What do you use if its not a Ricoh GR?

[SteM71]

I would be interested in what kind of camera/lens you are using if you do not have a Ricoh GR with you (is that possible at all?) or if you want to shoot something specific for which the Ricoh GR is not the best tool.

So I start for myself: I have several different camera systems. Nikon Z, Panasonic Lumix fullframe (L-Mount), Fuji X, Panasonic Lumix MFT, Fuji X100v, GoPro etc.

I purchased the Nikon Z system at a time when it was looking like the L-Mount system would offer only big and heavy cameras (S1/S1R) and lenses (50/1.4 etc.). Since the introduction of the smaller Lumix S5 and the introduction of the Sigma i-series lenses for L-Mount, this changed. I added more and more L-Mount gear and use nowadays for fullframe only the L-Mount system. Nikon Z stays at home.

But although the L-Mount system is really good, it can not beat my MFT system in size and weight. Same counts for Fuji X, which is developing in a direction (bigger and heavier) which is not why I started with Fuji X years ago. My MFT system basically replaced my Fuji X system over the years. Same as with my Nikon Z system, I do not use the Fuji X system anymore, but I will keep both over the next 12-18 months and see what the future might bring.

I also have a Fuji X100v, which is the closest competitor to my Ricoh GR, but although I am in absolute love with the design of the X100 line, I just do not grab as often to the X100v as I do to the Ricoh GR. It is like 95% of the time Ricoh GR and 5% Fuji X100v. It is not because of the focal length. The X100v has even the advantage over the Ricoh GR, that you can use in bright light a viewfinder and tilting screen. Also image quality of the X100v is good.

I think the main reason/disadvantage (for me) is the size and the usability of the X100v, which is significantly bigger than the Ricoh GR and I can not operate the X100v with one hand as I can do it with my Ricoh GR. I would love to have a tilting screen on the GR though

So the two "systems" I use, if I do not use my Ricoh GRIII or GRIIIx are Lumix L-Mount and Lumix MFT. If it has to be really small, then the MFT system, if I need the maximum in dynamic range or shallow DOF, the L-Mount system. Sometimes it is just a question of "mood".

I combine these systems often with Ricoh GR. In MFT for example the Lumix GX9 with the new Leica 9/1.7 and the Lumix 35-100/2.8 in a small Billingham Headley plus Ricoh GRIII and GRIIIx. Same procedure with L-Mount: Lumix S5 with the Sigma 16-28/2.8 and the (too big) Lumix 70-300/4.5-5.6 plus both Ricoh's. For L-Mount I hope that Sigma will launch within the next 12-18 months a small & light telezoom like a 70-200/4.5-5.6.

As you can see, everything is put around both Ricoh GR, because the Ricohs with their APS-C sized sensor and the excellent 28mm and 40mm lenses give me such a good image quality and usability, that there is almost never a reason to use a similar focal range with my other systems.

It is very seldom that I need a 50/1.8 or i.e 85/1.8, no matter of which system. I like my MFT GX9 with Lumix Leica 15/1.7 and Leica 25/1.4 MkII, but if the sun is not too bright for the Ricoh LCD screen, there is no reason to use MFT with these focals lengths. I have less weight and less volume with 2 GRs, similar DOF, better dynamic range. Only the viewfinder is missing.

So when I go on vacation, the reason to take a system along with my 2 GRs is 50% "insurance" - just to secure that in case the sun is to bright (i.e. canarian islands or Bali), I have a viewfinder - and 50% to be able to use a FL, which is not covered by the 2 GRs.

My Smartphone is of course always with me and I also take pictures with it. But I know, no matter how good the image looks on the smartphone screen, it will never look as good as with a Ricoh GR. Since the size and weight is not that much different (the pro and ultra versions of the top phones are huge), I can also carry additionally at least 1 Ricoh GR with me - in that case the GRIIIx.

What about you? What do you use beside the Ricoh GR?

I use an Olympus OMD 10 mklll

 

[JAGR]

I recently bought a Nikon D810, af-s 58/1.4g & 24-70/2.8g.
Sold my XT-1 and GRIIIx, but i'm regretting it allready. Still have my GR and GR III.
Then i found a 4x5 Cambo that was a bit rebuilt, but price was only 95€ and as i still had a Sinaron W 75/6.8 and some boxes of film left, i thought i'd give it a go this summer. So we'll see what i'll manage to do the next months as i've not been active in quite a long time due to health issues and stuff.