FrozenInTime
Well-known
It will be interesting to see how the Sony A7s compares in that role - with it's 12 Mpixel FF sensor, focus peaking and as we know know a silent electronic shutter mode.
Your choice: Leica M240, Monochrom or Ricoh GXR-M?
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It will be interesting to see how the Sony A7s compares in that role - with it's 12 Mpixel FF sensor, focus peaking and as we know know a silent electronic shutter mode.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
There was talk that the GXR-M was outperforming the Leica T with M mount lenses - is this still holding up ?
__--
Well-known
The GRX/M-Module is a fine camera, but I stopped using it after getting an M9.
While GRX/M-Module is generall "transparent" to lenses — I could see the character of my DR-Summicron — the color rendition, in my view, is nowhere near as good as that of that of the M9, which, as I have written elsewhere, is unique. I could sometimes get close to what I wanted in terms of color rendition by using Raw Photo Developer (RPP), but that required quite a lot of effort on most shots — and still is a order of difference from that of the M9.
The other thing is that I much prefer the rangefinder focusing of the M9: while the focus peaking of the GXR is usuable, I just didn't like using it.
Of course there is also the 1.5 crop factor — and I prefer to shoot my M-lenses with a full frame camera to get the look they were designed for, including any vignetting they may have.
MITCH ALLAND/Potomac, MD
Do You Know the Really Real?
Download link for PDF file of 16-shot portfolio
While GRX/M-Module is generall "transparent" to lenses — I could see the character of my DR-Summicron — the color rendition, in my view, is nowhere near as good as that of that of the M9, which, as I have written elsewhere, is unique. I could sometimes get close to what I wanted in terms of color rendition by using Raw Photo Developer (RPP), but that required quite a lot of effort on most shots — and still is a order of difference from that of the M9.
The other thing is that I much prefer the rangefinder focusing of the M9: while the focus peaking of the GXR is usuable, I just didn't like using it.
Of course there is also the 1.5 crop factor — and I prefer to shoot my M-lenses with a full frame camera to get the look they were designed for, including any vignetting they may have.
MITCH ALLAND/Potomac, MD
Do You Know the Really Real?
Download link for PDF file of 16-shot portfolio
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
I do not have, and have never used, either a Monochrom or a GXR with M module (nor any other module). Nonetheless, my vote is for the M type 240 because that's what I did. While in theory I loved (and love) the concept of the Monochrom I also shoot in colour and so could not and cannot spend that much money on a mono-only body, especially when all reports (and subsequent experience) show that B&W conversions from the M240 are pretty good (if not, quite, up to the standards of the native B&W from the Monochrom). Give me the dollars, and I'll have a Monochrom side-by-side with my M240. But given the only way and reason I could afford the M240 was by a bequest from a favourite uncle, that just isn't going to happen.
I won't touch the GXR-M simply because I'm an optical finder bigot. Sue me, but I just can't get along with any kind of EVF, at all, ever (or, at least, so far). It's not that I reject the concept, it's just that I can't personally get along with them. I would have loved, for example, to get along with the Fujifilm XT-1. Many told me I would, and told me that this time the EVF was so good that even a bigot like me would love it. I didn't. Not even close.
I did buy an EVF for my M240 (the Olympus-branded one; I'm not paying Leica prices if I don't have to). Not because I've used it (aside from testing it when it arrived from the wilds of eBay) but defensively, to make sure I might still have one long after they might be superseded (which something already obsolete on introduction might well end up being). Aside from that one test, I have a "Thumbs Up" permanently mounted on my camera (precluding the EVF) and that's unlikely to change. The OP may be "..betting on lots of people getting a Leica M and mainly using it with the EVF.." but that sure isn't me, and never will be. I would never ever have paid so godd*mn money for a digital Leica if it weren't for the optical VF/RF. That, to me, is the only reason for it's existence and the only reason I bought one and will keep it 'till it dies or I do.
...Mike
I won't touch the GXR-M simply because I'm an optical finder bigot. Sue me, but I just can't get along with any kind of EVF, at all, ever (or, at least, so far). It's not that I reject the concept, it's just that I can't personally get along with them. I would have loved, for example, to get along with the Fujifilm XT-1. Many told me I would, and told me that this time the EVF was so good that even a bigot like me would love it. I didn't. Not even close.
I did buy an EVF for my M240 (the Olympus-branded one; I'm not paying Leica prices if I don't have to). Not because I've used it (aside from testing it when it arrived from the wilds of eBay) but defensively, to make sure I might still have one long after they might be superseded (which something already obsolete on introduction might well end up being). Aside from that one test, I have a "Thumbs Up" permanently mounted on my camera (precluding the EVF) and that's unlikely to change. The OP may be "..betting on lots of people getting a Leica M and mainly using it with the EVF.." but that sure isn't me, and never will be. I would never ever have paid so godd*mn money for a digital Leica if it weren't for the optical VF/RF. That, to me, is the only reason for it's existence and the only reason I bought one and will keep it 'till it dies or I do.
...Mike
agfa100
Well-known
I really am happy with my GXR with the M mount, however I now also have a RX-1 and it's hard to beat a FF sensor. So I still use both but the RX-1 get's most of the play time...
wbill
wbill
Godfrey
somewhat colored
To each their own.
Should be said, though, that the very best EVF in the business right now is the one in the Olympus E-M1. It's a good bit nicer than either the Sony A7/r or Fuji X-TI EVFs. To my eye, I often forget that I'm looking at an EVF rather than an SLR with the E-M1.
The GXR-M EVF is 2009 technology, and not bleeding edge at that ... The Olympus/Leica finder for the M240 is quite a bit better, but old tech compared to the latest VF-4 and E-M1 finders.
G
Out to Lunch
Ventor
Sorry but comparing apples and pears is not a particularly useful exercise.
YYV_146
Well-known
Just saying, have you tried tweaking the white balance of the Sony finder? Mine is a lot better after I dialed it a bit to the blue side. The EM1 uses the same panel as the A7, and I don't think refresh rates are so different between them.
jpfisher
Well-known
I think you may be a bit off in the technical reasoning there. Yes, the GXR omits the AA filter--the same as with the M8/M9/M240--but what makes the Monochrom the Monochrom is a lack of a Bayer color filter. You get loads more resolution out of it as the normal interpolation that goes into making a color images (from the 4x4 array of Red/Green/Blue filters) isn't required.
BillBingham2
Registered User
I'd be quite happy with a MM, but that is me. I LOVE my GRD III, sadly it needs some TLC currently.
Getting all of the filters away from in front of the sensor just seems logical. My guess is that it gobbles less power in post-capture processing so batteries might live longer.
I'd be happy to go back to B&W with M-mount Glass for serious stuff. I'm still an EVF-Virgin and while I liked great SLR viewfinders (e.g. F2, OM-1) it's still faster focusing for me with a good rangefinder.
The GXR-M is a heck of a camera, I hope they keep coming out with more modules for the system. As I doubt I will ever be able to afford a MM, if they came out with a MM-like module (no AA, no Bayer) for the GXR that would have me very tempted. FF would be great, but I would be OK with the current X1.5 crop factor, it's the quality of the image and handling of the camera. Ricoh, at least IMHO, has the handling spot on.
B2
Getting all of the filters away from in front of the sensor just seems logical. My guess is that it gobbles less power in post-capture processing so batteries might live longer.
I'd be happy to go back to B&W with M-mount Glass for serious stuff. I'm still an EVF-Virgin and while I liked great SLR viewfinders (e.g. F2, OM-1) it's still faster focusing for me with a good rangefinder.
The GXR-M is a heck of a camera, I hope they keep coming out with more modules for the system. As I doubt I will ever be able to afford a MM, if they came out with a MM-like module (no AA, no Bayer) for the GXR that would have me very tempted. FF would be great, but I would be OK with the current X1.5 crop factor, it's the quality of the image and handling of the camera. Ricoh, at least IMHO, has the handling spot on.
B2
Tom Diaz
Well-known
I use both and am happy with both. Since the M240 arrived I have tended to use it more than the Ricoh. However, I like the Ricoh for the occasional bounce-flash picture (with the nice Ricoh GF-1 flash), and I do think it does a great job with Leica lenses. The focus peaking works very well for me with the M lenses.
Tom
john neal
fallor ergo sum
Johan,
I have not tried the Ricoh, but I have used the NEX 5 and XE-1 and finally decided that the M9 would be a better choice. I am now so convinced that I also invested in the Monochom, which was a big surprise to me (as well as my bank manager!).
Why, well, just because the smaller sensors just don't do it for me. The Fuji is a great camera for street shooting with a Cv 15 and the Nex is my goto solution for video, but they don't have the look that I want. I'm still very new to the MM but think it will be the one that stays with me, even over the slightly more flexible (IE it does colour) M9-P.
Obviously this is just my opinion, and there will be many others who will have valid reasons for feeling differently.
I have not tried the Ricoh, but I have used the NEX 5 and XE-1 and finally decided that the M9 would be a better choice. I am now so convinced that I also invested in the Monochom, which was a big surprise to me (as well as my bank manager!).
Why, well, just because the smaller sensors just don't do it for me. The Fuji is a great camera for street shooting with a Cv 15 and the Nex is my goto solution for video, but they don't have the look that I want. I'm still very new to the MM but think it will be the one that stays with me, even over the slightly more flexible (IE it does colour) M9-P.
Obviously this is just my opinion, and there will be many others who will have valid reasons for feeling differently.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Since I started shooting the GXR with Leica glass, I have turned professional, turned away from Leica and sold the Leica gear.
Now that I only have the GXR with a Kipon Nikon F to Leica M adapter, it's not very sensible to bring a third camera to an assignment (main shooter D700, backup D300) and as a result I'm selling it.
The article on my website will be up for a long time to come since I still stand by what I wrote there (and in the first post here) but the camera is up for sale as of today.
Happy shooting!
Now that I only have the GXR with a Kipon Nikon F to Leica M adapter, it's not very sensible to bring a third camera to an assignment (main shooter D700, backup D300) and as a result I'm selling it.
The article on my website will be up for a long time to come since I still stand by what I wrote there (and in the first post here) but the camera is up for sale as of today.
Happy shooting!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The versatility of the 240 is what sold me on it ... 🙂
Piers
Newbie
Large prints from Ricoh GXR + A12 + Zeiss M lenses:
I have regularly printed brilliant 36 cm square images (i.e. onto A2 paper) taken with this camera - upscaled with perfect resize or LR; and have had some of the images reprinted on a large format Epson printer at 60 cm square - it seems the crispness and clarity of the sensor allows considerable up scaling...
I have regularly printed brilliant 36 cm square images (i.e. onto A2 paper) taken with this camera - upscaled with perfect resize or LR; and have had some of the images reprinted on a large format Epson printer at 60 cm square - it seems the crispness and clarity of the sensor allows considerable up scaling...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I knew you'd chime in Keith, but you are only one user 🙂 ... I think we can agree that most people buy an M for the rangefinder. The EVF is an added bonus.
segedi
RFicianado
Yep, added bonus. But crucial for longer lenses - even the relatively short-tele 75mm which has been mostly miss with just the RF. And great for critical framing 25mm and below as well - easier to use the RF for initial focus though in my experience.
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