I've been using both of these lately and I cannot believe how much more elegant and beautiful the GR1 film camera is over the digital version. Don't get me wrong, the GRD is a great camera for what it is, but the GR1 (or subsequent models) are just really damn nice. The viewfinder, the info in the viewfinder, the basic options, the way the lens extends from the camera, it's slimmer and longer body and the way it feels better in your hand, the true 28mm lens, etc. Of course the GRD has its advantages like true manual modes and shutter priority and a hot shoe, but it still feels like, even after four models, it hasn't met the elegance and simplicity of the original model. What do other users of both, past and present, think?
OlliL
Well-known
Used the GR1 and GRD II during this summer.
The GRD is no competition to the GR, neither in terms of feel, or IQ.
Nevertheless I totally agree with you, that both are great cameras and the versatility of the GRD is definetly a plus.
The GRD is no competition to the GR, neither in terms of feel, or IQ.
Nevertheless I totally agree with you, that both are great cameras and the versatility of the GRD is definetly a plus.
Melancholy
To grain, or not to grain
I´m very happy with my GR1V, just wish the GRD series could have a viewfinder like the GR1 series, small but very usefull.
benlees
Well-known
I have a GR1 which is worth having just for the lens. Have to use it in snap mode because the AF drives me crazy! Takes too long, even in very 'simple' situations. Otherwise, it is awesome. Never handled the digital version.
gavinlg
Veteran
If Ricoh managed to shoe-horn an aps-c sized (or close to it) sensor into a ricoh grd sized body, with (even a small) optical viewfinder, and a 28mm f2.8 equivalent lens, I would buy 10 and use them forever.
hxpham
Established
This is my dream camera too
And maybe if they also offer fixed 50 and 85 models so you can have 3 cameras with all the focal lengths you'd ever need
Archiver
Veteran
The closest we've got to a digital GR1 is the GXR and 28mm module, but it's still too large to be a 'real' GR1. I'd love an aps-c sensor in a GRD-size body with 28/2 lens. It would be glorious.
gavinlg
Veteran
They should just get the exact lens and sensor from the GXR & 28mm f2.5, fix it to the body (so it can be a smaller package), trim the fat, and add a little optical finder with basic bright lines and exposure info (shutter, ISO, aperture), and mimic the GR/D control layout, and BAM. Perfect small camera.
Archlich
Well-known
Imagine a Sigma DP1 with optical viewfinder..It won't be as small as the GRD or the GR1 series. Not even pocketable, I guess. The closest thing to it available would be the X100, still big comparing to the GRs.
After the GXR's release, all hopes are diminished. If such they made such a camera - who will buy into the GXR system then, especially the A12 modules? I even doubted if they'll be releasing the GRD4. At least they did that on time.
After the GXR's release, all hopes are diminished. If such they made such a camera - who will buy into the GXR system then, especially the A12 modules? I even doubted if they'll be releasing the GRD4. At least they did that on time.
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Archiver
Veteran
****, I'd settle for m4/3 even at this point.
How about a 14mm f2.5 pancake on a Pana GF3 body? Not exactly GRD ergonomics but the smallest large sensor 28/2.5 eq. camera I can think of. It shows just how small such a camera can get.
Now if Ricoh put that together, then we'd be talking!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Never tried a GR digital but I had a GR1V and really only sold it because of the 28mm lens ... if it had been 35mm I'd still have it.
An absolutely brilliant little camera! I remember handing it to a friend at a party not long after I got it and just told him to aim it and press the shutter ... which he did for a whole roll and he loved it. I just left it in full auto for him and it was interesting to note that every shot on that roll was focused and exposed almost perfectly ... including some backlight situations where the camera automatically provided fill flash!
Really, really smart little camera.
An absolutely brilliant little camera! I remember handing it to a friend at a party not long after I got it and just told him to aim it and press the shutter ... which he did for a whole roll and he loved it. I just left it in full auto for him and it was interesting to note that every shot on that roll was focused and exposed almost perfectly ... including some backlight situations where the camera automatically provided fill flash!
Really, really smart little camera.
It's not as pocketable. It's heavier and that makes a difference between it being in your pocket and not noticing it and it being in your pocket and it swinging around. Additionally, the GF3 isn't set-up as nice functionality wise. I used the GF1 and couldn't get into it...the GF3 is just a dumbed down version.
gavinlg
Veteran
Agreed on not liking the GF interface - especially the later ones which are very dumbed down.
The other thing is that I don't like the sensor the m4/3 cams use. The panasonic 12mp and even the newer 16mp sensors seem to be just plain bad with highlight range. I'm not sure what it is, but highlights go thin and blow so easily. Even my old GRD which is now kaput tended to hold highlights better than my e-p1. My x100 is lightyears better again.
I'll take m4/3 over a smaller sensor any day of the week. I still think they do better at high ISOs and both blow highlights easily, so that not really a concern for me. However, it seems that nobody can put one of these into a GRD sized body. BUT... nobody thought 35mm cameras could be so small until the Rollei 35 either. We'll see. I agree on the X100... very good dynamic range on that camera... even at high ISOs.
nightfly
Well-known
Love the GR1. Yes the LCD sometimes fails to work properly (cut off numbers, can't tell what mode I'm in) but since it's basically set on SNAP at all times who cares. Great lens. Love the aperture and exposure compensation controls, all I need and nothing more (well they could remove the flash but I taped over the little slider so it stays off).
Like the GRDIII but I have to say the lens distortion bothers me (just downloaded a Lightroom profile to correct it) and it's size and shape is a little less pleasing. Also I just don't like digital as much but it's the only digital camera I don't hate. For color it's not a bad way to go, for black and white, I still prefer film.
Like the GRDIII but I have to say the lens distortion bothers me (just downloaded a Lightroom profile to correct it) and it's size and shape is a little less pleasing. Also I just don't like digital as much but it's the only digital camera I don't hate. For color it's not a bad way to go, for black and white, I still prefer film.
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Yes, I guess that is the difference between a true 28mm full frame lens and a 6mm lens for severely cropped digital.
wolfpeterson
Established
The only thing keeping me from buying a GRD is it's lack of a viewfinder. Just love my GR1s' viewfinder...
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Thanks for this.
I was ready to pull the trigger on a GRD III because I wanted to know how it compares with my GR1s.
Looks like I'll miss the viewfinder and the long slim form.
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