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GRDII firmware wishes ;)

odklizec

odklizec

PK
OK, GRDII is not even out yet, but I think there is a room for FW wishes ;) With GRDII, Ricoh implemented many of my personal wishes. But there are still some left (and I think very easily doable additions).

1) HIGH PRIORITY Complete NR OFF switch. It seems that the GRDII NR OFF switch does not actually turn the NR completely OFF. It only make the NR less aggressive. However, with respect to original GRD grain, the GRDII noise reduction is way too aggressive. It would be ideal if there would be another option in GRDII menu, which will allow the advanced users to turn the NR completely OFF.
The available options may be like this:

OFF - an option, to turn the NR completely OFF (the same amount of noise as in RAW)
LOW - R7 color noise only removal (without touching luminance noise!) (see here why R7)
HIGH - current GRDII NR OFF

I'm sure, the hardcore GRD users would love the complete OFF option. Someone may say "hey buddy..why don't you use RAW then?". The problem is, that in RAW, one cannot use the Continuous mode, bracketing and maybe one or two other features. This is why the NR OFF switch (with RAW like noise) would be more than welcome in JPEG.

2) HIGH PRIORITY EV Bracketing at least in range +-1 and 2EV. Current +-0.5 is practically useless for HDR photography. I think this is a second most important addition (apart the total NR OFF switch). Ricoh is loosing serious amount of customers because of very small bracketing range. There is a large group of people (including me ;)) who like to process the HDR images. But the actual AEB +-0.5EV is unfortunately useless for HDR. The only workaround is to change the EV manually and take one shot after another. But this method is usable only with tripod, which is not always anywhere around.

3) CCD pixel mapping in menu. All Olympus cameras have this option and it's really great feature. It not only reduces the manufacturer's costs (because a lot of people hate to see dead pixels on CCD). But it also increases the users' happiness! With this feature in menu they no longer need to pack their cameras every few months, pay for shipping and wait few "endless" days/weeks for its return! I believe this option is a real "customer saver". I know several people who buy Olympus (also) because of this simple option in menu!

4) Possibility to set the ISO in 1/3EV steps. This is one of the greatest things on Olympus E400! It's definitely very useful option to set the ISO in 1/3 steps like ISO 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, instead of just 400, 800, 1600. It seems to me that the current 1EV step settings is just an option to make the things easier/quicker for user (shorter list of values). But I personally think it would be a very useful option to have a full creative control over the amount of "noise". In many cases, ISO400 is too low and ISO800 too high value! it would be great to have an option to set ISO 500 and 640!

5) An option to shot DNG without the corresponding JPEG. I still think this would make the RAW writing even faster and if it would be an optional setting (for advanced users) nobody reasonable will complain about the missing RAW preview. In addition, If the JPEG taken along with RAW is used as a RAW preview, it's not a true RAW preview at all and many users would gladly (optionally) sacrifice it for even faster RAW writing. There is still a small resolution thumbnail stored in DNG. So why not to use it for emergency/composition RAW preview?

6) User selectable (ON/OFF) ND filter. As you may know (or maybe not, because it's a very well hidden feature in PDF manual), GRD/GRD2 have a built-in ND filter. Unfortunately, the GRD ND filter is used only in full auto (camera) mode and only for apertures between F7.1 and F11. But I think it would be very useful (especially during the bright days) to be able to use the built-in ND filter for apertures starting at F2.4 and in all camera modes. I don't know if there is a technological problem to allow this. But because almost nobody here (PRO GRD users) probably uses the auto mode, the user selectable ND filter is a really missed feature in P, A and M modes. And if there is no HW reason, it would be really great to let the user ON or OFF the ND filter. Canon "G" line have this option and the users are very happy with it. It's great if you want to use slow shutter speed during the bright light conditions and without risking overexposure.

7) Interval shooting starting at 1(2) secs and with 1(2) secs interval. Interval shooting with 5 secs delay is too limiting. According my tests, not only the RAW writing speed is improved. The JPEG writing is significantly improved as well and allows to take JPEG files in 2.3FPS, until the card (must be fast one) is filled up. So why not to allow faster interval shooting?

8) Custom setting for level of JPEG compression. Yes, there are Fine and Normal options for JPEG. But many users would prefer to have an option to set the JPEG compression by themselves. And this would make the GRD even more unique camera, because there is definitely not a P&S camera with such option. In fact, only the pro/high priced DSLRs have such option!

9) Switch to allow only Electronic Level sound. At the moment, there are only two options in "Operational Sounds". One can choose between the [All] or [Shutter] sounds. However, I found the Shutter sound too loud and distractive even at lowest volume. But if using viewfinder, it would be great to have an option to allow just the level sound.available in FW 2.0

10) Possibility to jump between the images (in Playback mode) with a predefined zoom and view position. This would be great for evaluating the sharpness of photos taken in continuous mode (not only in continuous). I use this often on my DSLR to review and delete the series of photos. With GRD I need to scroll and move the view..evaluate it..remember it..jump to another shot, zoom and scroll the view again and hope I remember the previous image correctly ;) It would be great to zoom and scroll the view once and then jump between the photos until I again change the zoom or position.available in FW 2.0

11) An option to swap front/rear wheel functionality. (at least in M mode) I think it's much easier/faster to use the wheel than lever? At the moment, the front wheel is dedicated for aperture, which is only about 10-11 possible values? While the lever sets about 40 possible shutter values? In addition, the shutter speed is changed more often than the aperture.
Sure, there is an "AE lock" option, which quickly sets the "proper" exposure values for a given lightning conditions. But as all small sensor cameras, GRD needs to be underexposed a bit to provide optimal output with preserved highlights. So there is still a need to use lever 4-5 times to set the "best" exposure. In my opinion, and from experience with GRD, the wheel would be much faster option for setting shutter speed?

12) User selectable Chroma noise reduction. Some DSLR cameras have the user selectable chroma noise reduction with 3-5 levels of power. It would be great to have this ability (apart the NR OFF) in GRD2 menu. Also, it would be great to use the same chroma noise reduction from R7. It seems to me that the R7 chroma noise reduction in ISO400 shots nicely reduces the color noise and still preserves a very nice amount of details and nice film-like grain. See this post about R7 NR.

13) An option to immediate access the 1:1 preview. Current option to go to 16x preview (by clicking the OK/Menu button in zoomed Preview mode) is not very useful to judge the image sharpness. The preview set to 16x means that the previewed image is upscaled and therefore softened. So the direct access to 1:1 pixel scale (6.7x scale factor?) would be much more useful. Here is a discussion about this subject: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=654

[edited 06/01/08]
 
Thank you for the thoughtful list. I would like to add a few items that would be very useful for me:

1. To be able to program the zoom button for manual focus (rather than using the up down arrow buttons for manual focus).
2. To be able to program the flash (right arrow) button as a second Fn button and specify what it does.
3. To be able, while in aperture priority mode, to use the exposure lock and still be able to change apertures with the up-down wheel. This would make exposure lock really an EV lock (in other words, after exposure was locked, changing the aperture would change the shutter speed automatically to maintain the EV read at the time of the lock).

Number three would be very useful to me. Pointing the camera at an area I want to read and locking exposure gives me the first indication of camera-choosen shutter speed in aperture priority. If I want to change that shutter speed, it is now necessary to unlock exposure, change the aperture and then relock the exposure.

Thank you to Ricoh for this wonderful camera and for the excellent customer support.

Walt
 
Hi Walt and welcome here! Thank you for your contribution to the list. Hoe yyou will not mind for these comments:

1. To be able to program the zoom button for manual focus (rather than using the up down arrow buttons for manual focus).
Click to expand...
Yes, that would be nice addition. I would also add the Flash Comp. feature here, which is pretty logical addition too.
2. To be able to program the flash (right arrow) button as a second Fn button and specify what it does.
Click to expand...
The best would be to allow customization of all four buttons ;) But if we can choose only one more FN button, I would definitely vote for Mode button. I think the dedicated Flash button is used more often than Mode? I personally don't use the Scene modes much (if ever) and and as far as I know, the [Mode] button is not usable anywhere else?
3. To be able, while in aperture priority mode, to use the exposure lock and still be able to change apertures with the up-down wheel.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I understand what you want? Because if you lock the exposure and then you want to change the aperture, you basically want to change the exposure? But maybe I missing something?
 
Odklizec-

Thanks for the reply. Let me clarify and also add one more item:

1. To use the mode button as a second Fn button, you would not be able to use manual focus unless, as I suggested, the manual focus could be moved to the zoom switch.
2. On the exposure lock, I am suggesting that this would become an EV lock with my suggestion. Thus the shutter speed would move with the aperture to maintain the same exposure. This is a very common, traditional function on cameras, for example the Rolleiflex always had one. So, perhaps the aperture is set at F 4.0 and then you lock the exposure. You see that the camera is showing a shutter speed of 1/15. You rotate the aperture (up down wheel) and change the aperture to F 2.8 and the shutter speed automatically changes to 1/30, thus maintaining the same exposure. This is also not unlike the Program shift function. I think this is very important.
3. My third, new suggestion, is that the menu allow programming of minimum shutter speed when using Auto ISO. Right now, the camera will remain at ISO until the shutter speed falls below 1/30. If programmable, you could, for example, have the camera switch to a higher ISO when shutter speed fell below 1/60. I think this would be very useful.

Thank you for your work here.

Walt
 
Good morning Odklizec,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm new to Ricoh as well. I have a GRD II since a couple of weeks now, and I'm already a big fan. At this moment, I can not imagine bying a point and shoot camera from another brand, ever. The GRD II is much more than I could dream of, in every respect, and its concept is simply unique.
However, everything can be improved, even the GRD II. I would like to launch the idea of having a "Snap HF" focussing mode, meaning Snap Hyper Focal Distance. Currently, the Snap mode is a fixed focus set at 2.5 m. With the Snap HF mode, the camera would fix focus on the hyper focal distance of the selected Aperture, always assuring the most optimum depth of field. This should be quite feasible and useful, don't you think?

Best regards,
Gunter.
 
Odklizec:

After two weeks with the excellent GR II, I have two firmware suggestions.

The first is the ability to make the Zoom Buttons control the ISO. At the present I only shoot in Manual Mode and in RAW. So I can't Zoom the image, I don't need the Exposure Comp and because of the RAW file I really don't worry about the Color Temperature as I can fix it in the computer. But, I am often adjusting the ISO and the Zoom buttons would be a bit handier for me than the FN button.

The other suggestion is I would like to be able to change the measurement of the Focus Bar (& Depth of Field gauge) from Meters and Centimeters to Feet and Inches. I know that most of the world uses the metric system, but I just have a tough time doing the conversions quickly as I was raised in the Imperial system.

Thanks for all of your work on this site!
 
Hi! I´d like the option of swopping the functions of ADJ. and uo/down dial concerning exposure in manual mode. Shooting in manual would be faster then since adj. lever would control aperture (which as fewer steps) and the faster up/down lever would control shutter speed. I constantly get irritated at the slowliness on changing shutterspeed. Also it would mimic my SLR aswell, which isn´t important but I prefere controling shutter speed with the front weel.

I´d also like to control the in-camera flash manually if possible.

PS The GRD II syncs up to 1/2000 when using external flash and pocketwizards or sync cord. I just don´t understand that limitation that stops you from using the combination of large aperture and fast shutterspeeds.

Regards Peter
 
After more than a month enjoying with the GRDII, my only concern is that the JPG compression level is to high.
So I would like to have an "extra fine" JPG mode or the possibility to adjust the level of compression (as mentionned in point #8 of Odklizec's list).
Regards
 
Walt":t8oh300y said:
Odklizec-

3. My third, new suggestion, is that the menu allow programming of minimum shutter speed when using Auto ISO. Right now, the camera will remain at ISO until the shutter speed falls below 1/30. If programmable, you could, for example, have the camera switch to a higher ISO when shutter speed fell below 1/60. I think this would be very useful.
Click to expand...

I would second the user-specified low shutter speed setting, and add:

1. A more noticeable low shutter speed indicator -- like a big yellow X through the display or an audible alarm. This after using the camera in the shade of a sunny day -- it was hard to read the lcd for anything other than framing, and I didn't realize that the auto iso was leaving me at 1/30 (the post-snap review on the lcd looked fine) -- which worked for about 1/2 of the shots, the rest having some degree of motion blur. I'd rather have been annoyed for 10 seconds by some draconian low shutter speed warning while I adjusted the iso or the aperture.
 
Manual flash, I´t can´t be that hard, can it?
GRD II is a great camera. But shooting using flash into strong backlighting is almost impossible, since the flash measures the backlight and gives out a little squirt of light. And that´s with 2 stops increase on flash compesation. I´+ve tried different approaches. At the moment I´m using spot metering and measure into the chest of the subject. I shoot on manual Sometimes it works but the the focus is off on large apertures... One can actually hear when the flash gives a decent pop... wich isnt often.
Manual flash would easy solve the problem. Of course I could put on one of my external flashes but thats the point I want to take photos with just the inboard stuff.

Regards Peter
 
odklizec":150v1zi2 said:
6) User selectable (ON/OFF) ND filter.

11) An option to swap front/rear wheel functionality.
Click to expand...

I wish to express my support for these two options.

Especially the user-selectable ND-filter (if technically possible) would be fantastic, as the GRD2 is visibly limited by diffraction from approx. f/4 onwards. Bright light often forces me to stop down to f/5.6 or smaller... It would be even better to combine this with the new aperture-override program from the 2.10 firmware. For example, if an aperture of f/3.2 is selected and the shutter speed maxes out, the ND filter could be used first to prevent stopping down. Only when the ND filter isn't strong enough, the aperture needs to be stopped down.

Simon
 
Hi Simon,

I believe that the user selectable ND filter should be possible. If camera can do this in Auto mode, why not the user selectable option? There is a necessary HW to move ND filter in front of CCD so I think it should be possible to allow this in A,P,M modes. Canon G cameras have this very useful feature and it's really pity the same feature in GRD is allowed only in Auto mode.

BTW, don't forget to express your wishes also in this poll:
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=639
 
I also think it should be possible to operate the ND filter manually, *unless* Ricoh saved a few pennies and millimeters by making the filter only large enough to cover the light beam at f/7 and smaller. The difference in beam width between f/2.4 and f/7 is not so much if the filter is placed right in front of the sensor, but if it's further away (or inside the lens?) it may be significant. Does anyone know more about this filter?

Oh, and I placed my votes for the FW wish list. :)
 
Thanks for the link. It does seem that the filter is not inserted at the focal plane, so it certainly could be the case that it's too small. Unfortunately, I can't make out the size of the ND filter compared to the size of the lens element, so it doesn't give us conclusive evidence...
 
Yes, the image is too small to say anything definitive. Is there anyone with broken GRD willing to take it apart? ;)
 
F. Stop Fitzgerald":2d207dgn said:
Odklizec:

After two weeks with the excellent GR II, I have two firmware suggestions.

The first is the ability to make the Zoom Buttons control the ISO. At the present I only shoot in Manual Mode and in RAW. So I can't Zoom the image, I don't need the Exposure Comp and because of the RAW file I really don't worry about the Color Temperature as I can fix it in the computer. But, I am often adjusting the ISO and the Zoom buttons would be a bit handier for me than the FN button.

The other suggestion is I would like to be able to change the measurement of the Focus Bar (& Depth of Field gauge) from Meters and Centimeters to Feet and Inches. I know that most of the world uses the metric system, but I just have a tough time doing the conversions quickly as I was raised in the Imperial system.

Thanks for all of your work on this site!
Click to expand...

Hi Everyone:

Six months ago, I wrote the above suggestions for the firmware.

After spending a half a year with this excellent camera I have changed my mind a bit. And I now have the following suggestions and thoughts.

What I really wish for is a high quality pocket camera that has full manual control of the 4 main parameters of photography when a camera has a prime lens: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Focus

Ergonomically speaking these controls are usually easy to use in DSLRs. But in pocket cameras, they tend to be controlled by multi use buttons and can only be accessed through a confusing computer menu system.

Truth be told, the most efficient way to control these 4 parameters would be if there were buttons that were dedicated to this single use.

With regard to aperture and shutter speed, the GR II is perfect as the Aperture is controlled by the Up-Down Dial and the Shutter Speed can be set by the ADJ. Lever.

I think that it might be possible with some new firmware to allow for excellent manual control for focus and ISO. I suggest making the ZOOM Lever a control for the Focus. The ZOOM lever is a big button and it can be very effective for focus control. The second suggestion would be to make the MODE Button and the MACRO Button the controls for ISO. In this case MODE (top) button increases the ISO and the MACRO (bottom) button decreases the ISO.

Once again I would like to say that by assigning buttons (during Manual Mode) for these 4 basic parameters, this Ricoh will have a level of fast manual control, that had never been matched but any other pocket digital camera.

Levent
 
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