GXR A12 AF Speed AFTER FW update?

[sagar]

I recently got GRDIII and just wondering if I shall straight way go to GXR+50mm especially since 28mm module is round the corner. I have read all the threads about AF issues here and on DPR. I am interested in knowing how its performing AFTER recent FW update in following light conditions compared to GRD III

1. Normal daylight outdoor shooting

2. Daylight in house shooting

3. Incandescent in house lighting (for candids)

4. General Macro work in good light.

Thanks in advance for your feedback

 

[odklizec]

In general, FW 1.0.7 (with enabled QK-AF option) made the A12 AF more precise with less hunting. Macro AF is noticeable faster too. The AF in bright light conditions is slightly faster than GRDIII (which is not bad). Unfortunately, once the shutter speed drops under 1/17 (at ISO 200), the AF automatically switches to slow-speed mode. The problem is, that increasing ISO for faster shutter speed does not help with AF speed. In other words, even if you set the ISO to 3200 and shutter speed is set for anything above 1/17, the AF may be still in slow-speed mode.

It seems to me that this artificial limitation is here for more precise focusing in low light conditions. In addition, mo matter what combination of ISO/shutter speed/aperture is used, the AF is always measured with f2.5 ISO200 and the only thing that does really matter in case of shutter speed is if the automatically measured shutter speed is above or below 1/17. Above 1/17 = significantly faster AF (with screen freeze), below 1/17 significantly slower (without screen freeze).

I really wish Ricoh would add one more QK-AF mode (let's call it QK-AF-2), which would completely remove the 1/17 AF switch between fast and slow AF mode. I'm sure, many people would gladly risk possibly lower focus lock success ratio than permanently slow AF in nearly all dim/artificial light situations?

 

[brew]

Hello Pavel, What do you mean with "screen freeze" ?

 

[odklizec]

Hi brew,

It's a visual effect of AF visible on the LCD. It's often criticized effect by many GRDII/GX200 and now also GXR A12 users. If you half-press the shutter (to focus the camera), the image on LCD "freezes" and does not display the actual scene. You can move with camera during the focusing, but the image on LCD will be the same until the focus is not locked. It's annoying to see effect and many users consider it a serious problem.

This issue was first "introduced" in GRDII and GX200. In other words, after the removal of phase detection AF. Many people were happy to see this problem is gone in GRDIII and it was a great surprise to see it again in A12. I now understand that there was nothing "fixed" in GRDIII. The LCD freeze is not there because GRDIII does only one speed AF (the one without screen freeze) for all lightning conditions! The good thing is that LCD freeze is gone and the AF is relative fast. However, I'm pretty sure that GRDIII with enabled "screen freeze" AF method would focus even faster! So the question is, was the screen-freeze really that big issue? GRDIII AF is now free of screen freeze, but at what cost? Slower AF than could be done with screen-freeze? Is that price fair and expected?

 

[brew]

Hello Pavel, Thank you for your detailed explanation. Now it is clear to me. Sadly, I dislike this type of restrictions. If I read it all, the Ricoh GXR is still a beta product and not yet ready for sale. The camera is too soon entered at the market. It seems to me that the buyers of these, relatively expensive, camera [unintentional] are used as unpaid beta testers. Too bad, because it seemed an almost ideal camera for me. Not really small and light, but still acceptable.

Normally I use the Nikon D700, but I want a light & small camera for travel. I doubt between the Ricoh GRD III and the new Sigma DP2s. The Ricoh GRD III is very small, has a high build quality, a fast lens and, I read everywhere, a joy to use, but has unfortunately a small sensor. The Sigma DP2s has a lesser build quality, is slightly larger, but has a much larger sensor and, I hope, faster AF-speed as his predecessor the DP2.
I tend to the Sigma DP2s because its bigger sensor and, that is quite important for me, the lens has a focal length about 40mm. 40mm is more universal in use (last years I use almost exclusively a 50mm lens).

Hopefully I can wait until the Photokina in September. Because, I think this year is the year of the truth for Nikon & Canon regarding free mirror small cameras with bigger sensors. Or… the ultimate firmware update for the Ricoh GXR coming soon, but I'm afraid it does not happen in a short time