Which Ricoh? Hard decision!

[joggerman]

I have been looking at the Ricoh gx100/200, GRDs etc, and I'm having dificulty deciding. Each have their strong points.
I understand the prime/zoom quality issues and I am happy that they would all give the control I want.

I am very interested in the GRD II which seems a bargain at the moment @ £299, but I have just seen a mint GX100 (no EVF) in a local camera shop for £129 with 6 months guarantee which is a very tempting way to try out the brand.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice on which way they would go in these circumstances I would be grateful.

Thanks

 

[Charles2]

Have only used a GX200, first "serious" compact after a couple of Canon point and shoot models. The GX200 certainly meets casual needs, but more important, along with a program to post-process raw files (Raw Therapee), the camera helps me learn photography. A bit expensive, especially with EVF that is a must for me. Recommended highly.

Here are a couple of roses:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/401 ... 45b9_b.jpg

 

[odklizec]

Hi joggerman and welcome on board! GX100 for £129 is great deal! Put the question like that... Do you need RAW? If so, GRDII is better choice because of faster RAW writing. But as for JPEG, GRDII is not a very good choice due to strong noise reduction. In other words, GRDII is mainly RAW camera. GX100 RAW writing speed is not that bad (around 4-5 seconds with fast card). GRDII is better build. But in this case, I personally would jump for GX100. The price is too good not to get it

 

[BillBingham2]

Well, for what it's worth, what about both?

Here's the crazy approach I have taken. I am selling a sick GRD I (broken LCD) having just upgraded to a GRD III. Not sure I needed to as the GRD I ROCKS. This is my wide camera. On the top is a Cosina black metal 28mm Bright Line finder, the best 28mm finder in the world. My moderate tele camera is a GX100. It will soon have a Cosina Black metal 75mm Bright Line finder on the top. It is programed to be at 72mm when ever I turn it on.

While I could use the zoom on the GX100 (which I have a lot over the past few months before getting my GRD III) I just like the brightline finders for sunny day work or when I want to turn off the LCD and shoot (e.g. in the cold, Street Photography).

While the GRD I and GX100 are slow to write RAW files, I'm OK as my style is one frame (or file in this case) per picture. The GX100 is great with the stutter-step zoom and handles very much like the GRD I.

I'd go with the GRD I and then get a GX100.

Remember, Your Mileage May Vary!

B2 (;->

 

[Tom Caldwell]

The Ricoh prime level camera series do not completely duplicate functions but overlap - depends upon what you need to capture and how much trouble you are prepared to go to process the results - furthermore RAW file capture is slow but getting faster in the later cameras - as you are talking earlier camera - the recording of RAW files is very slow.

In ascending order of sophistication:

R series: (now CX series) 7x optical zoom (now 10x) slower lens, by the CX model the captures are quick and it has the new k920 pixel lcd that helps make its use a pleasure - no RAW file capability - it is one very satisfying camera to own

GX series: faster lens, technically a better built body - small zoom range (arguably a very good lens but not of the same level as the GR) - many of the GR series capabilities and build - still has a lower resolution lcd at GX200 (the '300' will probably fix this) has RAW file capability - but recording RAW files is finger tapping slow and it stalls the camera for anything else.

GR series - Ricoh's flagship model, much the same body type as the GX but sacrifices the zoom for a fixed wide lens that is arguably the best in any pocket-sized camera. By the GRDIII it has become quite complex although the controls are still Ricoh-intuitive. The RAW file storage has improved gradually from the GRDI's glacial to quite acceptable in the GRDIII. The GRDIII now also has the very good k920 pixel lcd.

I know you are not buying a current model but the beauty of any Ricoh camera is that every model is their best-effort when it was built and they are built to last - therefore you can buy an older model with every expectation that it was a classic in its day and will perform accordingly.

Depending on your required use the models become less versatile and of more focused use-specific as you move up the ladder. If your needs are more basic the CX model will delight at what it can do. If you buy a GR then it is almost expected that you will delve into the technical side of photography - it is a photographer's camera and will reward more effort - the more effort the better it will perform. The GX is more in-between - higher class body but gives a slower zoom to give that versatility. Nothing wrong with the R & CX series build quality either it is just that the GX & GR go for a magnesium shell.

 

[Campbell]

Thank you for very helpful information from both Bill and Tom. I'm in the same dither of indecision.

One thing that isn't clear to me is the IQ of the cameras involved in my thoughts. I was just about to press the button on a CX1 and then got the distinct impression from sample images that the BX100 jpegs were very preferable to those from the CX1. But I'm not sure if I'm just seeing what I want to see.

I'm also tempted by a GRD1 - the out-of-camera b/w is very attractive - but will how does the colour IQ match up to the GX100?

Perversely, the GRD2 & 3 don't appeal, the 2 because I know myself well enough to recognise that I'd always be regretting not getting a 3 and in turn, the 3 just seems to be too expensive at the moment.

Funnily enough, having put several different cameras to the test over the last few weeks, the one thing I'm sure of is that I greatly regret selling my GX8. I now realise that it was a little gem. I'm not at all convinced that the GX100 is going to deliver that much more. I'm going to be looking out for the next GX8 that comes up on ebay or elsewhere as a back up.

Finally, all those trials of other cameras have confirmed to me that Ricoh cameras are far and away the nicest to use bar none.

 

[Eric P.]

Well, here's my addition. Have both the GRDI and the CX1. Just spent a week using them (and a couple of other good p/s cameras) while on vacation. The first GRD is great for b&w work. In fact, it's what's pre-set. on this camera. Will take a color snap if that's all that's handy, but I'm not that thrilled by the color rendition. In my opinion, the lack of noise reduction works against the color with this camera.

The CX1 is a surprise. In a great way. There were a couple of missed shots over the week. But generally the quality was very good. Good enough that one of the other cameras is going into storage. The CX1 photos seem less "digital" than most. (Although, in all fairness, at it's best, my LX3 is fantastic in that area. Too bad I have other issues with that camera.)

Now, I've never handled or seen a GX100 in person. But given my Ricoh experience, that would be my choice were I in your shoes. (Did have to spend quite a bit of money to get my GRD refurbished. Enough so a new GRDIII would have been more practical.) So as long as it has a warranty, that's easily your best deal right now.

My, what a rambling post. Can tell there is too much blood in my coffeestream.

 

[joggerman]

Thanks to all for the useful comments.