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DougOB
Senior Member
Simple answer... sure, why not, budget permitting. It would be a less expensive way of trying out a GR to see if it suits you. There is nothing wrong with that 16MP sensor. Just keep in mind the differences, e.g., pop-up flash vs IBIS. When the GR IVx eventually comes you will have a better idea if:
1. I hate the GR cameras, forget it, back panasonic (only);
2. The GR is perfect I don't need to bother with a GR IV;
3. The GR is great, I want to add a IVx.
You have my permission. You are enabled.
Doug
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I actually quite like the 16 sensor when my GX7 died I upgraded to a GX9 a big mistake.
Like I said it's not about the price,
Auto focus could be problem in marginal light? f5.6/f8 should be ok with snap?
Skin tones?
Dust specks at f8?anything else?
Like I said it's not about the price,
Auto focus could be problem in marginal light? f5.6/f8 should be ok with snap?
Skin tones?
Dust specks at f8?anything else?
I moved to the M4/3 system after the GR to get the GM1 (at the time) which I saw as a GR with a mount system. I was agreeably surprised. Roughly the same size except for the mount stub and the M4/3 system allowed using pretty well any type of lens my imagination could desire. It even allowed me to adapt EF mount lenses with full AFS capabilities.
My GR died with a stuck shutter button. It was not that bad a camera that I wanted to discard it. But technically it was a step backwards from the older GRDIV which had image stabilisation and also retained the amazing close focus capabilities of the whole GRD type.
So when my Ricoh mores were stimulated by the GRIV (which I have pre-ordered) I thought enough of the first GR to have it professionally repaired. Now back in working order I expect that it will be posted as a return next Monday. Meanwhile I await the delivery of my GRIV which cannot now be far off.
Happiness is the pleasure of having the GRDIV, the GR back and working despite its GR-as-a type-training-wheels, the GRIV and of course my original GRD still in working order.
I always have a bevy or GM5 bodies each with a lens on board that can give solace for the fixed prime lens of the GRD/GR models. Of course the GM series is dead and unlikely to be resurrected and the GR (type) soldiers on.
However the GRDIV was the pinnacle of the GRD (type) with the smaller sensor. The GR was a step backwards in some ways and significantly larger. The GRIV seems a logical successor with refinements in almost every way except a built in evf. The argument might rest on whether the GRDIV comes into the equation versus the GRIV or the GR represents a more back to basics good attempt for a street shooter's camera body.
I looked at the grd line results and concluded that I would prefer to shoot film if I wanted grit the GRDIV sounds like a great little camera but too expensive these days for what it is.
I will search for a GR if not I have another trip to Japan in February I should be able to pick up one then unless flea bay coughs up a bargain but I doubt that. Australian ebayers ask too much for small cameras.
I will search for a GR if not I have another trip to Japan in February I should be able to pick up one then unless flea bay coughs up a bargain but I doubt that. Australian ebayers ask too much for small cameras.
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i am more than set with a collection of GRD/GR bodies but I should check the asking prices for them out of curiosity.
The saying was a Packard advertising spiel I believe: that "the value is remembered long after the cost is forgotten". - or something to that effect.
On Australian eBay I actually thought that the GRDIV being the most refined of the GRD line was being sold a bit cheap. Whilst the GR seemed relatively more expensive than it should have been as the first still fairly raw version in the GR series.
The GRD original was pretty iconic in its day but unless we wanted to buy it for its iconic stature it is hardly a standout product by today's refined standards.
It did have the refined hybrid sensor/cdaf focusing. Its output was not smoothed out noise like every rival product, but it was let hang out. It had that "mistake"* rocker toggle for EV control which was unique at the time and probably still is. It also had a rear clickable full wheel which seems to have finally been resurrected for the GRIV. ... and it did DNG-RAW! something that no other point'n'shoot dared to do at the time. But of course we could have one cup of coffee or perhaps even two whilst we waited and waited for the camera to record a single RAW file capture.
* I think that the rocker control was originally made to use for digital zoom. But digital zoom was one of the big mistakes of digital photography before crop-zoom was made useful. An alternate use was offered - that it coud be used to easily control the EV setting. No other camera in its era made controlling the EV so easy. It became the must have iconic feature for almost all GRD/GR bodies and has fruitfully been brought back for the GRIV. For me the GRD was the awakening of the complete-controlled digital camera. Still is ....
My Canon EF dslr was my point'n'shoot reality, I learned how to manage and control a digital camera with the original GRD.
I think I'm going to have to give all this a miss.
It will take me ages to get Ricoh gr at decent price, let alone a good one.
Who knows how much dust is present on the sensor, the gr's are pretty old now. I doubt if anyone would say how much dust is present ,the usual comments are, it has some dust but it doesn't affect the image etc etc I sort of don't buy that description.
oh well, it was a good idea
It will take me ages to get Ricoh gr at decent price, let alone a good one.
Who knows how much dust is present on the sensor, the gr's are pretty old now. I doubt if anyone would say how much dust is present ,the usual comments are, it has some dust but it doesn't affect the image etc etc I sort of don't buy that description.
oh well, it was a good idea
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I have a GR - it wasted away in a drawer as my mind was occupied with other cameras. One day I tried it out again but the shutter button was stuck depressed. Off and on I thought that I would buy one of the later models but they were always too expensive for me.
Recently I had another look and the specification of the GRIV looked pretty good. Bringing back some of the features that made earlier models so attractive and refining many of the other features that were already rock solid.
The price was once "a gasp!" but I settled down after a bit. The camera is still in delivery mode after my pre-order.
However I did decide also to get my otherwise useless GR repaired. Now repaired it will be posted back to me shortly. The repair was expensive but any working camera body is worth much more than one that is completely dead. Last time I used the GR seriously there was a single dust bunny in it. Presumably from one of the only two occasions when I pocketed it. It only shows when I stop down to the maximum and take a picture of a clear sky.
They are all well built cameras with a magnesium shell body - even the original GRD.
They are an acquired taste but obviously they are still regarded well enough to remain expensive.
it's a pity that Ricoh didn't make a 50 mm equivalent instead of a 40mm, but that's understandable as shooting at 50mm is not as forgiving as 28,35,40 or even 85mm, it requires a lot more dancing.
I have a greater interest in photography and playing with light than camera tribalism. Daidō left the room long ago now it is driven by a bunch youtubers prancing the streets promoting their self importance
I have a greater interest in photography and playing with light than camera tribalism. Daidō left the room long ago now it is driven by a bunch youtubers prancing the streets promoting their self importance
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They tried a curious 15.7-55.5/3.5-5.5 oem Ricoh Zoom Module with the GXR camera back (translated to a very useful roughly 24-83/3.5-5.5 in the usual Ricoh ff fov terms). This was a relatively slow zoom and definitely not pocketable in even the largest pockets. But it was made as simple and light-weight as possible with "everything" controlled by the camera body. It also extends (considerably) to focus and zoom. However is not a bad performer, but hardly a modern day, super fast, compac,t zoom despite being a completely new effort by Ricoh engineers*. I suppose that this was the monster facing Ricoh GR cameras if Ricoh dived in at the deep end of making other cameras with alternative lenses. That they could make a collapsing 40mm equivalent version is a modern day near-miracle. The GXR also had a well received 50/2.5 (from memory) but it did not collapse and again - forget the pocketability.
I made a mistake and bought a TTArtisan 50/1.1 lens in LM mount. The error was that the rear protrusion was considerable and fouled the internal contacts/baffles of almost all mirrorless mounts. However it did fit the GXR M Mount Module and there it found a home.
However and again this lens is all metal, needs internal space for its rear elements to move in and is heavy for pockets as well as too large to fit. But it is a pretty fast MF "real" 50mm (75mm f1.1 FF fov equivalent).
* OMS has released a more compact 40-150/4.0 lens (60-225/4.0 FF eq) which partly retracts at rest but when extended for use is effective internal focus and zoom. This is an interesting lens as it is still fast enough without stabilisation to be useful and the Panasonic G100D is a quite compact camera body in the GXR size class. They pair well and fit in a fairly small camera bag. Effectively an 80-300/4.0 FF eq lens on a 4/3 20mp sensor camera body. Not nearly in the same class of camera of course.
Myself, I am satisfied with an exceptionally well developed collapsing 28mm ff fov eq lens in a Ricoh GR body. Best that Ricoh do less when trying to do more presents such difficulties as I have noted.
It was the romancing on this forum over multiple versions of the GR 10+ years ago that caused me to basically leave the Ricoh fold for the Panasonic (then) GM1 which I saw as a GR with a mount system and a host of lenses to choose from. I was not wrong.
However the basic prime lensed GRIV is the very refinement of a single prime lens single niche-purpose vision.
If there is a "40mm" version in time they are doing well.
Jeff Biscuits
Senior Member
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If it’s any help, cleaning the sensor on a GR is a half-hour job from start to finish with no real challenges along the way.
But you’re right about the difficulty of finding one at a decent price these days. In the UK they sell for more than I paid for mine new.
yes I'm sure I could probably clean it but it would be nice to get a clean one.
With the prices I actually feel sorry for those young photographers who are into photography not into TikTok etc. They are the ones that would benefit from these cameras as they are small and they can gain confidence with their skills in the public eye
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Sounds like a similar reasoning for using their mobile phone cameras .....
The Ricoh GRD/GR (type) has always been positioned at a more technical user market from day one. I remember clearly having to convince myself to spend quite a lot extra for a prime lensed camera when i had already bought a cheaper Panasonic Lumix LX1 zoom.
But after some time and a learning experience with the GRD I lost interest in the LX1 (which was actually quite a decent camera body. The LX1 went to a son and his wife and I subsequently spent quite a lot of money on Ricoh product.
Similarly the GM1 and GM5 tiny wonders now sell for more than they were being marketed when new. That is, if anyone can actually find one being sold in good condition.
All the best ones in captivity are now closely held.
There is a lot of kids out there using cameras and not their phones for the bulk of their photography experiences, the phones are for video
Jeff Biscuits
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Sure. But if the price is (understandably) putting you off then you may be able to pick one up for significantly less money if it needs a quick puff with a blower.
I doubt if we can cheer our friend up - he is looking for a cheap older GRD/GR in perfect condition. Of course there is no guarantee that an expensive one will be pristine enough but surely a cheap one will be an abused wreck.
No so
I am willing to pay a reasonable price but at the moment they are overinflated for what it is plus what is the use of buying a defective item
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Jeff Biscuits
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If dust constitutes a “defective item” then the use of buying a defective item is that you can spend a few minutes with one screwdriver and a blower, and it becomes an entirely non-defective item at a lower price. And since price is the factor that’s the obstacle for you, this seems like the most likely way past it.
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