[Leica] Epson R-D1 first full day impressions.

[driggett at mac.com (Christopher Driggett)]

Well after my first day of shooting with the Epson R-D1 I have come to 
some conclusions and observations.
I have never shoot a rangefinder before in my life and my first camera 
was a Konica TC when they first came out. I was a sophomore in H.S. 
Thus I am a newbie at this.   I shot my kids gymnastics class tonight 
and next time I will bring my D2H next time.  Here is a URL for the 
pictures I shoot. I shoot at 1600 available light and in raw mode.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Gymnastics

Here are my observations so far:

1) the camera is great for casual, street and artsy shooting.
2) The camera is lousy for action.
3) I have forgot how to focus after using auto focus for the last 15 
years.
4) I am use to a large DSLR and the little rangefinder feels funny in 
my hands. I am a tall guy. My fingers kept getting in the way and I 
would change the aperture when I meant to focus.
5) Remember to change the frame line selector when switching lenses. I 
forgot for about 10 pictures from going from a 50 to a 35.
6) The camera is center weighted not 1005 cell color matrix! Meter as 
such!
7) Move your eye just slightly and you lose the focusing square. I am 
use to smashing my nose and eye to the viewfinder(SLR) and with this 
camera I have to back off my eye a little from the viewfinder to see 
the focusing square.
8) Learn proper technique of keeping the camera steady when taking a 
shot.

Thanks,
Chris