Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I thought the RD-1 was $3000, which would make the M8 only $1795 more, seems a reasonalbe increase for a far superior camera. Gene -------------- Original message from David Young <telyt@telus.net>: -------------- > At 29/10/2006, you wrote: > > >For those who have used both an R-D1 and M8 -- how much actual > >difference is there in the feel and image quality? I really like > >the idea of a digital rangefinder capable of using Leica M glass. > >However, $6000 is cost prohibitive for me and I'll bet for many > >other "advanced amateurs". Used R-D1 are priced within my > >grasp. What am I giving up for the $4000 difference? I figure that > >the digital technology in either camera will be obsolete long before > >the hardware wears out. > > > >Rob McClure > > > > Hi Rob! > > First of all, the price will be under $5000 US, so it's a mere $3000 > extra! > > Secondly, there is no comparison. The RD-1 is a really neat little > camera, but Leica have gone out of their way to produce a sensor > (with Kodak's help) that works much better with w/a lenses. (More > sophisticated micro-lenses.) > > Thirdly, although the RD-1 is quite easy to use, the M8's firmware is > much more intuitive... very much like an "M". (I wish my DMR were > that easy to use!) > > Fourthly, the RD-1, like all sub-MF digital cameras - other than the > DMR and M8 - uses a low-pass filter to reduce the chance of geometric > noise (Moire patterns in the shots). These filters work by blurring > the image, which the firmware then re-sharpens afterwards. Although > this process can yield some very nice looking shots, the fine detail > is lost, and no amount of sharpening will bring it back. That's why > the DMR is most often compared with Canon's 16mpixel IDS MkII. The > M8 is every bit as good! > > Lastly, though the RD-1 is nicely made, the build quality of the M8 > is far superior . > > So, like everything else in this world, you get what you pay for. > > How do I know all this? Because, through the courtesy of Tom A., I > had the pleasure of using a pre-production copy for a week, in early > September, and from using one at the Leica Akademie, a few weeks > ago. See: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/M8.htm I've taken hundreds > of shots with the M8 and my only wish is that they do as well with > the next "R" camera! For more, see my upcoming article in the next > LHSA "Viewfinder". > > As for being obsolete before the hardware wears out, this is > true. However, 'obsolete' does not mean no longer of use. After > all, each September every car in the world is rendered obsolete by > the introduction of new models. Do we all immediately go and throw > away our old cars? Do they no longer work, quite > satisfactorily? If a camera works and provides a quality photos in > the sizes of prints you make, why would you replace it? > > I still use my Leica SL - obsolete for some 30 years... but it still > takes fine photographs! > > Buy the M8. You won't regret it! > > Cheers! > > > > > > > > --- > > David Young, > Logan Lake, CANADA > > Wildlife Photographs: http://www.telyt.com/ > Personal Web-pages: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information