What in the world is a MOOK?

Epson R-D1 World, originally uploaded by benny ng.

I think this word only exist in Japan. It's a cross between Magazine and bOOK.

Similarly, the content is much more substantial than a magazine, but less 'heavy' compared to a full fledge reference book. And of course, like magazines, it's plastered with loads of pictures. In Japan, you can find MOOKs for just about anything. Watches, Luxury Brands, Cars, and of course cameras!

I think this must be the only publication on Epson R-D1.

Cheers,

At the end of the day....

At the end of the day...., originally uploaded by benny ng.

Taken 3 days ago with the famed Canon 50mm f/0.95 when the usual gang when to Labrador park. Shooting almost directly into the sun. A bit of lens flare across the frame if you can see it.

Not an easy lens to use, but the nice dreamy effect is something that a lot of the modern gear can't seem to deliver. Maybe it's just a hazy lens! Ha Ha!

Cheers,

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 @ ISO 1600

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 @ ISO 1600, originally uploaded by benny ng.

It's always fun to shoot with really wide apertures and at high ISO settings. The Epson R-D1' at ISO 1600 has grain, but in a pleasant way. Very film like. The older digital cameras gives very noisy images at that ISO setting. Practically unusable.

Anyway, this was taken on the night out with the boys at Holland Village. We had a session at the Bird Park earlier in the day with some serious long lenses. The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM!!!

Cheers

Epson R-D1x launched!

There were rumours about a successor to the defunct Epson R-D1/R-D1s. But nothing concrete.

Then out of the blue.....



The new Epson R-D1x!

Epson has announced a new version of the R-D1 rangefinder on its Japanese website on 27 Feb 2009. The new R-D1x model is a minor upgrade from the R-D1s. It still maintains most of the features of the previous camera including a 6Mp APS-C sensor. Upgraded features includes:

1. A larger 2.5" fix position LCD screen
2. Support for the higher-capacity SD-HC card format (up to 32GB)
3. Improved shutter release button
4. Removable handgrip accessory (marketed together as R-D1xG)

The swivel LCD screen has been replaced by a fix position LCD screen. Battery (EPALB1) and leather case from Epson R-D1/R-D1s remains compatible with R-D1x.

Epson will retail the new rangefinder from 09 April 2009 in Japan, at a price to be confirmed.

After the initial euphoria, it seems like Epson basically took the old camera and slap on a bigger screen. The small screen on the R-D1 will definitely not find favor with consumers used to the current large screen offerings. Other than that, a minor software upgrade to take bigger capacity SD cards. However, there is reason to suspect that R-D1x's battery life remains as miserable as it's predecessor. Same old 6 megapixel APS-C size (1.53X) sensor too.

All in all, an excuses of a minor upgrade rebranded as a new product. Perhaps to clear inventory of old parts? Nevertheless, it's still nice to know the cult camera is not dead and there is an alternative to the lemon they call Leica M8.

Cheers,

The Summicron Adventures in China

The Summicron Adventures in China, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Brought along the Epson R-D1s and 3 Leica Summicron-M on the China trip, together with my Canon digital SLR. Let's see how well they work for me. Will be uploading the pictures into one of my flickr sets.

Let's hope I didn't bring more than I can carry! Ha!

Cheers,

p.s. This is uploaded "live" at the commune with wireless internet! Isn't technology cool!?

Contax TLA 200 Flash!

640_MG_0006, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Finally the black Contax TLA 200 flash arrived! Most of those around are the titanium color version to match the Contax G2. I got this off ebay from a German seller who would not ship out of Germany. Had to ask him to ship to Andreas Werth, my friend in Germany and he subsequently shipped it with the Novoflex bellows over here. Mounumental effort indeed to get this fella.

Anyway, the black one looks just nice on my R-D1. Now to figure out how well this baby works with flash!

Cheers,

It finally arrived!! My Epson R-D1

It's been a long two weeks and finally, the Epson R-D1 arrives! Complete with it's original packaging too! I bought it off James Rogala, whose a New York based Art Director. He has a website at www.jamesrr.com. My Voigtlander Ultra Wide-Heliar 12mm f/5.6 Aspherical I got earlier was from him too!

Oh, the bummer was that the package was detained by the customs and I had to go there to collect personally as they wanted me to pay taxes on it. Wasted a good Saturday. Oh well...

Anyway, I'm so excited with my new toy!

Cheers,

p.s. It's already updated with the R-D1s firmware so it's as good as an R-D1s. Yay!!