mmistrz
Well-known member
I've used cx1.2.3, and have some experience to write about.
It seems that two teams of opposite extremists took part in constructing those cameras.
One extreme team demanded and delivered an outstanding features and overall camera.
The other extreme team have done all that is wrong or bad or unsatisfactory.
Now I simply spill and you categorize to which group this belong.
The battery management never was done properly and only in cx3 is just acceptable when the dying batteries still manage the lens to hide and close. The price is unjustifiably high as number of other users point on forum.
Camera is far from perfect yet it is very loveable. You simply like to use it as it is easy to use and produce predictable and consistent results.
Lately my cx3 returned from repair for the 2nd time, 2-3 weeks each time and warranty is not extended. It is unfair and kind of cheating. First time the lens did not retracted smoothly and this time the selector dial was replaced because my thumb did rub the paint and functions no longer were readable. You could not set a function. Here the extremists were at it's best. On the camera all over the place there are embossed numbers and signs except on the dial so when you rub off the poor paint you have no clue what position is currently on.
Well friend's cx2 which I use is hardly used but I noticed it has battery issue. Number of times wanted to make a shot and it did not worked. I even glued thin pieces of plastic at the bottom thinking that they are shorter than original one and make no contact on the other end. It worked for some time but lately all batteries stopped working. Lately I've discovered that when I insert a piece of paper folded 4 times over all batteries work with that.
N ow I think that the actual reason of Ricoh switching the battery from db70 to db100 with release of cx3 is not just an increase of it's capacity marginally but also the shape which allow a better and more reliable contact.
I've tried to contact the Ricoh but they are non cooperative, they ignore customers. Among number of improvements I suggested is the charger which should be universal that is 240V and 12V in car. They ignore all. So I had to modify the charger myself so it works now in car and at home.
I am sure than others will find many more examples to add to the two groups of extremists.
Now let me say how good concept it is and my surprise why other camera makers do not uptake those ideas. Let me lists positive features I value. Multitarget focusing, exceptionally good macros, excellent lcd monitor, good battery life but not management, small and extremely easy to use, excellent photos in bright light.
Being quite upset on Ricoh management I am stuck with cx series simply because I like the positives and there is no other choice by any other brand.
Now some criticize cx4 for just cosmetic improvements. I would classify the body shape as such but not the image stabilisation. Having no experience with it, I canot say much. As I already sent post doubting sense of multiple night shots. I do not believe it is technically possible to reduce low light shots noise without introducing a new more sensitive sensor.
There is one feature half baked. It is time lapse photography. You can set the time intervals and camera will do shooting at those intervals. The limit of 1h and increments of 5s make it almost useless. Guess which extremists did it? When you want to make shots of the opening flower over 24 hours every 20 min, you have to buy another camera because cx gives you limit of just 1hour. I cannot see any technical reason of such limit. You can be also upset when you want to make a shots of the sea waves or dancing steps so shot every second ( could be limited to say 100 pictures) would be handy. Not with cx cameras, the 5s is smallest step. In my opinion this feature is useless and we pay for it but cannot use it.
It seems that two teams of opposite extremists took part in constructing those cameras.
One extreme team demanded and delivered an outstanding features and overall camera.
The other extreme team have done all that is wrong or bad or unsatisfactory.
Now I simply spill and you categorize to which group this belong.
The battery management never was done properly and only in cx3 is just acceptable when the dying batteries still manage the lens to hide and close. The price is unjustifiably high as number of other users point on forum.
Camera is far from perfect yet it is very loveable. You simply like to use it as it is easy to use and produce predictable and consistent results.
Lately my cx3 returned from repair for the 2nd time, 2-3 weeks each time and warranty is not extended. It is unfair and kind of cheating. First time the lens did not retracted smoothly and this time the selector dial was replaced because my thumb did rub the paint and functions no longer were readable. You could not set a function. Here the extremists were at it's best. On the camera all over the place there are embossed numbers and signs except on the dial so when you rub off the poor paint you have no clue what position is currently on.
Well friend's cx2 which I use is hardly used but I noticed it has battery issue. Number of times wanted to make a shot and it did not worked. I even glued thin pieces of plastic at the bottom thinking that they are shorter than original one and make no contact on the other end. It worked for some time but lately all batteries stopped working. Lately I've discovered that when I insert a piece of paper folded 4 times over all batteries work with that.
N ow I think that the actual reason of Ricoh switching the battery from db70 to db100 with release of cx3 is not just an increase of it's capacity marginally but also the shape which allow a better and more reliable contact.
I've tried to contact the Ricoh but they are non cooperative, they ignore customers. Among number of improvements I suggested is the charger which should be universal that is 240V and 12V in car. They ignore all. So I had to modify the charger myself so it works now in car and at home.
I am sure than others will find many more examples to add to the two groups of extremists.
Now let me say how good concept it is and my surprise why other camera makers do not uptake those ideas. Let me lists positive features I value. Multitarget focusing, exceptionally good macros, excellent lcd monitor, good battery life but not management, small and extremely easy to use, excellent photos in bright light.
Being quite upset on Ricoh management I am stuck with cx series simply because I like the positives and there is no other choice by any other brand.
Now some criticize cx4 for just cosmetic improvements. I would classify the body shape as such but not the image stabilisation. Having no experience with it, I canot say much. As I already sent post doubting sense of multiple night shots. I do not believe it is technically possible to reduce low light shots noise without introducing a new more sensitive sensor.
There is one feature half baked. It is time lapse photography. You can set the time intervals and camera will do shooting at those intervals. The limit of 1h and increments of 5s make it almost useless. Guess which extremists did it? When you want to make shots of the opening flower over 24 hours every 20 min, you have to buy another camera because cx gives you limit of just 1hour. I cannot see any technical reason of such limit. You can be also upset when you want to make a shots of the sea waves or dancing steps so shot every second ( could be limited to say 100 pictures) would be handy. Not with cx cameras, the 5s is smallest step. In my opinion this feature is useless and we pay for it but cannot use it.
But we can forget about FW update in this area. No way in case of CX range.
