Ricoh GRX w/ 50mm/2.8 $1636 @ Amazon

[rxmd]

All you're saying here is that you wouldn't pay this much for a camera which, frankly, is not that interesting, particularly when you're comparing the price of a camera with a zoom lens and a tiny sensor the size of the nail on your pinky with a camera that has a high-quality prime lens and a large APS-C sensor.

A GX200 plus any entry-level DSLR with an APS-C sensor and a prime lens would probably still be cheaper than $1600, you get a second camera and a lot more interchangeable lens options. If in two years you want a different sensor, you either buy a different compact or a different DSLR. Both are likely cheaper than a Ricoh lens/sensor module.

Lens/sensor optimizations? Any compact does that already since you can't change lenses anyway, and most DSLRs also optimize their output based on the lens, or the RAW processor will let you do that. Like your prime lens and want to use it on a different sensor? Tough luck. The lens' focusing or zooming action sucks dust on the sensor? Send it in for repairs. In short: all the disadvantages of fixed-lens cameras, at the price point of a DSLR. Couple that with the present lens/sensor module offerings, and the GRX is rather uninteresting.

 

[filmfan]

...Yawn...

 

[__--]

aizan/rxmd:

Neither of you value the concept of having one user interface for a user who wants to use more than one format. What you value is the lowest possible price, which is fine if that's what you want.

Most people don't agree that the A12 samples don't look better than other cameras: indeed, most people have felt that they look substantially better than those of the Leica X1. But ultimatley one needs to see prints to make a real comparison. See Michael Reichmann's current article on the problems of trying to compare cameras on the basis of online JPGs.

As the quote from the Ricoh brochure above states, there's lot that can be done to optimize the lens and sensor, but you don't have to believe that.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Walks in Bangkok (GRD3)

 

[Tracnac]

This is a funny post as many of us accept easily to spend 2000 $ for a X1 and totally disagree to spend 1500 $ for a GXR !
The GXR seems to be a very capable camera with a very good spec...

I have a GRD the ergonomic is just incredible but is just an another story...

Yvan.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The GXR seems to be a very capable camera with a very good spec..."

Actually, as has been pointed out, we have no idea how capable the camera is, having seen only a few snapshots made with it. If money is no object, though, I'm sure it will be adequate for the limited use it is likely to get from most folks who buy it.

 

[btgc]

Ricoh is great company, I like their techy products. Right now Ricoh set, including XR-X body, 300P TTL flash, 50/1.7, 28/2 and 35-70 zoom + camera bag + filters, travels to me. All for usd80 incl. shipping, which is little pricey. But I like Ricoh and this were bought to pass further, and set is set - pay once for whole kit.

So please buy more GXR's so they aren't too rare after couple of years!

 

[Frank Petronio]

It seems like all the reviews on these small size/large sensor cameras come back to the same thing, the auto-focus and related shutter lag is slow compared to the DSLRs we're used to. Not just on the EP-1 but including the X1 and the Panys and most certainly the Sigmas and others. It seems that the size and cost constraints prevent manufacturers from putting in better AF systems.

So now that we have larger sensors in small bodies, the next step is better focusing. Either a manually focused RF type or a better AF sensor will be the camera to really get. Looks like it is going to be another couple of generations away though....

 

[BillBingham2]

POPFLASH $1379

Great service and much better price. Come on guys, go with who you know and will support you.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

To me one of the most exciting points is that you might see Ricoh come out with a series of APS-C modules for F AI, M, OM and other older mounts.

From what it looks like changing modules look really fast. If they came out with a series say of five other primes, say the equivalent of a 21/4, 28/2.8, 35/2, 85/2, 180/2.8 in APS-C, all with ricoh quality that we've seen in the GR and GRD line up, who other than me would be lining?

B2 (;->

B2 (;->

 

[sbelyaev]

Ricoh will not sell GRX well, for it is an extremely impractical camera, although a very interesting one.

 

[sevo]

Most people don't agree that the A12 samples don't look better than other cameras: indeed, most people have felt that they look substantially better than those of the Leica X1.

Well, Leica embarrassed themselves with poorly converted and processed sample pictures from the M9 and X1, while Ricoh is known for successfully putting an effort into excellent samples, so that comparison is rather pointless. We'll have to wait until some of us can compare the cameras themselves rather than the quality of the Leica and Ricoh ad agencies and the photographers they hired.

 

[kshapero]

POPFLASH $1379

Great service and much better price. Come on guys, go with who you know and will support you.

B2 (;->

Yes of course support POPFLASH, they are great. Looks like a better price, so we will see.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

"You might see Ricoh come out with a series of APS-C modules for F AI, M, OM and other older mounts"

I'm not thinking they see us as their market. This is clearly a consumer camera and Ricoh is a copier company.

 

[btgc]

This is clearly a consumer camera and Ricoh is a copier company.

there's saying...white cat, black cat...who cares, while it helps to take great pictures 🙂

 

[BillBingham2]

"You might see Ricoh come out with a series of APS-C modules for F AI, M, OM and other older mounts"

I'm not thinking they see us as their market. This is clearly a consumer camera and Ricoh is a copier company.

Ricoh does many things. Their camera division has been doing well. I say well because look at Minolta and several others that are no longer. Bought and sliced up if they are lucky by a company that sees value. For the past three to four years supporting any division that is not carrying their weight for more than a year is grounds for dismissal for any EVP or CEO. Jettison, Sell, Close the under performing divisions has been the focus of business.

Ricoh has been making fine user cameras for at least the past 14 years (I got my R1 then). They are not Nikon (who makes more than just cameras, they are an optics company) or Canon (come to think of it, they make copiers and other stuff too) but they have found a niche and have driven some great products to market. Yes, they do not make a D3 or a M9, but what they do make in their pro-sumer line is very well done. One of their cameras fit my style and quality requirements very well, the GRD III. Others are not a perfect fit right now, but they may be as time goes on and both the offerings and I change.

I think if enough folks write Ricoh you will see older mounts on a APS-C. I'd like to see a sensor and mount for C lenses (from the old move days). That to me would rock and open up a lot of great old glass to play, explore and learn to love. Remember, there were lots of rumors of folks testing a Ricoh camera with Pentax glass on it.......

B2 (;->

 

[BearCatCow]

"You might see Ricoh come out with a series of APS-C modules for F AI, M, OM and other older mounts"

I'm not thinking they see us as their market. This is clearly a consumer camera and Ricoh is a copier company.

It's clearly not a 6fps lightning fast AF pro camera if that's what you're saying. 🙂

But at the level that Ricoh typically sells at I don't think they make consumer cameras.

Many companies intentionally cripple or, to put it nicer, vary their range of cameras to make sure each camera sells well and makes money. On the other hand since Ricoh primarily make money from copiers, with an interest & heritage in camera, it lets them make cameras for enthusiasts. I wouldn't say that they're photography philanthropists though, at the prices that they charge! 😉

But right or wrong they are not afraid to put out what they believe will be a good product for photographers.

 

[aizan]

Neither of you value the concept of having one user interface for a user who wants to use more than one format. What you value is the lowest possible price, which is fine if that's what you want.

it's more that i don't value the option of using 1/1.7'' sensors with zoom lenses attached. all they're doing is repackaging lenses from pre-existing cameras that i wasn't going to buy anyway. next up in Q2 2010 (when is that, btw?) is the 28-300mm superzoom from the CX2. something to look forward to.

make an m-mount unit with an image stabilized full frame sensor, that's another story.

i'm not entirely convinced that ricoh's lens+sensor units are any less cost effective than typical body+sensor units. i'd only buy one unit anyway, assuming they make one with a 35mm-e/f2.5 or faster lens and an aps-c sensor (preferably with image stabilization).

Most people don't agree that the A12 samples don't look better than other cameras: indeed, most people have felt that they look substantially better than those of the Leica X1. But ultimatley one needs to see prints to make a real comparison. See Michael Reichmann's current article on the problems of trying to compare cameras on the basis of online JPGs.

all i've heard people say is that the a12 unit has less noise at iso 1600, even though it's banding noise. the bokeh is nice, too, but probably not the result of any "optimizations."

As the quote from the Ricoh brochure above states, there's lot that can be done to optimize the lens and sensor, but you don't have to believe that.

lol, i'm supposed to take it on faith? leica's not the only one with a religion. 😉

 

[ampguy]

This would be interesting if there were some fast 28 or 35 prime available. Anyone know if one is coming?

 

[bwcolor]

POPFLASH $1379

Great service and much better price. Come on guys, go with who you know and will support you.

B2 (;->

I think that you will find that the Amazon price was with the external viewfinder vs. the Popflash price quoted without.

 

[cam]

Actually, as has been pointed out, we have no idea how capable the camera is, having seen only a few snapshots made with it. If money is no object, though, I'm sure it will be adequate for the limited use it is likely to get from most folks who buy it.

I'm not thinking they see us as their market. This is clearly a consumer camera and Ricoh is a copier company.

1. many more images are coming out and frankly they look pretty stunning.

2. okay, this pisses me off. truly! Ricoh has made some of the most photographer-friendly cameras. i have taken what i consider to be some pretty stunning images with their cameras that i likely would not have been able to with one of the so-called "professional" systems.

you are speaking out your a$$ here.