jmooney
Guy with a camera
I'm looking into getting a GRD or GRD III for a pocket cam and I'm wondering how their durability is because when I say pocket cam, I literally mean it'll be in my pocket on a day to day basis to be used in a "Leica Like Manner." Are they durable enough for this type of use? It's going to be set for B&W JPG 99% of the time, any reason to spring for the III over the I? Is there that much difference in the color side for the 1% of the time I'd use it? Any difference in their durability?
Any info is much appreciated
Jim
Any info is much appreciated
Jim
filmfan
Well-known
Go with the original GRD. I have owned three GRD and one GRD III. Although I would say the GRD III is more durable, the original is cheaper (~$150 vs ~$350), so it is easier to replace. Neither of them will hold up to a lot of use and the BW jpegs from the original look very nice. The GRD III to me was just another generic point and shoot as far as the image signature is concerned.
john_s
Well-known
I have owned 4 compact Ricoh film cameras and have found them to be very frail as far as electronics are concerned. And this is not with mistreatment or even lots of use. It's a brand that is not going to be on my shopping list, ever.
cee
Member
Get the original...
Get the original...
Ur GR-D for sure...you will love it.
Set it to native B&W jpeg, infinity focus, and have a hell of a good time.
It's a purist camera- most seem to balk at its quirks. Treat it with a little care, get to know it, and you will be rewarded!
Get the original...
Ur GR-D for sure...you will love it.
Set it to native B&W jpeg, infinity focus, and have a hell of a good time.
It's a purist camera- most seem to balk at its quirks. Treat it with a little care, get to know it, and you will be rewarded!
gavinlg
Veteran
I agree that the ricoh p&s cameras are a bit frail. They feel pretty nicely built, but stuff definitely goes wrong with them way more than other makes.
My grd I is a great little camera considering how old it is, but I'd have a grd III anyday if I had a choice.
My grd I is a great little camera considering how old it is, but I'd have a grd III anyday if I had a choice.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Check out Wouter Brandsma's site: http://wouter28mm.wordpress.com/
He has spent a LOT of time with these Ricoh cameras and provides a lot of insight into their use, image quality and durability.
He has spent a LOT of time with these Ricoh cameras and provides a lot of insight into their use, image quality and durability.
gekopaca
French photographer
I always read that GRD is frail.
I was hiking with mine and we had a big storm.
The camera was in my bag pack but a lot of water came in by the zip.
When I realized, the camera was in the water since twenty minutes, the part where's the battery was literaly UNDER water!
I took the battery away, then let the camera to dry for 2 days, all the doors open.
Now it's fully functional…
That camera is gorgeous if you shoot in BW jpeg, @ 400 or 800 ISO.
It's a kind of digital TriX
I was hiking with mine and we had a big storm.
The camera was in my bag pack but a lot of water came in by the zip.
When I realized, the camera was in the water since twenty minutes, the part where's the battery was literaly UNDER water!
I took the battery away, then let the camera to dry for 2 days, all the doors open.
Now it's fully functional…
That camera is gorgeous if you shoot in BW jpeg, @ 400 or 800 ISO.
It's a kind of digital TriX
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Vobluda
Well-known
GRD - 1600 ASA - f4 - JPEG straight out of camera
GRD - 400 ASA - f4 - JPEG straight out of camera
Pictures taken over the last weekend, 10x15cm print is great.
GRD - 400 ASA - f4 - JPEG straight out of camera
Pictures taken over the last weekend, 10x15cm print is great.
Flat Twin
Film Shooter
I had the original GRD about 4 years ago and it was a great camera. My only gripe with it was that it took about 20 seconds to write a a RAW image to the card.
This drove me mad and is the reason that I sold it... Has this been improved upon in the later models, or, is there updated firmware for the original GRD that helps the problem? I would use one of these cameras again if I thought it could perform better in this respect...
This doesn't have much to do with the OP's question of durability but I think its worth mentioning...?!
Regards to all,
Simon
This drove me mad and is the reason that I sold it... Has this been improved upon in the later models, or, is there updated firmware for the original GRD that helps the problem? I would use one of these cameras again if I thought it could perform better in this respect...
This doesn't have much to do with the OP's question of durability but I think its worth mentioning...?!
Regards to all,
Simon
gekopaca
French photographer
No, unfortunately the raw writing is always looooooong… too bad!
With a faster Raw writing it would be a dream camera…
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reuno
Log out, go shoot.
The only issue i've had with my GRD is that its lens is a bit dust prone... i had the issue and know a lot of people had too. No solution in my opinion.
Archlich
Well-known
The GR and GRD series of cameras are among the closest ones to "get it right". That's why people love them for ergonomics and good optics while hate them for the quality issues.
However you'll find the GRDs' build quality clearly superior to other offerings on the digital market. Hold one to agree.
However you'll find the GRDs' build quality clearly superior to other offerings on the digital market. Hold one to agree.
cee
Member
I believe the body is magnesium. It feels very solid and brick-like.
RAW writing speed is basically unusable...but a non-issue if the camera is used for it's greatest strength- native jpeg B&W.
RAW writing speed is basically unusable...but a non-issue if the camera is used for it's greatest strength- native jpeg B&W.
__--
Well-known
I agree that these are sturdy cameras with one of the best user interfaces found on a digital camera.
While the GRD has something of a cult following for its B&W JPG files, which many people consider "film like", my view is that I don't particulalrly like the JPGs straight out of the camera — although those by Vonluda above are great — and much prefer to use the RAW files from the GRD3 converted to B&W using Silver Efex 2.
When I first switched from the GRD to the GRD2, I missed the "grain" of the GRD until I found Silver Efex. In a review of the GRD3 on this forum, I concluded that the RAW file quality from the GRD to the GRD3 and the GRD3 improved by almost a stop for each succesive model and the dynamic range also improved. The GRD3 is an outstanding camera.
—Mitch/Paris
Paris au rythme de Basquiat (WIP)
While the GRD has something of a cult following for its B&W JPG files, which many people consider "film like", my view is that I don't particulalrly like the JPGs straight out of the camera — although those by Vonluda above are great — and much prefer to use the RAW files from the GRD3 converted to B&W using Silver Efex 2.
When I first switched from the GRD to the GRD2, I missed the "grain" of the GRD until I found Silver Efex. In a review of the GRD3 on this forum, I concluded that the RAW file quality from the GRD to the GRD3 and the GRD3 improved by almost a stop for each succesive model and the dynamic range also improved. The GRD3 is an outstanding camera.
—Mitch/Paris
Paris au rythme de Basquiat (WIP)
tombla
Member
I bought my GRD back in 2005. The only issue I had (twice) was when the lens mechanism jammed. This was caused by accidentally turning the camera on whilst it was in my trouser pocket and there being not enough room for the lens to expand into position. On both occasions the camera was set away for repair. I feel the problem would have been less likely to occur if there was a Panasonic style slider on/off switch. I subsequently purchased a Ricoh leather case which contains a hardened area to prevent the camera being accidentally turned on.
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hexiplex
Well-known
I carried my GRD III around in a thin sports coat every day for about a year and a half. I also used it as more or less the only camera during a few months travel to China and Australia. The camera has suffered damp from the snow, temperatures as low as minus 19 centigrade (the battery still worked in that temperature) and two drops. The camera works excellently still, and provides excellent photographs. So is the GRD III durable enough to be used as a daily tote? It certainly is. The only ill effects I notice from my mild abuse of the camera is that it whines slightly when I change from macro to normal mode.
The reasons I see for using the GRD III over the GRD are:
- Warranty if bought new
- RAW writing speeds that are fast enough for street work
- Better low light performance, both thanks to better high ISO performance and the faster lens
- Better screen
schaki
Established
One so far not mentioned con wiht the Grd1 is the Adj-wheel which is going to act up sooner and later. It can sometime freeze the camera completely except from the LCD and one have to re-insert the battery.
I recently bought a used Grd1 and in 24 hours it froze three times during some extensive use. At least the problem can be dealt with by the user.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/grdigital/discuss/72157601942701944/
I used some Crc Electronic cleaner, maybe a little too much as the AF now can force itself to focus twice although it locked on first attempt. Not a big problem as it not happen too often and the freezings are completely gone so far.
I recently bought a used Grd1 and in 24 hours it froze three times during some extensive use. At least the problem can be dealt with by the user.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/grdigital/discuss/72157601942701944/
I used some Crc Electronic cleaner, maybe a little too much as the AF now can force itself to focus twice although it locked on first attempt. Not a big problem as it not happen too often and the freezings are completely gone so far.
filmfan
Well-known
The dust on the sensor is also something to look out for. It happened to every one of my GRD (original) cameras.