Dpreview: Ricoh announces Leica M Mount GXR MOUNT A12

[Vobluda]

Ricoh M-mount GXR Mount A12 module announced and previewed:


http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11...untpreview.asp

Price is not bad either..

[OlliL]

Not bad!

Will be interesting, what these manual focus assist modes are.

I like the fact, that their is no AA-filter.

[exe163]

How is this any different from m4/3 or other EVIL camera with M mount adapter?

[LCT]

Originally Posted by exe163

How is this any different from m4/3 or other EVIL camera with M mount adapter?

By the lack of AA filter and, hopefully, sensor's microlenses allowing the use or wides w/o too much blur in the angles, vignetting, color shift and other oddities.

[Semushkin]

The question is, does the Jupiter 12 (with LTM to M adapter) fit in it?

[eleskin]

You have read it right. I know this is APS C, but for $600 you get no AA filter, two shutter modes focal plane and silent electronic, microlenses on the sensor and probably decent high ISO. Dollar for dollar, way better than a used M8 and I dare say M9. For what Leica charges, if I were them, I would be embarrassed by this. If APS C is $600, $1,500'or so for full frame is not far off from various manufacturers.

[mugent]

A major advantage over M4/3 is it's much less of a crop. The GXR module is the same crop as the NEX, but with an optional EVF.

[eleskin]

I had a chance to read more. Ricoh felt there was overwhelming demand to mount Leica M and with adapters, virtually any lens ever made. This is really big news. What this says is a major Japanese camera manufacturer has realized the value of all the great lenses ever made and a camera system that could adapt (a modular system) in a easy way. If you ask me, this is the future of many cameras. A modular approach where you essentially build your camera to taste with the ability to use any lens ever made. Full frame is just around the corner. To me, a modular approach is a superior concept. It offers great flexibility and value with the advantage of upgrading Parts of a camera instead of the whole device. The M8 and M9
Are beautiful looking cameras and produce great Photos in the right hands, but the modular approach is much more of a logical and useful
design for a much wider group of Potential users.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by eleskin

Dollar for dollar, way better than a used M8 and I dare say M9. For what Leica charges, if I were them, I would be embarrassed by this. If APS C is $600, $1,500'or so for full frame is not far off from various manufacturers.

Why would Leica be embarrassed? They are a luxury company and are seemingly selling everything they make these days. Also, you cannot compare these types of cameras to a hand made mechanical rangefinder made in relatively small quantities.

[exe163]

I still don't see what the big deal is. The unit cost $650. Plus that body ($350) total up to a grand. For the money it seems to be in line, if not more expensive, than other modern APS-C EVIL or SLR camera (X100 comes to mind as well). Soon when Nikon and Canon start to make their versions of EVIL, you can most likely also use Nikkor or Canon lens on it with autofocus.

[shadowfox]

Very smart move by Ricoh,
suddenly you sell body and sensor/lens-mount without having to come up with a single new lens.

For those who can afford multiple Leica lenses, a new $1000 camera with removable sensor is an itch few can ignore

[regularchickens]

Originally Posted by exe163

I still don't see what the big deal is. The unit cost $650. Plus that body ($350) total up to a grand. For the money it seems to be in line, if not more expensive, than other modern APS-C EVIL or SLR camera (X100 comes to mind as well). Soon when Nikon and Canon start to make their versions of EVIL, you can most likely also use Nikkor or Canon lens on it with autofocus.

It's Ricoh finding a new audience for their modular camera system. You get the quality and engineering of Ricoh's body and interface design, which is the absolute best in the mirrorless market, and you get to use that with M-mount lenses. Plus, the module lets you save customized lens-correction settings for multiple lenses.

When the NEX-7 comes out, then we can talk (OLED EVF, microlenses in the sensor).

Also, have you read the early information about Nikon's EVIL system? With a crop factor like that (2.5 or so), using Nikkors on it would be sort of ridiculous.

[FrozenInTime]

I wanted to like this : but the carbuncle of a bolt on EVF is giving me trouble.

Maybe there will be a GXR-II body next year - to compete with the X100, NEX-7, GF7pro etc.

[Benjamin Marks]

It is a good time to own legacy glass. Very exciting, out-of-the-box thinking going on at Ricoh. I doff my e-cap in their general direction. Well done!

[mabelsound]

I think they're a mite too late--the NEX-7 seems like it might end up being the better choice. Lots of great options out there for M backups...

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

I think they're a mite too late--the NEX-7 seems like it might end up being the better choice. Lots of great options out there for M backups...

For a lot of us yes, but Ricoh has a nice little cult following... so it'll do fine. Not everybody likes the same thing in a camera. Myself, I won't even bother with a camera without an internal VF anymore.

[digitalintrigue]

Agreed. NEX7 rumors are making me salivate.

Although Ricoh has put a lot of thought and effort into this design and should be commended.

[LCT]

Originally Posted by exe163

I still don't see what the big deal is. The unit cost $650. Plus that body ($350) total up to a grand. For the money it seems to be in line, if not more expensive, than other modern APS-C EVIL or SLR camera (X100 comes to mind as well). Soon when Nikon and Canon start to make their versions of EVIL, you can most likely also use Nikkor or Canon lens on it with autofocus.

What's autofocus? If you don't intend to use M lenses there is no point in buying this module for sure.

[exe163]

Originally Posted by regularchickens

It's Ricoh finding a new audience for their modular camera system. You get the quality and engineering of Ricoh's body and interface design, which is the absolute best in the mirrorless market, and you get to use that with M-mount lenses. Plus, the module lets you save customized lens-correction settings for multiple lenses.

When the NEX-7 comes out, then we can talk (OLED EVF, microlenses in the sensor).

Also, have you read the early information about Nikon's EVIL system? With a crop factor like that (2.5 or so), using Nikkors on it would be sort of ridiculous.

Maybe I got a little bit ahead of myself. I thought the market is well saturated with M mount capable cameras already by now. The last time I tried to manual focus via live view was not a pleasant experience. I just wish we get an actual full frame rangefinder using the same mechanism without paying to full leica price.

[kshapero]

Gee $649, am I missing something?

[PatrickONeill]

Originally Posted by kshapero

Gee $649, am I missing something?

a GXR body to go with it

[dreilly]

MSRP is less than I had heard. Looks like a nice unit, very excited to try it along with a Nokton 35/1.4. The GXR is a very competent little camera with great UI and IQ.

[tbarker13]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

For a lot of us yes, but Ricoh has a nice little cult following... so it'll do fine. Not everybody likes the same in a camera. Myself, I won't even bother with a camera without an internal VF anymore.

+1.
I can't even consider a camera that doesn't have an internal viewfinder. I refuse to use the LCD screen for composition.

[robbeiflex]

Originally Posted by eleskin

You have read it right. I know this is APS C, but for $600 you get no AA filter, two shutter modes focal plane and silent electronic, microlenses on the sensor and probably decent high ISO. Dollar for dollar, way better than a used M8 and I dare say M9. For what Leica charges, if I were them, I would be embarrassed by this. If APS C is $600, $1,500'or so for full frame is not far off from various manufacturers.

Leica's continued existence and recent profits are no cause for embarrassment.

That said, this this does look interesting in its own right, and for me could result in one day graduating from m4/3 (with a GF1) to APS-C. I plan to keep an eye on it. Unfortunately where I live I'm not aware of any Ricoh retailers so it could be a while until I get to check one out.

[biogo]

Microlenses?
Are they offset microlenses towards the corners as in M8 and M9?
Or not as in Oy/Pani and NEX?
"Hopefully" sells adaptors and then guarantees disappointments with M-mount wide-angles on sensors with a crop factor.

There were pictures all over the net before micro 5/4 fame out and then again right before NEX came out.
I don't know anybody who could duplicate these pictures taken with 28mm, 25mm, 24mm, 21mm, 15mm etc. M-mount lenses. Did not work stopped down to f:8, not to mention fully open.

Let's wait and see.
And maybe test the combo in the local camera store first.
The Ricoh GXR 18.3mm (=28mm) is not so short when shooting, after extending just as the X1 does. No microlenses in the corners there, I guess.

The M-mount unit looks promissing, though.