

The R-D1 will take the full range of lenses (with one or two minior exceptions) that will fit the Leica M bayonet, with or without an adapter.

The widest framelines in the R-D1 are for a 28mm lens, which because of the crop factor becomes the equivalent of a 43mm lens. If you don't wear glasses and can see the whole of the finder area, then this can be used for a 24/25mm lens (36mm equivalent).

Accessory viewfinders can be used for wider lenses and Epson/Cosina did make 'D' versions of some of the Voigtlander finders that allow for the crop factor.

I find that the CV 28/35mm minifinder is ideal for 21mm and 25mm lenses, better and smaller than the standard finders. I would prefer if the coverage of the built in frames went out to at least a true 35mm equivalent, but its no deal breaker if you like the camera.
 
I got an Rd-1s used and I have no problems using a 25mm lens. Of course without using the seperate VF, it can be a surprise shot. I just bought a CV 35mm/f1.7 from an RFFer, waiting for its arrival. And the VF on the RD-1s body in the same league as my ZI.
 
I havent used the Z1, but have the RD1. It has by far the brightest digital camera viewfinder (I also have not used the M8).
I also use it with the CV 15mm for the equivelant of a 21mm lens with an external viewfinder. Truth is, I only put the ext VF on because I like the look, as I have gotten used to the aproximate FOV of the lens through the regular viewfinder.
I also used it with the CV 21mm and have the CV 28 1.9 almost allways on it, so I will disagree with Tims statement about sub-40mm lenses.
 
I agree with George

I agree with George

georgef said:
I haven't used the Z1, but have the RD1. It has by far the brightest digital camera viewfinder (I also have not used the M8).
I also use it with the CV 15mm for the equivalent of a 21mm lens with an external viewfinder. Truth is, I only put the ext VF on because I like the look, as I have gotten used to the approximate FOV of the lens through the regular viewfinder.
I also used it with the CV 21mm and have the CV 28 1.9 almost always on it, so I will disagree with Tims statement about sub-40mm lenses.

The R D1 works very nicely with 21 and 28mm lenses. While neither give the wide field of view that they do on your 35mm Leica/Bessa, they work very well. I also use the 21mm lens sans finder...and approximate. The finder is useful for more critical photography.

Following the forum and reading on other forums, it is clear that the crop factor and practicality have made more "normal" shooters of many of us, what with the fast 40mm Nokton and 35mm offerings and so on. Even shooting a 28 becomes what we used to call a normal lens.

David
 
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