RD-2 Specification

[davidjmitchell]

Anyone come across a specification / price / availability yet of the

anticipated Epson RD-2 ? Are we expecting a reduced spec RD-1 ?

[fred_c1]

I wouldn't anticipate the R-D2 when even the D1s, a D1 with updated firmware, isn't available yet.

[andre_harrison]

The RD-1S is almost certainly RD-1s from factory stock, with updated firmware. Which

indicates that the sales were relatively disappointing and that there won't be an RD-2.

[len_smith]

Apparently 10,000 R-D1 bodies were made and less than half have been sold.

[james_elwing]

shame! Looked like an interesting camera.

[dayton_p._strickland1]

Based on the Epson UK website (http://www.epsonrd1.co.uk/index.html) I would say this is more than just a firmware upgrade. There were some rumors the price might drop to around $2,000 US, but nothing has been confirmed. At that price I believe they will be able to sell each one they can produce.

[vinay_patel]

AFAIK it is a firmware upgrade, at least all that is significant, which will be offered this summer for the RD-1 as well. And also AFAIK the RD-1s is not planned for import to the USA. The supposed price drop is a marketing manoever, ostensibly due to the inventory on hand and the impending release of the Leica M8. Right now an MP is $3500 and an R2A (the platform on which the RD-1 is based)is about one-sixth of that cost. Assuming the M8 will cost roughly $6000, then the RD-1's perceived value should logically be around $1000. And remember, with the same kind of film an MP and and R2A can produce the same resolution, but the M8 @ 10MP is a 40% gain over the RD-1 @ 6MP, not to mention the other, equally important parameters of digital imaging quality. That relative equation of price probably precludes an RD-2.

[fred_c1]

"Based on the Epson UK website (http://www.epsonrd1.co.uk/index.html) I would say this is more than just a firmware upgrade."<P>

 

Yep. They engrave an extra "s" on the camera:<i>

 

"Owners of an R-D1 will also benefit from the improvements. They just need to install a firmware update which will be available for download from the 1st of June."</I>

[frederick_muller]

At the reduced price of approx $1,000 the RD-1, whether the basic version or an RD-1s, becomes good value, especially relative to the expected cost and feautures of a digital M. Comparing feature-for-feature, with the sensor size being the most important, I'd be a buyer of the RD-1. I would bet the reduced price RD-1 will sell better once the digital M comes out than it ever did when it was the only M-Mount digital rangefinder. At that level, I bet it'll cannibalize Digital M sales enough to hurt Leica.

[dayton_p._strickland1]

It seems to me when this information (on the R-D1s) was first announced it talked about a larger LCD screen, but doesn't show up now on the website .... and I promise you I don't smoke dope, part my hair down the middle, smoke Kool's and drink Mellow Yellow ...

[Rob F.]

I have a Popular Photography review of the R-D1. Michael McNamara concludes that despite its overall good performance, the " . . . Nikon D70 delivers overall better image quality." He adds, "But for a camera you buy with your head, the RD-1 would have to cost half as much or give you much higher image quality."

 

And I agree. I think I would pay $1500 for one. If I could get one for $1200, I wouldn't hesitate. But I could get a D70 for, I think around $700 these days. Whether I need either is another matter.

[michael_a._shapiro]

I just went to that Epson UK site and found absolutely no mention of an R-D2, not even on a search. As to anticipation, who is anticipating it? I think most interested folks are waiting to see a Leica or a Zeiss.

Michael

[frank_farmer2]

I haven't heard much about an R-D2 either, other than a firm ware upgrade for the R-D1. They do have a lot of those sitting around collecting dust too.

 

In fact, I think the reason that Epson has a bunch of R-D1 bodies on their shelves pretty simple. I know, at least, that it kept me from buying one: they had horrible quality control issues. The rangefinder forum has a whole standing thread that is totally dedicated to the problems with the camera. Some folks didn't get their problems resolved even after several trips back to the factory and/or several body replacements. For a camera that cost $3,000.00 (or even $2,000.00 or less) that is simply inexcusable.

 

All that is really too bad too. I thought it was a good design and I enjoyed handling the few R-D1 cameras I saw in person. Plus, with Leica's future offering hovering around $5K I think there is market. Alas, the market wasn't the problem. The quality was.

 

Just my $.02.

 

Frank Farmer

[jerry_lehrer]

David,-- I'm waiting for the R2-D2.

[andrew robertson]

Despite some people's problems with the R-D1, I love mine. I may or may not get a Leica

DM, but with the 1.33x crop factor it isn't amazingly wider than the R-D1. I also don't know

if I am prepared to spend the $10,000 they will probably ask for it either.