Ricoh GR Digital prosumer reviewed
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editor
hiraethified
Four: old Sony F77 (too old and knackered to sell), small Fuji F11 (for general snapshots), Sony V3 (for daytrips - going up for sale if I get the Ricoh) and a Nikon D70 for 'proper' jobs.zenie said:
Every camera I've bought has more than paid itself back in photos sales, so I can indulge my passion without guilt!
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
Looking at the picture above in this board and stuff on other websites, I'm a bit confused about what the dials do...
The one at the front changes aperture if your in "A" mode - right?
The one at the back seems to be marked with an exposure compensation sign and "Adj" (this is the dial that you can allocate yourself???).
Really, what I'm wondering is how easy/quick it is to change:
(1) ISO
(2) aperture
(3) exposure compensation
as those are just about the only things I ever change (and need to do quickly)!
This is just idle speculation really. I'm in the "beans and hovering round for food to be marked down" zone at the moment...
Still it would be nice to know.
The one at the front changes aperture if your in "A" mode - right?
The one at the back seems to be marked with an exposure compensation sign and "Adj" (this is the dial that you can allocate yourself???).
Really, what I'm wondering is how easy/quick it is to change:
(1) ISO
(2) aperture
(3) exposure compensation
as those are just about the only things I ever change (and need to do quickly)!
This is just idle speculation really. I'm in the "beans and hovering round for food to be marked down" zone at the moment...
Still it would be nice to know.
editor
hiraethified
By default, the front dial controls aperture, the rear shutter speed in Manual mode - and you get an old fashioned needle display for under/over exposure. It's fantastic!Paul Russell said:
In Aperture priority, the front dial controls aperture.
In P and Auto, clicking the rear dial in lets you scroll through white balance, ISO, AutoBracket and exposure compensation settings.
These parameters can then be changed really quick by then using the up/down controls on the 4-way control pad. It's intuitive and way, way faster than, say, the V3.
I got the 21mm lens today and it's a beaut. I'd wager that as soon as you get this camera in your hands, you'll want to go out and buy one. It's a real photographer's camera!
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
Thanks for all that info (please don't tempt me further)!
I like the idea of the fixed lens -- I tend not to use the zoom on the Sony V3 and try just to get myself in the right position.
The shot to shot times (or whatever it's called) even for jpegs seem to be slooow for the Ricoh. But what about plain old shutter lag (?) for a single shot?
Absolutely last question -- how would you rate the image quality vs the V3? That was the one (but quite important aspect) that has sometimes disappointed me with the V3. Quite artefact-y. Not sure if I'm guilty of comparing the V3 with the Nikon D70.
I like the idea of the fixed lens -- I tend not to use the zoom on the Sony V3 and try just to get myself in the right position.
The shot to shot times (or whatever it's called) even for jpegs seem to be slooow for the Ricoh. But what about plain old shutter lag (?) for a single shot?
Absolutely last question -- how would you rate the image quality vs the V3? That was the one (but quite important aspect) that has sometimes disappointed me with the V3. Quite artefact-y. Not sure if I'm guilty of comparing the V3 with the Nikon D70.
editor said:
editor
hiraethified
V fast for shutter lag. JPEG to JPEG shot to shot times not as bad as reports indicated - in fact I've never had to wait yet (but then I never go for power shooting anyway). For RAW, take a seat!Paul Russell said:
Image quality is pretty damn good. I haven't had chance to compare with the Sony, but will say that the thing is an absolute dream to handle compared to the Sony (which wasn't bad either).
It's considerably smaller and just feels great in the hand. And I just love that retro no-bling look!
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
It certainly looks inconspicuous and interesting.
Guess they're going for a bit of a niche market here -- of course, a lot of people are looking for cameras with 28-200 type lenses.
I hope it actually arrives at your bog-standard Jessops/Dixons!
Guess they're going for a bit of a niche market here -- of course, a lot of people are looking for cameras with 28-200 type lenses.
I hope it actually arrives at your bog-standard Jessops/Dixons!
editor said:
blueAsbestos
space harrier
shame its got the usual tiny sensor seen in every other compact. I really want something to complement my slr, but can't afford the epson rangefinder job as it costs even more than my 20d.
editor
hiraethified
I write for a moderately well known technology site (and also wrote for Internet Magazine for five years).Firky said:Ed,
Can I be as blunt to ask how you get your hands on all this stuff? Is it purely down to the few websites you do, I never realised you reviewed cameras as well as the other stuff.
Do you get to keep any of it?
It's hard work and the money's shit, so I ease the pain by mailing companies and asking to review products I like the look of.
That way I got to try out the F10, the Lumix LX1 and now the luvvery Ricoh GR, and the companies get a much needed bit of press. I guess I should ask to review some shit cameras too, just so I'm not always praising things!
And no. I don't get to keep anything (apart from software).
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
editor said:
I did actually have a quick look at one in Jessops (minus the viewfinder).
Looked and felt nice.
The few reviews I've seen have all been fairly positive -- but from the dpreviews forum maybe there are some QC problems (stuck lenses)?
One thing that puts me off a bit is the manual focus -- either a loupe or a couple of presets ("snap" modes), I think.
It would be good if there was a 1 m "snap" mode -- the 9 ft one seems a bit too long. Or just let you choose from a range of distances like a lot of cameras.
editor
hiraethified
Mine worked fine, no QC probs at all.Paul Russell said:
Because of the increased depth of field with digital compacts, the 'snap' mode worked fine for me.
I've now tried a sad, "any press discounts/cheapo ex-demo cameras knocking about" line.
It's the best digi-compact I've ever used. I don't want to give it back!
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
Oh dear. Good luck with the blagging.
BTW, what was the auto-focus shutter lag like for a single pic compared with, say, the Sony V3?!
BTW, what was the auto-focus shutter lag like for a single pic compared with, say, the Sony V3?!
editor said:
editor
hiraethified
Just seen your post Paul.
I found the Ricoh to be a lot faster than the V3. In fact, everything about it feels as sleek as fuck.
They're about to release an eye-wateringly expensive Ricoh GR Digital kit, which includes the camera, lens adapter, hood, 21mm lens and case etc, but the total costs will be quite a bit cheaper than buying them separately.
But I'm missing the camera so much, I may just start ebaying my stuff to buy the kit. Having a 21mm lens on a compact camera really was useful.
PS If you're seriously interested in the camera, I could see if I could blag you a discount...(it won't be great though, but it might help)...
I found the Ricoh to be a lot faster than the V3. In fact, everything about it feels as sleek as fuck.
They're about to release an eye-wateringly expensive Ricoh GR Digital kit, which includes the camera, lens adapter, hood, 21mm lens and case etc, but the total costs will be quite a bit cheaper than buying them separately.
But I'm missing the camera so much, I may just start ebaying my stuff to buy the kit. Having a 21mm lens on a compact camera really was useful.
PS If you're seriously interested in the camera, I could see if I could blag you a discount...(it won't be great though, but it might help)...
Paul Russell
Psychogeographer
Cheers for that. I'm really tempted by the camera.
It's a big dilemma. The one thing that puts me off is the quality control thing. (Plus having no money.)
I know you got a good one. The moans on dpreview about stuck lenses are a bit of a worry, and when I asked about the camera in Bournemouth's London Camera Exchange, the bloke said they weren't stocking Ricoh at all cos of reliability problems -- they had had quite a few cameras (film and digital) returned for repair.
Plus, to be repaired they had to go back to somewhere on the continent (Germany?) and it took up to 3 months.
My experience is that 80% of the info you get from people in camera shops is complete bollards, but I believed this guy, unfortunately.
Dilemma!
It's a big dilemma. The one thing that puts me off is the quality control thing. (Plus having no money.)
I know you got a good one. The moans on dpreview about stuck lenses are a bit of a worry, and when I asked about the camera in Bournemouth's London Camera Exchange, the bloke said they weren't stocking Ricoh at all cos of reliability problems -- they had had quite a few cameras (film and digital) returned for repair.
Plus, to be repaired they had to go back to somewhere on the continent (Germany?) and it took up to 3 months.
My experience is that 80% of the info you get from people in camera shops is complete bollards, but I believed this guy, unfortunately.
Dilemma!
editor said:
editor
hiraethified
I'm missing the camera so much I've got to go for it!Paul Russell said:
My Fuji F11 (which was my original idea for a carry-everywhere 'pocket' camera) feels like a clumsy, clunky toy in comparison whereas the GR feels like a proper camera - I'm in control of the thing!
As I said before, the Olympus XA was my favourite ever compact camera, and the Ricoh is by far the nearest thing I've found to it.
And - trust me - you'd *love* the GR!
editor
hiraethified
Anyone looking for a very fast street snapper - check out this autofocus comparison from this Norwegian review!
Scorchio!
Scorchio!
DrRingDing
'anti-human wanker'
Editor, did you get one in the end?
If you did are you still chuffed with it?
If you did are you still chuffed with it?
editor
hiraethified
Only just seen yr post - sorry!DrRingDing said:
Yes, I've been using a GR for a couple of months and I *heart* the thing!
Oh, and this guy's got a great blog based on the GR:
http://alt-digital.blogspot.com/
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Interesting bokeh shape on the GRD:
http://flickr.com/photos/junku/296291457/in/photostream/
I wonder what causes that? Nice and round in the middle, all pointy at the edges! Weird, but not totally off-putting.
I wish I could afford one!
http://flickr.com/photos/junku/296291457/in/photostream/
I wonder what causes that? Nice and round in the middle, all pointy at the edges! Weird, but not totally off-putting.
I wish I could afford one!
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Just a little resurrection -
anyone else got one of these since they came out? I've found myself wanting a small digital camera more and more recently. I carry around 2 film cameras all the time (my XA and Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim) but it can take me forever to finish a roll of film - especially when the weather is so shit - and a nice little digital would be great coz those 2 or 3 great shots I manage to fire off while waiting for the bus can be on my mac by tea time
I am lusting after this camera more and more, but it would be a huge investment for me and want more convincing 
anyone else got one of these since they came out? I've found myself wanting a small digital camera more and more recently. I carry around 2 film cameras all the time (my XA and Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim) but it can take me forever to finish a roll of film - especially when the weather is so shit - and a nice little digital would be great coz those 2 or 3 great shots I manage to fire off while waiting for the bus can be on my mac by tea time
I am lusting after this camera more and more, but it would be a huge investment for me and want more convincing
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
editor said:
Ah, the high ISO performance. Since I wrote my last post I've been reading reviews, and all are mentioning pretty terrible noise at anything over iso 400, with it even quite noticeable at iso 200. Now, on a small sensor 8mp is going to produce noise, there is really no getting away from it - and on the plus side everyone seems to be saying the noise is at least film grain-like. However, it has put me off a bit, do I want to compromise on £350+ of kit?
Another quick question if I may, my budget wouldn't really stretch to the viewfinder as well (plus I imagine it makes it less 'pocketable'), so how have you found battery performance with the screen? I would probably have to buy another battery to make sure I never get caught short. What do you reckon?
So many questions, so little make-up-my-mind-ability!
Bernie Gunther
Fundamentalist Druid
Wonder when cheap Leica M8 clones will start appearing?
