Epson R-D1s help needed

[Parchiao]

I need some opinions about this camera, interested to know what previous users don't like about the camera, the pitfalls and anything else.

I am thinking of picking any one/some up the following lenses for use. CV 35/1.2, Zeiss 50/1.5, Zeiss 28/2, Zeiss 21/2.8 or 4 and Zeiss 18/4.

 

[tomcat]

I am a current user but I still don't like that there is no Custom White Balance in the R-D1s.

 

[Parchiao]

Thanks for the reply.

What do you think of the following?

1. Noise and at what ISO?

2. Viewfinder brightness

3. Rangefinder accuracy

 

[Cactus jACK]

acceptable noise is very subjective. you can also calibrate the amount of noise reduction you would like in the film settings. for colour shots, the bigger pain is more on the lack of custom wb when taking indoors. for b&w, sometimes, a little "grain" is welcomed. but for an "older generation" sensor, it holds its own.

viewfinder is nice and bright with 1:1 view. but if you're trying to compare the bessa-like bodies with the Ms, the M would have the slight advantage with the wider distance of the twin-focusing windows. but the edge is not as significant when using wider angles... and based on the lenses that you have mentioned, this should not be an issue for you.

lastly, if you got lobang for new batts... pls pm me!!

 

[triotary]

is WB really that important when you shoot in raw? Well if you shoot in jpeg, I guess it is crucial to have custom WB.

 

[docolmo]

With RAW, the auto WB is accurate than many other cameras, including M8 and Canon DSLRs.

 

[haagen_dazs]

Thanks for the reply.

What do you think of the following?

1. Noise and at what ISO?

2. Viewfinder brightness

3. Rangefinder accuracy

1. noise pattern is interesting. it is unlike the normal dslr kind of noise. the noise is rather pleasing and sort of looks like film

2. very bright. built off the bessa chassis

3. accurate but be careful that it is not mis aligned. i noted that sometimes, the alignment may be be correct for infinity subjects but are off for near subjects.
something for you to note.

 

[Parchiao]

1. noise pattern is interesting. it is unlike the normal dslr kind of noise. the noise is rather pleasing and sort of looks like film

2. very bright. built off the bessa chassis

3. accurate but be careful that it is not mis aligned. i noted that sometimes, the alignment may be be correct for infinity subjects but are off for near subjects.
something for you to note.

On the part of viewfinder misalignment, how then can we ensure that there are not problems with focussing near and far objects?

Also, if I get one from overseas, will Epson be able to fix problems with the camera here in Singapore?

I don't think I will shoot much above ISO400.

 

[Parchiao]

Bumping this up.

For those of you who used the R-D1s, how often do you use it compared to your DSLRs or film Leica Ms, Voigtlander Bessas etc? If you have sold it, was it because you upgraded to an M8 or was it for some other reason?

 

[tomcat]

Personally, I have been spoilt rotten by autofocus in DSLRs and find myself picking up a DSLR instead of the R-D1s whenever I'm in the mood to shoot something. What's more, i like to shoot when I'm on tours overseas and they being packaged tours, there is a need to be able to shoot fast and furious without having to worry about fiddling with manual focus, changing of lenses etc.

I find that rangefinders, even digital ones like the R-D1s are gentlemen's cameras and are best used at a leisurely and gentlemanly pace. If I have all day to shoot at a location, I would not mind using one, otherwise I would still prefer to use a DSLR.

The other thing I like about the rangefinders is the quality of the lenses especially the fast ones. I don't need to break the bank (unless they are Leicas) to get great image quality with super smooth OOF and super sharp wide opened... something that is somewhat lacking in DSLR lenses. That said, I am pleased that I been able to finally replicate that RF look in my DSLR images with the Leica 25mm f/1.4 prime lens for the Four-Thirds system.

 

[Parchiao]

Who's suppossed to service your R-D1s?

 

[gommy]

Try Epson.
See this link: http://db.riskwaters.com/public/showPage.html?page=453252

Who's suppossed to service your R-D1s?