Epson's R-D1x digital Rangefinder locates our analog hearts
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Feb 27th 2009 2:18AM
posted Feb 27th 2009 2:18AM
There's something undeniably sexy, romantic even, about modern digital rangefinders. Perhaps it's the bevy of tactile controls that stand in such stark contrast to the button-less touchscreen trend infecting consumer electronics. Perhaps it's nostalgia. Whatever it is, the Epson R-D1x just created a momentary pause of reverence amongst Engadget editors. Not much has changed since the R-D1 (followed by the R-D1s) was introduced four years ago: that 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor, RAW and JPEG support, and Leica M and L glass compatibility remain. Epson just modernized things a bit by adding a handgrip (model R-D1xG), a bigger 2.5-inch LCD, support for the SDHC card format (up to 32GB), and improved EDiART image processing. But this shooter isn't about the specs, it's about emotion. Ships April 9th for an undisclosed price estimated to be around $2,000.
[Via Impress]
[Via Impress]
A good cheap alternative to the leica m8
But the question is how much cheaper? Oh how I hate the waiting game.
I can assure you that it's anything but cheap.
20万円 is 200,000 yen or around $2028.
http://www.google.com/search?q=200%2C000+jpy+to+usd
$2000 is still a lot though. I still don't get why there isn't a micro 4/3 (or even another APS-C) play on this idea yet for around $1000. I don't think its technically impossible (you're just repackaging a G1 or D60 or whatever), just that conservative camera makers are too too shy to try it. The Olympus prototype at last year's PMA is getting there though.
epson rangefinder was hot when leica have not a digital RF by itself. but now, with m8 why they did not discontinued it?
or they can put a modern cmos or a better ccd than m8 in it for some competition.
sorry who want a cheap m mount camera? do you know m lens series price tag?
Voigtlander make a series of very affordable LTM and M mount lenses.
i'd like a cheap digital m mount cam. too bad contax is gone...
Translate page says
20 MILLION YEN (202,820 USD!!!!)
(spoiler: original japanese says 200k yen instead)
Translation pages always do that for some reason... was looking at a $100 fukubukuro bag just yesterday that supposedly came with "5 million yen" worth of stuff. That's $50,000 worth... for only $100!
Of course it was really $500 worth... at retail prices. So, a good deal, but not $50,000 good!
It'll cost a little over 2 grand. I'm impressed that such a quirky camera (film advance lever on a digital camera!?) had a strong enough following that a) they kept it going b) they updated it.
I want one.
ech.. insanely expensive mediocre camera thats looks cool.
oh wait ill just stick with my retro cool looking superior in every way canon G9..
(That cost a faction of this.)
You have zero idea about the differences between your G9 lens and pretty much any m-mount (or thread mount) lens.
You actually believe a bloated point and shoot is superior to a rangefinder?
Your Canon G9 does not have an APS-C size censor and therefore has higher noise levels that are especially noticeable higher ISOs. Your camera has retro looks, but this one has retro function, including an aperture ring and shutter speed dial that really draws you into the operation. Your camera does have zoom, autofocus and auto-exposure, but a rangefinder kind of makes you focus on your photos by making you work at your exposure.
Don't laugh at people who work really hard with their photography.
That said, obviously you won't use this for action photography. The shutter advance lever is a bitch too - on my FE2 (early 80's full manual SLR) I can take manual focus and exposure for street and object photography, but not the friggin film advance lever! ugh!
Too bad DPReview is saying this camera will only get a Japan release.
GTFO noob.
sorry but i don't like the "retro looks" of this camera.
it's really an homage to the history of range finders. To each their own, of course. To me, it looks sexy, and I would love to purchase this to replace my canon P&S.
I just bought a $1400 lens, so this'll have to wait.
To me this is the best looking camera ive seen for years, maybe even better looking than Leica M8. And I'm not that old that i would have used cameras that look like this before.
Why I like this look? It's probably because it doesnt look like it was made from plastic soap container. Form dictates shape, not the other way around like most new cameras that look like they are made from plastic handsoap containers. Like Canon Powershot E1. (Yes, I know this is in a another market segment, but I'm commenting on shape not price).
Unfortunately there's bad news. Dpreview asked Epson UK and was told "According to Epson UK, the R-D1x is being released only in Japan and there are no plans for a European release."
So there goes the cheaper ($2000] than Leica M8 ($4795) for us europeans that like the manual camera with character over the point and snap soapboxes.
Very awesome. I think the 6 megapixel thing could be a nice way to reduce noise and keep the camera having some great output, and it's cool seeing that it's a rangefinger. Could be a lot of fun to use and a lot easier to lug around than a SLR.
Will have to wait for reviews...
Want one, but you'd think analog would make it cheaper... like under thousand. Confused, but eager.
Rangefinder's require a very high degree of mechanical precision. That combined with the low demand is what makes them so expensive.
I my lx3.
Epic lolz@ "Superior in every way" re: Canon G9
Put the Leica 50mm f/0.95 on this, take a few photos and get back to us hey?
I'll wait until they come out with the R2-D2 model.
What's with the low-resolution digital rangefinders?
I am still waiting for something that would tempt me away from my Mamiya M6.
6MP is more than plenty if you're not doing poster-sized blowups. On the other hand, 6MP means huge photosites, means low noise even at high ISO. And if you really do own a Mamiya 6 (not M6), I don't need to tell you what that means.
Hope it will be another alternative more cheaper one ..... :-(
It isn't nostalgia that makes this device so attractive: it's the fact that it has an analog interface. You dunderheads have spent a decade pursuing digital interfaces and ignored millennia of physical interface burned deep into your forebrains. Dials, switches, and levers appeals to your entire set of senses, not just your vision center and brains. Remember: muscle memory is a remarkable, uncelebrated feature set of your wonderful bodies and the more you use it the farther down the road to enlightenment you'll travel ;)
Yarr.
...
Agreed, cap'n
Ah...old people.
1. It's about pixel density. I think they could do 8-10 megapixels and still maintain the low noise level.
2. A rangefinder may look retro, but it has advantages that transcend look. We're talking compact and quiet -- portability and anonymity, which spell the perfect street camera. You can get that in a digital p&s, but not the lens quality, which is at least as important as the body.
Btw, it's a homage with an "h," not oh-mage, like pretentious twits call it.
This R-D1x is making me very excited. I used to shoot the venerable Hexar on the street but gave it up to go digital for work. The D100 was my first and this R-D1x apparently uses the same sensor. I use the D200 now and will not be upgrading as I'm saving for an M8.2. However, I may just opt for this R-D1x instead because with good glass and a fast engine the sensor has enormous potential. It's easier to handle the noise from the D100 sensor than the D200 and I always liked the D100 files. However, for pro use the RAW on the D100 was too, too slow. So, if this new Epson has a fast engine for RAW processing, then this will be quite a formidable performer, in my view.
I want one.
http://photohumourist.com
Paul Treacy
Rangefinder photography is NOT for everyone. Personally I believe that newcomers to photography would be much better off with starter dslr that's also thousands cheaper. You'll be able to learn the basics and the photographic triangle a lot faster with priority modes and not having to worry about focusing the camera by superimposing two images together. You'll also get the zoom lenses and etc. that rangefinders lack. But if you're already an intermediate photographer and do a lot of street/reportage photography, and want a camera that delivers usability in spades, learning how to use a rangefinder will definitely pay off in the long run.
Since getting my m8, it's become my everyday camera. I still kept my old a700 body and a few lenses for weddings and events, but I love rangefinders because they are smaller and a lot more discreet, and people don't feel threatened when I take a picture of them. I might consider a R-D1x depending on the quality of the raw files and the product after post-processing. The original R-D1s didn't impress me that much, to be honest - but I did like the retro film (shutter) winder.