Ricoh GXR Interchangeable Unit Digital Camera System Body

[ernesto]

Hello!
This camera system is bothering me....
So I will be glad to read your particular points of view.

http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/

The fact that each lens comes with a special sensor, made me think of several questions:

If the lens unit includes the lens, sensor, shutter, and image procesor, it seems that it is a full camera. If not what can be found in the body appart from the shutter release, and viewing screen? It looks to me that we have several cameras that shares a main accesory wich includes the battery chamber, shutter release and viewing screen. Is this logical? Am I loosing the key point for this camera?

All opinions are wellcome!
Thanks in advance.

Ernesto

 

[Finder]

Two selling points:

1. easier to keep the sensor dust free as it stays with the lens.

2. you can keep up with developments in sensor technology--you don't need a new camera, just a new lens unit.

Whether it becomes economically viable system or it is yet another failed attempt at a new concept in camera design, only time will tell.

 

[ernesto]

Two selling points:

1. easier to keep the sensor dust free as it stays with the lens.

2. you can keep up with developments in sensor technology--you don't need a new camera, just a new lens unit.

Whether it becomes economically viable system or it is yet another failed attempt at a new concept in camera design, only time will tell.

You are right Finder.

This forces the user, in case a new sensor is developed, to buy a new glass anyway, which seems not logical, considering that glasses are very expensive, and are a mature technology that evolves relatively slowly in comparison to sensor technolgy that is in its begining, and can evolve too fast.

On the other hand the solution to the dust problem is good!

Ernesto

 

[Pablito]

a solution in search of a problem

 

[thegman]

Agree with Pablito, although it is a desirable camera, making the sensor and lens one item means that every lens will be more expensive, as you're duplicating parts of the camera which in m4/3s does not need to be duplicated.

Sensor cleanliness is good, but surely a dark slide solution or something would have been better. All you need to do is cover something up temporarily, the GXR solution smacks of over engineering.

Having said that, a sensor unit with an M mount would make this camera into a different beast entirely. Even with a crop-factor sensor, it would be highly desirable.