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Tell your friends about us!Who's still enjoying their GXR?
- Thread starter Rog Tallbloke
- Start date
Rog Tallbloke
New Member
A superb unit. I love mine for its low light capability. Even high ISO shots look great at a reasonable viewing size.
My GXR still pleases me and I have a Canon 6D which has higher resolution, faster cycling, and more features. Even with its EF 40mm pancake lens, the 6D seems so much bigger and heavier than the GXR, not to mention that the 6D has no flash. So, unless I need the performance or features of my 6D, I choose my GXR with its A12 28 and A12 50 lenses. On the other hand, I regret buying the P10 zoom lens because of its mediocre image quality.
Rog Tallbloke
New Member
I've taken shots with the P10 which have pleased me. Good light helps. The reach for the small weight is great for hiking trips. Here are a few examples:
Ricohfanboy
New Member
Well, I'm a bit late to this discussion, but I could not go on shooting without the GXR anymore. That sounds a bit strong, but it's true: The GXR is the connecting link between my other camera systems:
- It can mount M42 und Leica lenses (with the M mount), giving both cheap and (very) expensive choices and lens "looks",
- it uses the same batteries as my trusty old Fuji F31 (and when the Fuji remains in the hotel room it can even charge a battery while I shoot the GXR!)
- the Leica lenses (39mm), the A12 50mm (40.5mm) and the P10 (43mm) can all be use the same 43mm filters (with step-ups, where needed),
- and the A12, my M42 lenses and Leica lenses all have "infinity-to-the-right" focussing.
I am still looking for a nice useable M42 film SLR body, but I find one that works without batteries, I guess I have assembled a "system of systems" of cameras: Everything works with everything. But I am very happy already, actually: I can bring the F31 alone (jeans pocket package), the GXR+P10 (jacket pocket) or bring the other modules (small camera bag) -- sweet. Could a Fuji X-Pro have done that, or a M4/3 camera? No, wrong batteries and wrong filter sizes for their native lenses...
I really think this is the most versatile camera system ever conceived. Real shame that it doesn't look as though Ricoh will support it any further... Well, I just got me a backup GXR body in case my first one dies. I want to stick to the GXR!
- It can mount M42 und Leica lenses (with the M mount), giving both cheap and (very) expensive choices and lens "looks",
- it uses the same batteries as my trusty old Fuji F31 (and when the Fuji remains in the hotel room it can even charge a battery while I shoot the GXR!)
- the Leica lenses (39mm), the A12 50mm (40.5mm) and the P10 (43mm) can all be use the same 43mm filters (with step-ups, where needed),
- and the A12, my M42 lenses and Leica lenses all have "infinity-to-the-right" focussing.
I am still looking for a nice useable M42 film SLR body, but I find one that works without batteries, I guess I have assembled a "system of systems" of cameras: Everything works with everything. But I am very happy already, actually: I can bring the F31 alone (jeans pocket package), the GXR+P10 (jacket pocket) or bring the other modules (small camera bag) -- sweet. Could a Fuji X-Pro have done that, or a M4/3 camera? No, wrong batteries and wrong filter sizes for their native lenses...
I really think this is the most versatile camera system ever conceived. Real shame that it doesn't look as though Ricoh will support it any further... Well, I just got me a backup GXR body in case my first one dies. I want to stick to the GXR!
ayewing
New Member
As this thread has been revived I will add my recent experience. I find the GXR strangely addictive. Last year I sold a lot of gear including all my GXR system to part fund my new Leica M240 (I have used Leicas for over 40 years). Much as I love my new Leica I have found that I miss the GXR. As there are some GXR bargains about and my finances have recovered a bit I bought a second hand GXR body + p10 unit + VF2 for £225. Shortly afterwards I got a GXR body + A16 zoom new for £178 from Hong Kong. I have had an enjoyable time getting reacquainted with the GXR.
I really like the ergonomics of the GXR as well as the small size and weight. With the M mount unit it complements my Leica system very well. I look forward to using it for many years.
I really like the ergonomics of the GXR as well as the small size and weight. With the M mount unit it complements my Leica system very well. I look forward to using it for many years.
Ricohfanboy
New Member
'Welcome back', then, I guess! Are you planning to add the M mount module, to use with your Leica stuff?
Me, personally, I don't really 'love' the A16 -- it is too (...how to put this...) 'non-manual' for my taste (no focus ring, no zoom ring -- why, when the module is so large?). On the other hand, love it or not, I cannot deny its usefulness, though: Perfect for landscape and architecture shots with the two-way tilt indicator, and very, very good IQ in a package that's still compact and light-weight enough for a "walk-around". Hope you have fun with it!
The M mount, though -- gorgeous, if you ask me. Best focussing precision achievable with any system (reading directly off the sensor, no calibration mistakes or front or back focussing,...), and anywhere in the frame, too (possibility to enlarge any part of the frame for super-accurate focussing = no focus-and-recompose mistake)! It even makes Lensbaby lenses useable for me: In focussing aid mode 2 you can actually *see* where the plane of focus (or disc, or circle, or whatsit...) is. With an SLR, the Lensbaby was very hit and miss. The live view turns the Lensbaby from a hard to control toy lens into something much more interesting, imho.
Hopefully, other readers will also chime back in again -- long live the GXR!
Me, personally, I don't really 'love' the A16 -- it is too (...how to put this...) 'non-manual' for my taste (no focus ring, no zoom ring -- why, when the module is so large?). On the other hand, love it or not, I cannot deny its usefulness, though: Perfect for landscape and architecture shots with the two-way tilt indicator, and very, very good IQ in a package that's still compact and light-weight enough for a "walk-around". Hope you have fun with it!
The M mount, though -- gorgeous, if you ask me. Best focussing precision achievable with any system (reading directly off the sensor, no calibration mistakes or front or back focussing,...), and anywhere in the frame, too (possibility to enlarge any part of the frame for super-accurate focussing = no focus-and-recompose mistake)! It even makes Lensbaby lenses useable for me: In focussing aid mode 2 you can actually *see* where the plane of focus (or disc, or circle, or whatsit...) is. With an SLR, the Lensbaby was very hit and miss. The live view turns the Lensbaby from a hard to control toy lens into something much more interesting, imho.
Hopefully, other readers will also chime back in again -- long live the GXR!
ayewing
New Member
Yes I have already bought a second hand M mount at a good price. The M mount is really my main reason for having the Ricoh system as it complements my Leica system so well. With adapters it can be used with a variety of different brands of manual lenses.
I share your mixed feelings about the A16 zoom. It is an ugly looking lens but despite being rather bulky it is light and has an excellent sensor, a useful zoom range and good enough AF which is as well as manual focus is awkward and clunky. You are right that it is good for landscapes
http://ricohforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11609&sid=a0874e9704c7a667225a31a2c86f1f58
The P10 unit is surprisingly useful as it is so compact. Provided the light is good or with flash it can produce good results.
I am happy to be back in the Ricoh fold.
I share your mixed feelings about the A16 zoom. It is an ugly looking lens but despite being rather bulky it is light and has an excellent sensor, a useful zoom range and good enough AF which is as well as manual focus is awkward and clunky. You are right that it is good for landscapes
http://ricohforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11609&sid=a0874e9704c7a667225a31a2c86f1f58
The P10 unit is surprisingly useful as it is so compact. Provided the light is good or with flash it can produce good results.
I am happy to be back in the Ricoh fold.
Ricohfanboy
New Member
Yup, I completely agree there are very useful combinations with "bigger" cameras: I haven taken a weekend trip last summer with the GXR+P10 and an old Pentax camera (funny that Pentax should be owned by Ricoh now: Pentax and Ricoh have always long-time favourite brands of mine...). The P10 served as a "second opinion" on metering (the Pentax was basically untested as far as its accuracy was concerned) and it also took all the long tele shots that I didn't want to carry a full frame Pentax lens for. All kinds of daylight shots are fine with the P10! The GXR setup really shines in that it make available a *small* 300mm equiv. tele...
On the other hand, there is no free lunch. Night time, both cameras didn't really work: the P10 becomes too noisy too soon -- and the Pentax had ISO125 film loaded!
On the other hand, there is no free lunch. Night time, both cameras didn't really work: the P10 becomes too noisy too soon -- and the Pentax had ISO125 film loaded!
Sean Gallagher
New Member
I bought into the GXR system last Summer/Fall and am still trying to learn how to use it all. It's going to take a while to learn how to use each lensor and the parameters of the camera well. Also, I have been buying books on digital photography to expand my knowledge. I am, however, satisfied with my purchases, while realizing that there are cameras out there with better image clarity. I think that reasonable quality combined with flexibility and portability in one system are attractive attributes. The rest is up to me. If I had a camera that did all the work I would become bored.
Rog Tallbloke
New Member
I'm delighted to see this thread is still running.
I'm still happy with my investment into the GXR system. I go lightweight backpacking in the mountains a lot, and the reach of the P10 is indispensable for me. As is the low light capability of the A12 28mm unit. Having said that, when I travel really light, I make do with my trusty old GX200.
I like my A16 unit for round town work and weight no object holidays. The level of detail provided by this sensor is an ongoing delight, and the zoom range is genuinely useful for capturing architectural details up off street level. Yes it's bulky. Yes it lacks external controls. But it's light, robust, and takes pretty good video (for a Ricoh).
Being a shade over half the weight of the GXR/A12-28mm, the GR with it's genuine pocketability would be a nice addition to my Ricoh stable, but I do find the fixed focal length a bit limiting for my eclectic style.
I'm still happy with my investment into the GXR system. I go lightweight backpacking in the mountains a lot, and the reach of the P10 is indispensable for me. As is the low light capability of the A12 28mm unit. Having said that, when I travel really light, I make do with my trusty old GX200.
I like my A16 unit for round town work and weight no object holidays. The level of detail provided by this sensor is an ongoing delight, and the zoom range is genuinely useful for capturing architectural details up off street level. Yes it's bulky. Yes it lacks external controls. But it's light, robust, and takes pretty good video (for a Ricoh).
Being a shade over half the weight of the GXR/A12-28mm, the GR with it's genuine pocketability would be a nice addition to my Ricoh stable, but I do find the fixed focal length a bit limiting for my eclectic style.
ayewing
New Member
Yes there is life in the GXR system still even if Ricoh is abandoning it. The A16 zoom has a very good sensor and it produces excellent results that stand comparison with most recent DSLRs at a fraction of the size and weight.
The A12 M Mount is still the best platform for Leica and other rangefinder lenses apart from the Leica M cameras which cost many times as much. While the P10 would benefit from a more modern sensor, provided that the light is good enough and you keep ISO down to not more than 400 it is capable of very satisfactory results with all the benefits of compact size and portability.
I will not sell my Ricoh system again.
The A12 M Mount is still the best platform for Leica and other rangefinder lenses apart from the Leica M cameras which cost many times as much. While the P10 would benefit from a more modern sensor, provided that the light is good enough and you keep ISO down to not more than 400 it is capable of very satisfactory results with all the benefits of compact size and portability.
I will not sell my Ricoh system again.
Bought a GXR because I'm moving from my m4/3 system.
My main camera when going out for a walk is an R-D1s. I trimmed down my lens to just the M mount lenses and is looking for accompanying system to mostly shoot close up. Naturally the choice falls to the GXR M mount, plus a P10 for macro and when needing the zoom.
Then I bought an A16, thinking that the zoom will be useful and the APS-C sensor will give better quality than P10.
But then I got disappointed. It's mostly my fault rather than the camera. I'm more used to prime lens and almost all my pictures are taken at 50mm setting. The size became too big for the value it gave.
So now I bought an A12 50 unit and is trying to sell away that A16.
JBut unfortunately the seller has lost the contact cover. Is there any place to get replacement ?
My main camera when going out for a walk is an R-D1s. I trimmed down my lens to just the M mount lenses and is looking for accompanying system to mostly shoot close up. Naturally the choice falls to the GXR M mount, plus a P10 for macro and when needing the zoom.
Then I bought an A16, thinking that the zoom will be useful and the APS-C sensor will give better quality than P10.
But then I got disappointed. It's mostly my fault rather than the camera. I'm more used to prime lens and almost all my pictures are taken at 50mm setting. The size became too big for the value it gave.
So now I bought an A12 50 unit and is trying to sell away that A16.
JBut unfortunately the seller has lost the contact cover. Is there any place to get replacement ?
riccadonna
Member
I`ll join in as one that`s still enjoying GXR system. My story began with acquisition of GXR body with m-unit. Having small collection of old LTM and M-mount glasses of different makes, I looked for different mirrorless options that could take aforementioned optics and my choice felled on GXR.
Later on I bought 50macro and 28 units and was and still am very happy with them. My basic walk about outfit is two bodies with 50macro on one and 28 on another. M-unit is used occasionally when I need something wider the 28mm and something longer then 50mm or something faster then f:2.5.
As to A16 I was a bit disappointed because of size and lack of manual zoom ring. I would rather prefer small 28-70 /4-5.6 , something in direction of Leica zoom on Vario X model.
I had the system for over 2 years and they it let me down. I know there`re improvements in IQ and AF coming all the time but really, how many times we print A3 and bigger, and GXR is good enough for that. I too deplore negligence of this fantastic system on RICOH behalf.
I still dont understand why RICOH doesn`t upgrade m-unit with K-3 sensor at least. And 50macro and 28 with their not so new sensors can still be used for f.ex. daylight flash photography with sync times up to 1/4000, with excellent results.
So lets keep this excellent forum alive and I do hope that RICOH would discover it`s value. Stanislaw
Later on I bought 50macro and 28 units and was and still am very happy with them. My basic walk about outfit is two bodies with 50macro on one and 28 on another. M-unit is used occasionally when I need something wider the 28mm and something longer then 50mm or something faster then f:2.5.
As to A16 I was a bit disappointed because of size and lack of manual zoom ring. I would rather prefer small 28-70 /4-5.6 , something in direction of Leica zoom on Vario X model.
I had the system for over 2 years and they it let me down. I know there`re improvements in IQ and AF coming all the time but really, how many times we print A3 and bigger, and GXR is good enough for that. I too deplore negligence of this fantastic system on RICOH behalf.
I still dont understand why RICOH doesn`t upgrade m-unit with K-3 sensor at least. And 50macro and 28 with their not so new sensors can still be used for f.ex. daylight flash photography with sync times up to 1/4000, with excellent results.
So lets keep this excellent forum alive and I do hope that RICOH would discover it`s value. Stanislaw
Sean Gallagher
New Member
Hi from Tokyo!
I have the complete GXR system, including the flash, hoods, adapters and straps. Like adopted children, I favour one or another depending on my mood. Recently, I have been focused on the S-10 module, in conjunction with it's wide and tele conversion lenses. I can get great entertainment from the S-10, despite it's small sensor and poor low-light capabilities (although I have seen some really good night shots from other people, and using the flash helps too). It seems that the S-10 has been pushed to the wayside by the progress of technology, and we don't see many posting images from it. I would like to propose a thread devoted to the neglected S-10 and it's conversion lenses.
I have the complete GXR system, including the flash, hoods, adapters and straps. Like adopted children, I favour one or another depending on my mood. Recently, I have been focused on the S-10 module, in conjunction with it's wide and tele conversion lenses. I can get great entertainment from the S-10, despite it's small sensor and poor low-light capabilities (although I have seen some really good night shots from other people, and using the flash helps too). It seems that the S-10 has been pushed to the wayside by the progress of technology, and we don't see many posting images from it. I would like to propose a thread devoted to the neglected S-10 and it's conversion lenses.
I bought the GXR with the A12 28/2.5 and sold it 6 months later as I had too many cameras, Namely the K5, GXR and the Q. I sold off the GXR and Q in 2013 and just last Thursday got one back together with the M mount module. Just today, I got another body and the VF2 to be used with the M mount module.
I am still enjoying my GXR.
I am still enjoying my GXR. The GXR with its EVF remains my favorite camera outfit. I have the A12 28mm, the A12 50mm and the P10 zoom, which I do not use and regret buying. The A12 50 is far and away my favorite lens-shutter-sensor. The GRX is so user-friendly. The prime lenses yield images of high quality. The downside is the GRX's slowness, shot to shot, and the lack of stabilization. Battery life is short, but fresh batteries are easy to carry and non-Ricoh batteries are cheap. I would buy a Ricoh GRX Mark II without hesitation.
I also have a Canon outfit with 6D and 5D bodies and L lenses, which I now find too heavy and bulky. (I'm thinking about getting an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II outfit, when it becomes available, to replace the Canon gear.) The Canon 6D is an excellent camera and the lenses are first-rate, but it is not as satisfying as the Ricoh GRX.
I am still enjoying my GXR. The GXR with its EVF remains my favorite camera outfit. I have the A12 28mm, the A12 50mm and the P10 zoom, which I do not use and regret buying. The A12 50 is far and away my favorite lens-shutter-sensor. The GRX is so user-friendly. The prime lenses yield images of high quality. The downside is the GRX's slowness, shot to shot, and the lack of stabilization. Battery life is short, but fresh batteries are easy to carry and non-Ricoh batteries are cheap. I would buy a Ricoh GRX Mark II without hesitation.
I also have a Canon outfit with 6D and 5D bodies and L lenses, which I now find too heavy and bulky. (I'm thinking about getting an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II outfit, when it becomes available, to replace the Canon gear.) The Canon 6D is an excellent camera and the lenses are first-rate, but it is not as satisfying as the Ricoh GRX.