Epson's Digital Reprise of a Classic Camera

I plead guilty to being a big fan of Leica film cameras: in fact I own two, one of which is Leica's most renowned model, the classic Leica M3. (Pacific Rim Camera kindly gave PCW permission to use its image, below, of this great camera.)



So I was more than a little interested when Epson sent me its R-D1 Rangefinder Digital Camera to review. This $3000, 6.1-megapixel digital camera (below) has the look of Leica M-series camera bodies and can use M-bayonet lenses, produced by Leica and others.



But for the R-D1 to pass muster with Leica owners like myself, it can?t just look like a Leica, is has to faithfully reproduce the M-series' distinct feel and action--all in all, a very tall order.

After a couple of days of using the R-D1 with my 50mm and 35mm Leica lenses, I have to say that Epson did an admirable job. I could almost envision this camera with a Leica logo on it (which raises the interesting question of why Epson and not Leica took the time and considerable expensive to build the R-D1). It's close to my M3 in weight and shape, and it has the same bright rangefinder viewfinder and smooth, quiet action?right down to the winding lever to cock the shutter. When I tripped the shutter, however, the R-D1 was not quite as quiet as my M3.

I was somewhat less impressed with the shots from the R-D1, but it might not be the camera?s fault. Shots taken with the 50mm Leica lens (which effectively becomes a 75mm lens in the digital format) were sharp and had good color. Those taken with the 35mm lens looked fogged (I will have to check the lens.)

The camera can shoot in RAW format, but I was very disappointed in the RAW image processing software Epson included. Bottom line: I give Epson an ?A? for effort, but I would guess that the number of Leica photographers willing to shell out $3000 for a digital Leica knockoff has to be small.