It's true ... The RD-1 is the 'coolest' digital camera ever made!

[zvos1]

It's the threads like these that spread that vicious virus called GAS, shame on you Keith!!! :-) It's equivalent of having a flu, coming to work and coughing in everyone's face....LOL

On another note saw a BRAND NEW R-D1x in the classifieds (Gumtree) the other day, it took all my mental power to stop myself from buying it.

[photografity]

Originally Posted by Keith

From the faux film rewind knob that ties in with the various menu functions to that quirky but fascinating analog display on top of the camera. Oh ... and lets not forget the manual 'film adavance' lever for re-cocking the shutter that you can conveniently hook your thumb under while shooting ... and of course the LCD screen that you can flip over to totally deny to the world that you've secumbed to the digital tide!

I showed the RD-1 to a friend who is a semi pro photographer (magazines posters etc) who is generally impressed by nothing in life ... and I mean nothing!!! When I showed him the Epson a week or so ago his reaction was .... "Wow! That is the coolest camera I've seen, now I understand why you bought it!"

If RFF had a 'Cool Wall' ala Top Gear this camera would have to be at the top of it ... surely!

All my friends are always impressed by the "film advance lever" & the "rewind knob" and still can't believe the R-D1 is a digital camera !!

[back alley]

it's like a rebirth!

[Keith]

When I was telling my photographer friend three weeks ago about the Epson, before I actually received it from the seller, he just gave me that look that he'd heard it all before .... another new camera, big deal and I could sense his eyes rolling back in his head!

I remember showing him my D700 when I first got it (he had a D2X) and also receiving the same deadpan response as I have with every camera I've shown him including the Pentax 67ii ... if you can't impress someone with the big Pentax they're not going to be impressed with much in life obviously!

However ... when I turned up with the RD-1 and actually handed it to him so he could have a look, his eyes lit up and he made the comment about it being tres cool and could now see why I bought it!

I must admit the thing is far more solid than I expected and like all rather quirky designs instantly appealing if your into that sort of thing! It's strange because I've had an R3A and R4A and they never really grabbed me, as proficient as they were!

[Keith]

Originally Posted by back alley

it's like a rebirth!

Resurrection maybe?

[awbphotog]

Keith: Single handedly driving up prices on the RD-1 with resurrection thread.

[Keith]

And I'd just about bet the sheep farm that an RD-1 appears in the classifieds in the next day or so!

Not Joe's hopefully!

[back alley]

no, not mine...as much as i want to play with the fuji-pro...

there is a shooter from new york who just got an rd1, he goes by d.j. poe and he is great...i now have an inspiration...

[Keith]

Originally Posted by back alley

no, not mine...as much as i want to play with the fuji-pro...

there is a shooter from new york who just got an rd1, he goes by d.j. poe and he is great...i now have an inspiration...

I just checked his flickr stream ... he is very good I agree!

[awbphotog]

I will have an RD-1 by summer! THANKS GUYS!

[huntjump]

Originally Posted by Keith

Maybe just to convince you totally a few people could throw in some pics here of their Epsons.

Mine's had my black 35mm f1.2 Nokton on it since I got it ... and that looks sexy!

The other positive about this camera is I adjusted the rangefinder infinity setting yesterday and was amazed at just how easy it was ... happily it fixed the back focus issue I was having.

great idea keith. And the 35 1.2 is great on it. so is a zeiss 25mm for a 36mm fov

Ezzie's custom wooden grip that i got with it. Best grip ever (my dial is slightly off though after bumping the camera hard one day :/ )


Epson R-D1 + 35/2 by Adam Regele, on Flickr

[umcelinho]

Those wooden grips are really cool. I've tried finding those for sale online but failed miserably. Considered making myself a DIY one... haven't started it yet. If anyone has a light on where to find those, I'd appreciate it!

PS: Adam, your kit looks awesome with that worn out 35/2 and the grip!

[huntjump]

Originally Posted by umcelinho

Those wooden grips are really cool. I've tried finding those for sale online but failed miserably. Considered making myself a DIY one... haven't started it yet. If anyone has a light on where to find those, I'd appreciate it!

PS: Adam, your kit looks awesome with that worn out 35/2 and the grip!

Thanks! Contact Ezzie, but I think he made it himself (or a local friend). I can take detailed photos of its simple design if you or anyone else wants to try and replicate it. Dramatically improved handling for me.

[Gary Sandhu]

I had it -- liked the dials, and the minimal shutter lag.
Didn't like the crop factor and that the black wore down to reveal plastic. The M8 had better IQ.

[huntjump]

Originally Posted by Gary Sandhu

I had it -- liked the dials, and the minimal shutter lag.
Didn't like the crop factor and that the black wore down to reveal plastic. The M8 had better IQ.

At lower ISO, M8 I think does have better IQ. I just like the total package more of the r-d1, some pros to the m8 and some cons.

[Ezzie]

Originally Posted by huntjump

great idea keith. And the 35 1.2 is great on it. so is a zeiss 25mm for a 36mm fov

Ezzie's custom wooden grip that i got with it. Best grip ever (my dial is slightly off though after bumping the camera hard one day :/ )


Epson R-D1 + 35/2 by Adam Regele, on Flickr

You lot! Don't get me started, again!

I agree, it is certainly the coolest digital camera I've even seen. Should I get hold of one again? Would mean I'd shoot less film, not sure I want that. Yet.

[fireblade]

Originally Posted by Keith

From the faux film rewind knob that ties in with the various menu functions to that quirky but fascinating analog display on top of the camera. Oh ... and lets not forget the manual 'film adavance' lever for re-cocking the shutter that you can conveniently hook your thumb under while shooting ... and of course the LCD screen that you can flip over to totally deny to the world that you've secumbed to the digital tide!

I showed the RD-1 to a friend who is a semi pro photographer (magazines posters etc) who is generally impressed by nothing in life ... and I mean nothing!!! When I showed him the Epson a week or so ago his reaction was .... "Wow! That is the coolest camera I've seen, now I understand why you bought it!"

If RFF had a 'Cool Wall' ala Top Gear this camera would have to be at the top of it ... surely!

...like that young boy who tastes honey for the first time

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Gary Sandhu

I had it -- liked the dials, and the minimal shutter lag.
Didn't like the crop factor and that the black wore down to reveal plastic. The M8 had better IQ.

I probably wouldn't want the the RD-1 as my only digital camera because of the points you make ... but I wasn't overly impressed with my M8 when I had it either for as many reasons. Poor high ISO performance, IR issue, shutter like a staple gun and a price tag of $6000!

If I hanker for full frame with all the bells and whistles I have my D700!

If I want a unique experience and a load of fun for casual shooting ... the Epson fits the bill IMO.

[Ezzie]

Originally Posted by huntjump

Thanks! Contact Ezzie, but I think he made it himself (or a local friend). I can take detailed photos of its simple design if you or anyone else wants to try and replicate it. Dramatically improved handling for me.

I made the grip myself. Not difficult at all. A piece of wood under the base, a piece of half round (in this case oak) wood for the grip, and a tripod mount bolt. Grip is sculpted to fit my hand (evidently Adam's is similarly sized), fitted to the wooden base by two screws and glue. Mahogany stained. Thats it.

[astro8]

Originally Posted by Keith

The other positive about this camera is I adjusted the rangefinder infinity setting yesterday and was amazed at just how easy it was ... happily it fixed the back focus issue I was having.

That's good news. Something like back focusing could certainly obscure your view of just how good this camera really is.

I had a 35' lux that front focussed on the R-D1. After DAG fixed it, it went instantly from POS to the Holy Grail.

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have to agree, the R-D1 is a very cool camera, and it feels right when you hold it and when you shoot it. The images are very nice.

Still, if I had to choose between the R-D1 and the M8, I'd choose the M8.

I actually don't understand why they haven't made an R-D2 with an APS-H sensor. It can't be any more expensive than making a higher-end Micro 4/3. If people got in line for the Fuji X100 and the X Pro1, I can't believe they wouldn't think people wouldn't get in line for the R-D2.

[Ezzie]

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

I have to agree, the R-D1 is a very cool camera, and it feels right when you hold it and when you shoot it. The images are very nice.

Still, if I had to choose between the R-D1 and the M8, I'd choose the M8.

I actually don't understand why they haven't made an R-D2 with an APS-H sensor. It can't be any more expensive than making a higher-end Micro 4/3. If people got in line for the Fuji X100 and the X Pro1, I can't believe they wouldn't think people wouldn't get in line for the R-D2.

You're not alone in wanting for an R-D2 along those lines.

[RichC]

I do miss mine (remember me? I created the RD-1 website, now on Cameraquest's website).

But I print large (my current project is four 6 foot (2 m) prints) . 6 MP is useless except for A4 (10 inch) prints - you can see differences in print quality at A3 (20 inches) compared with even 10 MP cameras.

The sweet spot for a hand held camera is about 20 MP. Sadly, 6 MP makes the RD-1 no more than a toy today... I can't use it professionally nor in my MA photography degree I'm doing.

If Epson made an RD-2 with 20 MP, I'd buy it in a flash, but that's not going to happen. Ever.

[nemjo]

... and what about the selftimer???



nemjo

[efix]

Originally Posted by Keith

If RFF had a 'Cool Wall' ala Top Gear this camera would have to be at the top of it ... surely!

Now that you mention it ... when was the last time the Cool Wall was featured on Top Gear? Feels like ages ...