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Help me decide on the GR

T

T_MB

New Member
Hi all. I just joined and this is my first post. I am an hobbyist/enthusiast, who, unfortunately, has not had much time to shoot in the last year since my little guy arrived and work went nuts. I own a Pentax K5ii and k-01 as my main cameras, but their size prevents me from carrying them on a daily basis, and I have few days of free time to "go on a shoot." I previously owned the Pentax mx-1, but sold it for a number of reasons, including, weight and noise.

Basically, I am looking for a good compact that I can carry with me everyday to take spontaneous photos to help me reconnect with photography (i.e. a walk on lunch break or a stroll to the bar after work). I also want something that will be decent at family/kiddo shots. [Edit: Also, I should add that I would like something to carry with me on my bike for long, rural country rides, where I can get some good landscapes]

I have read virtually every review, watched every youtube video, and spent hours combing through GR galleries. I am very attracted to the GR due to its size, IQ, sharpness start up time, and snap focus feature. However, I do have some concerns, namely: 1) the dust issue; 2) reports of inaccurate colors; 3) the camera is very customizable, but also seems like it is going to be quite bear to set it up; 4) inability to see exposure meter on screen; 5) inability to decouple AF and AE points; and 6) moire (I like architectural shots/city-scape abstracts).

So, yes, I am close to pulling the trigger, but $600 is a lot of money, and I want to make sure what I get will meet my needs.

Looking for any comments with experience addressing these concerns or whether you think this camera is suitable to my needs. I am also looking at the Nikon Coolpix A, but I also have some kind of irrational brand loyalty to pentax/ricoh.
 
T_MB":35am25es said:
1) the dust issue; 2) reports of inaccurate colors; 3) the camera is very customizable, but also seems like it is going to be quite bear to set it up; 4) inability to see exposure meter on screen; 5) inability to decouple AF and AE points; and 6) moire (I like architectural shots/city-scape abstracts).

I am also looking at the Nikon Coolpix A, but I also have some kind of irrational brand loyalty to pentax/ricoh.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome,

Your story as to why you are considering the GR is similar to mine.

Some thoughts on your questions more than answers.
1. I have not had the dust issue, but I will say my camera tends to ride in a leather case in my backpack or on my belt. I am less a pocket guy but it does happen occasionally. I have not noticed any dust on my GR - yet. And I was an early adopter.
2. All I can suggest is look at samples. My environment and my lighting the colours look fine to me, but my eyes and brain is different. My Sigma's are more colour incorrect to my eyes and need tweaking. I often use jpgs straight from the camera to print.
3. First day I had it I just used it out of the box and tweaked as I went along.
4. Not sure this is true? The Histogram can be seen and shutter/aperture values can be?
5. True and not true depending what AF mode you use. For example, when in snap mode the focus point would be fixed where the AE not. Do you mean in full AF mode?
6. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I have not seen moire in my images. Could this be fixed in PP I suspect?

As to the Coolpix A have a look at the video review of both cameras.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykbDLN15uxA
While the GR does not have perfect AF it is reported to be better.

In the end you have to choose. I can't say if its for you or push you toward it.
I can suggest grab the PDF manual and have a look through it and examine images here and on Flickr.

Good luck.
 
T_MB":3ndkniyl said:
1) the dust issue; 2) reports of inaccurate colors; 3) the camera is very customizable, but also seems like it is going to be quite bear to set it up; 4) inability to see exposure meter on screen; 5) inability to decouple AF and AE points; and 6) moire (I like architectural shots/city-scape abstracts)
Click to expand...

Hi,
I have got mine for a month
1) I crawled the Internet and learnt about the issue. Mine is fine so far but there is no guarantee. I just think that it also has something to do with how the camera is used and in what setting plus storage. I saw people put theirs in a jacket pocket where is a good place to gather dust I think. So I think the camera is not specially prone to dust.
2) I think you refer to especially red colour? I am not too worried about it. It is to be called an issue to my eye. Depending on your purpose, accurate colour renditions are irrelevant in photography in the artistic sense.
3) The GR is always a camera you can grow with. That's its strength, not weakness or deal breaker IMHO.
4) It is on with M mode. For other A or assisted modes, I wonder why you need it. You can always tweak the EV and see the change in live view.
5) The AF point is moveable across the frame which is implemented by pushing fn1 and the front dial. Does that work for your need?
6) I am not a building shooter but haven't found it to be an issue. Post processing in Lightroom can kill moire with just a few clicks. A recent shot shows moire though. See the first shot in my posthttp://ricoh-gx.blogspot.hk/2015/01/crisscross.html
Hope this helps
 
As for the Nikon Coolpix A, I suggest you play with it in a shop if you have a chance. I did and decided that it didn't suit me after the first minute: the lug is at a place blocking my right index finger.
 
I've had the Ricoh for about a month now, and I have to say- I really love it. There are tricky aspects you need to get the feel of, but it's only in the world of digital that we have come to expect all cameras to be all things to all photographers all the time.

I started a blog just for my Ricoh GR photos. It's all the past month, so you can see how much I love having a camera that can actually fit in my pocket!

http://lifethroughricoh.tumblr.com/
 
Re: the AF/AE button, my style of shooting is to spot meter off something close to 12% grey, lock exposure, then focus on the subject, compose the scene, and shoot. I am used to assigning the back button to AF rather than half-pressing the shutter. Perhaps I would need to modify my technique with the GR (not necessarily a bad thing).
 
There is a AEL button on the GR and pressing Fn2 is defaulted to move the focus point across the frame. Maybe this help?
 
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