As some of you might have known... I just sold a R-D1...
It's like a short romance, but the feeling still lingers... I am sure some of you have experienced teenage or adult romance where you feel that this person is not the person that you're going to live with forever, but on the other hand, you had the most enjoyable time with her....
Well, it's just like that feeling. Hope the new owner will "make use" of her(the R-D1) fully and exploit her to the fullest potential.
When I first saw the post on B&S about 2 weeks ago, I fell in love with the camera even before seeing her. It's just like falling in love through the photo. The seller can verify that I didn't even check the camera during the transaction. When I took over possession of her, I "undressed her" and spent 15min fiddling her in my car. The R-D1 is a camera that was built with a RF photographer in mind. It doesn't feel like a digital camera at all. From the shutter to the analog dials, it feels very much like a film camera. It took me less than 10min to figure out all the functions. That's how intuitive the camera was.
The sound of the shutter just feel right. I won't commend and compare with the M8, but personally, among ALL the digital cameras, I prefer the R-D1 shutter best. It's just so mechanical. It gives me a sense of ....... (don't know how to explain the feeling) when I press the shutter. And I can be sure of the moment that I capture is the moment that I want. No lag at all. Comparing with the other digital RF, I feel the R-D1 feels more instantaneous. *Please do not flame me... it's just my personal opinion! Anyone is entitled to disagree*
In terms of ergonomics, I would give the R-D1 a 10/10. It's just feel so much like a photographer's tool.... everything is so mechanical and intuitive... just reminded me of my Honda SiR that I sold 5 years ago....
Then the question... since I loved it so much, why did I part with it? Well, after shooting a couple of frames, I realised something.... I still prefer film. Though the digital gave me instant gratification, I somehow did not feel for the photographs that I took anymore. I didn't feel as much as how I used to feel towards my subject when I pressed the shutter. All I cared for when I look through the viewfinder was.... just press the trigger and hope one of the frames will turn out nice. If it is not nice, **** the shutter and fire another shot again. Personally I don't like that feeling at all. I want my pictures to have live and soul and tell a story to the audience who are looking at it. Not technically perfect pictures, but pictures that tell a story. With the digital RF, I just don't feel the urge to do it anymore.
A short discussion with one of my customers, who is a very established and successful wedding photographer, who happens to shoot with MP and 1D MkIII, revealed that he is looking at the M8 because the post processing on film is just so painful. It's so difficult to get a good scan at a economical price. Yes, now I understand... digital cuts the pain for people who shoot for a living. It's so efficient and cost effective to go digital. Customers want things fast and cheap. And digital is the only logical way to go. Staying with film for professional work nowadays is just like competing in a F1 race with a 1965 VW Beetle.
Then I asked myself... since I am not a professional, I only need a camera for testing my Voigtlander lenses, why do I have to hold on to such a beautiful tool just to fulfill my simple needs? Yes, scanning negatives at 4800dpi takes a little longer time, probably 4 hours to finish 36 frames and another hour doing a little post processing levels and trimming the edges... BUT, I get a almost 16megapixel resolution file. And with USM at 100% with 2px, I get a almost film grade finish that I feel none of the digital camera with a sub S$7000 price tag can match. ;p And my Canoscan 8800F is only S$305. *Sorry please don't flame me for this... it's just a personal preference*
Hence, this little beauty is not going to see much use in my hands. I probably won't treasure it as much as someone who are more comfortable with digital. In my opinion, this camera works best in a wedding photographer's hands. WHY? The viewfinder gives a 1:1 view. That means, one will not get dizzy spell with both eyes open looking through the VF. Hence it allows the photographer frame, compose and time the shot better. I personally like the Bessa R3M very much as it allows me to immerse in the surrounding. It allows me to capture the action just like I am part of the story. I must congratulate and thank Mr K for getting this right. I don't have to pop Panadol after a day of shooting anymore...
It's a sad departure. I told one of my customers yesterday (who happened that he just bought a new M8 and was picking up the 40mm/f1.4 and 21mm/f4) about my intention of selling the R-D1... he said... "are you sure? you sound like you are still in love with the R-D1 and you bear to sell it?" Well, at least he could see from my eyes...
So, it's not about the camera, as some of you have asked me. The R-D1 is an excellent tool for the photographer. It's the other one on this planet earth that is digital and can mount Leitz, Nokton, Ultron, Skopar, Heliar, ZM & Hexar. The other alternative was going on the street at SGD7600 (as confirmed by my customer yesterday, price has gone up).
If you ever find one good copy, grab it before it is too late...
It's like a short romance, but the feeling still lingers... I am sure some of you have experienced teenage or adult romance where you feel that this person is not the person that you're going to live with forever, but on the other hand, you had the most enjoyable time with her....
Well, it's just like that feeling. Hope the new owner will "make use" of her(the R-D1) fully and exploit her to the fullest potential.
When I first saw the post on B&S about 2 weeks ago, I fell in love with the camera even before seeing her. It's just like falling in love through the photo. The seller can verify that I didn't even check the camera during the transaction. When I took over possession of her, I "undressed her" and spent 15min fiddling her in my car. The R-D1 is a camera that was built with a RF photographer in mind. It doesn't feel like a digital camera at all. From the shutter to the analog dials, it feels very much like a film camera. It took me less than 10min to figure out all the functions. That's how intuitive the camera was.
The sound of the shutter just feel right. I won't commend and compare with the M8, but personally, among ALL the digital cameras, I prefer the R-D1 shutter best. It's just so mechanical. It gives me a sense of ....... (don't know how to explain the feeling) when I press the shutter. And I can be sure of the moment that I capture is the moment that I want. No lag at all. Comparing with the other digital RF, I feel the R-D1 feels more instantaneous. *Please do not flame me... it's just my personal opinion! Anyone is entitled to disagree*
In terms of ergonomics, I would give the R-D1 a 10/10. It's just feel so much like a photographer's tool.... everything is so mechanical and intuitive... just reminded me of my Honda SiR that I sold 5 years ago....
Then the question... since I loved it so much, why did I part with it? Well, after shooting a couple of frames, I realised something.... I still prefer film. Though the digital gave me instant gratification, I somehow did not feel for the photographs that I took anymore. I didn't feel as much as how I used to feel towards my subject when I pressed the shutter. All I cared for when I look through the viewfinder was.... just press the trigger and hope one of the frames will turn out nice. If it is not nice, **** the shutter and fire another shot again. Personally I don't like that feeling at all. I want my pictures to have live and soul and tell a story to the audience who are looking at it. Not technically perfect pictures, but pictures that tell a story. With the digital RF, I just don't feel the urge to do it anymore.
A short discussion with one of my customers, who is a very established and successful wedding photographer, who happens to shoot with MP and 1D MkIII, revealed that he is looking at the M8 because the post processing on film is just so painful. It's so difficult to get a good scan at a economical price. Yes, now I understand... digital cuts the pain for people who shoot for a living. It's so efficient and cost effective to go digital. Customers want things fast and cheap. And digital is the only logical way to go. Staying with film for professional work nowadays is just like competing in a F1 race with a 1965 VW Beetle.
Then I asked myself... since I am not a professional, I only need a camera for testing my Voigtlander lenses, why do I have to hold on to such a beautiful tool just to fulfill my simple needs? Yes, scanning negatives at 4800dpi takes a little longer time, probably 4 hours to finish 36 frames and another hour doing a little post processing levels and trimming the edges... BUT, I get a almost 16megapixel resolution file. And with USM at 100% with 2px, I get a almost film grade finish that I feel none of the digital camera with a sub S$7000 price tag can match. ;p And my Canoscan 8800F is only S$305. *Sorry please don't flame me for this... it's just a personal preference*
Hence, this little beauty is not going to see much use in my hands. I probably won't treasure it as much as someone who are more comfortable with digital. In my opinion, this camera works best in a wedding photographer's hands. WHY? The viewfinder gives a 1:1 view. That means, one will not get dizzy spell with both eyes open looking through the VF. Hence it allows the photographer frame, compose and time the shot better. I personally like the Bessa R3M very much as it allows me to immerse in the surrounding. It allows me to capture the action just like I am part of the story. I must congratulate and thank Mr K for getting this right. I don't have to pop Panadol after a day of shooting anymore...
It's a sad departure. I told one of my customers yesterday (who happened that he just bought a new M8 and was picking up the 40mm/f1.4 and 21mm/f4) about my intention of selling the R-D1... he said... "are you sure? you sound like you are still in love with the R-D1 and you bear to sell it?" Well, at least he could see from my eyes...
So, it's not about the camera, as some of you have asked me. The R-D1 is an excellent tool for the photographer. It's the other one on this planet earth that is digital and can mount Leitz, Nokton, Ultron, Skopar, Heliar, ZM & Hexar. The other alternative was going on the street at SGD7600 (as confirmed by my customer yesterday, price has gone up).
If you ever find one good copy, grab it before it is too late...
i don't mind helping you babysit them too 
