Epson R-D1 Rangefinder Digital Camera

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.edigitalphoto.com/news/110104epsonrd1/' target='_blank'>http://www.edigitalphoto.com/news/110104epsonrd1/</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>The Epson R-D1 is the world’s first rangefinder digital camera. This camera was introduced in Japan earlier this year and will now be shipping in the United States in early November. The R-D1 combines the classic feel and precision engineering of a traditional rangefinder camera with the latest digital technology. It is the first digital camera allowing photographers to use revered L- and M-mount lenses. It is comprised of a magnesium alloy exterior and an aluminum die cast body, with a 6.1 megapixel APS C-size CCD sensor with a 1.53 magnification factor for an image resolution up to 3008 x 2000 pixels. The Epson R-D1 supports a RAW mode as well as two JPEG modes. Both JPEG modes incorporate PRINT Image Matching® II technology for optimal prints. </i>"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/epson_R-D1.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm not sure how a digital rangefinder will help most people, but here they come....

[Jason Kravitz]

I played around with one of these at a recent trade show. They are pretty cool. Very retro design - you even have to crank a lever (like advancing film) after each shot.

Now that digital camera's are becoming more common than film, we will see a lot of these "collecter cameras" coming out.

Wonder when they will have a digital Holga.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Digital holgas are easy. Take a cheap 2mp digital camera, and proceed to rub your nose over the lens. Do the same for digital lomos, except use a VGA camera, and be sure to rub it for twice as long.

I personally think this is a rather silly idea. For years the Leica/rangefinder snobs have been saying the reason for using a RF is for the size, sound and lack of batteries (and Leica snobs will add their Leitz lens boasts as well), and now you get a camera that eliminates two of the three factors. :roll: And since they're fairly anti-digital to begin with..

Top it off it kills the FOV of wide to normal focal lengths (the staple lengths of a RF user), especially the wide end. Essentially this means an equivalent FOV wider than 28mm will be possible only with a few lenses, and the RF fan will now have to buy the 6k 15mm Super-Elmarit, or the 12mm and 15mm Cosina lenses to get the super wide angles back.