View Full Version : Ricoh GX100: Great for steet photography
In my view the Ricoh GR-D and GX100 would be the cameras that Leica would have made if they were an innovative company. After using the GR-D for a year, last week in Tokyo I bought a GX100, which was on sale at Yodobashi camera for almost US$100 off. Here is a slideshow of 11 pictures I took in Tokyo with the two Ricoh cameras:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/sets/72157601877119712/show/
And here is one of the GX100 pictures:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/1432698417_b63a541032_o.jpg
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Nice. Are those out of the camera b&w jpgs or processed raw files? What are raw write times like?
Ian
These are all heavily dodged and burned RAW files, for which the write time is about 3 seconds.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Hey Mitch,
Have you noticed much of a difference between the GRD and GX100, beyond the obvious zoom and such? I've been thinking about getting a GX100 because I like the idea of having, in effect, 5 prime lenses in my pocket. But I feel like after pouring over flickr and pbase for a few days that I like the image quality of the GRD more, especially at higher ISO. Am I just imagining that, or is there really something to it?
It seems like you've gotten some really great photos out of each. But if you've noticed any major discrepencies between the two it'd be great to hear about it.
Thanks.
I'm waiting for the GX500 (joke). What I 'm looking for-a low light digital w/ a wide angle 25-28mm film equiv. lens P&S. However, what you have is pretty darn close.
I bet you're having fun w/ it and fine images.
Hey Mitch,
Have you noticed much of a difference between the GRD and GX100, beyond the obvious zoom and such? I've been thinking about getting a GX100 because I like the idea of having, in effect, 5 prime lenses in my pocket. But I feel like after pouring over flickr and pbase for a few days that I like the image quality of the GRD more, especially at higher ISO. Am I just imagining that, or is there really something to it?
It seems like you've gotten some really great photos out of each. But if you've noticed any major discrepencies between the two it'd be great to hear about it.,.Bailey, it's a difficult question to answer because so far I've only made A4-sized prints with the GX100, while I've made some huge prints (40x52 inchesor 100x133cm) with the GR-D; and I won't for a while because my printer is in Bangkok, where I won't return for a month or so.
What I have seen is that the GR-D produces sharper images, which is obvious when I see that have to sharpen GX100 images much more aggresively; but the point is that the GX100 files take well to sharpening. I won't really have a conclusn until I try to make some large GX100 prints. I'd be interested in what conlusions others have come to.
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Mitch
Nice street shots. Thanks for showing. I've heard good GX100reviews from other users, too, and am also thinking about purchasing one. Otoh the GR-1 is actually dumped in my country ($400, new, warranty) and I have a CV 28/35mm finder which would suit it. Will see...
As for the sharpness, it is normal that the prime (GR-D) is a tad sharper than a zoom (GX100)
Didier
I don't know why, but I canceled my order. The price was $700 including the VF and VAT, local price, but rejected the idea.
Bailey, it's a difficult question to answer because so far I've only made A4-sized prints with the GX100, while I've made some huge prints (40x52 inchesor 100x133cm) with the GR-D; and I won't for a while because my printer is in Bangkok, where I won't return for a month or so.
What I have seen is that the GR-D produces sharper images, which is obvious when I see that have to sharpen GX100 images much more aggresively; but the point is that the GX100 files take well to sharpening. I won't really have a conclusn until I try to make some large GX100 prints. I'd be interested in what conlusions others have come to.
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Thanks, Mitch. Please be sure to post your results when you've got them I'm very interested in knowing more. And keep up the nice work.
BillBingham2
10-24-2007, 12:19
Mitch,
I've been looking at the GRD as a digital replacement for my Bessa L & 25/4 combo. I like the snap mode and I think the new software allows you to set up specific configurations (including focus points) to shoot.
The GRD lens looks like it has almost no distortion in it, is the GS100 the same? Zoom is fun but I'd rather have a wide distortion free razor than a digital zoom that I have to tweak after the fact.
Sizewise they look almost the same (lens pokes out from the body unlike the old R1), are they?
Thanks.
B2 (;->
back alley
10-24-2007, 16:18
i'm lovin' the grd.
if i wasn't such a gearhead it could probably stand in for maybe 75% of my current shooting.
i have a few grd shots at flickr.
joe
BillBingham2
10-24-2007, 16:47
I think I'm going with a GRD rather than a 18mm interchangeable. It costs almost as much but it gives be a second camera body to work completely digital. The GX100 just does not seem to have a strong a lens, more flexable, but the R1 spoiled me.
It's basically a digital Bessa L with a 28 attached. Wish I could buy one from Pres K.
B2 (;->
I would buy the GRD and a voightlander 28 finder for it and use it in snap mode like a rangefinder basically...
but alas my money is saved for bigger and better things.
back alley
10-24-2007, 17:25
i used the cv 28 finder for more 'serious' shooting.
i sold that finder when i realized i could use the zeiss 28/25 finder as well and thought better about keping both.
the cv finder worked great though...get the black one;)
joe
so joe you liking your GRD huh?
I've realized now to leave the GRD in P mode(for most of the time) and use the zoom rocker to adjust the exp compensation. The DOF is big anyway it doesn't really matter what f-stop it's set to... A and M is used only for night time shooting.
back alley
10-24-2007, 17:44
i started using the p mode when i turn on the tiny flash. using the flash in aperture mode gave me dreadful pics...my fault i assume as i should re-read the manual maybe.
no matter what camera i throw in my bag i usually throw in the grd as well.
i like the instant wide angle and the ability to shoot colour if i want...tho i keep it on b&w mostly now.
Tuolumne
10-24-2007, 18:01
I love the GX-100 to pieces. Very light, easy to carry. Quite nice pics. I usually shoot color JPGs. It's awefully slow in raw. The attached was a color jpg shot at 1600 and de-noised with Noise Ninja, then converted to B&W and "warmed" by Picasa.
/T
monochromejrnl
10-24-2007, 18:48
GRD @ ISO800, B&W, snap mode, f2.4 - level and curve adjustments only... B&W straight out of the camera is fantastic... only complaint is that i wish it had an optical vf... still trying to get use to the LCD... sigh.. otherwise it's a fantastic digial p&shttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/1719585029_0f7bf7f4d6_b.jpg
NICE.. real film like.. I'm surprised it's this clean for an 800iso shot...
I'm traveling to China end of this year.. I'll bring my GRD + 4GB SD + 5 batteries and my Canon HDV camcorder... hopefully I'll get some good stuff.
iso 800:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/127806284_df04fe5b0f_o.jpg
back alley
10-24-2007, 20:22
is 4gb the biggest card the grd will take?
is 4gb the biggest card out there these days?
dunno ... 4GB total space but it's actually 2x2GB cards..
Thanks, Mitch. Please be sure to post your results when you've got them I'm very interested in knowing more. And keep up the nice work.Bailey, I find that I like the GX100 a lot. While the lens is a bit less sharp than that of the GR-D I find that most of the time I can equalize the the difference by more aggressive sharpening in post-processing. There are lots of GX100 pictures on the first six pages of my flickr site (click the url under my signature):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/1846270644_9b9ba04e8c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/1808105237_948d5eb3a5_o.jpg
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Thought I should post a GX100 landscape as well:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/1954661223_2f81a19ef5_o.jpg
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
I'll be very interested when you are able to compare GX 100 prints at the sizes you've made with your GRD.
Bailey, it's a difficult question to answer because so far I've only made A4-sized prints with the GX100, while I've made some huge prints (40x52 inchesor 100x133cm) with the GR-D; and I won't for a while because my printer is in Bangkok, where I won't return for a month or so.
What I have seen is that the GR-D produces sharper images, which is obvious when I see that have to sharpen GX100 images much more aggresively; but the point is that the GX100 files take well to sharpening. I won't really have a conclusn until I try to make some large GX100 prints. I'd be interested in what conlusions others have come to.
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Looks like I won't be able to do that until early December when I get back to Bangkok; but I'll post my conclusions then because I have a fiew picturs that I want to print 100x133cm (40x52 inches).
—Mitch/Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00
nightfly
11-12-2007, 10:28
For you GX 100 users, are you using the EVF finder?
Do you like it?
Tuolumne
11-12-2007, 11:09
For you GX 100 users, are you using the EVF finder?
Do you like it?
I have one but the image is waaaay too small to be useful. It's also B&W only. I use the LCD, much as I would prefer the finder.
/T
nightfly
11-12-2007, 11:26
The black and white part doesn't bother me. Just wondering how it compares to something like the Voigtlander 28/35 mini finder. I'd probably be shooting at those two focal lengths primarily anyway although having a 100% finder over the entire focal range would be better. Thinking mostly about street shooting with a quick way of framing mostly to see what's at the edges of the frame.
I would want to shoot without the LCD. I don't really like using them.
Tuolumne
11-12-2007, 11:40
I haven't used an optical finder on mine, so I can't say exactly. However my recollection is that the EVF finder image is much smaller and less detailed than the image I get in my external optical finder on other RFs. The reason color makes a difference to me is that with such a small image, color would make small detail stand out that just vanishes in the tiny B&W image.
/T
I have a pretty bad tremor so I have to use an eyelevel finder. I tried the EVF and found it next to useless so now I'm very happy with an old Contax turret finder. It gives 25, 35, 50 and 85 views but I'm rarely over 50 so it works out fine. I do get some odd looks, though.
is 4gb the biggest card the grd will take?
is 4gb the biggest card out there these days?
Actually 2GB is the largest possible SD card, the GX100 and GRD II also take SDHC cards (same format, different standard). There are 32GB SDHC cards coming out in January. :eek:
2c, /J
cameramanic
11-14-2007, 11:14
I haven't used an optical finder on mine, so I can't say exactly. However my recollection is that the EVF finder image is much smaller and less detailed than the image I get in my external optical finder on other RFs. The reason color makes a difference to me is that with such a small image, color would make small detail stand out that just vanishes in the tiny B&W image.
/T
Better check whats wrong with your finder ! mine shows the image in colour,
Though I agree the image is very small. and I am not that keen on using it. I also use the 25mm optical finder from my voigtlander lens, this works well at the 24 mm setting, I have a turret finder but have not tried it yet.
I think the GX 100 is a great Camera its the only one I have used since I bought it. I wish it had an automatic lens cover when closed, I hate the thought of the lens getting scratched when i forget to put the cap on, and I have turned it on a few time without removing the cap.
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