New guy here (http://ricohforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5561).
I recently wrote a little opinion piece (see below) -- C&C are most welcome.
Being a reportage, street and travel photographer, when I look at what is available in terms of digital cameras for such uses, there always seems to be something missing. Yet, I am merely asking for a camera which: 1. produces images of good quality, 2. has precise metering and autofocus, 3. has good ergonomics, 4. is reactive, 5. is compact and well-built, 6. has (or has the option of having) a good viewfinder and 7. has an all-round lens.
These are seven points camera-makers seem incapable of combining into one single compact camera or system. And yet… in terms of image quality, today’s APS CMOS sensors can produce very good images from ISO 50 to 3200 (e.g. the Leica X1 and Ricoh GXR A12 modules). Precise metering and autofocus, good ergonomics, reactivity and compact as well as rugged design are all feasible (e.g. the Ricoh GR D III and GXR). As to the viewfinder, cameras can easily be built in order to let the photographer choose its viewfinder, whether electronic or optic (e.g. the Ricoh GXR).
What, then, about the lens? The best all-round choice is, for me, a 35 or 40mm lens. Ricoh, who so far fulfilled six of the seven points with its GXR system, decided to offer the two most restraining prime lenses available with its 28 and 50mm f2.5 lenses attached to their own sensors (for better or worse). Why not a 35 or 40mm lens?
Ricoh knows that photographers will probably buy both 28 and 50mm modules in order to “gain” the versatility a 35 or 40mm lens would have provided them with. They might even buy the rumoured M-mount module. On an APS CMOS sensor, they will be able to get a 36, 37.5 or 42mm manual focus lens out of a 24, 25 or 28mm lens, but at what price? Leica understood the benefits of such a focal length on a fixed-lens camera, yet its X1 presents unacceptable imperfections for its price. Sigma did as well with its DP2s and its 41mm f2.8 lens. Unfortunately, because of its peculiar sensor, it is either love or hate, not to mention its rather hesitant autofocus. Finally, despite its smaller sensor and bigger overall size, the Olympus E-P2 with the Panasonic 40mm f1.7 begs for attention.
For the moment, I’ll stick with my Ricoh GR D III while looking at the GXR system, wondering how many of us would have wanted a 35 or 40mm f2.5 A12 module. Petition anyone? ♦
You will also find this opinion piece on my website, The Monthly Page (http://themonthlypage.wordpress.com/). Feel free to check it out and, again, C&C are most welcome =0)
I recently wrote a little opinion piece (see below) -- C&C are most welcome.
Being a reportage, street and travel photographer, when I look at what is available in terms of digital cameras for such uses, there always seems to be something missing. Yet, I am merely asking for a camera which: 1. produces images of good quality, 2. has precise metering and autofocus, 3. has good ergonomics, 4. is reactive, 5. is compact and well-built, 6. has (or has the option of having) a good viewfinder and 7. has an all-round lens.
These are seven points camera-makers seem incapable of combining into one single compact camera or system. And yet… in terms of image quality, today’s APS CMOS sensors can produce very good images from ISO 50 to 3200 (e.g. the Leica X1 and Ricoh GXR A12 modules). Precise metering and autofocus, good ergonomics, reactivity and compact as well as rugged design are all feasible (e.g. the Ricoh GR D III and GXR). As to the viewfinder, cameras can easily be built in order to let the photographer choose its viewfinder, whether electronic or optic (e.g. the Ricoh GXR).
What, then, about the lens? The best all-round choice is, for me, a 35 or 40mm lens. Ricoh, who so far fulfilled six of the seven points with its GXR system, decided to offer the two most restraining prime lenses available with its 28 and 50mm f2.5 lenses attached to their own sensors (for better or worse). Why not a 35 or 40mm lens?
Ricoh knows that photographers will probably buy both 28 and 50mm modules in order to “gain” the versatility a 35 or 40mm lens would have provided them with. They might even buy the rumoured M-mount module. On an APS CMOS sensor, they will be able to get a 36, 37.5 or 42mm manual focus lens out of a 24, 25 or 28mm lens, but at what price? Leica understood the benefits of such a focal length on a fixed-lens camera, yet its X1 presents unacceptable imperfections for its price. Sigma did as well with its DP2s and its 41mm f2.8 lens. Unfortunately, because of its peculiar sensor, it is either love or hate, not to mention its rather hesitant autofocus. Finally, despite its smaller sensor and bigger overall size, the Olympus E-P2 with the Panasonic 40mm f1.7 begs for attention.
For the moment, I’ll stick with my Ricoh GR D III while looking at the GXR system, wondering how many of us would have wanted a 35 or 40mm f2.5 A12 module. Petition anyone? ♦
You will also find this opinion piece on my website, The Monthly Page (http://themonthlypage.wordpress.com/). Feel free to check it out and, again, C&C are most welcome =0)
