R-D1(s) in Singapore?

[Geoff Ang]

hi guys,

got my RD1s from epson before i flew off... just got back from bali for a 5 day long shoot and was very very impressed with the camera... love the grain... very un 6mega pixel... the optics makes up for the lack of resolution... shot a lot of low lite stuff.... and all turned up nice... with grain thats totally acceptable to me... this is gonna be my new pet camera!!!
my M7 is gonna be so jealous...

 

[tomcat]

hi guys,

got my RD1s from epson before i flew off... just got back from bali for a 5 day long shoot and was very very impressed with the camera... love the grain... very un 6mega pixel... the optics makes up for the lack of resolution... shot a lot of low lite stuff.... and all turned up nice... with grain thats totally acceptable to me... this is gonna be my new pet camera!!!
my M7 is gonna be so jealous...

Doesn't 'grain' mean 'noise' in digital photography? And optics depend essentially on the lenses used and not the camera body? Which lens(es) are you using with the R-D1s by the way?

 

[Geoff Ang]

hey tomcat,

yes grain is noise in digital terms... i used "grain" as a symbolic word... as i feel that its really film like in that sense... and i used my leica M lenses on that shoot... u'r also right about qualityand that it comes from lenses and not bodies.... well how many digital bodies are there in the market today that allows u to use lecia M lenses??? hence my point... this cam does nicely for me... and the grade of CCD used does contributes to the quality too... and this for what is worth does well for me...

 

[asturias105]

hey people, just wondering.. since this is a digital rangefinder with exchangeable lenses, would its sensors attract dust?

 

[regit]

hey people, just wondering.. since this is a digital rangefinder with exchangeable lenses, would its sensors attract dust?

But of course DIY sensor cleaning is as per normal, attach cable release, bulb, without memory card to prevent sensor from activating... swap, swap, swap ...

 

[regit]

hey tomcat,

and i used my leica M lenses on that shoot... u'r also right about qualityand that it comes from lenses and not bodies.... well how many digital bodies are there in the market today that allows u to use lecia M lenses??? hence my point... this cam does nicely for me... and the grade of CCD used does contributes to the quality too... and this for what is worth does well for me...

If I understand you correctly, I have to respectfully disagree. I don't think the Sony sensor on the R-D1S can bring out the best of Leica lens. Resolution wise, a lot of non-Leica lenses can outresolve the sensor, a classic example would be a $100 75-150E outresolving a D70 sensor... I don't think the R-D1s can stretch the potential of say, a 50Lux ASPH. Signature wise, the crop factor robs a lot of characters from some Leica lens, e.g. my Noctilux is not swirly anymore :cry: . Tonality wise, Leica lenses are at their best with B&W, and digital at current stage is woeful in this regards. Which is why, I still do B&W with my MP or M7. Other aspect such as colour and saturation can be manipulated in post-processing ...

Nonetheless, the R-D1s is a great gapping before the next leap in sensor technology... and a great toy as well

 

[Terence]

If I understand you correctly, I have to respectfully disagree. I don't think the Sony sensor on the R-D1S can bring out the best of Leica lens. Resolution wise, a lot of non-Leica lenses can outresolve the sensor, a classic example would be a $100 75-150E outresolving a D70 sensor... I don't think the R-D1s can stretch the potential of say, a 50Lux ASPH. Signature wise, the crop factor robs a lot of characters from some Leica lens, e.g. my Noctilux is not swirly anymore :cry: . Tonality wise, Leica lenses are at their best with B&W, and digital at current stage is woeful in this regards. Which is why, I still do B&W with my MP or M7. Other aspect such as colour and saturation can be manipulated in post-processing ...

Nonetheless, the R-D1s is a great gapping before the next leap in sensor technology... and a great toy as well

You should give the Epson's in-camera b/w mode a chance, it actually seems quite filmlike. I recently printed a couple of b/w shots up to A2 size and was pleasantly surprised with the results. It was the closest thing to a silver print I've ever seen a digital produce. Nice tonality and grain, even up to iso 800. And from images taken with the cheapo but magnificent CV 15/4.5

My R-D1 lives in b/w mode 90% of the time. I still prefer using E-6 for color RF work.

 

[regit]

You should give the Epson's in-camera b/w mode a chance, it actually seems quite filmlike. I recently printed a couple of b/w shots up to A2 size and was pleasantly surprised with the results. It was the closest thing to a silver print I've ever seen a digital produce. Nice tonality and grain, even up to iso 800. And from images taken with the cheapo but magnificent CV 15/4.5

My R-D1 lives in b/w mode 90% of the time. I still prefer using E-6 for color RF work.

Hi Terence, thank you for the suggestion. Admittedly, I've not try the B&W option extensively. Interesting that you prefer B&W on the R-D1 and colour on E6 because many do quite the opposite due to the limited DR of the sensor. Some even go as far as suggesting against modern Leica lenses due to pronness of highlight clipping... It is time for me to play with the camera some more :bsmilie:

 

[oteonghn]

HI
You can try Cathay Photo at Marina South
Was there recently andthey gave me a brochure.
Understand they stock the Epson RD1s

 

[djchris]

erm...what type of cable release does the R-D1s use? It seems to be the pressure type. Is it the same as the OEM nikon cable releases?

 

[regit]

erm...what type of cable release does the R-D1s use? It seems to be the pressure type. Is it the same as the OEM nikon cable releases?

Yep, the generic type cable release will work... I'm actually using a Nikon soft release button

 

[djchris]

Yep, the generic type cable release will work... I'm actually using a Nikon soft release button

Actually bought the cable release liao..$10 ones..
The camera was fun..managed to get a piece with the Cosina/Epson 35mm f2.5 to testdrive for a while..and shared it with a few fellow clubsnappers..

 

[djchris]

this may be a stupid question..but how do I remove the battery from the camera?
i suppose there's a button of some sorts since it has a catch to hold the battery.

 

[regit]

this may be a stupid question..but how do I remove the battery from the camera?
i suppose there's a button of some sorts since it has a catch to hold the battery.

See PM

 

[djchris]

Hi regit,
Thanks for all the help rendered in me getting acquainted with the R-D1s.
Interesting piece of machine there...

Took some simple fireworks shots with the R-D1s tonight.
Shots can be viewed here for those who are interested...

 

[asturias105]

Hi, I know this qn may sound stupid, but just wanted to know if this epson rangefinder is a fully manual one, or it has AF capability (just like contax G series)? THanks!

 

[regit]

Hi, I know this qn may sound stupid, but just wanted to know if this epson rangefinder is a fully manual one, or it has AF capability (just like contax G series)? THanks!

It is manual focus only.

 

[asturias105]

It is manual focus only.

Thanks for the prompt reply, regit. I've no experience with a rangefinder before, only managed to view it from shops. Would like to give it a try but afraid it's not my thing. Is it hard to focus manually making use of the centre mirror?

 

[Terence]

Thanks for the prompt reply, regit. I've no experience with a rangefinder before, only managed to view it from shops. Would like to give it a try but afraid it's not my thing. Is it hard to focus manually making use of the centre mirror?

What's a "centre mirror"?

Focusing using the RF patch isn't that hard. A bit of practice and you'll find it to be rather intuitive.

 

[djchris]

It's just a matter of getting used to it. I had problem using it the first time I handled it cause I placed my eye too close to the viewfinder though...