GXR Will Be Dropped, or New Body

[bwcolor]

Clearly, the GXR is getting passed by. The system's primary deficit is the lack of a high resolution, low lag, EVF. This can't be rectified with the current body/sensor/electronics.

Something has to give, or the camera will become non-competitive in a hot segment of the market. Unfortunately, a high quality EVF might require a new high refresh rate sensor / module electronics. So, new premium modules would be needed for maximum performance.

I'm guessing a new body that is backwards compatible with present modules will be announced in 2012.

 

[dreilly]

The GXR's EVF is one of the best out there right now, along with the similar Olympus unit. I had a chance to look at the A77's EVF which is the state of the art and I was impressed but not overwhelmed. I don't expect the nex-7's eve to be much better. I would expect possible body updates or higher res evfs in the future....but I don't think it's as critical or impending as you suggest.

 

[jsrockit]

by 2012, it'll be 3 years old... kind of normal for a body. However, many people will continue to use this camera because of the perceived benefits of m module. Ricoh isn't exactly a mainstream camera in all countries.

 

[kzphoto]

Judging by the refresh cycles on the GRD series, I would have assumed a new body at the two year mark.

 

[andrewteee]

I have tried several EVFs and find the Ricoh GXR EVF the best so far.

The fact that the GXR is getting passed by is nothing new. Outside of Japan (where Ricoh is huge) they have always had a very small presence.

 

[dogbunny]

If it is getting passed by why do a lot of the online retailers have it back ordered? Is that not indicative of people buying it? --Honest question, not being argumentative.

DB

 

[Matus]

I had the impression that once the M-module came out the demand for the GXR went up. But one way or the other - the time for next generation is approaching. But if Ricoh could bring updated EVF that need would be somewhat mitigated. Current users seem to be more interested in new lens-modules rather than new body. Just my impression.

 

[bwcolor]

I had the impression that once the M-module came out the demand for the GXR went up. But one way or the other - the time for next generation is approaching. But if Ricoh could bring updated EVF that need would be somewhat mitigated. Current users seem to be more interested in new lens-modules rather than new body. Just my impression.

In order to have a NEX-7 like EVF, the GXR would need electronics that could handle the higher data rate.

I found data rate information for modules and the body a long time ago. I can't find it now, but it appears that they are using what they have.

 

[rxmd]

This can't be rectified with the current body/sensor/electronics.

Er... Why?

 

[Shade]

Well I don't think it would be strange for a new body to come out. It would probably complement the gxr instead of completely replacing it I think..

 

[FrozenInTime]

With the delay on the NEX 7, I suspect the GXR with A12-M is doing rather well at the moment.
It seems to handle really well with all the M lenses I've tried.
How well the NEX 7 handles wides is going to be a bit unknown untill Steve Huff reports back.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/10/24/more-sony-nex-7-testing-coming-wide-angle-leica-lenses-and-5n-comparison/

The EVF is okay but not especially bright.
My biggest gripe is that it sticks out like a sore thumb gets knocked and makes bagging the camera awkward.
A RF/NEX7 positioned EVF would solve this.

The body's buffer size is clearly three years behind the best.
A revitalization of the body could only do Ricoh good- leading to significant upgrades from new and existing owners.

That said the camera as is has been a good buy and I'm very happy to have it.

 

[rxmd]

In order to have a NEX-7 like EVF, the GXR would need electronics that could handle the higher data rate.

I found data rate information for modules and the body a long time ago. I can't find it now, but it appears that they are using what they have.

Well, the GXR does 1280x720 video at 24 fps, so it should have no problem driving a three megadot EVF in realtime. That's the bare minimum (and only if you assume that video already maxes out the bandwith).
So it would be interesting where you are pulling your information from.

 

[__--]

While some people will say that the Leica M8 and M9 are better because of subtler mid-tone gradation, my feeling is that the GXR-M produces better files than the two Leicas — in terms of the clarity and transparency of the colors and perhaps resolution as well, although I may be mistaken about the latter because I've just started using Raw Photo Processor 64 (RPP), which achieves markedly better resolution than Aperture or Lightroom. Against this background, this thread is simply just internet noise, at least to the point that if you close your eyes you can swear that you're on one of the dpreview forums.

—Mitch/Chiang Mai
Ricoh GXR M-Module

 

[dallard]

With the delay on the NEX 7, I suspect the GXR with A12-M is doing rather well at the moment.
It seems to handle really well with all the M lenses I've tried.
How well the NEX 7 handles wides is going to be a bit unknown untill Steve Huff reports back.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/...ng-wide-angle-leica-lenses-and-5n-comparison/

The EVF is okay but not especially bright.
My biggest gripe is that it sticks out like a sore thumb gets knocked and makes bagging the camera awkward.
A RF/NEX7 positioned EVF would solve this.

I would love to see this in a new GXR body. Something like the X100 OVF/EVF built into a body. My guess is that something like that would complement rather than replace the current body which, as a point and shoot style compact body is superb.
I think this guy made some good points about the GXR system:
http://www.ultrasomething.com/photography/2011/10/riffing-in-the-key-of-ricoh/

 

[segedi]

I have a NEX-7 on order, but am close to aquiring the GXR+A12 M+VF2 combo. I'm impressed by the AA filterless images it produces!

 

[dondecastro]

I don't think Ricoh is getting passed by, the OP may look at it as downgrading, but I actually went from my 5d mark 2 to the gxr modular system and couldn't be happier.

I found this quote interesting from a Ricoh uk representative
http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2011/10/ricoh-to-fill-gap-of-camera-market-in.html

Whatever they come out with I don't think they would need to come out with new lensors because they upgraded the body. Would kind of defeat the purpose of its modularity.

I see the gxr like my venerable mamiya rz67. The current body is the pro ii version, and when they come out with a new body it will be like the pro iiD. Newer, better but still familiar and i would still be able to use my lensors or m mount module with either one.

 

[kanzlr]

high resolution sensor read out for live view magnification, high-res EVF like the NEX and the ability to boost the brightness suffenciently for stop down focussing of M lenses...unfortunately, this will require 1. a new GXR M-Mount module (that won't happen for a year or two or three) and 2. a new EVF. The Body should be able to manage this.

so, the GXR system, while super sweet in most regards, has a way to go to be the superb non-RF M-Platform it could be.

 

[rxmd]

unfortunately, this will require 1. a new GXR M-Mount module

Care to elaborate why?

 

[silverbullet]

When we remember where the GXR came from (zoom module with tiny sensors) I doubt that Ricoh will add a fixed VF inside the body. Modularity is the dress code for this system.
What is on their roadmap is an APS-C zoom from 24 - 85 or similar. This would help people which are waiting so long for their Leica Digilux 2 replacement. It would be sweet to change M mount and add the zoom.....

 

[Matus]

The zoom module (hopefully APS-C) seems to be long for by many. While I am sure that Ricoh is working on the GXR and will be bring us new modules and body updates eventually - it would be nice to at least know in which direction they are heading (some kind of road map or so)