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 expect a good number of current R-D1 owners (including myself) would be able to partially fund a M8 by selling the R-D1, so here goes. Keep in mind that I have never seen an M8 in person. PROs with R-D1 - you can get one used for about 1/3 or less of a new M8. People talked about M8 killing M7/MP sales? M8 will kill most new R-D1 sales (not that it has been high anyway) for a while... - 6MP is pretty darn good. The image quality (color fidelity etc.) is quite high. - It's a capable M-style camera that will satisfy most every needs, except the "CON" list. - That jog dial is brilliant. Wish the M8 has one. CONs - Relatively loud shutter. If a quiet SLR or a Bessa does not bother you, then there's no problem here. - Slightly larger than an M. - While it does feel solid, the weight distribution is... different or something. I get worse shake with the R-D1 than with the Ms, particularly on the vertical shots. - RF viewfinder not as good as M and goes out of alignment easily, especially in the vertical side. Fortunately, you can fix the vertical alignment problem yourself. Summary: I have shot over 15000 pictures with mine. If it stops working tomorrow, that's probably worth the cost of film saved already. At 06:37 AM 10/29/2006, Rob McClure 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 // richard (This email is for mailing lists. To reach me directly, please use richard at imagecraft.com)