Ricoh GR...Yes or No

[Paddy C]

I've been humming and hawing over the GR and the Coolpix A for good while now and then saw the EOS-M kit price.

The EOS-M has a nice build but is otherwise a bit of turd IMHO. I just like that 22mm f2 pancake that Sony has not yet provided for the NEX.

A comp at DXO and the EOS-M sensor is lagging behind the NEX 5N (which I own), and both the GR and Coolpix A are ahead of the NEX. May not mean a lot in practical use but made me realize I need to get my head checked if I buy an EOS-M. Like I need a slower-focusing, no-EVF option, and even fewer external controls version of the 5N!

David, like you, I love the 35mm length. Really wish either Ricoh or Nikon had gone this route – I would have to buy one.

Maybe the gods will be generous if I ask for an RX1 to fall from the sky and into my hands?

 

[maggieo]

What's interesting is I've found that the OOC .jpegs from the GR are a bit subdued and I find myself punching up the color in PP the RAW files to match my memory of what I originally saw.

 

[cz23]

Very nice photos, everyone, including those from the EOS M.

What drew me to the GR is the size and snap focus. I have a Nex 7, which I really enjoy for street shooting. But I wanted a take-everywhere, belt-case camera. And I've been frustrated by Sony's complete dismissal of hyperfocal shooting.

Another one from the rental GR. I should get my own by Friday.

 

[andersju]

Got mine today - my first digital Ricoh since I bought the original GR-D in 2006 (which is one of my all-time favorite cameras). First impressions: couldn't be happier. I've had an RX100 since November, and while it gives me great image quality, I was never a fan of the ergonomics/UI/UX. The GR feels Just Right; everything in its right place, and it's snappier (starts/shuts down quicker). Pictures to come!

 

[kbg32]

Whats up with the color on the gr-d files. I know this is an off handed comment, but everywhere i look the colors are too garish.

I don't think the color images are garish at all. Could be your monitor.

 

[Dirk]

Man oh man...my hero's back to shooting Ricoh 😀

Daido shoots the GR

Love the Google translation. 🙂

 

[maggieo]

I don't think the color images are garish at all. Could be your monitor.

It might be that, because I'm seeing more subdued color than, say, Olympus colors.

 

[jsrockit]

It's a great camera, but the color profile (RAW) is a little off at times and the 28mm lens is not my favorite for a general purpose pocket camera. The lens is super sharp and the files convert to B&W in a favorable way.

 

[kbg32]

It might be that, because I'm seeing more subdued color than, say, Olympus colors.

gavinig says they're too garish, and you say they're too subdued. Something definitely is amiss.....

 

[nightfly]

I'm on board with the garish color people but no idea if it's due to the camera or post production. Lots of people like garish color. I tend to like Porta rather than Velvia.

David, great work as usual with the EOS M.

 

[lam]

The GR is crap 🙂 Everyone sell me theirs for considerably less now, and go pick up a EOS M.

 

[jsrockit]

The GR is crap 🙂 Everyone sell me theirs for considerably less now, and go pick up a EOS M.

Nice try! 😱😀

 

[lam]

Drat.. I still kick myself for letting that $699 go .. 🙁

 

[kbg32]

Here's an image at ISO 25600

Greenwich Street 390 by keithbgoldstein, on Flickr

 

[jsrockit]

Nice Keith... it adds to that image, but most images won't be so lucky to survive at that ISO.

 

[jpfisher]

What's interesting is I've found that the OOC .jpegs from the GR are a bit subdued and I find myself punching up the color in PP the RAW files to match my memory of what I originally saw.

You can adjust the JPG output settings--contrast, saturation, etc--in-camera. I sometimes have to do immediate tweets of photos for the day job; I've adjusted the GR's JPG output to be a bit more punchy, as that's how I post-process Raw images.

 

[kbg32]

Nice Keith... it adds to that image, but most images won't be so lucky to survive at that ISO.

Yes, you're absolutely right John. Not many images would survive that ISO rating. I was kind of lucky on this one.

One of my favorite settings on the GR is the TAv setting. Great for street shooting.

 

[nightfly]

Great image Keith. The high ISO grit works really well.

 

[maggieo]

You can adjust the JPG output settings--contrast, saturation, etc--in-camera. I sometimes have to do immediate tweets of photos for the day job; I've adjusted the GR's JPG output to be a bit more punchy, as that's how I post-process Raw images.

Oh, same here. The shot of the storm drain was done that way.

 

[Archiver]

@David - congrats on the EOS M. At first I was thinking, 'what, you essentially bought another Fuji X100'. But the EOS M seems much smaller and has an excellent movie mode, to boot. Not to mention the very attractive price! That's less than what the Panasonic LX7 goes for.

Subdued vs. garish colours: Lightroom 4 has noticeably stronger greens than the updated GR profile for LR 5 and the latest CameraRaw. I often like this, and when I'm shooting foliage I often select the old Lightroom profile. The GR files come out a bit flat, apart from the greens, which makes them perfect for further work. I love punching up GR colour, but it is easy to go overboard.

This image has been processed using my Fauxveon preset, which I created to emulate the look of the Sigma DP1 shot in bright daylight. Colours are fairly subdued in this treatment.


GR - Fauxveon Test 5 by Archiver, on Flickr

And this was processed using my emulation of Fuji Pro400H for the GR. I've punched it up a bit, too.


GR - Monet's Garden by Archiver, on Flickr