Ricoh releases GR firmware 4.0

I use center weighted metering and it never behaves unpredictably.

Try it; you can use the AF lock button to separate focus, metering, and composition.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

Sergey Borachev

Thanks, CarVac.

Jun 10, 2014permalink

I love this camera even more now.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

Kodachrome200

Wow the af is a a ton better. surprising this can be achieved through software

im happy

Jun 5, 2014permalink

welbil

Thanks DP Review for keeping us up to date on these releases.

I don't have the time to check otherwise.

Actually this reminds me to check the Nikon site lol.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

D1N0

Coolpix A? Who ever heard of that. It's price $200 more at launch has now dropped below that of the GR

Jun 4, 2014permalink

xpanded

Well, if you know the price... you must have heard of it :-)

Jun 5, 2014permalink

D1N0

That's different. I am omniscient!

Jun 5, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Very good AF improvement, even in night time. Really impressive specially comparing with my OM-D.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

LarryLatchkey

Next generation GR with built-in view finder pleeeease.

I'm also really waiting for a G(X)R-style, compact, large sensor compact interchangeable lense system from Pentax-Ricoh.

I know I'm repeating (myself & other Ricoh fans), but I have to say once more that the handling of this camera feels so incredibly organic. It really makes you wonder why such few cameras have two wheels in that position for easy control of settings. I'm flirting with an OM, but I'm not sure if I find it too slippery, and the wheels are not so comfortable to reach. In contrast to a Ricoh, one-handed use is almost I'mpossible.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Zvonimir Tosic

It will not happen (in-built EVF). An another type of camera is possible, but not the GR with an EVF, because then it would become an A6000 — as pointless as it is.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

LarryLatchkey

Hey Zvonimir, I don't understand the logics... wouldn't the GR with a EVF be more an X100s for half the price?

Also, people buy Ricohs for the handling experience and to a lesser extent the IQ (above all lense and restrained NR), so why not offer that as a MILC with its own lense system (or K-mount)? Pentax could easily extend the compact limited line of K lenses or even develop a third system for an APS-C sensor. Pentax has shown it's potential to produce sth competely from scratch with the Q system.
The recently released DA lenses are compact, and competitively priced (50/1.8 for €130!). A new GXR could simply be a K1-II, which would improve on the K1's fundamental flaws.

Jun 5, 2014*permalink

Zvonimir Tosic

X100 you cannot slide in a shirt's pocket. That is the whole issue.
The GR with an EVF becomes larger (unless some RX100MK3 EVF popup solution is made, but even for that it needs extra space somewhere).
If they want an EVF to make, and with it camera becomes bigger, then why stop there? Why not a fast f2 lens too? Then the GR becomes a true X100. Not pocketable, heavier, not a X100 exactly in terms of form, but not the GR either. A new breed of a camera.
I think they may introduce one such camera, but they will not call it the GR.

Jun 5, 2014*permalink

caravan

I use snap focus 80-90% of the time,but I to feel that AF is snappier with this update.

Thanks Ricoh.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Will be EVF for GR ? Like for GXR ... An optical VF don't show info like display ...

Jun 4, 2014*permalink

CatchAlive

There won't be EVF for the GR. Ricoh said it in an interview. It's not electronicaly implemented inside the GR.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

What a pitty !!!

Oct 7, 2014permalink

And what about iPad Air ?

it needs a special setting for Lighting / USB Camara connection,
because it doesn't work when it takes a lot of energy and iPad Air said it and stopped connection ...

I can load pics with Pentax K-3 to iPad, but not with Ricoh GR (only by Eye-Fi, but there isn't choosing of picture)...

Is Pentax FluCard so future of Riccoh GR ?

Jun 4, 2014*permalink

Kodachrome200

set the eye fi to only do jpeg. then go into playback and convert the images you want to send to jpeg. works great

Jun 5, 2014permalink

I believe that they will support an USB connection to iPad Air by disable function charging in settings ... because this nowadays the best mobile combination Ricoh GR + iPad Air

Jun 5, 2014permalink

TransientEye

Excellent support from Ricoh. The new AF speed seems to be quite a bit faster - comparable to the better u4/3 cameras. And the new firmware finally fixes the lockups when syncing with Lightroom on a Mac.

The GR may well be a one-trick-pony, but it is a very very good trick (sharp 28mm equivalent with APSC sensor and great controls), and it is nice to see a company supporting its products with these updates.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Samuel Dilworth

It’s quite the pony, alright.

It’s astonishing how many features of the Ricoh GR are plainly better for real-world photography than those of other cameras. Using the +/- button to ‘zero’ the meter by instantly adjusting the shutter speed in full-manual exposure mode, for example. I greatly miss that feature on other cameras. Whoever designed that actually understood the purpose of manual exposure control – a rare understanding even among photographers, it seems, never mind camera designers. This photographer-centric design is a recurring theme with many of the GR’s features.

If they could just release a firmware update to add the missing anti-aliasing filter I’d be thrilled!

Jun 4, 2014permalink

AbrasiveReducer

Yep. This is what you get when you focus on a large sensor and a fixed focal length lens. Do one thing well...or do many things just average or even poorly.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Kevin Purcell

Samuel: I like using the exp comp in manual to set the exposure (as the current metering would have it).

This is actually a bit of a hidden feature on some other cameras e.g. Canon G12 hitting the * button in manual mode (that would be AE-L in other modes) does the same thing. I found it by accident. But it's a great feature.

Still no upper limit on ISO in Tav mode though. One can hope (I like to trade off better DR in camera for a underexposed shot that I fix in PP later).

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Samuel Dilworth

Kevin: thanks for mentioning that, since I had never heard of another camera having this feature.

Having now looked at some Canon G-series user manuals, I notice this feature is in fact mentioned in the G12 user manual (albeit almost as an afterthought, among such riveting notes as “the standard exposure is calculated according to the metering method chosen”). See page 107.

A similar but different feature is mentioned in the G1 X user manual, on page 130. You seemingly have to press the shutter-button halfway and the * button simultaneously.

But there appears to be no sign of such a feature in the G1 X Mark II user manual. Maybe you and I are the only ones interested!

Jun 5, 2014permalink

abortabort

Most Pentax models have this feature with the 'green' button which is instant program mode. Very useful on any camera that has it.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

xpanded

Dear Nikon - please provide the after market firmware enhancements for the Coolpix A that Ricoh routinely provides. Thank you.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

They won't. Ricoh has been doing this for YEARS. Nobody thought it was that valuable on these forums until other manufacturers started doing it just like Ricoh. Ricoh has lead the charge of feature enhancing firmware updates over every other manufacturer out there.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

xpanded

Well, I have found it valuable for my Ricohs for years...

Jun 4, 2014permalink

shadowhumper

Not Fuji, Ricoh is the camera maker that deserves most appreciation for their FW updates.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Let's appreciate both brands in this regard.
They both offer great support of their products.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

".... Ricoh has been doing this for YEARS. Nobody thought it was that valuable on these forums until other manufacturers started doing it just like Ricoh. Ricoh has lead the charge of feature enhancing firmware updates over every other manufacturer out there."

Jun 4, 2014permalink

I am sorry but not tha many manufacturers add functionality in firmware at all.

Ricoh and fujifilm do a very good job in this regard. And totally free as well.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

shadowhumper

Which functionality was added by Fuji? That I know of is only bug fix after bug fix.. Things that should have been on FW 1.0

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Xe-2 got the faster refresh rate in the viewfinder of the xt-1.

Wouldn't call that a bug fix.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Mateus1

... and X-E2 got worse high iso IQ in jpg compared to X-E1 - "waxy" and "plastic" look with no details.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

abortabort

Everyone does it, only Fuji who make a big song and dance about it and their customers lap it up.

Ricoh still does it better.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

shadowhumper

Sorry but faster refresh rate after software update is the ideal definition of bug fix.

You said something about functionality: New functionality is something like the ability to edit raw images in camera, like Ricoh announced. Or if the x100s would not come with the focus split and then they would have added later.

I do not own a Ricoh or a Fuji, Sony guy here, but Ricoh is king in this department and I am just waiting to get a good, used GR.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

Fait enough I might pick 1 up as well.
It's a one trick pony but nevertheless a very good one.

Jun 5, 2014permalink

soyo

I remember when i bought the lumix lx3 panasonic add fw for 2 years, when lx5 come out they forget it for ever, ricoh do the same, when come gr III no more fw for gr II.
One month after Fuji release X-E2 add fw for X-E1, focus peak highlight, edit file name, and auto iso. For me it´s add for you maybe is a bug fix.
Now i hope fuji don´t do the same (Pana, Ricoh), and keep up give us an update for x-e1, intervalometer for example.

Jun 8, 2014*permalink

I realize this question is a little off topic but.... Given the new firmware updates for the GR since the initial crop of reviews written a year or so ago, how well does the "new" GR fix the complaints about (relatively) poor white balance and jpeg quality?

I am a former GR1 user (still own one) and loved that camera but not dealing with film. I've gone through DSLR and am now using Fuji X-E1 as primary but want to add an even more portable camera. This will replace a Canon S95.

GR size has a lot going for it. Decision, as for many others in this situation, is between X100s and GR. I've read all the initial reviews comparing the two but wonder what the various firmware updates have done to resolve issues.

I prefer not to be forced to shoot RAW otherwise the JPEG and WB issues wouldn't matter. I enjoy the flexibility of switching between RAW and JPEG with the X-E1 (RAW sometimes, JPEG for everyday). Fuji JPEG works well. Has Ricoh JPEG quality and WB improved?

Jun 18, 2014permalink

The GR is a superb instrument. WB (auto) is an active type that seeks out white portions in the frame to auto adjust a correct WB. In most scenes, it works splendidly for "auto". If you don't like the output, go manual. Jpeg quality - what are your criteria for good Jpegs?... It helps to know that before answering that. As far as the firmware goes, take a look at all the updates on the Ricoh/Pentax site and what they did to enhance the GR overall. I'd love to tell you that WB and Jpegs are for you, but those are personal taste matters. Try a GR and find out how it works for your needs ;). That's good advice.

Jun 18, 2014*permalink

Well, I just found a nearly new GR on Craigslist for $450 which I intend to pick up tomorrow and give it a whirl. I loved the GR1 film version which I stopped using about ten years ago so I'm hoping to rekindle the flame. Still like the Fuji x100s package but with the GR at half the price for used specimen as well as being closer in size to the Canon S95 it will replace, I will give it a try. No doubt an upgrade from the S95. Thanks for your sage advice.

Jun 18, 2014*permalink

Glad to hear it. The GR1 was/is an excellent film camera. Of course digital is a completely different experience, so maybe the flame will burn with a different color/intensity this go round? Handling is pretty similar, but you may find the new GR to be better in this regard. There is a LOT inside this camera, take your time and start with the basics, learn it slowly. :) Just a thought!

Jun 18, 2014permalink

OK, quick question: would you pay $450 for a nearly new GR or $650 for a new GR with GV2 instead (plus new warranty and SD)?? I was about to buy the CL camera when I checked Adorama and see that they have an unbelievable deal on the GR plus GV2 plus 32gb SD plus $50 gift certificate for less than$700, shipping included. I hate LCD screens to frame with most of the time so was planning to add an OVF anyway.

Jun 18, 2014permalink

Since you like the OVF experience I'd pick #2 option :). I have one on mine as well :)

Jun 19, 2014permalink

Actually the offer was for the GR plus GV1 (I got the two OVF numbers confused). Order has been placed with Adorama. Looking forward to getting it. I miss having my GR1 and this should be even better. Thanks for your advice.

Jun 19, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

The new High Speed AF mode is significantly faster - great job, Ricoh!

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Is there any disadvantage? I haven't had the chance to install the firmware yet.

Jun 4, 2014permalink

Samuel Dilworth

One disadvantage is that when AF Mode is set to High Speed, the display doesn’t update while focusing is happening. That is, you don’t see your subject moving; instead you see a static image of what was seen at the outset of the focusing action.

With AF Mode set to Normal, the display updates even during the focusing process.

There may be other disadvantages – I haven’t yet tested accuracy, for example. It’s certainly quick though. Very quick.

Jun 4, 2014permalink