What's Next for the GXR?

[paulgiguere]

I've noticed recently that retailers who carry the Ricoh GXR no longer have (and haven't for some time) the GXR bodies in stock. I'm wondering why and I can't help but think that the supply is low because Ricoh is close to announcing a new body (and maybe some other goodies). The rumor mill has also been churning a bit over what might be coming from Ricoh with regards to a new body and lens unit. A flip up (and upgraded) LCD is probably a good bet but I also wish (and hope) that Ricoh includes some other changes to the body. A hot-shoe centered over the lens/housing would be nice. This would allow me to use an optical viewfinder (I prefer OVF over EVF with prime lens). Better yet, an integrated EVF (I could live with EVF if it were cleverly integrated into the body). I know, pie in the sky wishful thinking on this one but one can hope. The big news will probably be a Pentax K lens unit (which may finally push me firmly into the GXR camp once and for all).

I remember when the GXR came out many people ridiculed the whole concept. Ricoh (to its' credit) has stuck with the GXR and has shown that it is more of a chameleon camera. The GXR can be anything you want it to be: a high-quality medium-sensor prime lens camera (and now a medium sensor zoom lens camera), a small sensor zoom camera, a Leica M lens camera (I think a lot of minds were changed when Ricoh came out with that lens module), etc. As long as you like the ergonomics and interface of the camera (and what's not to like; the Ricoh aesthetic has many fans), it can meet the needs of many people all at one time.

So, what are your hopes and aspirations for the GXR? Where do you see it going? And, if you are in the know, when are the bodies going to be available again!

Paul

 

[AlbertTRAL]

To keep short something that has been already posted zillions of times, top 3:
1.Foveon module
2.5 axis stabilizer as the OM-D (low light capability) upgrade in the A12M
3.Overall Computing Speed and Data Throughput

 

[chrisa]

The ONE thing for me would be improved AF speed by putting the phase sensors from the grd iv or cx6 onto a new body. I'm not fussed about articulating lcd, nor integrated evf. The vf2 is fine for me. Faster processing wouldn't hurt. Neither would RAW processing in camera as RAW only mode would then be even more useful. AF though is it for me. I'm even considering a nikon 1 for the me and the wife for shots of the kids (the antithesis of ricoh philosophy I think), much though it pains me to say it.

Will there be any announcements this summer?
Chris

 

[Genster]

...So, what are your hopes and aspirations for the GXR?

A16 23,5 mm (35mm equivalent)

 

[wok64]

I just ordered a GXR body, so it´s 100% guaranteed that Ricoh will announce the next model within the next month :lol:

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

I was wondering why there is no stabilisation in the APS-C modules. Extra bulk maybe. How would a 4/3 size sensor with IS compare for IQ if it gave a couple of stops advantage over the bigger sensor/lens combo? The glass would be smaller/lighter, and closer to the sensor too. That might be the way to go for Genster's 35mm unit? Then the way would be open for a m4/3 mount module, with a big choice of lenses. Could the 4/3 alliance grow this way now Olympus is coming into Panasonic's sphere of influence?

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Sorry, but m4/3's does nothing for me. Not interested in a smaller sensor than the one in the current M mount. Actually, after having a very long conversation yesterday with a fellow Ricohforum member and after handling a Leica M9, my love affair with the GXR/M Mount combo has grown 10 fold. I found the M9 to be too big. The body actually dwarfs the Summicron size lenses I'm interested in. They are a perfect size for the GXR.

I thought not having a view finder was a negative. But if it means making the GXR the size of the M9 or even the XPro-1, I'm not interested. I handled the XPro-1 in the same shop. And to me, its tooooo big too.

What I would really really like to see in a GXR update is the option to hide or turn off all of the miscellaneous options that one can monkey with in the menu system. I don't and will never use any of the scene modes. I could give a rip about all the different color settings, etc.

I've actually removed any menu options controls from the zoom button (got tired of accidentally adjusting the exposure compensation while carrying the camera. The same with the +/- keys opposite the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons. Those only turn on or off Mode 2 focus and Enlarge All. I wouldn't mind though if Ricoh gave me the option to customize the Macro button as I'd set that to Exposure Lock. Its far enough away from my thumb and recessed that I wouldn't accidentally set it.

I'd buy a new body if I had to to get faster buffer and wish the EVF didn't blank out after taking the shot.

I'd also like to see better battery management when in sleep mode. When I go out to shoot I like having the camera on with the lens cover off in my bag. I want to be able to shoot now, not wait to turn it on, etc.

As to the Scene mode stuff and the different color settings, why not work with Adobe and their Lightroom product as Leica has done and develop software presets that would come with the camera. Maybe a discount for the purchase of LR too. Then when you import your DNG files you can have the software preset added during the import.

But then I guess there are some that just want to shoot JPGs. Ok, I'm probably in the minority with some of these ideas.

 

[wok64]

... Ok, I'm probably in the minority with some of these ideas.

Yes, you are. But you're not alone. It's exactly this "no frills" approach that I like about my Leica. You don't get much for the money, but you get all you need. And yes, when you're travelling a lot even a Leica M can appear too big. That's what draws me to NEX and GXR bodies.
wok

 

[AlbertTRAL]

I just ordered a GXR body, so it´s 100% guaranteed that Ricoh will announce the next model within the next month :lol:

:lol: :lol: Thanks wok64 for your sacrifice in benefit of the community!!! We will compensate you... The next round of weissbiers is on me!.... :lol: :lol:

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

Hi Duane, being a backpacker I'm always thinking of weight and cash savings. Modern m4/3 prime lenses are light and reasonably priced. If IS could be shoe-horned into a GXR module by using a m4/3 sized sensor and that gave a couple of stops advantage, the IQ loss compared to the APS-C sensor might not be so large in low light conditions.

But that's the joy of the GXR system, all tastes can be accommodated. It sounds like the Leica M mount module has already hit the spot for you.

Pentax/Ricoh would have to weigh up the extra body sales they might make by making GXR accessible to m4/3 lens owners (and there's a lot of them), vs the loss of prorietary lens module sales I guess.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Hi Duane, being a backpacker I'm always thinking of weight and cash savings. Modern m4/3 prime lenses are light and reasonably priced. If IS could be shoe-horned into a GXR module by using a m4/3 sized sensor and that gave a couple of stops advantage, the IQ loss compared to the APS-C sensor might not be so large in low light conditions.

But that's the joy of the GXR system, all tastes can be accommodated. It sounds like the Leica M mount module has already hit the spot for you.

Pentax/Ricoh would have to weigh up the extra body sales they might make by making GXR accessible to m4/3 lens owners (and there's a lot of them), vs the loss of prorietary lens module sales I guess.

I would have no problem either if they added IS to their modules.

Plus I just did a two day hike with my GXR this past week and covered 16 miles, the first half of the Art Loeb Trail, with a 45 pound pack. I used a carabiner attached to my left shoulder strap with two Optech connectors. I connected the carabiner high enough on my strap and with the length of the two Optech connectors I was able to bring the camera to my eye without disconnecting the camera. But since I have a Gordy's strap on it too, I could easily disconnect the Optech connectors and use the camera normally.

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

If it was possible to fit IS around an APS-C sensor within the size restriction of a GXR module, Ricoh would have done it with the A16 unit. The question is; what is the biggest sensor they can fit IS to?

I used to carry too much gear. These days we travel abroad hand baggage only, even when we are camping above the snow line. But I want to make good images and shoot some video footage too. The GXR seems to be the answer to having capability for wildlife zoom photography, good quality landscape shots and insect/flora macros. The P10, S10 and A12 50mm macro can cover all of these needs in a compact and lightweight package. Video is limited but it's there.

While I've been scrambling about on rocks I've lost two cameras out of shirt pockets over the years. The GXR that is on its way to me demands a strap of some sort. I take my pack on and off frequently for snack stops or to climb a small rock face, so I'll probably use a simple neck strap and tuck the camera inside my shirt for protection and quick access. The extra lens/sensor modules will live in a small lowepro belt bag for on-the-hoof lens swaps. I really like the idea of being able to swap lenses without concerns that dust will enter the system when out on the trail in dry countries.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

He Rog,

This is the product I used this past week with a carabiner attached to my left shoulder harness:

http://optechusa.com/system-connectors/uni-loop.html

I also kept a dry bag in my pocket in case it rained I could quickly disconnect and get my camera out of the water. When I took my pack off I could easily disconnect the camera first so that I didn't smash it while removing my pack.

Of course one connector went through the left camera lug the other through the carabiner.

 

[paulgiguere]

I agree that an A16 35mm equivalent lens module would be nice to see in the pipeline. Would be even better if Ricoh took a page from Leica and made this module a B&W only module.

Paul

 

[andrewteee]

I agree that an A16 35mm equivalent lens module would be nice to see in the pipeline. Would be even better if Ricoh took a page from Leica and made this module a B&W only module.

Paul

I'd love to see the B&W unit, preferably 50mm but I bet Ricoh would go for the 28mm.

Paul, nice to see your recent Lenscratch article.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

He Rog,

This is the product I used this past week with a carabiner attached to my left shoulder harness:

http://optechusa.com/system-connectors/uni-loop.html

I also kept a dry bag in my pocket in case it rained I could quickly disconnect and get my camera out of the water. When I took my pack off I could easily disconnect the camera first so that I didn't smash it while removing my pack.

Of course one connector went through the left camera lug the other through the carabiner.

Thanks for the tip Duane, useful product.

Tom

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

Now that Ricoh and Pentax have teamed up, maybe we could expect a 'Q10' module using the Ricoh zoom lens and the Pentax Q sensor.
Or maybe a Q mount module for attaching the Pentax lenses to. Or an A4 module using the Q sensor/IS and a Ricoh pancake lens. That might make those wanting a 40mm GRD take the GXR plunge

I'm setting off to the post office to collect my GXR now.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Now that Ricoh and Pentax have teamed up, maybe we could expect a 'Q10' module using the Ricoh zoom lens and the Pentax Q sensor.
Or maybe a Q mount module for attaching the Pentax lenses to. Or an A4 module using the Q sensor/IS and a Ricoh pancake lens. That might make those wanting a 40mm GRD take the GXR plunge

I'm setting off to the post office to collect my GXR now.

Rog

Happy days with your GXR.

My hope/guess is a Q mount module for the GXR - with a larger sensor perhaps. And/or a GRD-Q with a Q mount body and also perhaps with a larger sensor (in fact a larger sensor is almost essential to make any sense of Ricoh getting into bed with the Q mount, otherwise we might all just as well buy the Pentax Q and be done with it.

Ricoh are quite capable of building some very nice small primes to their GR standard which would be a great addition to say a Q mount Ricoh with a 1" sensor if that were at all possible to build.

Tom

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

Hi Tom,
I can't get the flash mode button to work on the otherwise immaculate GXR I just collected. :roll:

This comes back to the question I raised above: What is the biggest sensor with Image stabilisation Ricoh can cram into a GXR module?

I'm guessing a sensor around the size of the one in the Nikon V1 would be around the limit. That size would work well with a 28, 35 or 40mm equiv pancake prime. For the Ricoh long zoom lens, the Pentax Q sensor is the same size as the existing unit, but seems to have very good high iso performance in comparison.

 

[ayewing]

I can't get the flash mode button to work on the otherwise immaculate GXR I just collected. :roll:

What is the problem? You have to press the flash button once to raise the flash then press again repeatedly to cycle through the various options of flash off, auto, red eye, flash on, flash synchro, and manual.