Here's the deal...

woohoo.

I've looked on cameraquest but that site is impossible to navigate!

Could you possibly point me toward the viewfinder in question?
 
aliceelizabeth said:
does backalley not like the grd?

Are hot shoes standardised at all?
Click to expand...

Backalley just got one a few weeks ago and likes it very much.

The hot shoe is standardized, so you can use _any_ 28mm FOV VF.
 
yes I know. Much much nearer. But I do not want the £110 viewfinder. Have sent them an e-mail asking for suggestions on alternatives
 
Thanks andersju...always seems odd when you refer to people by their screen names.

Last question, how do you check an online store's reputation before ordering? I know robert white is fine but I've found the camera cheaper including VAT on park cameras. Is there a review site for stores themselves?
 
Aliceelizabeth: I bought the Lumix and so far have not been tempted by the GRD or the GX100. The Lumix is small, has a great lens (not fixed-focus though) at least for a digital p&s, and starts and cycles very fast. Big LCD too, and a 16:9 wide mode which I have found useful. It is also less expensive. I carry one around in my briefcase. Why go for bigger/slower/external vf if you don't need to?

Downside on all digital stuff? Zero resale value.

- John
 
Many prefer an optical VF instead of having to watch the LCD at a distance. (And the external CV finder (and probably the Ricoh one too) beats the crap out of any compact digicam's built-in optical VF 🙂)
 
Alice, I second the suggestion to at least check out the Olympus C5050.

That's the *only* digital non-SLR out there that has a fixed 1.8 max aperture lens. Plus it has manual focus, RAW format, *very* sharp lens, and a truckful of loyal users who came up with loads of helpful hints, tips, etc.

Secondhand goes from $200-$250 on eBay.

Check out a post I recently make about it: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40819
 
seems i missed the action on this thread...glad you went with the grd, it's a great little camera. i use the cv 28 finder, works great and the flash has lots of room to pop up. i only use the external finder if i'm in a 'serious' shooting mode otherwise i use the lcd screen though that takes a bit of doing to really get used to it. i bought 2 extra batteries for pennies on ebay. the camera is tiny but handles very well and it is truly pocketable. it feels substantial despite it's size. also comes in a nice belt pouch which i have used a couple times.
if you click on my flickr link there is a set with a few shots from the grd.
joe
 
I think you should look closely at the Pentax K10D. 10mp sensor, interchangeable lenses, weatherproof, image stabilization, full-auto or full manual, you pick; and right now, the body is about $800 new in the US -- with your VAT you might be pushing 500 pounds, but you'd still be under it. The K10 takes older fixed Pentax lenses, some of which are very good; with a used lens, I think you could come in close to 500. And the Pentax is just slightly bigger than the Leica M8 -- just slightly (I have both.) And it would give you the option to pick up more lenses later.

I personally think film is a forlorn hope, although I still have an M7 and an F5, now little used; and if you shoot a roll a week -- not much in these times -- you can count spending another 500 pounds each year.

JC
 
AE,

Camera Quest will ship in a plain brown wrapper that might get by the VAT police. Another option is to have it cross shipped and sent over as a present (email me if you are interested in that). The mini combo finder is super small and I would say makes a perfect addition. You might find someone who is getting a 28mm CV lens for their R4 that does not need the finder who might sell you one cheap.

The Ricoh R and GR series of cameras have lenses that are EXCELLENT. As good as Leica or ZI, not sure, but what I got from my R1 was wonderful. Lots of pros carry them as shirt pocket cameras and they get rave reviews.

Take a look here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ricohgrd/

and here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sigma/sigma_dp1.asp

and here just to really mess with your mind:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06091401olympuse400.asp

This DSLR is said to be kind of like the OM series was to standard SLRs back in the 70s, much smaller.

For what it's worth, I think you made a GREAT choice. I'm sticking with film for right now, not perfect, but I do not have the control in the style I want in the digital world.

Hope your brain got better over night.

B2 (;->
 
Brain is a little improved...still waiting on the camera. Fingers getting itchy. Thankyou for the feedback everyone, shall attempt to post 'first go' shots soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom