Any GXR M news for 2013?

[eleskin]

I do not have this camera, and am considering an X Pro1. I am just wondering if anyone has heard any news on a new GXR and or a new M module with either full frame and or better high ISO? It seems they are sitting on their hands while Sony and Fuji blaze ahead.

 

[Michael Markey]

Thinking the same myself .
In the UK they`re going for around the same price all in as the Fuji XE/ NEX cameras.

I guess the merger with Pentax has delayed any new plans.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

They are very different animals.

One is a MF camera with excellent raw and per pixel sharpness.
Another is an AF camera with excellent jpg but not so great raw support.

I will happily shoot with the A12 module even if there is no newer M module coming out, of course we would all love to see a FF M module, but Ricoh is pretty tight-lipped about any future development.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Pentax 'a Ricoh company' desperately needs a mainstream EVIL CSC - the K-01 that retained the PK mount and flange distance looks like it flopped.

I suspect the Ricoh engineers that created the GXR have been working on that.
Perhaps we will see a microPK short flange mount at CES/CP+ in January.

The GXR body is getting rather old and does not have the horsepower to handle fast burst rates of high rate video.
They may kill it and replace it with a new Pentax mPK body or refresh it and add a microPK module.

I think a FF M-mount module is now unlikely as the new money is to be made selling lenses not just bodies.

 

[rbelyell]

Pentax 'a Ricoh company' desperately needs a mainstream EVIL CSC...
The GXR body is getting rather old and does not have the horsepower to handle fast burst rates of high rate video..

well pentax may or may not need it, but certainly the gxr has nothing to do with video. and theres a big difference between being old and being obsolete. not to be disrespectful, but it is tiring to constantly expect yearly 'better than ever' replacements for all out electronics. this particular camera, the gxr m mount, is simply the best cost effective digital vehicle for obtaining top IQ plus individual lens character from RF lenses. regardless of 'newness', for the money, nothing else comes close. imo, we should spend more time using and enjoying this tool and its phenominal results, than lamenting that its not 'young and pretty'.
tony

 

[jankap]

We shouldn't forget, that Leica is lowering its prices and will offer a full frame CSC, namely the new M (M240?) in 2013.
One wonders about their courage, live view!! And also video.
Jan

 

[Godfrey]

I do not have this camera, and am considering an X Pro1. I am just wondering if anyone has heard any news on a new GXR and or a new M module with either full frame and or better high ISO? It seems they are sitting on their hands while Sony and Fuji blaze ahead.

no new news on the GXR. that said, it is still the best camera for M-mount RF lenses short of the Leica M8 and M9. Despite being "only" 12 Mpixels and only supporting up to ISO 3200, it does a better job with a wider range of short focal length lenses than any of the Fuji, Sony, and Micro-FourThirds bodies, and the native raw DNG files are easier to process than the Fuji files by a long shot.

The GXR-M also does a fair job with video capture, although sound capture is a problem (best to record sound separately and mix in at rendering time). Remember that you have full control of aperture and focus with SILENT operating lenses when you're using a GXR-M.

What Ricoh is working on ... they'll let us know when they're ready.

I don't hold my breath waiting for the next cool thing from any of these manufacturers. In my experience, all the hype does is raise expectations to a point where anything they produce ultimately disappoints. In the end, they're all just cameras. The specialness dissolves in the real world of day to day use, in my experience. Few remain special much past the first blush of New Shiny Object.

I'm happy to say that the GXR which I've been using since about six months before the A12 Camera Unit became available continues to please me, despite my later acquiring a Leica M9 and getting more involved again with 6x6 and Polaroid film cameras. I have it with me today, fitted with optical viewfinder and Color Skopar 28mm f/3.5 lens, and it remains a rather special and unique performer.

 

[Ruhayat]

I'm happy with my GXR as it is. I can't think of anything they could do to make me happy-er. Maybe come out with a weather sealed GXR II and M mount II? Would be nice but not a life or death thing for me.

If they ditched the K-01 and instead focused resources on making a PK mount module with AF, that would be great. Then I can ditch my K5 and use a single camera for everything.

 

[CameraQuest]

Privately some Ricoh dealers fear the Ricoh brand is essentially dropped with the Pentax merger, ie no new models or major updates.

time will tell if this proves true or not.

Stephen

 

[kzphoto]

Privately some Ricoh dealers fear the Ricoh brand is essentially dropped with the Pentax merger, ie no new models or major updates.

time will tell if this proves true or not.

Stephen

I would hate to see that happen! Some of my favorite photos have been taken with Ricoh cameras. I have nothing but respect for the brand and it would be sad to see it go. Are the calling the merger PentaxRicoh or RicohPentax? I wonder whom is actually calling the shots now?

 

[FrozenInTime]

I would hate to see that happen! Some of my favorite photos have been taken with Ricoh cameras. I have nothing but respect for the brand and it would be sad to see it go.

+1

I hope Ricoh still consider the GRD line part of their core identity and keep it alive even if everything else goes to the Pentax brand.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Perhaps it's time as we get close to the end of 2012 to send Ricoh a collective holiday card from everyone at RFF to let them know how we feel about the continuing development & support of GXR & GRD?

Robert

 

[Duane Pandorf]

I'm not holding my breath either as its been a long time since the GXR body first arrived. I've had my GXR body for a year and the M mount since February. I would hope if there is a follow on body that it be a little bit more durable and have a bit faster shot to shot refresh rate. I don't need 5 frames per second.

And would love to see a FF M Module but am quite happy with the current one. They could take all the other "fancy" options off the camera which would clean up the menu system.

I'd also like to see someone make a 24 or 25mm f2.0 or Ricoh make a 35mm module. The 1.5 crop factor is an issue with that focal length. I now know why the Leica 28mm Summicron ASPH is so expensive. Its the 35mm equivalent on the M8.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

The mirrorless APSC segment is very crowded, even if they make a Pentax module, it won't do much to attract those who are not already shooting Pentax. Hopefully after the K01 price free fall they will come to their collective senses and work on something that make sense and expand their market.

The mirrorless FF is still wide open *wink wink*, with a remote competitor in RX1.

 

[Michael Markey]

Privately some Ricoh dealers fear the Ricoh brand is essentially dropped with the Pentax merger, ie no new models or major updates.
time will tell if this proves true or not.
Stephen

Thank you for that Stephen, it could explain the deafening silence.
If that is the case ,perhaps the GRD range is destined to be as sort after as the RD once (is) was.

Mergers don`t always work out as intended.
There has been disappointment expressed on the Pentax forum about the lack of new products.

 

[jsrockit]

Privately some Ricoh dealers fear the Ricoh brand is essentially dropped with the Pentax merger, ie no new models or major updates.

This will be really sad if it's true.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

This will be really sad if it's true.

It will be interesting to see what happens to current stock if and when there's an official announcement that Ricoh is discontinuing the line.

Will the GXR-M be relagated to RD-1 status?

 

[jsrockit]

Will the GXR-M be relagated to RD-1 status?

Well, they are both niche cameras that probably didn't/don't sell in huge numbers, so I would think it's inevitable.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Well, they are both niche cameras that probably didn't/don't sell in huge numbers, so I would think it's inevitable.

It sucks but I agree.

 

[johannielscom]

It will be interesting to see what happens to current stock if and when there's an official announcement that Ricoh is discontinuing the line.

Will the GXR-M be relagated to RD-1 status?

If so, I will be getting myself a second one, since I truly love mine. I wish it to crank out nice pictures for years to come and will happily pair it with a twin sister to make sure I can keep working with my recently acquired kit!


@Robert: Regarding the holiday card to Ricoh, excellent idea! I'm in!