Ricoh unveils revolutionary GXR digital camera system

[editor]

I think most of Ricoh's camera suffer from vulnerability to dust.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I think most of Ricoh's camera suffer from vulnerability to dust.

'All' digital cameras suffer vulnerbalility to dust. Highly charged static sensors don't help. It is a minor issue though really.

 

[stowpirate]

'All' digital cameras suffer vulnerbalility to dust. Highly charged static sensors don't help. It is a minor issue though really.

I think it is a major issue with DSLR's but should not be a problem with this Ricoh unless at some point they do a lens unit with interchangeable lenses. Now that would be cool idea especially if you could mount old LTM stuff.

 

[mattie]

Thinking out loud more than anything, but would this allow a sensor to be matched in some way to an optic?

As far as I follow, a digital sensor doesn't deal well with non-perpendicular lightpaths (or at least as well as film does), could a sensor intended for wide-angle be constructed in a more 'sympathetic' way than one intended for telephoto?

Outside of this, unless there are longer-term plans for the sensor unit to be seperable from the lens (giving an upgrade path) I can't see what significant benefits this brings.

 

[stowpirate]

Outside of this, unless there are longer-term plans for the sensor unit to be seperable from the lens (giving an upgrade path) I can't see what significant benefits this brings.

There was some suggestion in a recent AP Magazine test that you could connect this to another device and not just a lens assembly. I suspect they mean something like an interface to some form of computer or even a remote camera control over a wireless link - clever but possibly a pointless idea.

 

[cybertect]

Thinking out loud more than anything, but would this allow a sensor to be matched in some way to an optic?

That's exactly one of Ricoh's rationales behind the design according to their publicity. The lens units they offer have different sensors depending on the job it has to do.

It's in the DP review article linked to earlier

• Different lens units can have different sensor sizes and technologies (CCD or CMOS, for example)
• By using a smaller (compact camera) sensor the GXR system can offer very small zooms
• Lens units can be designed for specialist applications (video optimized lens and sensor for example)
• The overall performance of the system is essentially defined by the lens unit, not the body
• Each lens has its own shutter

Whether it's worth doing it is another question.

 

[Grobelaar]

I've also heard that the next lens unit will be another micro sensor with a 24-200mm (in 35mm terms) zoom - so basically a compact 'superzoom'. Not at all fussed about that tbh.

More APS-C sensors with fast primes please.

Lots of people are talking of the possibility of a dedicated b&w sensor. I think there's a high end camera system already with a dedicated b&w sensor but opinion is split as to whether it offers any real benefits.

Something like a micro sensor with a 400-800mm zoom has been mentioned and could make a great lightweight sports camera.

 

[mattie]

That's exactly one of Ricoh's rationales behind the design according to their publicity. The lens units they offer have different sensors depending on the job it has to do.

It's in the DP review article linked to earlier



Whether it's worth doing it is another question.

Ah, cheers, should have delved a little deeper into articles!

 

[editor]

I'm getting a review copy of this camera next week, along with a handful of lenses.

If any urban regulars living locally to Brixton fancy having a quick play with the camera, drop me a line and I'll be happy to hook up for a demo.

 

[Bernie Gunther]

Luminous Landscape review of GXR with the new Leica M-mount adaptor.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/ricoh_gxr_a12_field_report.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/ricoh_lens_mount_a12.shtml