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Epson R-D1 digital Rangefinder

Expensive but unique

Review Nothing can quite prepare you for the experience of using the R-D1, a digital camera with a distinctly 'film' feel. The R-D1 uses a combination of full manual controls gleaned from the camera's adapted Cosina/Voigtlander 'Bessa' film rangefinder body, spiced up with Epson co-developed digital elements that create a unique camera, writes Doug Harman.

Epson R-D1 Rangefinder

The camera has an EM lens mount meaning it will accept rangefinder optics such as Leica M and L lenses; the latter with an accessory adapter making it something of a one off. The specification is pretty pared down compared to what many might be used to on a modern digital camera, with full manual focusing and aperture control, shutter speeds ranging from 1-1/2000th of a second and exposure compensation to +/-2EV.

A quintet of needle displays on the top plate are reminiscent of an old-fashioned speedometer from a vintage car, all housed in an attractive circular display and providing information on the number of images left on the memory card, white balance, image quality settings and the battery level.

Sensitivity adjustment runs from ISO 200 through 400, 800 and 1600. Although noise levels become fairly apparent above ISO 400, you do get an integrated noise-suppression system. Although this prolongs the already fairly slow image processing time, it does help reduce noise in low light and high ISO shots.

You also get four image parameters. The Standard setting provides nicely neutral results but quite soft images. Then you have three 'Film' modes in which you can adjust elements such as edge sharpness, contrast, tint and the amount of noise reduction, each tailored to suit the scene you're shooting.

As for controlling the camera, the shutter release has a mechanical cable release thread built in and is surrounded by the shutter speed dial, lift-up-and-turn ISO speed adjustment. The Auto Exposure mode selector is helpfully placed on a single dial adjacent to the on/off switch. Behind these retro controls sits the most retro control of the lot, a mechanical 'film wind' lever, which is used on the R-D1 to cock the shutter ready for firing, which you must do each time you want to make a shot.

A large, flip-out-and-turn high-resolution, 235,000 pixel LCD screen sits on the back plate, which when turned to face inwards creates the impression of a classic film camera hanks to a crafty little lens focal length field of view adjustment table, more of which in a moment.

One of the camera's stand-out features - rightly so given the fact it is a rangefinder - is the viewfinder. It is a twice-reverse Galileo finder with three bright line viewing frames for 50mm, 28mm and 35mm lenses. It has 1x magnification so that when up to the eye (and used with both eyes open) there's appears to be no difference in the field of view. It's clear, with a central split image area used to assess focus accuracy by the superimposition of the two 'rangefinding' images.

For my test, I used a stunning 35mm, F2 Carl Zeiss Biogon T* ZM lens and with the 3008 x 2000-pixel sensor's aforementioned field of view adjustment of a 1.53x crop, it provided the equivalent focal length of 53.55mm, nearly a 'standard' focal length for film use.

Epson R-D1 Rangefinder Sample Shots

However, while the whole point of this camera is that it lacks some of digitals bits and pieces and harks back to a more traditional usage ethic, it also has a few very odd omissions. There are no interface ports for example, no USB or FireWire, and there is no mains power socket either. You have to use the supplied rechargeable battery all the time, which thankfully is actually very good in terms of usage longevity - but I'd still advice the purchase of a spare. You'll need a memory card reader to offload images to a PC, which are stored on the camera using SD removable storage housed under a neatly hidden flap.

Finally, while you get a hot shoe attachment for off-camera flash, there's no built-in flash unit, so you'll need to buy a compatible accessory flashgun to get flashing.

Verdict

For image quality, the R-D1 has plenty of poise. The colours are natural, and images taken through with the Biogon lens I used were extremely crisp. The camera's TTL screen surface direct actual-aperture metering is slightly biased to the underexposure side of things but all my shots, RAWs and all, were duly satisfying. Expensive but unique, the Epson R-D1 is a true enthusiasts' must-have camera - or an almost perfect professional back-up tool for the more spontaneous shooter. Superb.

Review by
Pocket-Lint.co.uk

Epson R-D1 Rangefinder
 
Rating 80%
 
Pros Good magnesium alloy build and good sensor (similar to that housed in the Nikon D70 D-SLR); accepts Leica M and L mount lenses (the latter via an adapter); RAW capture.
 
Cons Menus are little on the slow side; totally manual control may not be to everyone's liking.
 
Price £2000. The Carl Zeiss Biogon 35mm F2 T* ZM lens used in the review costs £700
 
More info The Epson RD-1 site

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