Ricoh GXR or Leica X1

[thelps]

I've recently aquired a GF1, mainly because I've sold off my cumbersome Nikon D80 (also it was just not getting taken out) and wanted something small but with interchangeable lenses that also has the option of a shift adapter - enter the GF1.

I will likely get one of these for panos - http://www.fotodiox.com/catalog/product ... cts_id=461
The Fotodiox is available with a number of adapters for various lenses http://www.fotodiox.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_100
The main reason to use this device is it eliminates parallax error, you can then take overlapping images to stitch in software. During use the lens and adapter remains stationary and the adapter is mounted to the tripod - you then move the camera to shift.

I still may try a GXR sometime. Even with all these cameras and gadgets I still have not totally delved into all the GRD III can do - its all good fun.

 

[jsrockit]

The only advantage the X1 offers is the greater compactness of a collapsing lens. The Sony with a pancake lens may be as small as physics will allow a larger sensor and that is the trade off one has to accept.

How about the simplified menu system and dedicated dials?

 

[Detail Man]

Guillermo,

I noticed that DxOMark very recently added the Panasonic DMC-GF1:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Im ... x-DMC-GF1#
as well the Olympus PEN-EP1:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Im ... us/PEN-EP1
to their database of characterized cameras.

Neither camera is on their "short-term road-map" for being added to the DxO Optics Pro support-base:
http://www.dxo.com/us/photo/dxo_optics_ ... op_modules
but, who knows? ... DxO's "Lens Softness" (uniquely in the industry) corrects for a lens' "blur index" ...

Also, here are some reviews of the Lumix G-Series lenses:
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/67
with a review of the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 ASPH ":
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showprod ... 295/cat/67
with a really nifty applet of the "blur index" of the same lens mounted on a PEN-EP1:
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/zproduct ... loader.htm
with which the viewer can vary the aperture value to see the different results.

 

[Remko]

I noticed that DxOMark very recently added the Panasonic DMC-GF1 as well the Olympus PEN-EP1 to their database of characterized cameras.

Neither camera is on their "short-term road-map" for being added to the DxO Optics Pro support-base:
but, who knows? ... DxO's "Lens Softness" (uniquely in the industry) corrects for a lens' "blur index" ...

As much as I'm fan of DxO I have little faith in the breadth of camera's they support/are going to support besides the big brands (Canon, Nikon and some Sony and Panasonic). Their DxOMark has been rating more camera's for quite some time (DxOMark only does the body no lenses to go with it).

Considering their response on Adobe's lens correction (ACR 6 & Lr3) it's not likely that they are going to allow users to build their own DxO lens modules: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1005/10052 ... rofile.asp
Well maybe with Adobe on their heels for at least a part of their functionality they will make some moves.

Maybe we should open an new topic on DxO in this forum on the other hand DxO has no Ricoh support...

Regards Remko

 

[Detail Man]

As much as I'm fan of DxO I have little faith in the breadth of camera's they support/are going to support besides the big brands (Canon, Nikon and some Sony and Panasonic). Their DxOMark has been rating more camera's for quite some time (DxOMark only does the body no lenses to go with it).

I had the Panasonic DMC-GF1 and the Olympus PEN-EP1 in mind in my thoughts when I wrote that. I fully agree with your assessment above.

... it's not likely that they are going to allow users to build their own DxO lens modules ...

That certainly would "be the day", indeed ...

Maybe we should open an new topic on DxO in this forum on the other hand DxO has no Ricoh support...

I just "got lucky" with the DMC-LX3 ...
At a mere $99 USD until June 15, 2010, DxO Standard Edition is probably a minor extra cost to dramatically improve the DMC-LX3 (and the couple of other presently supported compacts that you have listed in your previous post on this DxO subject). As you pointed out, the higher quality the lens-system in the first place, (likely) the less necessary (and dramatic) are the improvements. However, for small sized lens-systems in pocket-able compacts, it's pretty unlikely that such sized lens-systems will be manufactured in the future that do not rely on software support.
It seems to be the "gathering wave" ...

Either that, or (as you know, and have bemoaned before), one must bend their camera purchases towards DxO supported brands/models ... :cry:

For a dramatic demonstration of the power of DxO's "Lens Softness" corrections on a DMC-LX3 RW2 image, see:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1556&start=120#p21407

 

[odklizec]

How about the simplified menu system and dedicated dials?

For me personally, the X1 menu is too simply. In other words, X1 lacks many very useful photographic features available in Ricoh cameras for ages. Ricoh too have several dedicated buttons and what's really great, they can be customized! This I consider a serious advantage for many users. Maybe I'm a geek-head, but I prefer to customize and use the camera in my way. Not to mention number of great photographic helpers like Flash exposure compensation/full manual mode, ability to shot in cropped formats (including RAW), great level of image settings, which allows to reduce the noise and even create interesting film-like effects and many more! Absence of many of these features reduces the X1 usability and forces its users to go to RAW. You have to admit that X1 JPEG is not perfect.

In other words, I love the X1 for its compactness. I really wish Ricoh would come with something similar with collapsible lens and smaller than GXR. Of course, in a Ricoh way (GRD on steroids). But for me personally, X1 does not offer anything else that I miss in current Ricoh production. But I would still love to own M8/9

 

[kjoebek]

With Ricohs new A12 28mm, Leica X1 are no longer a competing camera. The Ricoh GXR A12 28mm have a much faster AF-speed and it is very pocketable.
http://www.phosee.dk/lens/524-a12-gr-28mm-f25

 

[odklizec]

I think the X1 have one remaining advantage over the GXR A12. Somewhat more pocketable because of less protruding lens and not as high body. But I think this is very small advantage considering the X1 price, speed (slowness) and lack of expandability.

 

[ZDP-189]

The Leica X1 is like my wife's (genuine) quartz Patek Philippe. It looks the same as mine, it's more accurate, but is all for show and not the mechanical marvel that mine is.

So I say if you want a mechanical wonder with fine build quality, buy a Leica M3. The M7 is borderline having a meter and aperture priority and the M8/M9 an abomination. The D-Lux and X1 - are they even Leicas? :lol:

The Ricoh OTOH, is well made, but unabashed digital wonder with analogue heritage, like a Breitling quartz chronometer.



Illustration: Which is an expression of mechanical and artistic genius and which a cyborg imposter?

Above as shot (no correction except reduction)
Ricoh GRDIII: Manual exposure mode ISO64 f/4.5 1/20s
GF-1 Manual mode 1/4 power
Youngnuo OC-E3 cable
80cm silver reflector @40cm camera-left