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Ricoh GR and power options

obscura

obscura

New Member
I have not seen this mentioned anywhere, but he new GR does not have the spring loaded plastic spacer to fit AAA batteries in it. Doesn't matter to me, but I thought it should be mentioned.

Also, I think the in camera charging is quite useful, and it could be thought of as a replacement for the ac adapter ac-4c, which I also have (bought for the now gone grd iii). You could plug your USB power cable into a cheap 5v USB car cigarette lighter adapter with this, use it for a dashcam, etc. With the regular charger or ac-4c adapter, both require household ac current or if you are mobile, an ac to dc power inverter. So, even though the GR doesn't come with a dedicated wall battery charger anymore, this is definitely an improvement.

Cheap wall battery chargers are everywhere.

Also, the GR still has the little rubber plug that pops out next to the battery compartment to accommodate the ac-4c power cable. I haven't tried the adapter yet to see if it actually fits ( not sure of this because of the db60/65 incompatibility). Will try this when I get home later.
 
My GR will not turn on when the USB cable is connected. I'm not sure how to use it for a dashcam, but that would be cool!
 
I do like the mobile options (car charging etc) but am a little irritated by the move to no dedicated charger (certainly not just a Ricoh move, even the expensive Sony RX1 is like that now). For me, I always like a secondary battery - one that can be charged whilst I still have use of the camera. Making them USB only means consumers have to fork out for an accessory item which was once standard.
 
Granted I haven't actually used the USB cable to try to power it yet (I bought a used ricoh wall charger off amazon). That sucks if it doesn't work to power up the camera.
 
Ok. You're right, you can't turn on the GR while the camera is plugged into the charging cable. That is disappointing.

Also, I checked my AC-4C, and it won't clip in (must be the same shape as the db-60 batteries which also don't fit). I would guess ricoh is planning on updating this. In the meantime the ac-4c battery adapter could be dremeled down so that it will clip in.

It's unfortunate about not being able to power the camera with the USB cable attached. You almost need constant power for interval photography, which is a huge battery drain. Not every place you want to do a long interval shot is going to have ac power available.
 
obscura":3intajwe said:
Ok. You're right, you can't turn on the GR while the camera is plugged into the charging cable. That is disappointing.

Also, I checked my AC-4C, and it won't clip in (must be the same shape as the db-60 batteries which also don't fit). I would guess ricoh is planning on updating this. In the meantime the ac-4c battery adapter could be dremeled down so that it will clip in.

It's unfortunate about not being able to power the camera with the USB cable attached. You almost need constant power for interval photography, which is a huge battery drain. Not every place you want to do a long interval shot is going to have ac power available.
Click to expand...


One interesting thing I also noticed was that many of the accessories are listed as those for the GR, including the battery-well power plug adapter. Does the one listed not fit?


With the move towards charge via USB, ostensibly the reason is for convenience
and fewer items included in the box to cut cost. It's more in line with how people use smartphones with internal batteries and takes advantage of the ubiquitous USB charger. With that philosophy in mind, you would think that the USB cable would allow operation for interval shooting and the like to further simplify the system.

Perhaps the lack of operation under USB power is some reason pertaining to EMI or grounding capability of the USB port judging by the anti-induction lump in the included cable. The counterpoint to that being that the GR workes in USB mass storage mode using the cable when connected to a computer.

This really doesn't make sense considering the low-volume cult status of the GR line. I'd think it would be one of the last compacts to ditch the dedicated-charger-multiple-battery paradigm.

Honestly I'm stumped on this subject. Is it really as simple as wanting to sell an additional special power adapter? They seem to be starting at the lowest, casual , basic level an offering every flavor of upgrade to passionate users, for a hefty price.
 
Pretty annoying that they can not include a BJ-6 charger like they do with the GRD IV- they normally cost about £30 if brought separately.
 
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