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joshxiv
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Metro Manila, Philippines
Has a website at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshxiv/
Joined on
Oct 14, 2010
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3systermuser: Seriously, I just cannot get why it is so special , it seems to me is another boring 28mm fixed lens camera from last decade or even last century.
Nikon A was also very boring but this one seems even worse , it has no EVF , it has no 4k video or any serious video mode , and I think it does not even have any kind of IS/VR/VC,etc.
So why do so many people get excited about this GR thing?
It's basically a GRD with a larger sensor.
Which means that it's a very customizable camera with a great lens, and is a very appealing camera to those of us who like cameras that get out of the way when shooting, especially in the streets. I cannot emphasize this enough, because you don't see this just by glancing at some spec sheet.
Also, part of the appeal is that with the GW-3 adapter, it is also one of the most compact ways to get a 21mm EFOV f/2.8, at any sensor size. (As the GW-2 did with the GRD IV, at f/1.9)
To me, the lack of an EVF option is the biggest negative. But for me, isn't too much of a deal-breaker, considering the competition. With snap focus, I can get away with using an OVF most of the time. Not ideal, but compared to my experience with an XE1 - you get an EVF in a compact body and an on-screen distance/DOF scale, sure - but the focus-by-wire implementation was just dismal. I'd rather have Ricoh's snap focus.
RE: Viewfinders -
The Nikon VF is just a simple non-electronic VF - But since the lens is a 28mm EFOV, you don't have to buy the Nikon finder - there are excellent 28mm finders out there for about USD $160-200.
Even the Oly VF-1 (designed for a 35mm EFOV) (USD $85 ) can be used for a 28mm FOV if you use the whole viewfinder and ignore the brightlines.
Or even a 21/25 VF, if you only use the 25mm brightlines, will probably better approximate a 28mm FOV, depending on whether you shoot within a couple of feet or whether you shoot at infinity most of the time.
joshxiv: I could live with an external 'dumb' finder on an APS-C camera, if it had controls and snap focus function similar to the Ricoh GRD series; or a useful DOF scale on the lens or on the screen (like the X1 or the Fuji X's) or a focus wheel like the Sigma DP series.
But as it is, an X100 with the 28mm adapter is simply a much better buy. Or wait and see what the GRD V may bring.
Distance scale!
Nice, thanks Ray!
That pretty much changes my opinion of this camera. From a 'meh' to 'I just might get one if it were around USD $800.'
I'm probably one of very few people here who are thankful it's only an f/2.8 lens. I'd rather have a compact lens than a large f/1.8 VR lens.
Definitely starting to look interesting to me.
I could live with an external 'dumb' finder on an APS-C camera, if it had controls and snap focus function similar to the Ricoh GRD series; or a useful DOF scale on the lens or on the screen (like the X1 or the Fuji X's) or a focus wheel like the Sigma DP series.
But as it is, an X100 with the 28mm adapter is simply a much better buy. Or wait and see what the GRD V may bring.
Looks good to me.
f/2.8 at that size is pretty good, IMO. If you want faster, then get the CZ 24mm.
$350 may be pricier than the Canon 22mm, but one still has to bear in mind that despite the glacial pace Sony has released lenses for the NEX system, it's still significantly more mature than Canon's mirrorless system - and $350 is still much cheaper than other relatively compact APS-C lenses in roughly the same FL:
Fuji XF 18mm f/2 R - ~$600 USD. Faster, but much larger, and with a non-reversible hood.
Pentax 21mm f/3.2 Limited pancake - ~$600 USD. Superb build quality, has a DOF scale, and a great hood, a pain to use with filters though.