External viewfinder on Ricoh GR Digital

[EvdM]

I have recently entered the digital arena and purchased a GRDII. I come from a RF background (mainly M6 and Voigtlander) and find myself at the foot of what appears to be a steep learning curve. While being accustomed to the traditional camera controls to such an extend that I can focus on the subject, composition and light, I now need to think about settings, menu's and the like. However, I will get the hang of that eventually through practice.

One thing that interests me is the way people use the external viewfinder on the GRD (or any digital P&S for that matter). This seems to emulate the handling of the traditional RF camera to some extent. If one would switch off the screen, set to manual focus and metering, this would be much the case. However, I can see the point of using the viewfinder for the composition, and the electronic display for setting and controlling other parameters. I am just very interested to learn what works best for others.

I have not purchased the standard Ricoh viewfinder with the camera, but use a Voigtlander 25mm one which I already owned. Rather bulky and slightly wider, but quite nice and bright too.

Thanks up front for all comments!

 

[Johnmcd]

I use the ricoh VF all the time. It is why I bought the camera.

Turn off the LCD. Set focus to snap. Preset a decent aperture and it ready for instant use with no pre-focus wait. The small sensor has loads of DF so focus is never a problem.

It also makes it very easy for one handed use - straight up to the eye and shoot.

Here's some from a shopping trip to Melbourne with the the wife.

Cheers - John

 

[kevin m]

Nice, John. I'm looking at a Ricoh GX 100 for a P&S. The manual controls are a real attraction.

 

[EvdM]

Thanks Johh, that was just the kind of suggestion I was hoping for. Nice shots too!

 

[nicoy3k]

I use the voightlander 28mm metal external view finder.

Its better than the Ricoh IMO.

http://www.adorama.com/VTVF28S.html?searchinfo=28mm voigtlader viewfinder&item_no=3

 

[Cindy Flood]

I have the GX-100. I have the Ricoh EVF, but have never used it. I carry a Voigtlander 28 and 35 optical viewfinder with me. I have MY1 set to startup at 35mm, so I leave the 35mm on the camera. Like John said, put it in snap mode and off you go.

John, I love your shots from the shopping trip. Lucky you, to have a wife/girlfriend that looks like a model.

 

[BillBingham2]

I have the GR-DI and love the external finder. I have a black metal CV 28mm and could not be happier with it. I turn off the LCD when ever it's dark or very cold out. When I was shooting outside a month ago or so turning off the LCD allowed me to keep going without worry as the battery thought it did not have enough power.

I replaced my beloved Bessa L/CV 25/4 combo with this camera and with the exception of the menu learning curve could not be happier.

B2 (;->

 

[galavanter]

I received a used GRD yesterday. I missed out on a used GV-2 in the classifieds today.
I just learned, thanks to Sean Reid, that both Ricoh GRD VF's, the GV-1 and GV-2, are designed to use the 4:3 frame size. But since the GRD/GRDII can also be set to shoot the 3:2 format, the above mentioned CV viewfinders can also be used. These, of course, are designed for the 3:2 format, or 35mm film. Accessory VF's are never 100% accurate all the time, and one may seem as good as the next on the GRD depending on personal preferences, but I thought I would toss that in.

 

[Terao]

My parents use my GR-D with the viewfinder because they're old and don't get on with LCDs - they can't see the subject and the screen at the same time with their glasses on.

 

[Johnmcd]

I have the GX-100. I have the Ricoh EVF, but have never used it. I carry a Voigtlander 28 and 35 optical viewfinder with me. I have MY1 set to startup at 35mm, so I leave the 35mm on the camera. Like John said, put it in snap mode and off you go.

John, I love your shots from the shopping trip. Lucky you, to have a wife/girlfriend that looks like a model.

Boy, would she love to read that!

 

[__--]

My parents use my GR-D with the viewfinder because they're old and don't get on with LCDs - they can't see the subject and the screen at the same time with their glasses on.

Tearo, that's the point: many people don't want to try something new; but I dfind that framing with the LCD leads to a much more fluid and loose shooting style that is often desirable for street photography.

—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/