View Full Version : Sean Reid's new Ricoh GRD2 Review
Sean Reid has just posted his GRD2 review, which is really excellent and, in addition to direct and extensive comparisons with the Rioch GX100 and the Canon G9, there is a good deal of discussion of the original GRD as well. Sean's review site is here:
http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/
As I've written elsewhere I think that Sean's thorough and systematic reviews are better -- in the sense that they contain well-designed comparisons as well as balanced qualitative judgments by an excellent photographer -- than anything available on the web or in magazines. This review provides the basis for people who are trying to decide which camera to buy. For me, the review gives me specific performance reasons for my own conclusions on the GRD2 vs the GX100 that I posted some days ago, based on use of the two cameras without any specific testing.
After reading the review you might want to check the Small Sensor Forum on GetDPI where Sean is a regular participant and where there is likely to be some discussion of the review and of small sensor cameras, without being tied to any specific brand:
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
chambrenoire
01-13-2008, 16:15
One has to pay to read this review?
Yes, a one-year subscription is US$32.95. There are a lot of interesting reviews on the site and Sean puts a lot of work into each review. I think it's well worth it.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
It is well worth it and I enjoy reading Sean's posts on different forums, but alas I'll pass on the offer to subscribe.
sevres_babylone
01-14-2008, 14:23
It is well worth it, and I do subscribe.
As Mitch Alland points out, if you are interested in the camera, and don't want to subscribe, you can still pick up a lot of information in the getDPI forum.
I appreciate the time and effort put in by reviewers like Sean Reid and Roger Hicks in contributing to forums like this one and getDPI.
You can also learn a lot about the camera in Mitch Alland's contributions here, his flickr pages, and DPreview forums.
I really wish i could read the review... but alas I'm not one to pay for reading something on the internet. Personally I think all information should be freely available on the internet... Not have to subscribe.
Though I'd love to hear a synopsis of his results, etc if that does not violate any policies, etc :)
I really wish i could read the review... but alas I'm not one to pay for reading something on the internet. Personally I think all information should be freely available on the internet... Not have to subscribe.
Would be nice, but I can't blame the guy for asking for a subscription fee if he spends a large amount of time on his work.
I have a subscription to reid reviews, I love it for reading on the bowl when I'm planning on taking a while.
I'm not saying that Sean does a bad job but I can only care about 100% crop corner comparisons for so long, which is usually about 5 seconds...
back alley
01-14-2008, 17:29
I really wish i could read the review... but alas I'm not one to pay for reading something on the internet. Personally I think all information should be freely available on the internet... Not have to subscribe.
Though I'd love to hear a synopsis of his results, etc if that does not violate any policies, etc :)
ever buy a magazine...;)
I really wish i could read the review... but alas I'm not one to pay for reading something on the internet. Personally I think all information should be freely available on the internet... Not have to subscribe.
Though I'd love to hear a synopsis of his results, etc if that does not violate any policies, etc :)Usually we call this simply being cheap. You also think that magazines and books should be free?
It seems that Sean spent a month of extensive work in testingt these cameras and caredully writing up his review producing a review better than anything available on either the web or in magazines and you want him to give it away for free.
If you want something free you can read my cnclusions on the GRD2 vs the GX100, but I would warn you that things tend to be worth what they cost...
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
I've suprised to reid reviews, I love it for reading on the bowl when I'm planning on taking a while.
I'm not saying that Sean does a bad job but I can only care about 100% crop corner comparisons for so long, which is usually about 5 seconds...This is a complete mischaracterization of Sean Reid'd reviews, which are very thorough and inlcude both specific and detailed tests as well as judgment by overall photographic results by an experienced and excellent photographer.
Fortunately your willingnss to misrepresent and trash someone's careful and excellent work in this mean-spirited manner is a refection on you rather than on Sean Reid's revieews.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Seeing the reactions here to my posting in comparison to the discussion of Sean Reid's review on sGetDPI < http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518> makes it quite clear that GetDPI is a better place to be for discussion of these types of cameras.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
This is a complete mischaracterization of Sean Reid'd reviews, which are very thorough and inlcude both specific and detailed tests as well as judgment by overall photographic results by an experienced and excellent photographer.
Fortunately your willingnss to misrepresent and trash someone's careful and excellent work in this mean-spirited manner is a refection on you rather than on Sean Reid's revieews.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
My apologies then, I will keep my opinions on this internet forum to myself.
Seeing the reactions here to my posting in comparison to the discussion of Sean Reid's review on sGetDPI < http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518> makes it quite clear that GetDPI is a better place to be for discussion of these types of cameras.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
This may be true, but there is interest on this web site in the development of a pocketable digital that will come closer to compact DSLR's in image quality at high ISO's. I for one hope that the DP-1 will be a step closer in that direction and others will follow.
Presently, my compact needs are met by 50 year old medium format folders. While not pocketable, they do carry well and in low light, I'm able push the ISO up into the 1600 realm for acceptable prints from the home dark room. My software and computer needs for this are nill. My gear and darkroom are all legacy equipment paid for long ago.
While the GRD2 may be this year's version of the best quality-built digital pocket camera since slice bread, my gut tells me there will be another in 2 years time. Best of light to you and the GR2.
This is a complete mischaracterization of Sean Reid'd reviews, which are very thorough and inlcude both specific and detailed tests as well as judgment by overall photographic results by an experienced and excellent photographer.
Fortunately your willingnss to misrepresent and trash someone's careful and excellent work in this mean-spirited manner is a refection on you rather than on Sean Reid's revieews.
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
Mitch,
What wouldn't you give to be 19 or 21 again :) I can't imagine that Carl's comments were meant to "trash" Sean's reputation nor do I think that Carl could do that on his own;)
Whose the wise and mature one here Mitch? :confused: Suggesting that Carl is being "cheap" is about as mean spirited as any other comments made in this thread!
ever buy a magazine...;)
Point taken.
I understand what you guys are saying about him puting such hard work into the reviews etc.
However, in reality I AM being a cheap-o. But I have every right to be as a college student. :)
I am not doubting Sean puts a lot of time into his reviews :)
Usually we call this simply being cheap. You also think that magazines and books should be free?
It seems that Sean spent a month of extensive work in testingt these cameras and caredully writing up his review producing a review better than anything available on either the web or in magazines and you want him to give it away for free.
If you want something free you can read my cnclusions on the GRD2 vs the GX100, but I would warn you that things tend to be worth what they cost...
—Mitch/Bangkok
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/
This is an interesting situation. Sean Reid's reviews are often quoted in the many and various photography forums and the reaction is always the same - 'we'd love to look, but we ain't paying'.
Its curious that people will subscribe to a printed magazine, but not to an information website. Whatever the psychology behind this, in consequence, Sean's reviews are not as widely seen as they should be.
In reality, I suspect the only way this is going to be resolved is when (or if) Sean decides to 'go public' with his site and rely on advertising and sponsorship to cover his costs. It is possible he'd make more dosh and become visible to a larger body of potential fans, but he'd have to put many hours into winning and retaining the financial support. Hours he'd perhaps rather be spending producing his definitive reviews. It is a dilemma.
mfunnell
01-20-2008, 22:48
Its curious that people will subscribe to a printed magazine, but not to an information website.Well, obviously enough of us are subscribing to keep it a going concern. And I subscribe to web-only magazines and won't generally subscribe to print magazines unless they give me access to an "all articles" web site (due to geography and too many arguments with subscription departments who have problems understanding "my address is...").
Perhaps I'm just weird...
...Mike
Bypassing all the free vs. fee discussion, I'd like to see a true side- by- side comparison of a Fuji F30 and a GRD2.
I just bought what may be the LAST of the former for sale retail (and a refurb) for $200 here in Korea.
Nachkebia
01-21-2008, 01:02
reviews of lenses on digital cameras, discussing textures and tones, it is pretty absurd :)
Hi Mitch,
GetDPI seems civil site for Ricoh cameras.
I'll try to ask B&H why they refuse to sell Ricoh stuff
mfunnell
01-21-2008, 01:25
What is his conclusion regarding the GRdII vs GrdI? Is the RAW writing time faster? Is it worth upgrading or is the firmware upgrade for the I enough?I don't think I'm letting any cats out of bags by saying that RAW write times are faster and that the review was positive. Either I didn't notice (likley) or he didn't discuss firmware issues that much. There's a lot more to it of course. I'd say well worth the price of admission for anyone seriously thinking of buying the camera. But then, I read reviews :D
...Mike
shadowfox
01-21-2008, 08:39
In reality, I suspect the only way this is going to be resolved is when (or if) Sean decides to 'go public' with his site and rely on advertising and sponsorship to cover his costs. It is possible he'd make more dosh and become visible to a larger body of potential fans, but he'd have to put many hours into winning and retaining the financial support. Hours he'd perhaps rather be spending producing his definitive reviews. It is a dilemma.
IMHO, it's not a dilemma. Generating traffic, and securing sponsors, is a proven business model on the internet.
Granted that Sean may not see this effort as a business, but by doing the above, his hard work would be more available and do more people good.
Benjamin Marks
01-21-2008, 09:03
I subscribe to Sean's site and enjoy his reviews. Personally, I view it as an entertainment expense -- if that is a helpful metaphor for anyone . . . I suspect that the expectation that all information be free for the asking is a generational difference -- it seems like an odd position to take for anyone who likes making images, or anyone who has to support himself financially, to take. But people believe all sorts of strange things.
For my money (literally), he does a much better job of presenting the pros and cons of the equipment he reviews than any magazine. I would argue that this is because he _doesn't_ have revenue from advertisers who he has to keep happy. "Reviews" in major magazines that run on the "other" model are usually just lists of features, in my experience. Still, no one is putting a gun to anyone's head over this stuff -- if you don't like to read this sort of writing or aren't interested in the substance, there is no requirement to join his site.
Because Sean uses more or less the same methodology from review to review with the equipment that he looks at, I can have some sense of what, say the OOF areas on a brand new BeZoing-a-Matic 35/1.5 lens are going to look like. I do find it interesting that this sort of thread replicates itself from forum to forum every six months or so. . .Ah, well . . we each must speak our piece. Me included, of course.
Ben "I read reviews" Marks
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