What's essential for GRD? Viewfinder? Flash? 21mm? Polarizer?

Guys, I'm looking to buy more accessories for my GR Digital. I am basically a casual user, but am definitely looking at getting more involved with using the GRD.

Of all the abovementioned accessories, which do you think is more essential, and why?

It's only essential if you need it for what you want to shoot. Wait and see if there are situations that call for something else.

The one thing I consider essential is a second battery, which I bought inexpensively on eBay.

I agree with Jeff that it depends on your needs.

To add to that, I found that I liked having:

• A good case to protect the camera, and thus be able to have the GRD with me all the time.
• An external VF that is small enough to stay on the camera all the time. This is handy for shooting in extremely bright light, or in situtations where you don't want to use the LCD.
• Extra battery, 4 GB total memory, and a small micro-fiber cloth.

I tried the 21mm adapter and it was beautiful; but, the size ruined it for me. So, I sold it and the adapter because they got no use. The reason I got the GRD is for its small size and excellent quality.

See this thread for a link to my "travelling kit":

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1013&thread=21907958

Hope this helps!

Mark T.

Jang

I am of the same opinion - all of the accessories can be useful if they are what you need for your particular style of photography but the GR-D is quite useful on its own. I bought "the accessories" but find that mostly the GR-D gos out by itself as it is a contradiction of terms to bundle up a highly portable camera with a bagful of accessories - it does tend to lose a lot of its defining essence - its very ability to be there always when an opportunity presents.

--
Tom Caldwell

Yes, i do agree that it depends on when, and at what circumstance you'll be needing what kind of accessories. I guess I want to know why you have chosen the accessory that you did.

For the extra battery, it is handy. I myself have been put on the spot when we went to HK Disneyland. With so many things to shoot, I ran out of battery. It is kind of fun though to put in triple A batteries and see that it really works.

As for the viewfinder and 21 mm, I am thinking in those lines too. Honestly though, I've read one too many users saying they leave it behind in the end.

I guess that's what I learned from you guys. Thanks.

By the way Mark, what do you mean by 4 GB total memory? I tried using 4 GB non SDHC, and it didn't work.

Good point Jang.....my bad in formatting my message.

By 4GB, I mean that I have 4 GB TOTAL, not in one card. I have 1 SanDisk Extreme Ultra III 2GB that is my primary, then I also carry 1 SanDisk Ultra II 1 GB and 1 Lexar Professional 1 GB 133x.

On the subject of memory, I haven't done any comparisons of the high speed SD cards I mentioned above; but, I just like to get good quality cards. I doubt there's a whole lot of difference in write times, as that is limited by the GRD's circuitry.

Take care.

Mark T.

Mark,

I myself am using 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II, and another Lexar 1 GB of unknown speed, not even pro, if i'm not mistaken. Seemingly, no difference in performance, or may be too minute to write home about.

Thanks.