Why No Epson/Cosina RD 2 ?

<p>I give up speculating on my own. Is a DRF camera, too limited a market to mass produce and sell? From all I've ever read, the RD 1 was a great shooting camera. These were made for 4 years, with production stopping in 2007.<br>

I kept waiting for a followup camera. Much to my surprise none followed. Of course used M8's are now around $2K. So maybe there isn't a market?</p>

 

<p>There was and maybe still an RDx being made. It was and it a well made camera, with the exception of the coverings, which tended to come unstuck. This camera may still be available in Japan. </p>

<p>The problem is that it has been surpassed by the M8, M9 and Leica M, along with a host of RF-like mirrorless cameras. </p>

<p>I am amazing how my RDs (with new coverings) keeps holding up.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Epson already stated that they don't want to produce another DRF<br>

Perhaps Voigtländer might.<br /><br /><br /><br />And R-D1x with upgraded sensor would do it for me. ;)</p>

<p>At this point Leica has outgunned everyone. The only rangefinder cameras in current production, other than Leica, are the Voigtlander Rs. And you wonder how long they will survive. </p>

<p>These days, lots of people have lost their fixations on the RF and use their Leica-mount lenses on NEX and m4/3.</p>

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<p ><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=505561">Alex S.</a><a href="/member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Mar 21, 2013; 08:15 a.m.</p>

 

<p>At this point Leica has outgunned everyone. The only rangefinder cameras in current production, other than Leica, are the Voigtlander Rs. And you wonder how long they will survive.</p>

 

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<p>From what I understand Cosina is doing considerably better than Leica. The voigtlander M 4/3 lenses are extremely popular as well as the M mount lenses which from understanding seem to come up in conversation positively more often than Leica. They also make all Zeiss lenses for M mount. </p>

 

<p>They are both doing well. Leica doubled its profits last year. Am surprised the Cosina and Epson don't get together again. A 24 MP RD2 (FF?) might have some appeal, at less than half the price of the Leica M it might be a first or second body for the owners of Leica RF and R optics as well as those made by C-V for themselves and others. But it is not a huge market, unless mirriorless system cameras catch on more.</p>

<p>Any new RD would not only be competing against Leica but also the plethora of mirrorless cameras. It was have to be full frame for one thing.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Sony is coming up with a FF NEX. I'd expect announcement within the year and in the market by next.</p>

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<p>They also <a id="_GPLITA_2" title="Click to Continue > by CouponDropDown" href="/leica-rangefinders-forum/00bTJd">make</a> all Zeiss lenses for M mount.</p>

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<p>Except the 2.8/15 ZM which is made in Germany.</p>

<p>Then there's Fuji. I would anticipate an FF mirrorless from them too one day.</p>