What is good for digital Rangefinder

[Larken]

Larken, are you using Iso1600 because of street photos ? if Leica cant use ISO moreo then 400/800 ...then its a useless kit for $5k

For me, its more the fact that I shoot alot at night, but it does help when I want to zonefocus for street. That said, I don't usually do street shooting (no guts:bsmilie. However, in strong daylight, I never really had to go to 1600 even when zone-focusing; the Leicas will do great for streetshooting even used at low iso. Not really a plus point for the Epson if you take that into consideration. You'd find that for street shooting in the day, you don't really need high iso. For low light, its important.

Trust me, if I could afford an m9 without blinking, I'd take it just for the cropfactor. But as it happens, the Epson is the most affordable digital rangefinder on the market, which still burnt a hole in my pocket, not to mention the slippery slope of wanting more and more lenses But between the Epson and an M8, I'd go for the RD1. Not only do I like it better, the price difference was pretty high when I got it.

 

[DonzM9P]

Thanks Larken, i do mostly streer photography. I dont really do landscape.. I think If i want to do a lot of landscape and night shot, I will definitely go for DSLR like the D7000/D800

The RD-1x brand new almost the same as the Used M8...

sure M9 is our goal!

 

[Riotbmx]

Actually a lot of people here started with the M9 and then switched to M6 or MP. Unless you are switching to digital fully I don't think it's wise to spend that much money on the M9 since you already have the M6. If u just need a backup digital camera to take those "I don't wanna waste my film on this" kinda shots I think the X100 would be a good choice even tho it's not a rangefinder. Its prolly the best bang for buck camera, or so I've read. I bought one for my bro at the B&S for $900 and used it for 2 days, I still prefer using film tho.

 

[DonzM9P]

I love taking with Film roll...never ever can bit the old days..but its getting pricier in term of processing and the Film itself...

 

[Riotbmx]

I love taking with Film roll...never ever can bit the old days..but its getting pricier in term of processing and the Film itself...

$8000 can buy you a lot of film

 

[nordleadx]

$8000 can also buy alot of time if u are a heavy user.

if shoot one or few rolls a week, better off using film

 

[enivre]

Larken, are you using Iso1600 because of street photos ? if Leica cant use ISO moreo then 400/800 ...then its a useless kit for $5k

The M9 in my opinion maxes out at iso800. Barely usable at 1600, rubbish above it. Of course "usability" is dependent on personal taste and how big you want to blow up your photo to.

But in general compared to other cameras in recent years or in a similar/lower price range it's noise control is dismal.

 

[Canonised]

The M9 in my opinion maxes out at iso800. Barely usable at 1600, rubbish above it. Of course "usability" is dependent on personal taste and how big you want to blow up your photo to.

But in general compared to other cameras in recent years or in a similar/lower price range it's noise control is dismal.

Fully agreed! ISO 1,000 is my limit.

And you also forgot about the 50 cents LCD!

 

[cookiemon]

I just got my rd1x for a week. And to be frank, I am in love with it. Shooting with RF is just a brand new experience. ISO is great at 800, which I shoot most of the time. If you can afford, dont sell off you DSLR as RF is not mean for fast objects, you still need it! I still keep my 5DMK2, but mainly playing with my R-D1x now. Even my wife dont know anything about camera, she can tell there is magic in pics taken by RF. Do consider about servicing aspect when you purchase a RF. In SG, lots of ppl can do repair works with Leica, but Rd1.. i am not too sure.

 

[dtohs]

I may sound partial, i think a part of you will always wonder what you can do with a leica digital RF. Get a M8 if you are not willing to spend on the M9. I guess I am just lucky, my M8 only hung once due to a dead batt, never had issue since. I experimented some big prints with the M8 shots (the longest print i did was 1.4m), i think this camera is worth it. Mai tu liao.


d

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www.dtohphoto.com

 

[benny]

For those wondering about the lack of grip options for the Epson R-D1, fret not.

There are after market options like this one which can serve as acraswiss tripod base plate as well. Excellent built. Picture taken off a very good friend with very good taste. Although not shown, this grip does not inhibit battery or SD card access, so you use the R-D1 as you do without the grip.


Epson RD1s by 五點八七六十四, on Flickr

Here's another picture showing the grooved based that double up as a tripod plate. Though mounted on the legendary Voigtlander Bessa R4A, it's actually the same grip.


Canon 19mm f/3.5 LTM + Voigtlander Bessa R4A by benny ng, on Flickr

Besides add on grips, the Zhou cases also has a bean shaped protrusion on the front that acts like a gripping aid. One of my favorite.

Lastly, if you must have the original grip on the R-D1. It's not impossible. You just need a friend to prowl the streets of Tokyo. It does show up now and then for about JPY5000 to JPY8000.


Trusty old Epson R-D1 by benny ng, on Flickr

Cheers,

 

[pikapig]

For those wondering about the lack of grip options for the Epson R-D1, fret not.

There are after market options like this one which can serve as acraswiss tripod base plate as well. Excellent built. Picture taken off a very good friend with very good taste. Although not shown, this grip does not inhibit battery or SD card access, so you use the R-D1 as you do without the grip.


Epson RD1s by 五點八七六十四, on Flickr

Here's another picture showing the grooved based that double up as a tripod plate. Though mounted on the legendary Voigtlander Bessa R4A, it's actually the same grip.


Canon 19mm f/3.5 LTM + Voigtlander Bessa R4A by benny ng, on Flickr

Besides add on grips, the Zhou cases also has a bean shaped protrusion on the front that acts like a gripping aid. One of my favorite.

Lastly, if you must have the original grip on the R-D1. It's not impossible. You just need a friend to prowl the streets of Tokyo. It does show up now and then for about JPY5000 to JPY8000.


Trusty old Epson R-D1 by benny ng, on Flickr

Cheers,

Wow..Benny im interested to see the results of that 19mm

 

[hjbyeo]

For those wondering about the lack of grip options for the Epson R-D1, fret not.

There are after market options like this one which can serve as acraswiss tripod base plate as well. Excellent built. Picture taken off a very good friend with very good taste.

:bsmilie: ... I need to take the RD1s out for a spin with this grip.

 

[tommyx]

Very poisonous photos..

 

[artspraken]

If you keep comparing prices with Nikon D7000 you will never get anywhere. D7000 is not even a RF. If you are comparing prices across the board for all cameras, then you are in the wrong forum.

If you want a cheap digital rangefinder, there is no such thing. Epson is closest to "cheap". And 6 megapixel is already very good for normal prints.

Since your OP says you have M6 TTL, then you already have an analog solution. The question you need to ask is whether: the time + cost of buying, developing, and scanning film can justify the cost of a digital solution.

If I were you, I will continue to use the M6 TTL. Whether M9 or M9P price is justified, you will know after spending time with the M6TTL. But based on your OP saying you are in a "beginner rangefinder situation", I am not quite sure what is your present issue to directly advise.

I was also wondering over the price of these rangefinders...I can get $1515 for Nikon D7000 with 2 lenses...

Canon 5D Mark III - $4000(body)

the Xpro 1 is $2450 ..

The Fuji X100 - $1199

the X100 limited edition of 10,000 cost $1749

The OMD-5 - $1199 ( body only) - lenses vary from 45mm - $499, VF3 Electronic Viewfinder $199, 12mm Lens $999, FL 300R Flash - $199 , Olympus Macro Arm Light - $199, Olympus Pen MZuiko 75-300mm lens - $999

Used
M8 - $1500 - $2700

Epson R-D1xG- $1500 - 2300


I've done a lot of research on the price range of all the potential candidates LOL