Banky
Established
I think some of the people in the RFF would have an experience with these two cameras, so please give me some knowledge.
Would someone point out the different on the performance, function, Quality and control?
Thank you very much
Would someone point out the different on the performance, function, Quality and control?
Thank you very much
muf
Well-known
I'm fortune enough to have both. Four years ago I had the TC-1, GR1v and the Contact T2. After a few months I realized it was not useful having all three as not any one was getting enough use to get my monies worth. So I looked through all my pictures and thought about the ergonomics, flexibility and desirability and got rid of the GR1v and the T2. The TC-1 is without any doubt the best compact ever created. The photo's from this camera are on a par with any of my SLR setups(Canon and Pentax). It is very easy to use, has many manual override capabilities and has one of the best viewfinders I've ever experienced. If you want SLR capability from something that fits in your shirt pocket then the TC-1 clearly fits that profile.
The GR1v is slimmer, noisier but is also a fantastic performer. It's very easy to use, has date imprinting which I use for my first test shot with every roll so that I have a record of when I took the photo's. Unlike the TC-1 it pre-winds the film to the end and then winds backwards after each shot so the film is rewound fully by the time you finish it. This is safer in case the back ever gets opened as the pictures you've taken are safe and sound within the cassette.
Recently, I was looking through some of my photo's and saw the GR1v photo's. I have to say that I was blown away by them. Pin sharp and the saturation levels are fabulous. I had a guilt trip and instantly regretted getting rid of it those four years ago. Regretted it so much that I just bought another one and only received it today! I've been out and about today putting a film through it. Such a wonderful camera to use.
In my opinion, the TC-1 is the best compact. The GR1v is nearly at the same level. Based on a TC-1 being a 10 then a GR1v would be a 9. The GR1v is slimmer and therefore easier to pocket. It's also cheaper to buy and therefore cheaper to replace. If I didn't own any of them and knew what they could do and money was no object then I'd buy both!!! If I could afford to buy either then it would be the TC-1. But if you want to get nearly what a TC-1 provides but save yourself a few hundred pounds/dollars then you wouldn't regret going for the GR1v.
muf
p.s This thread should be moved to a more appropriate forum. Mods, can you oblige please?
The GR1v is slimmer, noisier but is also a fantastic performer. It's very easy to use, has date imprinting which I use for my first test shot with every roll so that I have a record of when I took the photo's. Unlike the TC-1 it pre-winds the film to the end and then winds backwards after each shot so the film is rewound fully by the time you finish it. This is safer in case the back ever gets opened as the pictures you've taken are safe and sound within the cassette.
Recently, I was looking through some of my photo's and saw the GR1v photo's. I have to say that I was blown away by them. Pin sharp and the saturation levels are fabulous. I had a guilt trip and instantly regretted getting rid of it those four years ago. Regretted it so much that I just bought another one and only received it today! I've been out and about today putting a film through it. Such a wonderful camera to use.
In my opinion, the TC-1 is the best compact. The GR1v is nearly at the same level. Based on a TC-1 being a 10 then a GR1v would be a 9. The GR1v is slimmer and therefore easier to pocket. It's also cheaper to buy and therefore cheaper to replace. If I didn't own any of them and knew what they could do and money was no object then I'd buy both!!! If I could afford to buy either then it would be the TC-1. But if you want to get nearly what a TC-1 provides but save yourself a few hundred pounds/dollars then you wouldn't regret going for the GR1v.
muf
p.s This thread should be moved to a more appropriate forum. Mods, can you oblige please?
Last edited:
urban_alchemist
Well-known
I own both a TC-1 and a GR1s, and the Minolta is far-and-away my favourite compact ever. It is built like a jewel: beautiful titanium that feels like it should last a nuclear winter. The controls are some of the best and most intuitive I've ever used: everything controlled from the large circular dial and rocker-switch with are perfectly placed. The lense is spectacular (better than the GR1 IMO), and having the manual rockers for the (fully round) apertures gives great control and wonderful f3.5 bokeh.
There are, however, a few areas (some mentioned by muf) where the GR1 is bests the TC-1. The first, is price and availability. I bought my TC-1 new, but second hand, they are still much, much, much more expensive than even the best GR-1s. The reverse-wind of the GR also gives much peace-of-mind, and the 'snap' function means you can shoot from the hip much more confidently than the TC-1. The form is more convenient (it is long and thin as opposed to short and wide), and the lense is also slightly faster at 2.8.
However, IMO, the main problem with the GR1 in isolation is that it is probably the noisiest camera in the world - I've almost been lamped using it for street-shots. Not adviseable...
If you can find one in good knick and at a good price, you will not be disappointed by the TC-1. I second muf in that IMO it is the greatest point-and-shoot ever made. However, I don't think you'd be disappointed with the GR - as long as you don't ever handle the Minolta
There are, however, a few areas (some mentioned by muf) where the GR1 is bests the TC-1. The first, is price and availability. I bought my TC-1 new, but second hand, they are still much, much, much more expensive than even the best GR-1s. The reverse-wind of the GR also gives much peace-of-mind, and the 'snap' function means you can shoot from the hip much more confidently than the TC-1. The form is more convenient (it is long and thin as opposed to short and wide), and the lense is also slightly faster at 2.8.
However, IMO, the main problem with the GR1 in isolation is that it is probably the noisiest camera in the world - I've almost been lamped using it for street-shots. Not adviseable...
If you can find one in good knick and at a good price, you will not be disappointed by the TC-1. I second muf in that IMO it is the greatest point-and-shoot ever made. However, I don't think you'd be disappointed with the GR - as long as you don't ever handle the Minolta
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Sooo..... after lavishing praises on these cameras, where are the pics from them?
BillBingham2
Registered User
Another interesting point is that with the Ricoh line you can get a body with a 21mm lens, a 28mm lens or a 35mm lens. All razor sharp and very compact. You if you LOVE wide and want a 21 and 35mm solution you could pocket two cameras and be set.
B2 (;->
** After looking at the prices of the TC-1 on EvilBay and the Ricoh twins you can get several pairs for the price of a TC-1. Price/type/availability of batteries is something to think about too.
B2 (;->
** After looking at the prices of the TC-1 on EvilBay and the Ricoh twins you can get several pairs for the price of a TC-1. Price/type/availability of batteries is something to think about too.
Last edited:
urban_alchemist
Well-known
Sooo..... after lavishing praises on these cameras, where are the pics from them?
Fine, fine... tsk, tsk...
TC-1:
Ricoh GR1-s:
urban_alchemist
Well-known
can a mod move this to the point-and-shoot section?
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Request for images...
Request for images...
I feel I must do my bit to fight the little Ricoh's corner.
Here's some shots from my GR1.
The last one is about a 1/4 crop. Sometimes 28mm can be just too wide.
Request for images...
I feel I must do my bit to fight the little Ricoh's corner.
Here's some shots from my GR1.
The last one is about a 1/4 crop. Sometimes 28mm can be just too wide.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I feel I must do my bit to fight the little Ricoh's corner.
Here's some shots from my GR1.
This one is beautiful. The parallel lines complement each other, including the shadows.