Any GXR system users here?

berlincontemporary · 03-10-2011

I really like the GXR for what it is, a no-fuss, no-nonsense compact camera with excellent image quality. I like it so much I currently own two backs, each fitted with an A12 module, the 50 and 28 respectively.

There is more about the system on Ricohs own page here: http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/special/

Personally I dont care much for the M-Mount module that has been announced but if it helps supporting the system, then fine...

Any other GXR photographers here?

andrewteee · 03-10-2011

Yes, and I also own the 28mm and 50mm and two cameras. I take them both wherever I go.

skas · 03-10-2011

I'm seriously considering buying a GXR with the A12 28mm module to use on a 5 month world trip I'm taking in May this year.

How do the 50mm and 28mm lens modules compare? Would you suggest one over the over for such a trip?

Any advice/comments are most welcome and appreciated.

wgerrard · 03-10-2011

I have a Ricoh GX200 and a Sigma DP-2S. While I haven't used them as often as I might wish, their convenience along with the nature of the photos I usually take has me thinking about the GXR system. I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has one body and two modules. I.e., how easy is the swapping?

I own a bunch of M lenses, but using any of them on a GXR doesn't appeal to me. First, of course, a 50 isn't a 50, etc. Second, some of these lenses are actually rather large for a GXR and would negate the size and convenience attractions of the camera.

dovi · 03-10-2011

I use the 28mm mostly although I will swap to the 50 if the situation allows.
Love the tiny unobtrusiveness of it all.

Swapping is easy although I find that I tend to use whatever is on and get into the focal length at hand. Swapping is quick and easy. I spend more time finding the module in my bag than swapping it out.

Even the S10 module, as ignored as it is, I find gives me good results.

I used to carry both film and the gxr but found the gxr was giving me more of what I like.

here is a 28mm shot from last month

Archiver · 04-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgerrard

I have a Ricoh GX200 and a Sigma DP-2S. While I haven't used them as often as I might wish, their convenience along with the nature of the photos I usually take has me thinking about the GXR system. I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has one body and two modules. I.e., how easy is the swapping?

The swapping itself is very fast and easy. It's in some ways faster than swapping lenses because you're not concerned about end caps or dust getting into the works.

On the other hand, it depends on how you carry the second module. I keep the spare module in the accompanying pouch, and there is also a rectangular plastic stop that protects the contact strip on the back of the module, which is kind of like an end cap, anyway. So it takes time to pull the bag open, take off the protector, swap over the modules, put the protector back on the other and stow it in the pouch.

The scary thing is that I have been thinking about the factors of image quality and convenience, and how it is actually outdoing my M7 and other film cameras on those criteria. So much so that I often carry the GXR as an film camera substitute, unless I really want the experience of shooting film.

And once I work out how to emulate a few film stock and lens combinations (e.g., Contax T3 and Pro400H) I might be shooting film even less again.

dreilly · 06-26-2011

I'd love to hear a few people's "formulas" for custom JPEG settings. The stock ones on the GXR don't match those of Olympus, who I think rules that particular roost.

Archiver · 07-09-2011

Seriously, don't bother with Ricoh jpegs. I firmly believe that Ricoh jpegs suck the big one. Ricoh raws processed in Lightroom are of far higher quality in just about every respect. I have a few custom presets that enable me to batch process my raw files to my tastes.

kzphoto · 07-09-2011

I have a GXR, but I haven't used it in awhile. I need to pick it up this weekend.

Frank Version Two · 07-09-2011

Seems like the bodies are cheap enough after the expense of the lenses that it makes sense to have two. How is the 50 for portraits? I wish these compact cameras (m4/3s, mirrorless APC) would make a decent portrait lens!!!

dreilly · 07-10-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archiver

Seriously, don't bother with Ricoh jpegs. I firmly believe that Ricoh jpegs suck the big one. Ricoh raws processed in Lightroom are of far higher quality in just about every respect. I have a few custom presets that enable me to batch process my raw files to my tastes.

I started shooting in Raw the other day as an experiment. I'm not used to pp'ing raw in lightroom...would you be willing to share (roughly or precisely) what you tend to do with them? Thanks!
doug

BearCatCow · 07-10-2011

I have the 50mm and absolutely love it. Thinking about getting the S10 or the 28mm... what do you guys think?

dreilly · 07-10-2011

I'd either get the 28mm or wait until they put out the APS-C zoom (it's on their roadmap for 2011). The 28mm is really a nice lens(or)!

TKH · 07-23-2011

Two days ago I picked a GXR with the 28mm and the 50mm modul.

And now pics!

50.
f3.5, iso 400, 1/1600
Sharpening in camera 0, in LR3 light 25/1,0/25/0

100% Crop

Since 2002 I take pics with DSLRs from Canon, KoMi, Sony and Pentax. But, what this little beast of a camera gives me is pure pleasure!
Indoor, Outdoor, natural light, different light and every time perfect whit balance! Never seen that before.

Yes, AF is slow. But when it hits it hits perfect.

A dark church.

f4, Iso 1600, 1/30

28mm Modul.
f4, Iso 1600, 1/60

50mm Modul.
f2.5, Iso 800, 1/90

100% Crop.

I´m happy.

IMHO the hard facts for me are:
This little wonder is better than my Pentax K7 with FA43. Much more sharper, better bokeh, better white balance, slower but better AF. And I´m a true Pentax fan boy.

Today I grabbed first time the famous Fuji X100. The view finder is a dream. Much more better than the VF-2 from Ricoh. But the rest of the camera was a big disappointment to me. Feels like cheap plastics all over. 1 k$ for that one lens machine? No way!

Rainer

DougFord · 07-23-2011

The IQ from both the 50 & 28 modules is sweet, at least from what I've seen on the interweb. Perhaps an upgraded body with an integrated EVF would garner more respect for this odd bird digital imaging device?

TKH · 07-28-2011

Iso 3200:

TKH · 07-28-2011

All f2.5

TKH · 07-31-2011

Last night I was as a guest on a wedding. I played around a little with the rings:

mabelsound · 07-31-2011

So how did Frodo look in a tux?

TKH · 08-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by mabelsound

So how did Frodo look in a tux?

Fantastic.

He took me just to trip to the wood of the elphes:

malland · 08-04-2011

Chiang Mai | GXR A12-50mm-e | ISO 800 | f/3.5 | 1/60 sec

Bangkok | GXR A12-50mm-e | ISO 1600 | f/4.0 | 1/125 sec

Pak Nam Pran | GXR A12-50mm-e | ISO 3200 | f/4.0 | 1/160 sec

Pak Nam Pran | GXR A12-50mm-e | ISO 400 | f/6.4 | 1/400 sec

Bangkok | GXR/A12-50mm-e | ISO 1600 | f/2.5 | 1/320 sec

Chiang Mai | GXR/A12-28mm-e | ISO 200 | f/8.0 | 1/320 sec

Pranburi | GXR/A12-50mm-e | ISO 200 | f/8.0 | 1/125 sec

Chiang Mai | GXR/A12-28mm-e | ISO 200 | f/8.0 | 1/500 sec

Bangkok | GXR/A12-50mm-e | ISO 800 | f/8.0 | 1/1000 sec

Actually, this last one is my favorite of these...

Chiang Mai | GXR/A12-28mm-e | ISO 800 | f/5.6 | 1/100 sec

—Mitch/Bangkok
Around Cgiang Mai

dreilly · 08-08-2011

I just did a restaurant shoot with the GXR and 28/50 modules. I haven't processed them out but my cursory look at them on lightroom is really positive. In terms of usage, going from a ever-ready DSLR machine thing to the GXR took some getting used to. But I enjoyed the experience. I was shooting in RAW and initially waiting for the raw file to write (or waiting for the three-shot sequence to clear the buffer when using continuous mode) was initially off-putting. But then I relaxed (everything in a restaurant pretty much happens more than once, at least in a kitchen!) and used that time to study my subject, or get into position for another shot. I felt like it made me a more intentional photographer. Not unlike working with a rangefinder.

The autofocus was all right in most cases. It helps a bit that the DOF is fairly wide for what is really a wide lens at f2.5. For action I had to pre-focus or use the snap focus mode, which is quite handy. Most of the time it was set for one-meter. I shoot up close and personal most of the time.

I have the viewfinder but I didn't really use it. As long as I'm not fighting the sunlight, I actually prefer the LCD screen. Again, my sense is that it gets the tech out from between myself and the subject and allows me to interact with people more. This aspect of the GXR reminds me of shooting with a Twin Lens Reflex, which I always enjoyed.

Very little of the above are specific to the GXR, I suppose, though the controls on the GXR made much of my work pretty fluid. It's easy to access file type (when I wanted to switch to JPEG to shoot a longer sequence) or to access WB or ISO. Aperture is very easy to change. I actually used the "Mini" art filter, which simulates a tilt-shift lens effect, for quite a few shots where I wanted to isolate the subject even more.

In general the camera is comfortable and pretty snappy, with better IQ than the E-P1 I had. I had a good time with it. The lensors, though they are a slightly awkward shape, are really fun to snap in and out. It's kinda weird but it sounds like a clip of ammunition going into a machine gun. I'm not a very violent person or anything, but it has that lock and load sound that's kind of fun.

The best part for me was ending the evening without a screaming pain in my shoulder from holding a 2 pound DSLR. And the feeling that my memory card was filled with some nice images for the magazine.

I'll post a few images when I can.

doug