kaiwasoyokaze
Half Frame Goodness
I decided to write a review on the Ricoh GR10 for a couple of reasons. because (1) search engines routinely direct me to RFF anyways for the scant and scarce information on this camera, and because (2) it doesn't come up often on the market.
For some reason, the GR10 is a strange camera to (choose to) use and obtain.
It has the same lens as the GR1s (MC version) but it lacks the EV +/- and the aperture priority mode.
So, what is going in favor of it?
First would be the price. I got mine for slightly less than half of what I paid for my GR1s.
Furthermore, if you shoot mostly in Program mode without fiddling around with the exposure compensation on it, the GR10 would make a better choice.
It also lacks the SNAP mode for quick hyper-focal shooting. It does have a centre weighted AF point, and selectable landscape modes and miscellaneous features that are found in the GR1s.
(Obviously I am comparing the GR1s with GR10, and not including the user definable ISO found in the GR1v. You do get what you pay for though for the GR1v.....)
Now. The next thing that is important. You give up more manual controls in favor of a slight step down in build quality. However it is still a metal body (stamped metal magnesium for the GR10 rather than cast on the GR1s/GR1) if we are talking about materials. It is still better than the plastic fantastic R1s body I had. (Flexing film door made from plastic and a breakable hinge for the film door on the Ricoh R1s is a disaster and light leak waiting to happen)
Here are some pros and cons for the camera.
(1) It has a slightly better magnification in the VF.
0.46x compared to Gr1's 0.43x
The VF is still illuminated when the camera senses it is dark, and this slight bump in magnification is welcome but comes with a downside. The only info you get in the VF is the shooting mode for the camera (macro, landscape, portrait etc.). There are no shutter speeds displayed in the VF like the GR1.
(2) The camera runs on CR123 batteries which are more readily found in the places I frequent than CR2 batteries used in the GR1s. Moreover, the CR123 are bigger and hold more charge, thus giving you more shots per battery. This is especially important if you are flash photography happy.
(3) It feels more slippery due to the grip material. While the top and bottom plates are stamped metal, the grip itself feels plastic (it might be plastic actually). This feels horrible, but it is offset by a indented strip to improve the grip. It is however still better than the terrible slipperiness of the Ricoh R1s which is just smooth metal. (The indent mirrors the design of the 'reintroductionary' Ricoh R1e)
(4) the most arguably popular feature of a high end film P&S is still retained here; namely in the form of the user defined flash mode. this is definitely a dealmaker (as opposed to dealbreaker).
(5) Flash modes. Looking through the camera, it combines a slow synchro flash mode from the Gr1s with a night flash mode from the R1. I never used the flash extensively but when I do it always comes up beautifully. Of course, having more flash modes is always a plus for people who know what they are doing.
The feeling and the design.
The shutter button is a round one rather than the signature rectangular pill of the R1 and GR1. My copy feels mushy after years of use, but YMMV. The red rectangle you see on the top left of the camera is a infrared sensor for an optional remote for triggering the camera in self-timer mode. This is also found on my R1s. (not on GR1s though as it is a more of a consumer feature vs professional I would assume)
the paint doesn't have a crinkle/splash-texture finish like the GR1s. this makes it look cheaper in comparison. however chipping and usual wear and tear on my GR1s is making it look worse in day-to-day usage. (let's say it's like getting a trophy wife and having her slowly deteriorate with age compared with...you know what i'm getting at. YMMV. 😀 The GR10 feels like it will age well. (and has)
Another issue that comes up is very subjective. The GR10 feels like it has a lot of sharp edges and awkward angles to it. It feels less finished than my GR1s. You can feel and see that the VF windows are not cut smoothly into the metal and sitting flush with the body. The film door feels much better and less flimsy than my R1s though. It also has a circular indent for my thumb to rest. It feels a little better in the hand being a fraction of a mm wider in the grip area. These are my subjective viewpoints into the camera.
All in all, this is a nice backup for my Ricoh GR1s. as it is heavily used my GR1s' paint is chipping in places and revealing a shiny finish below. The dreaded LCD problem might arise in the GR1s, but I had heard that it doesn't affect the GR10 models as much ("as much" being the operative word here)
if you could find it, this camera is highly recommended.
For some reason, the GR10 is a strange camera to (choose to) use and obtain.
It has the same lens as the GR1s (MC version) but it lacks the EV +/- and the aperture priority mode.
So, what is going in favor of it?
First would be the price. I got mine for slightly less than half of what I paid for my GR1s.
Furthermore, if you shoot mostly in Program mode without fiddling around with the exposure compensation on it, the GR10 would make a better choice.
It also lacks the SNAP mode for quick hyper-focal shooting. It does have a centre weighted AF point, and selectable landscape modes and miscellaneous features that are found in the GR1s.
(Obviously I am comparing the GR1s with GR10, and not including the user definable ISO found in the GR1v. You do get what you pay for though for the GR1v.....)
Now. The next thing that is important. You give up more manual controls in favor of a slight step down in build quality. However it is still a metal body (stamped metal magnesium for the GR10 rather than cast on the GR1s/GR1) if we are talking about materials. It is still better than the plastic fantastic R1s body I had. (Flexing film door made from plastic and a breakable hinge for the film door on the Ricoh R1s is a disaster and light leak waiting to happen)
Here are some pros and cons for the camera.
(1) It has a slightly better magnification in the VF.
0.46x compared to Gr1's 0.43x
The VF is still illuminated when the camera senses it is dark, and this slight bump in magnification is welcome but comes with a downside. The only info you get in the VF is the shooting mode for the camera (macro, landscape, portrait etc.). There are no shutter speeds displayed in the VF like the GR1.
(2) The camera runs on CR123 batteries which are more readily found in the places I frequent than CR2 batteries used in the GR1s. Moreover, the CR123 are bigger and hold more charge, thus giving you more shots per battery. This is especially important if you are flash photography happy.
(3) It feels more slippery due to the grip material. While the top and bottom plates are stamped metal, the grip itself feels plastic (it might be plastic actually). This feels horrible, but it is offset by a indented strip to improve the grip. It is however still better than the terrible slipperiness of the Ricoh R1s which is just smooth metal. (The indent mirrors the design of the 'reintroductionary' Ricoh R1e)
(4) the most arguably popular feature of a high end film P&S is still retained here; namely in the form of the user defined flash mode. this is definitely a dealmaker (as opposed to dealbreaker).
(5) Flash modes. Looking through the camera, it combines a slow synchro flash mode from the Gr1s with a night flash mode from the R1. I never used the flash extensively but when I do it always comes up beautifully. Of course, having more flash modes is always a plus for people who know what they are doing.
The feeling and the design.
The shutter button is a round one rather than the signature rectangular pill of the R1 and GR1. My copy feels mushy after years of use, but YMMV. The red rectangle you see on the top left of the camera is a infrared sensor for an optional remote for triggering the camera in self-timer mode. This is also found on my R1s. (not on GR1s though as it is a more of a consumer feature vs professional I would assume)
the paint doesn't have a crinkle/splash-texture finish like the GR1s. this makes it look cheaper in comparison. however chipping and usual wear and tear on my GR1s is making it look worse in day-to-day usage. (let's say it's like getting a trophy wife and having her slowly deteriorate with age compared with...you know what i'm getting at. YMMV. 😀 The GR10 feels like it will age well. (and has)
Another issue that comes up is very subjective. The GR10 feels like it has a lot of sharp edges and awkward angles to it. It feels less finished than my GR1s. You can feel and see that the VF windows are not cut smoothly into the metal and sitting flush with the body. The film door feels much better and less flimsy than my R1s though. It also has a circular indent for my thumb to rest. It feels a little better in the hand being a fraction of a mm wider in the grip area. These are my subjective viewpoints into the camera.
All in all, this is a nice backup for my Ricoh GR1s. as it is heavily used my GR1s' paint is chipping in places and revealing a shiny finish below. The dreaded LCD problem might arise in the GR1s, but I had heard that it doesn't affect the GR10 models as much ("as much" being the operative word here)
if you could find it, this camera is highly recommended.
