Contax T2 versus Ricoh GR1s or GR1v

[Flyfisher Tom]

I've narrowed my P&S choice down to the following: Contax T2 or Ricoh GR1s / GR1v

Any member owned and used both?

I can live with either focal lengths. If you've used either, what are your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the camera? If you only had to purchase one again, which would it be.

Many thanks 🙂 As always, pics are welcomed !

 

[ray_g]

I have owned the T2 and the GR1. The T2 solid and well-made. Heavy for a point and shoot. The VF is the best I have seen in a P&S. The lens is very good, especially for color - it gives you the typical zeiss vibrant, saturated colors even with drugstore film.

What I did not like was the AF system. It was fine for things like landscape, but when I took pics with people in the foreground, it often focused on the wrong thing.

The 2nd was the shutter lag. It does not prefocus with half depression of the shutter like Hexar or Ricoh.

I guess it is possible to work around these quirks, but in the end, I decided to keep the Ricoh.

 

[ray_g]

Oh, about the ricoh.

It is as big, but much slimmer - like a deck of playing cards. Lighter, since it is of magnesium. The VF is not as nice as the contax. The lens is superb. The AF is quicker, with prefocusing. Also, the snap mode is nice for street shooting. The flash system is also a step above, with features seen in bigger cams, like slow synch. One other feature I like is that it totally winds the roll at loading, and rewinds exposed film into the canister as you go. That way, in case the back is opened accidentally, you only lose the unexposed film.

Here's a sample photo with the Ricoh. There are several more in the Prague album in my gallery.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Thank you Ray ! Excellent photo, I'm going to check out your Prague gallery now 🙂