THE EPSON R-D1 -- The World's First Rangefinder Digital Camera Begins Shipping in United States on Nov. 1.LONG BEACH, Calif. -- New Digital Rangefinder System is the First Digital Camera to Support L/M-Mount Lenses Epson America Inc. has achieved another digital photography breakthrough with the introduction of the EPSON(R) R-D R-D Rate Distortion 1 -- the world's first rangefinder digital camera. This camera was introduced in Japan earlier this year and will now be shipping in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. in early November. The EPSON R-D1 marks a significant milestone in the industry by combining the classic feel and precision engineering of a traditional rangefinder camera A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to judge the focusing distance and take photographs that will be in focus. with the latest digital technology. It is the first digital camera allowing photographers to use revered L- and M-mount lenses. The EPSON R-D1 links the future with the past -- a new digital camera with a classic rangefinder feel. The EPSON R-D1 is comprised of a magnesium alloy exterior and an aluminum die cast body, combining digital technology with the traditional feel of a finely tuned instrument. The camera features a 6.1 megapixel APS C-size CCD sensor See CCD. with a 1.53 magnification factor for an image resolution up to 3008 x 2000 pixels, easily producing output of 16" x 20" and beyond. The Epson R-D1 supports a RAW mode as well as two JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. modes. Both JPEG modes incorporate PRINT Image Matching(R) II technology for optimal prints. "Epson is committed to the world of photography and has helped transform digital photo printing by developing ink jet printers and other digital photo printing technologies," said Philip Amato, product manager, Epson. "With the EPSON R-D1 we aimed to combine all that defines classic rangefinder photography with today's leading edge digital technology. Photographers can now experience a state-of-the-art digital camera with all of the advantages of a rangefinder camera." The legendary rangefinder camera has been used by many of the world's greatest photographers. In keeping with this heritage, Epson designed the EPSON R-D1 to offer the creative possibilities and convenience of digital technology, while maintaining the classic rangefinder's look, feel and functionality. Designed with time-honored features and precision engineering, the camera brings together the best qualities of conventional rangefinders with the advanced image processing image processing Set of computational techniques for analyzing, enhancing, compressing, and reconstructing images. Its main components are importing, in which an image is captured through scanning or digital photography; analysis and manipulation of the image, accomplished of contemporary digital cameras. "It's finally arrived, the EPSON R-D1 is a true digital rangefinder camera that allows photographers like myself to work in the digital world with a classic rangefinder using the prized lenses we have accumulated over the years and know so well," said Ben Fernandez Benjamin “Ben” Fernandez (February 24, 1925 - April 25, 2000) was an American politician, financial consultant, World War II veteran, ambassador, and the first known Hispanic to run for President of the United States. , award winning photojournalist, Guggenheim Fellow and sought after photo educator. "The EPSON R-D1 enables me to continue working with the same tools that I have grown accustom to throughout my career, and transition seamlessly, without compromise, into the new age of digital photography." Digital Technology with Classic Feel The EPSON R-D1 maintains a traditional rangefinder camera feel through its body style. With many of the camera's mechanical features reminiscent of the past, the EPSON R-D1 is traditional, yet uniquely modern. Features have been designed to function in a new capacity such as the film rewind knob, which has been transformed into a jog dial that enables photographers to scroll through images on the LCD. Additionally, the film advance lever actually re-cocks the mechanical shutter after a digital image has been taken, and chronographic chron·o·graph n. An instrument that registers or graphically records time intervals such as the duration of an event. chron dials and needle indicators bring back memories of precision-made watches. To indicate the number of frames available, the camera's outer scale is marked 500-0, while other indicators show the white balance setting, the resolution, image quality setting and battery power level. More About the EPSON R-D1 - Key Product Features The EPSON R-D1 offers a host of features and powerful performance: --Lens Mount: Features an EM mount, which is directly compatible with M-mount lenses and compatible with L-mount lenses through an optional third party adapter. There are currently over 200 lenses available. --1.x Viewfinder The preview window on a camera that is used to frame, focus and take the picture. On analog cameras, the viewfinder is an eye-sized window that must be pressed against the face. Point-and-shoot digital cameras use small LCD screens that are viewed several inches from the eyes. : Enables photographers to view scenes, including panorama settings, as if looking without magnification through the naked eye. The bright, natural view provides photographers with the feel of a conventional rangefinder, and auto parallax parallax (pâr`əlăks), any alteration in the relative apparent positions of objects produced by a shift in the position of the observer. In astronomy the term is used for several techniques for determining distance. correction enables users to capture what they see. --6.1 Megapixel APS C-Size CCD Sensor: The CCD CCD in full charge-coupled device Semiconductor device in which the individual semiconductor components are connected so that the electrical charge at the output of one device provides the input to the next device. sensor's effective image area (23.7 x 15.6 mm) delivers 6.1 million effective pixels, easily producing 16"x 20" prints or larger. --LCD Monitor: Large two-inch color LCD monitor enables stored photos to be viewed after exposure and can be concealed; the screen rotates 180 degrees to be stored face-in. --Exposure Control: Features manual and aperture-priority AE exposure modes. --Memory: Supports Secure Digital(TM) memory cards up to 1 GB. --File Format: Supports Epson RAW or JPEG (normal/high). --File Type: EXIF (EXchangeable Image Format) Extensions to image file formats that hold the camera settings used to take the picture. Developed in 1995 by JEIDA for JPEG images, EXIF data was added to TIFF, RAW and other formats later. 2.21, DCF DCF See: Discounted Cash Flows (Design Rule for Camera File) System 2.0, and DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) A file format for digital camera memory cards that stipulates which images are to be printed. At the time of shooting or when reviewing on the camera, it allows the user to specify how many of each image are to be printed. 1.1 (Digital Print Order Format) compliant. --Software: Includes Epson RAW Plug-in (Adobe PhotoShop 7.0 or higher and Elements 2.0 or higher), Epson RAW (Windows only) and a Tutorial DVD-ROM DVD-ROM: see digital versatile disc. A read-only DVD disc used to permanently store data files. DVD-ROM discs are widely used to distribute large software applications that exceed the capacity of a CD-ROM disc. . --Power: The camera comes equipped with one Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger. Pricing and Availability The EPSON R-D1 rangefinder digital camera will be shipping in early November for an estimated street price of $2,999 through select camera retailers. The camera carries a one-year limited warranty Limited warranty A warranty with certain conditions and limitations on the parts covered, type of damage covered, and/or time period for which the agreement is good. and is also supported by the EPSON Connection(SM), a customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or visit the company's Web site at www.epson.com. The EPSON R-D1 -- The World's First Rangefinder Digital Camera Begins Shipping in U.S. About Epson Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS (1) See point of sale and packet over SONET. (2) "Parent over shoulder." See digispeak. POS - point of sale ) printers and transaction terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif. Note: Lenses with external dimensions exceeding 20.5 cannot be used with this camera. In addition, the following lenses cannot be used: Hologon 15mm F8, Super Angulon 21 mm F4, Super Angulon 21 mm F3.4, Elmarit 28 mm F2.8 (early models), Summicron 50 mm F2 (dual range Summicron), Hektor 50 mm F2.5, and Elmar 50 mm F3.5. Epson and PRINT Image Matching are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Third party brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion