GRD 5 vs GXR

[giellaleafapmu]

Assuming that one has some 1000US$ burning a hole in a pocket and is considering spending that amount of money on a Ricoh camera what would you say the advantages/disadvantages of each of these are? I am more inclined toward the GRD but I'd like to hear from users. I can see a smaller size and a newer lens, engine and sensor for the GRD but I was also considering the GXR with the 28mm module and the S10 module because it can host an EVF, for few dollars more one can have the smallish sensor zoom module S10 which sometimes is useful (well for me at least) and in a future one can think of buying the M mount module. I only don't understand why these modules seem to come always kind of late. At the time the GRD has a 16Mpx sensor the GXR still has 12Mpx both for the 28mm and for the M-mount, however they have another 16Mpx module with a slow zoom which, I suppose, nobody really care about. Does anyone know if there is any plan of selling newer M-mount and 28mm modules in the near future (in which case I might just look at a cheap combo with the small zoom and wait)?

GLF

 

[johannielscom]

The GXR is discontinued.

I can only recommend you to get one now, while they are either discounted or abundant and cheap. The M-mount module is great and can take a busload of lenses. I have a Nikon-F to Leica-M adapter and thus can use pre-AI Nikkors and Tamron Adaptalls, M-mount and LTM-mount lenses, as well as the Ricoh modules. Very versatile Small Compact System camera!

 

[GaryLH]

Yep discontinued. If u want one new, get it before the last are sold off. The last sensor module was the a16 apsc zoom.. There was a rumored a16 m module that never was released.. Ricoh seems to have put all their energy into the Pentax acquisition... I am just glad they decided to continue the grd line.

Gary

 

[Pete B]

I have the GXR too. Superb. Yes, some might say the M Mount is dated but it's adequate for the vast majority if we're honest. Results with my Leica and Voigt lenses are superb. The voigt lenses are very light giving an extremely light and compact system for travel. I also have cheap but very adequate adapters for Nikon and Zuiko lenses. It's a superb system. Get it while you can.
Pete

 

[CliveC]

The GXR A12 M mount has quality that is just as good as my 18 megapixel 60D sensor, maybe even better at low ISO. Unfortunately it doesn't go above ISO 3200, not that it's any good on the Canon either at that range.

 

[rhl-oregon]

A GR (5) will keep you up with the Jones and fit in a pocket no GXR will fit, even with the S10 or P10 modules. A GRDIV (some for sale now on RFF @$350 or less) will give you a hefty proportion of what the 5 has for $500 less, and leave you $350 for a GXR/S10 from B&H, and the likelihood that an M mount will show up soon enough in the $300-350 range.

Or there's the RFF offer for a GXR/P10/50 2.5 for $575, pretty close to the diff in savings between a GRDIV and a current GR.

I like having both Ricohs; I mostly use the M mount on the GXR; and it's a breeeeeeze to carry both.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Is there any news about the fact that the GXR is discontinued on the Ricoh's page? I didn't notice, but I believe you. Anyway, the GRD IV is out of question, if that's the way to go I'd rather get the GXR and the S10 module at about the same price and then, either the 28mm or the M-mount. Also I alredy have the Pentax Q and it is all I need as far as small sensor completely controllable cameras. It is the GR V which is a bit puzzling in this competion due to the high quality in super small package but completey non modular. Since we are in this talks, do any of you know if the wide angle attachment for the GXR is available only in Japan (I think it is called GW-3)?

GLF

 

[giellaleafapmu]

The GXR A12 M mount has quality that is just as good as my 18 megapixel 60D sensor, maybe even better at low ISO. Unfortunately it doesn't go above ISO 3200, not that it's any good on the Canon either at that range.

Mmmmh, I very few times use anything above ISO800, in fact I almost always shot at 200 or 400 ISO, so this is not really important for me.

GLF

 

[GaryLH]

When u do a lookup for gxr on the b&h website shows the body discontinued as well as other items. Henrys in Canada had a gxr blow out sale.. When I was talking to someone over there about it, they told me they were getting the last shipment from Ricoh and that it was going to be discontinued.

Gary

 

[johannielscom]

GLF,

my GXR performs effortlessly at ISO 2000 when I shoot B&W. Color, I tend to stay on the safe side and keep it at ISO 1000 max.

For a peek at the results when shot in B&W, see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92282609@N04/8510353063/meta/

The photo is part of a 9-photo set on Flickr.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Gary, I just did a quick google. It's probably outdated!

No, I double checked. Looks like the body + s10 or p10 are available for $349. That's just $20 less than I paid 2 years ago for my first body+p10.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Gxr&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

When u do a lookup for gxr on the b&h website shows the body discontinued as well as other items. Henrys in Canada had a gxr blow out sale.. When I was talking to someone over there about it, they told me they were getting the last shipment from Ricoh and that it was going to be discontinued.

Gary

 

[rhl-oregon]

Since we are in this talks, do any of you know if the wide angle attachment for the GXR is available only in Japan (I think it is called GW-3)?

GLF

The GW-2 is the .75 wide for the GRD 3 and 4. I have one. Great way to shoot 21 1.9! Ricoh shows the GW-3 as the equivalent for the new GR, not for the GXR.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

The GW-2 is the .75 wide for the GRD 3 and 4. I have one. Great way to shoot 21 1.9! Ricoh shows the GW-3 as the equivalent for the new GR, not for the GXR.

Yes yes, I know this, I was asking because even tough it is still a very restricted setting having two lenses for the GR is more than having one lens for the GR... 🙂

Ah, to all those pointing me to dealers with...good deals, I am located in Latin America so I have only a few who ship down here and I have to content myself with them.

GLF

 

[GaryLH]

Gary, I just did a quick google. It's probably outdated!

No, I double checked. Looks like the body + s10 or p10 are available for $349. That's just $20 less than I paid 2 years ago for my first body+p10.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Gxr&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Gxr&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

But if u check the gxr body it comes back as "no longer available"..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760754-REG/Ricoh_170383_GXR_Body.html

I suspect they are selling out inventory.. The gxr w/ a16 kit is showing discontinued, but the individual a16 zoom and a12 m module are still around.

Gary

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Well, thank you everybody, I'd give a tough taking into account what all of you said but this thread made me kind of sad: it seems that one af the few design which was truly different than most has disapeared.

GLF

 

[rscheffler]

Not sure what your shooting style is like, but the GXR is pretty slow shot to shot. You'll get about one frame every second or two. The GR on the other hand is very responsive.

One thing I like about the GXR & M mount module is the electronic shutter mode that is completely silent, which is somewhat unique among focal plane shutter cameras.

 

[Przemek]

My (very personal) 2c.

Had the GXR with M-module and EVF. It produced some great files with all those nice M-lenses, but I've promptly sold it for an X100. It was slow to focus and the EVF was a total let down. Later I've sold the x100 as soon as I'd heard about the GRD coming out. As a previous GRDIII owner I'm completely delighted with the GRD, Ricoh did only good with this one.
There you have it.
I guess it all boils down to your shooting style.

Fast, street, reportage, party cam, whetever - GRD
Slow, landscape, architecture, general stills - GRX

The GRX has less customizability but (obviously) more lens options.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Not sure what your shooting style is like, but the GXR is pretty slow shot to shot. You'll get about one frame every second or two. The GR on the other hand is very responsive.

One thing I like about the GXR & M mount module is the electronic shutter mode that is completely silent, which is somewhat unique among focal plane shutter cameras.

This is useful information, I don't know what my "style" is, usually I shot in a studio, with tripod and lights but this camera would be just a carry everyway toy and slow cameras annoy me quite a bit in this type of use, this might well be the deciding factor.

GLF

 

[johannielscom]

The GXR can be kind of slow if you compare it to other digital camera's. I compare it to shooting with a Barnack (my other love) and it is as fast as that. Or, a Leica M, where you have to transport the film before shooting the next frame. If you're okay with the pace you get from shooting a Barnack or a Leica M, the GXR is great.


The EVF a let-down? I would not say so. At least it does not get muddy when you pan for a shot, like the Fuji X-pro1 (and maybe XE-1?) does.

Focusing with the GXR is a breeze IMHO. It has focus peaking and contrast enhancement, and if you switch them both on, you can focus to a subjects eyelashes from 2 mtrs away easily, providing your lens is sufficiently contrasty. With wide lenses or wide apertures the contrast enhancement is less useful, but the focus peaking alone can also do the job.

Switches on the rear of the camera can all be programmed to switch both focus peaking and contrast enhancement on in two clicks only.

 

[jsrockit]

The GR is the better camera as long as you want something that fits in your pocket and you like a 28mm FOV.