GRD II, f2.4, 1/55, ISO 100, RAW, 21mmOk, a geek post today and another boring camera picture. A friend got his Epson R-D1s yesterday so it was a good opportunity to do a quick comparison.
As you can see, the R-D1s is a bit taller than the LC1 and a lot taller than the GRD, it is however slightly thinner and the lens is smaller than the one on the LC1. On the other hand to get anywhere near the speed and versatility of the LC1 lens you would need around 3 lenses for the R-D1s and then it would take up more space.
All three cameras feel heavy and very solid. It is impressive how close the GRD is to the build and feel of the R-D1s. Both have the same metal, with the same texture, the hand grip is the same soft rubber (again with the same texture) and both feel literally like a brick (in a very positive way). The LC1 is on the same level although the metal is smooth and the hand grip is hard rubber that does not feel quite as nice to hold. Overall they all have a great build and if you hold either you know why they cost as much as they do and you can feel what you pay for. I haven't held many better built cameras and especially not digital cameras.
A quick image comparison revealed that the R-D1s has (unsurprisingly) the highest dynamic range and the GRD I and II the lowest, the LC1 has the higher noise and due to the 5MP captures the least details. The GRDs can hold their own very well with the R-D1s and capture the same amount of details but have more noise. The depth of field is the highest on the GRDs and even at f4 the lowest on the R-D1s.
As a summary I can say that if I would not know that Epson (with help of Cosina/Voigtlaender) made the R-D1s, I would think it's a Ricoh ;).
Ah i'm sure I can add a cheeky 'G' to the name :)
ReplyDeleteIf you add a G before the R-D1s you have to also get the GR Lens ;).
ReplyDeleteI would immediately trade my camera for a R-D1. That is gorgeous camera. And use the 28mm GR lens :D
ReplyDeleteThe RD1 is a lovely camera and feels great.
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of manual focus though, even if it's as good as on a Rangefinder, and prefer a good AF. So overall I think the LC1 suits me better as a companion to the GRDs.