Ricoh GR...Yes or No

[jsrockit]

But I'm more of an available light/candid people shooter and I'm afraid that the ISO limitations might be limiting for my always-with-me camera.

True. It's my least used camera of the 4 cameras I use because of this.

 

[jsrockit]

The GR feels like a fully functional camera that just so happens to fit in my pocket. That, for me, is the difference.

Exactly...

 

[aleksanderpolo]

IMHO if a camera cannot be stuffed into ones pocket and be with you all the time, it doesn't matter if there is a small size difference. I think the DP2M is closer in size than an m43+20/1.7 So I would consider replacing the OMD w/ DP2M and then have the GR as your pocket second camera when the DP runs out of juice.

They share the same battery, if I am not mistaken, they are made for each other. :angel:

I am VERY intrigued by this camera... I shoot medium format more than 135 and I'm amazed by the detail and colors this thing produces. But I'm more of an available light/candid people shooter and I'm afraid that the ISO limitations might be limiting for my always-with-me camera.

Right now I carry my OMD + 25mm on a sling strap over my shoulder, but I don't bring it with me as often as I would like. Even with the 20mm it is still a bit large. I don't think the DP2m will cut down on size much and the increased detail at the expensive of high ISO is probably not the best trade off for my shooting style unfortunately.

Still, I'm seriously considering picking up a DP2m as a possible second camera...

 

[GaryLH]

I am VERY intrigued by this camera... I shoot medium format more than 135 and I'm amazed by the detail and colors this thing produces. But I'm more of an available light/candid people shooter and I'm afraid that the ISO limitations might be limiting for my always-with-me camera.

Still, I'm seriously considering picking up a DP2m as a possible second camera...

I have both the omd and the dp Merrill's. as well as the Fuji xp1/xe1. The omd flat out beats the Fuji and Merrill in terms of af speed under lighting conditions where the Fuji and the Merrill will have a hard time.

In this thread below we have been discussing how to get rid of the noise when shooting above 1600.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133467

Someone over on getdpi discovered a way of isolating the blue channel using the monochrom mode color wheel in spp. If u are shooting in b&w, u can get good BW up to 3200 or maybe 6400 (ymmv). But the sadly once u are in the 3200 and above range, the af hunts a lot on the Merrill's. u will need to go to manual focus instead. Color is good up to iso 400 or so... Depending on the shot some people have posted on the web some good shots at iso 800.

Anyway if u are a high iso color shooter or one who depends on fast af, the dp Merrill is probably not going to cut it.. For me I have the Fuji around for high iso color and when I need long tele or fast af I use the omd.

Gary

 

[David_Manning]

The one thing I was a *bit* disappointed about the RX100 is that the user experience seemed so compact-y...does that make any sense?

At the least, you can put an OVF into the GR's shoe for a true "compact film camera" if one need a fix 🙂

That GR is taunting me. I might need to sell a few cameras.

 

[GaryLH]

Some glued a hot shoe to a rx100 and posted it on one of the forum so that they could put a 28 ovf on it.. Btw. I have been thinking about doing that as well..

It sounds too me though that the gas has gotten to the level that grd is going to be in your kit, it is just a matter of keep or sell the rx100.

Gary

 

[Aristophanes]

I had been using the RX100 as my only camera for a couple of weeks when I pre-ordered the GR with the intention of 'testing it out' and knowing full well I could not justify having both cameras.

It took about ten minutes from opening the GR to know that the RX100 would be sold. The RX100 is a fantastic compact camera but to me it always felt like a compact. The GR feels like a fully functional camera that just so happens to fit in my pocket. That, for me, is the difference.

Disclaimer: I have always been a primes guy and, although the zoom on the RX100 was initially a welcome change, I soon realised that I could not live with a zoom on my only digital camera.

Most pants have 2 pockets.

Just sayin'.......

 

[dreamsandart]

This is just a fantastic camera in so many ways, and very fun to use. Easy and intuitive to set up and change settings. Image quality is a 'WOW!'

I'm looking forward to adding the 21mm lens adapter - 21 view, 1:1 aspect ratio, B&W and although it wouldn't be so compact anymore, its a lot more compact and versatile than a SWC :angel:

 

[jsrockit]

Most pants have 2 pockets.

Just sayin'.......

I think most have 4-5 pockets... 😀

 

[cz23]

I rented a GR for last weekend. One of the most enjoyable shooting experiences I've had in a while. I'm now smitten - so much so that I bought one yesterday.

28mm is a little short for me, but I'm actually looking forward to moving in closer on the street.

Not sure it could be my only camera, but I've got a Nex 7 kit also. I'm thinking the GR and Nex with a 50 (75 FOV) will make a good combo.

One from the weekend:

 

[maggieo]

I bought a GR from the classifieds here and I am absolutely smitten with this camera. It is, quite simply, fantastic.

Here's some of my fave from it so far:


Storm Drain, July 23, 2013 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Marie Texts Her Mom, July 24, 2013 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


The Fortnightly Expression of Domino, July 26, 2013 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Failure To Launch, July 28, 2013 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

 

[David_Manning]

Good images, you guys.

I'm glad the thread was resurrected. I'll share what I ended up doing.

To recap, I fell in love with the GR (or the idea of the GR) because of it's IQ, pocketability, and it's APS-C sensor. I liked the 35mm crop mode, because at the end of the day, 35mm is the way I see (my favorite film compact of all time is the Contax T3...35mm 2.8 lens).

I ended up buying (drumroll please)...a Canon EOS M!!!

It's an 18MP APS-C sensor, and the 22mm prime is a 35mm equivalent. It's about the size of a Ricoh GR or Nikon A, but thicker because the lens doesn't retract. The good news is it still fits into the pocket of cargo pants or shorts.

Things it does well:

Metering
Canon RAW 14-bit files
shallow DoF (22mm f2 lens)
touch screen (I didn't know I'd like this as much as I do)
Compact-ish...BUT the capability to change the lens
good in low-light
1080p 24fps manual video (shoots video like a 5DmkII)...a film camera in your pocket

Things it's not so great about:

EVF blackout between image captures is a bit long
focus is a bit slow (with the new firmware, about like the original X100)
a bit too big for a jeans pocket due to lens (but cargo/jacket pocket capable)
no on-board flash

It's the same size as my beloved T3 but a bit thicker (not by much) with the f2 lens attached. So, I have a 35mm f2 compact that shoots great video and provides dSLR-looking images if required/desired.

My Ricoh GAS is gone. Please let me show a few images, since I'm the OP and I don't mind veering a bit OT 🙂

 

[David_Manning]

The best part...the body and lens only cost $299 😀

 

[David_Manning]

It actually shoots color pictures too 😉

(Love that Canon EOS feel to the files)

 

[maggieo]

Nice work, David!

 

[kbg32]

I've had two Ricohs before, the GRD and the GX100. This is the best one yet.

Loving this camera!

_R000029 by keithbgoldstein, on Flickr

Coffee by keithbgoldstein, on Flickr

_R000342 by keithbgoldstein, on Flickr

Train by keithbgoldstein, on Flickr

 

[aleksanderpolo]

I cannot tell you how comfortable to hold the GR in hand with its grip, David. How's the strap lug of EOS-M doing for you? ;P

The 22/2 looks fantastic.

 

[gavinlg]

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.

 

[David_Manning]

Yeah, the EOS M strap lug is kinda weird...it worried me for a bit until I realized I could use a regular wrist strap with that lug.

I wasn't going to throw stones, Gavin...especially since I was pining for a GR...but every color shot I've seen from the GR looks garish. Since I like shooting for b&w anyway, it wasn't going to be a big deal. But I WILL say the EOS M has color files to die for...I guess Canon (and all the software providers) have had plenty of time to figure out the Canon RAW files.

 

[jky]

Nice images with the EOS M. Ultimately, you got what's best for you - great to have choices!