GRD V - discussion, what may it bring?

[streetshooter]

Mike, I just would like to be able to use my Luigi straps. They mostly use rings. No added weight just some off my shoulder.....same for my GXR's also....

 

[MikePenn]

I've always used the factory wrist strap.

 

[streetshooter]

I like the factory straps also, especially the one with my white GRD4. I have Luigi's in different styles from my Leica's that I can't use.

 

[t3hh]

My only wish list item at this point is for a B&W only model, although I doubt any sensor manufacturer is unwilling to produce a B&W sensor in that sensor size. But I'll keep my hopes up. I think a B&W GRD would be killer. Most of my GRD work is B&W anyway.

Ricoh GRD Monochrom? This is brilliant idea! Can I have one right now? Pleas?! Seriously, this is excellent marketing idea for GRD product line and for Ricoh cameras. And it could work on its weird way as like Leica also Ricoh has lens(es) that are outperforming compact digital sensors.Why not remove the bayer filter and use the most of the optical technology. It also makes sense from economical point of view as it will be a different from typical GRD and people who already own GRD are willing to make this investment again. If I could go crazy and wish anything possible I would add also collapsible tri-elmarit type of lens with three focal length: 21mm, 28mm and 40mm. I know that there are people who will hate me for that idea but just think about it! Wouldn't that be absolutely killer camera?

After returning from never-never-land I have to say that the biggest challenge for GRD V would be to survive in competition not between only compact cameras but also camera phones AND mirrorless APSC bodies (with fixed lens). It's crazy competition. Only hope here what I see is from one hand to offer to consumers something unique that is not possible to achieve with camera phones or cheap compact zooms and from another hand - highly portable form factor. This challenge is not about megapixels or camera specs, it's about user experience and performance quality.

My suggestion is to keep the form factor and user interface (best in market). Design brighter lens. Why? You have to hit where it hurts most and the low light performance of camera phones / compact zooms is crap. F/1.9 is good but there are already several lenses for m3/4 and MILC cameras brighter then that. New, larger sensor is mandatory but not the bigger amount of pixels (in that case the lens could stay to f/1.9?). Add GXR type of focus peaking to the functionality to improve the manual process. Improve video performance (not so much the frame rate but the overall quality to match it with the excellent picture quality of GRD cameras) and add manual settings also to audio/video. Redesign also the adapter and conversion lenses so that they actually could fit into the pocket (it could be great if one could attach the conversion lenses, filters and the hood directly to the camera skipping the adapter OR designing a collapsible adapter) same way the camera is fitting. Saying all that if anything would harm the picture quality already provided or the form factor just pleas ignore my suggestions.

Rereading my suggestions I realized that many of these are about "megapixels and camera specs". Well one should still follow my words not ma actions.

 

[thelps]

After returning from never-never-land I have to say that the biggest challenge for GRD V would be to survive in competition not between only compact cameras but also camera phones AND mirrorless APSC bodies (with fixed lens). It's crazy competition.

Hi and welcome to the forum, your comment here is one I agree very much on, the GRD survival over camera phones is a concern. Not sure what the answer is but perhaps the cult following will keep the GRD going, its survival is probably mostly about decent sales.

 

[t3hh]

GRD V in Photokina 2012?

Thank you for warm welcome! I also hope that GRD still finds its place on the market and in hands (and particularly in pockets) of photographers also in future.

Is there any expectation for GRD V for the Photokina 2012 in mid September? If you look at the product timeline (2005-2007-2009-2011-201?) then we could hope it for the end of this year or the start of the next one. Of course its pure speculation from my side - I don't have any information about it what so ever. But I will start to collect money for the next model.

 

[MikePenn]

We are only half way through the normal 2 year cycle.

 

[Wouter]

Realistically I think Ricoh will use the recently announced 1.1/7 CMOS sensor instead of the new 1 inch sensor. That way it will keep development costs low. I do however hope that a new GRD will at some day look identical to the GR1 including the OVF.

 

[streetshooter]

Realistically I think Ricoh will use the recently announced 1.1/7 CMOS sensor instead of the new 1 inch sensor. That way it will keep development costs low. I do however hope that a new GRD will at some day look identical to the GR1 including the OVF.

Wouter, This I find very interesting. Do you feel the need for any kind of viewfinder in the GRD5? What do you feel a viewfinder will add to your experience with the process of making images?
Thanks in advance...Don

 

[Wouter]

It ia how I have used my GR1 for more than 10 years. It is not that I don't use the LCD, but I prefer an OVF. Reason too why i use the solid Voigtländer finder now. I do however prefer an incorporated finder since the external finders almost always have a rather loose fit.

As a previous M4 and M6 photographer you now prefer the LCD screen, Don?

 

[ktwse]

Hi and welcome to the forum, your comment here is one I agree very much on, the GRD survival over camera phones is a concern. Not sure what the answer is but perhaps the cult following will keep the GRD going, its survival is probably mostly about decent sales.

This is spot on.

From a spec POV, the GRD should have been dead in the water around the time of the second generation. The reason Ricoh keeps making them is that there is a small but very loyal group of people who seek something they can't get from other cameras. A very high quality fixed lens, great operation with everything controllable with buttons, wheels and levers rather than menus and touchscreens, and an unobtrusive design.

Camera phones and CSC:s might well eventually kill off the point and shoot compacts, but there will always be room for enthusiast compacts catering to niche markets.

I think two things are especially important to consider: the average user review for the GRD versus any other camera. The scores and positive comments are, simply put, far above what any other camera achieves. Second, the average image from a GRD, which I would suggest is of far higher quality in terms of everything from exposure to composition than those from pretty much any other camera bar high end FF and MF cameras. It's fairly obvious that the people using the camera know what they're doing.

This final point also means that high ISO noise and limited DR will not be as much of a problem. A good photographer knows how to work around such limitations, and as it's not a camera for weddings or sports it doesn't need this.

That said, I believe it will have the same form factor (don't fix what isn't broken) but a larger sensor. Patents filed by Ricoh for 14/2.5 and 19/2.5 lenses suggest it might be as big as an APS-C sensor, but I doubt they'd go that far if it meant having to give up too much on the size / form factor. Given the quality of Sony's new 1" sensor and the compact size of the RX-100, that might be a fair bet for the GRD V.

 

[michalth]

Czech language readers can view my user experiences with Ricoh GRD IV including some suggestions for improvement in version V here: http://michal.thoma.cz/cs/m/fotak-do-ka ... digital-iv

For English readers my suggestions are:

-Updated sensor (not necessarily larger)
-Status LCD display on top of the body for better work with optical VF
-Improved workabilty with RAW images (speed, displaying, saving options)

 

[Wouter]

Don't know about the GRD4, but I certainly would prefer a far more scratch resistant LCD screen. The one on my GRD3 was replaced after two years and the replacement is even worse. But I shouldn't be worried. The camera needs to be used, not treasured.

And I am curious if Pentax firmware engineers will contribute too. In my opinion they did a remarkable job on the jpeg engine of their Pentax Q.

 

[streetshooter]

Wouter, I am ashamed of myself for asking this but I must.... Have you used a screen protector on your cameras? They are an absolute must have for every digital camera, bar none.
I will not drop names or favorites that work the best like the ACMAXX...but suggest you look into the idea.

 

[Wouter]

When the LCD screen got replaced I tried Acmaxx, but it actually came off. It just didn't want to stick properly. And honestly I don't care Don. I never had a camera with such a screen, but it is fine with me. It is a freakin' tool, not a jewelry.

Even the grip comes loose, especially after holding the camera longer in my hand. I just don't want to sent my camera for repair, cause I have to use it. Even now when I feel a bit uninspired.

 

[streetshooter]

Wouter, I understand completely. I use the ACMAXX because my camera goes in and out of the pocket or something a lot on my walks. I couldn't care if the paint scratches, flakes etc but...the screen is my direct contact to the 2 dimensional world of the image. I like it to be as close to my print as possible with as little distraction as possible.

As far as uninspired goes. I have no definition for that word in my work. After 50 years, it's never been a word I understood.

You will find your way out of the woods......

 

[MikePenn]

I stopped using LCD protectors too. Well actually I don't use the LCD.

 

[thelps]

On the subject of screen protectors I just use the thin film type screen protectors.
I could not find any for the GRD III or IV so I cut up Nintendo DS type one to suit - they are plentiful and cheap because of the shear number of DS's out there.
iPhone 4 protectors would be another good source to cut up.

The trick with installing them is to get them on without a single spec of dust so the bubbles will roll out.
I've found never to turn the side that touches the screen upwards as you install it as instantly the dust settles.

I have one on my IV right now with a a bubble or two, but I would rather suffer the bubble than the peeling.
The loss of IQ integrity of the LCD with these type is low IMO. A little less contrast but not much loss.

I think these film jobbies would take a fair beating before you'd get a scratch to the LCD.
You could always put the remaining film after cutting up to the test with a set of keys or whatever your camera may face.

Each to their own .

It is a freakin' tool, not a jewelry.

I do agree, but the cost a film protector is so minimal compared to the camera.

 

[Wouter]

Regarding protectors and being nice for my camera I am a very bad person :] I beat it up. And I think using an OVF actually speeded up the peeling, cause your face skin is constantly in contact with the screen.

 

[Wouter]

As far as uninspired goes. I have no definition for that word in my work. After 50 years, it's never been a word I understood.

You will find your way out of the woods......

I have always been fueled and burned down by doubt. And lack of inspiration or creativity have always been greatest fear. It will come my way though, I guess.