[Leica] A Proud owner of an Epson R-D1 camera w/ 3 Leica lenses.

[driggett at mac.com (Christopher Driggett)]

Hello again,
        I have just purchased an Epson R-D1 camera with 3 Leica lenses.  I 
agonized over wether to get the MP or M7 or R-D1.  I was impressed with 
the feel and ergonomics of the Epson. Felt like a very solid camera. 
The mp I like the look of but I prefer to have the shutter dial of the 
M7 closer to he front of the camera for front access with my finger.  
The gentleman at the store said that he had a used M7 barely used only 
4 rolls of film bought by some rich kid and would sell it for 500 
dollars cheaper. I asked if it still would carry the warranty and he 
did not know. So I called Leica USA to ask. They looked up the serial 
number and found out that it was registered in 2000 so it was not 
covered by warranty.  So much for the M7 being just used!  I debated 
between the M7 and the Epson R-D1. Film costs was about 13 dollars all 
told vs free digital cards. FIlm could be scanned at development time 
and I would get a cd full of digital images. This would take two days.  
The R-D1 on the other hand would be immediately available. I also 
remembered how being able to change the iso of the film from 200 to 
1600 in mid-roll was a great advantage so another point to the R-D1. 
The R-D1 having the 1.0x viewfinder was another point in it's favor. I 
decided in the end to go for the R-D1 and get three Leica lenses. I am 
waiting for the battery to fully charge before I use it. One less point 
for digital, having to wait for the initial charge of the battery.

More to come,
Chris


On Jan 1, 2005, at 10:03 AM, Christopher Driggett wrote:

> Hello,
>       My name is Chris Driggett and I have been doing photography on a 
> semi-pro basis ever since I purchased my first camera a Konica TC.  I 
> just joined this group because my wife keeps complaining about me 
> lugging the Nikon D2h and lenses around with us on vacation. We have 
> now 3 small kids and it is getting to be a hassle. I was looking at 
> getting a rangefinder system because that would be smaller and yet 
> produce the same excllent results. I am looking to get a Leica M7 
> camera but was wondering when Leica was going to produce a 
> interchangeable lens digital rangefinder.  I have looked at the 
> Panasonic DMC-L1, and the Leica digilux 2 cameras but the reviews have 
> not been stellar. Anybody with experience with these that can shed 
> some light? Also does anybody know when Leica will produce 
> interchangeable lens rangefinder?  I do not like the digital point and 
> shoots currently because  I prefer setting the exposure controls via 
> good old fashioned dials.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>
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