GR Bug: Is this a New Problem?

[Wiener]

Hi Guys,
having finally taken the plunge into the GR pool I immediately hit a serious problem more or less first time out of the box.
On power-up the camera froze and would not allow a picture to be taken (SD card blank, on inspection). Worse still, it would not power off leaving the lens cover open and extended. On removing and replacing the battery it simply retracted the lens then extended it again, once more entering the frozen state. I eventually had to place the camera into my coat pocket and continue without a camera (pity, the snowy woods looked amazing!) On returning home I once more took the battery out but this time, following reinsertion, it worked perfectly.
Battery was fully charged at the time though firmware was still Ver. 2.03. I have now updated to 4.0. I am now wondering if I should replace it or hang on until it is better tested out. Does this problem sound familiar with any other GR user? All feed back appreciated!
Andy

 

[thelps]

=-

Hi Andy,

First up congratulations on your new acquisition.

It is feasible that some electronics can sometimes misbehave on first use if left lying un-powered.
Capacitors need to charge and then after a short while things are normal.
This is not common though and with something like a recently made camera it should not happen.

Funnily enough when I received my GRD IV some years ago I could not get it to power up with the supplied battery, ever.
The GRD IV DID work with the GRD III battery and the III worked with the supplied IV battery. Both were marked Ricoh and the same type. Go figure?

I think its worth giving the GR quite a bit of regular use for a while, just in case it has to go back and be replaced.
One issue will be that the supplier may not want to swap a "working" camera.
If he will swap it out, I'd probably take them up on that.

The reason I never swapped out my IV was it came from the USA supplier.

 

[Blow-in]

Hi Andy,

I hope you've sorted out your GR's problems (I've seen the tram picture) and I look forward to seeing the beast when you are back in Scotland. Once you've had some time to play with it I'd be keen to hear your impressions especially in comparison with your much used GXR.

All the best for 2015,

Richard

 

[Wiener]

Thanks for your thoughts guys! So far it is behaving again so have decided to keep the GR: after all the warranty should kick in if the problem reoccurs...and I've fitted a new SD card as the old one MIGHT have been a contributing factor...
And a good New Year to all!
Andy

 

[Wiener]

Sadly I have decided to part with my GR as it froze again today, though this time removing the battery restored it back to life immediately. There was a couple of focusing issues which also disturbed me. I think the seller should refund OK as they can return it to Ricoh for reimbursement.
Really liking it though, and will most likely buy another: the IQ is totally amazing when compared with my GRIII (unfair comparison, I know!)
This is a picture I took today of trawlers in Buckie Harbour. Unless they are very brave, I would imagine they will remain in harbour until the storms pass.
Andy

 

[thelps]

I think sending it back now is a good idea.
One misbehave is fair enough to persevere with but two failures says eh-oh to me.

My GRD III images were IMHO the best from the 1-4 series.
I wonder if I got a well made unit, perhaps there is some manufacturing tolerances.
My III images seemed sharper than the others small sensor ones.

Keep us posted on your moves!

 

[dennisonb]

This has happened to me once since getting the camera. I'm not sure what caused it though and it hasn't happened again.

I have noticed however that the camera is not fond of things like getting the SD card removed or inserted while it's on. It doesn't recognize a SD card inserted while it's already on for example. The processors inside the camera is also 'slow' it seems as evidenced by the time it takes to process raw conversions, and the frequency with which I see the 'spining circle'.

I'm having what feels like a 'backfocus' problem: http://ricohforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=12180

Where the contrast detect focus seems to always grab the edge of people's faces. I REALLY wish we could get face detection autofocus in every mode and not just totally program. I'm using mine for fashion and socialite photography so basically I always want people's eyes to be sharp.

 

[Wiener]

Hi dennisonb,
thanks for your feedback and thoughts (you too, Tim!) on my GR problem.
I have to say that the issues do not seem to be SD card related. My 'freezing' occurred each time after I had taken a few pictures, then switched the unit off, the on again for further shooting: then it promptly seized before capturing that magic moment...it is such a nuisance when your 'take everywhere' camera lets you down just when a good image comes in front of the eye. I am sure I have done the right thing in returning it, and hopefully the retailer agrees and promptly refunds my cash! As to whether I buy another, I was very impressed by the GR in almost every other way, so think I will (or hold out for the Mk 2!?!)
On the focus issue, I too had a couple of blurry images which I had trouble explaining. Not with portraits mind, but with landscapes with plenty of features which should have allowed even a short-sighted camera sort out the wood from the trees...however, I will not need to ponder that mystery any longer!
Keep warm/cool (depending on your hemisphere!),
Andy

 

[Wiener]

Just downloaded a trial version of Silkypix 6 and falling right back into its easy way of working! Here is another harbour shot from my failed GR...as Nevin noted, it really does render colour beautifully...I may have to buy another now that my money has been safely returned!
Andy

 

[Nevin]

Andy,

My first GR had some electronics problem too, namely when playing back the video, pressing the camera's volume to the max would interestingly mute the sound. I returned for a new one. But the new one has some occasional focusing problem which is that it doesn't focus even though the focus point says it does. I have some blurry image too. But that's not too often. The same was discovered in my GRD4, which was fixed. Once the GR stayed with Spot AF when I actually changed it to multi AF.

That said, I will keep my GR and if things turn bad I will send it for servicing within the warranty period. The GR (mine mounted with the 21mm converter) gives superb image and the the converter doesn't downgrade the image quality visibly. The image is crispier than those by my Leica X! (thought the Leica image has its unique characters). With the package and small-size factor, the GR is a very economical choice of which the alternative will cost much, much more. The GR is quite cheap now. IMHO, unless the Mk2 sports a 21mm lens, I am very happy with the current model. If the Mk2 will be fitted with a full frame sensor, the asking price will definitely put me off. And I am not sure if I ever need to go full frame.

Have a good day!

 

[Wiener]

Hi Nevin,
Thanks for taking the time to describe your experiences. I will probably pick up another as they are indeed becoming cheaper. I think the adapters are perhaps quite scarce over here now: I'll need to search around in a lunch break moment!
Cheers!
Andy

 

[grums]

If your interested, I actually have a GR for sale. GR, Leather GR Case, Charger, 32GD SD card. £290 + Delivery. If your interested just message me and ill send you all the pics etc. Decided I want to get a GXR/28mm/Mmount instead, been wanting one for a while but have to sell the GR to afford it.

 

[Nevin]

Andy, look for the limited version which comes with the adapter (not the converter) and a leather case plus leather neckstrap. But if grums' used one interests you, you may consider too.

 

[Wiener]

Andy, look for the limited version which comes with the adapter (not the converter) and a leather case plus leather neckstrap. But if grums' used one interests you, you may consider too.

Hi Nevin,
I just missed out on one 6 months back but since then none seem to be around. Do you have any dealers your side the world you would recommend? I guess the postage would be quite steep though... :?
Cheers!
Andy

 

[Nevin]

Only 2 left!

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-Limited-Edition-Digital-Camera/dp/B00GXJ2G7W

I can check if it is available here but the shipping will not be cheap. Let me know.

 

[Nevin]

This very tempting offer has been around for roughly a month.

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-GR-Pock...=UTF8&qid=1421893874&sr=1-3&keywords=ricoh+gr

 

[dennisonb]

I think maybe I potentially have an explanation. I noticed this happening a few times with my GR- I'd take a photo and it would just go dead- or so I thought! I was accidentally changing the shutter speed to something really very long and so while I thought it had 'died' or 'frozen' it was actually in the middle of a long exposure.

Not sure if this helps, but I noticed it myself and realized It my error.

 

[Wiener]

Hi Dennisinb! Thanks for your comment!
I too have done this in the past, though with the GXR, which is frustrating if the opportunity is fleeting. I did wonder if it might have been something like this but as nothing was written to the SD card I concluded it had frozen rather than simply writing a big long-exposure file.
I took the plunge this week and bought a second hand GR to try it out some more. It looked like a high mileage model given the wear on the exterior (though looks as if it has been cared for as it is otherwise in good shape). However on later checking the shutter count it only shows 1200 and power on/off of 518. Now I'm scratching my head over why such light use has led to such a wonderful 'patina' of age on the exterior... :?

It works fine though (so far) as attached shot shows...

Andy

 

[Wiener]

This very tempting offer has been around for roughly a month.

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-GR-Pock...=UTF8&qid=1421893874&sr=1-3&keywords=ricoh+gr

Hi Nevin,
it is indeed a tempting offer though shipping at £60 to Europe takes the edge off it a little...as stated above I've grabbed a second hand one for now to see how it shoots over a longer time. It came complete with the 21mm adapter and now with the Fi button set to cycle between 28/35/47mm it is almost like shooting with my GX100 (though larger).
I'll keep watching the prices as time passes though!
Andy

 

[thelps]

It came complete with the 21mm adapter and now with the Fi button set to cycle between 28/35/47mm it is almost like shooting with my GX100 (though larger).
I'll keep watching the prices as time passes though!
Andy

Congrats Andy on #2, now that is a good idea for the F1 button, if you don't mind I will give that a try.
I've been hankering to try a 35mm GR a bit more lately.