gear talk!!

[cbass]

Joe, the fact that you have asked for input about a possible gear purchase indicates that you likely have some doubts about it.

The GR-D is a nice camera but there are other 28mm pocket digicam options available. I think that Canon and Panasonic both offer 28mm lenses, albeit at the bottom of a zoom range. The Panasonic will also have IS, which the GR-D does not. What Canon and Panasonic both lack (aside from niche appeal) is the two-dial operation of the GR-D. Either will be less expensive than the Ricoh. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it, too.

 

[kbg32]

Joe, wait for the Sigma DP1, 10 megapixels, 28mm fixed focal length, and that large Foveon chip!

 

[ywenz]

Get the GRD. Great little cam, about the best output from a P&S digicam. One discovery I just read online is how to control the noise at 1600 + colour ( beacuse noise in b&w mode is of no concern). The solution is to dial up the contrast and dial down the saturation in-camera. The result is very monochromatic noise at 800 and 1600 iso. See for yourself, these samples I pulled from online has no noise reduction done on them:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1013&message=20567508

1600

800

The lack of an optical viewfinder means I had to train myself to shot at arms length and also shot from the hip quite a bit. It took a little time to get used to but I don't miss the optical finder.

It renders colors great and you don't see the oversmoothening of pixels like you get with many other PS digicams

 

[jja]

I think Taffer and Trius have outlined the real problem, which is that you have too many rolls of film waiting to be developed. What is causing the bottleneck? Is it a lack of optimized analog equipment, a lack of time, or a lack of motivation?

I find that the thing that slows down my workflow (in addition to not enough free time!) is my scanner. It is SLOW. If I had the $$, I'd upgrade to the fastest dedicated film scanner I could find.

 

[Gid]

Joe,

I have the same problem with film - I'm still scanning stuff from 4 months ago. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot much in the last few months, but things eased recently and I've been picking up my RD-1 more often than film gear, just because the workflow is simpler and quicker. I suggest that you bite the bullet and get yourself a good second hand RD-1 (sell one of your ZIs) and continue to use the lenses you have 🙂 . You know it makes sense especially as there are likely to be some RD-1 bargains around with the arrival of the M8 😉

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I know the feeling, Joe...

My story.

I found a nice, relatively affordable Summilux 35 (old version) in a store. I thought I'd buy it for myself in December (I could have done it earlier, as I had the funds). For weeks, I simply agonized over buying it, checked it online, soaked up information about it (that particular thread here about the Leica 35mm lenses was quite illuminating).. and, in the end, I just found out two days ago it was sold.

Suddenly, I realized I didn't really need it. In fact, I realized I don't need a lot of gear, that the particular focal length is covered and... I still would like it, but it will have to be another long term project again.

Sit down, pick up your recently purchased black ZI and take it for a walk.

No, I would also tell you "go and find out if the Ricoh is your best deal and tool", but then, soon enough you'd be thinking of another one to add to the lineup. Simply consider if it'll get enough use.

Now, if you can use it... just go ahead! I'll sit down and look at Summiluxes with greed, but calmer this time.

 

[rbiemer]

Sit down, pick up your recently purchased black ZI and take it for a walk.

And please post some pictures of that!😀
Not to pick on you but what a startling image that gives me, Francisco!
Rob

 

[akptc]

Joe, I think the best way to get over the anxiety is to get what you lust for, play with it, then move on to the next toy. Thousands of RFF members can't be wrong, right? 😉

 

[back alley]

lots of good sound advice here.

the film back log is a simple case of being lazy and lacking the motivation to process the film. i have the means and time but never seem to get going on it.
i realize that's all on me.

the lure of digital is not having to scan, this is true.

time for deep thinking...

joe

 

[GeneW]

Joe, you're as bad as I am! Shame! 🙂

Well, digital wins all when it comes to convenience and getting your work out and visible. Film is, well, film, and there's nothing like it. Guess that's why we shoot both.

Here's what I suggest you do. Think about it for a week or two, then sell me your CV28. Or, sell me your CV28, then think about it for awhile.

Wish I could say I'm kidding...

Gene

 

[back alley]

you're on the top of the list gene should i sell.


one thing about the gr-d that i like is that it's a non zoom fixed 28. this would be an ideal street camera from that point of view.
not sure about the ergonomics as i have never handled one.

joe

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Ywenz,
great tip!

Just get the damn GRD Joe and I'll get one too! 😉 I've been tossing this camera around in my head for a couple months now as well, it's time to pull the trigger.

Todd

 

[ray_g]

Joe, one piece of advice i have is to try and handle the GRD first, if possible. It is small and thin, much more so than the A620 (which you traded because it was too small for your grubby hands 😉 ). If you can't find one, look for a film GR1 - the size is similar.

 

[ray_g]

One other thing that has not been mentioned about the GRD, is that it takes great IR images. I am looking forward to trying this myself in the near future, but Trevor has been posting some amazing photos on flickr.

 

[raid]

I have stopped temporarily taking MF photos until I scan my MF slides. I don't want to make the situation worse by taking more MF photos.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

And please post some pictures of that!😀
Not to pick on you but what a startling image that gives me, Francisco!
Rob

Goodness gracious! 😀 And I wrote that!!! 😱

You're right, Rob... after sitting down and picking up the camera, one may feel like going for a walk.

In any event, joe... if you pick this camera, I'll go for the Summilux I missed. Deal?

 

[Trius]

Gene: Just remember that I have your home phone number and pretty much know when to call when Marion will pick up the phone. Both of you are making me dizzy!

 

[GeneW]

Earl, do that and I will no longer will you my XA when I'm gone ...

Gene

 

[kshapero]

When I get really freaky, I pull out my Pentax 750Z (the one that "looks" like a rangfinder) and use the viewfinder and/or the swivel LCD. Then I look at the noise of the results, unless I shoot at 80 ASA. I put it back and shleep film to Walgreens. Help I'm trapped!!

 

[fraley]

Joe,

An old-timer showed me a Samsung Pro815 last weekend. You might want to check it out. Manual zoom and focus, a fixed lens, electronic viewfinder or a 3.5" lcd (largest there is), zoom goes from 28mm to 400-something. Feels solid too.

P.S. Fascinating thread, I'm on post #27 and still reading...