New GRD?

[robertb3604]

Already have the GRD and have been contemplating getting the GRD3 but would it be worth hanging on a little bit longer for the arrival of GRD4
That is assuming there will be one and if so when ?
All comments appreciated
Bob

 

[slncezgsi]

Well - one could say that the GRD4 could show up in the next few months, but as of now there were no signs of it - even no 2nd class rumors. So I would say if you do not want to wait 6+ months just get the GRD3

But if I could put in a word, than I would love to see a 35/2.0 version accompanied by 0.6x (21 mm equivalent) wide convertor.
--
Matus

 

[JJJRRR768]

Well - one could say that the GRD4 could show up in the next few months, but as of now there were no signs of it - even no 2nd class rumors. So I would say if you do not want to wait 6+ months just get the GRD3

But if I could put in a word, than I would love to see a 35/2.0 version accompanied by 0.6x (21 mm equivalent) wide convertor.
--
Matus

I would wait as the price on the lll will more than likely drop a bit more, but then who knows for sure when the lV will be here, if at all (I believe it will).

 

[rube39]

The GRDIII price has stabilized in Japan, around the ¥34,500 mark, and hasn't moved since I got mine about 6 months before. There seem to be a lot of vendors as well. None of this indicates an immediate release of the IV but you never know.
--
Rube
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71881102@N00/

 

[Tom Caldwell]

The GRDIII price has stabilized in Japan, around the ¥34,500 mark, and hasn't moved since I got mine about 6 months before. There seem to be a lot of vendors as well. None of this indicates an immediate release of the IV but you never know.
--
Rube
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71881102@N00/

Just as the GRDII was a running update of the original GRD it makes sense to reason that the GRDIV will be a similar makeover model. Similarly the R series was only a more radical change every second model and we can include the lightly brushed over GX200 in this list.

As far as different lens sizes go. Unless Ricoh "do a GXR" with the GRD body and start introducing modules in an even smaller format then I guess we can stop dreaming about multiple GRD models with different size lenses. The GRD is supposed to be perfection in technology with a fixed prime lens. To repeat this perfection across a range of lenses would be to fracture the GRD market into smaller production batches, increase it's market price and thereby destroy it completely. Sheer commercial economics no matter how nice it might be for interested buyers there are simply not enough of them about.

The GRD like most of Ricoh cameras seems to be made in batches of around the same number. Obviously an economic production line run. Stock goes into store and when the stock gets to a certain trigger level then a new batch is run. Simple commercial practice. The sales rate is juggled by varying the market price. Unsold earlier models are simply discounted and sold off in parallel to the next model(s). But no new production run until the trigger point is reached.

However there is probably a minimum market price that Ricoh will accept for a successful product that may be selling slowly if steadily. Consequently they might delay the new model if there are still excess stocks of the previous model unsold. We certainly want Ricoh to make a profit and continue in business as we like what they make.

There is nothing particularly wrong with the GRDIII that might make it worthwhile to wait for an "exciting" new model which may in fact be only a facelifted GRDIII when it happens. So delaying will only lead to the later release on that anticipated new model and Ricoh are likely to stubbornly hang on to their current pricing structure until more GRDIII cameras are sold. So if you want to see a GRDIV somewhere in the nearer future then buy a GRDIII - they are good value at the current price.

Myself I find it hard to see where the GRDIII can be seriously improved, but no doubt there will be something someone can suggest.

--
Tom Caldwell
I am always trying ...

 

[Juddchr]

I think a few things that I would like to see that would be worthwhile are actually reverting to a few of the features of the GRD1 these would be the phase autofocus and the proper rear scroll wheel. I find the design of the rear wheel nowhere near as good on the GRD3 and GXR. Updated sensor with better low light performance maybe slightly larger in size too.

 

[VladimirV]

Already have the GRD and have been contemplating getting the GRD3 but would it be worth hanging on a little bit longer for the arrival of GRD4
That is assuming there will be one and if so when ?
All comments appreciated
Bob

Bob, there will definitely be a GRD IV out this year and most likely around the summer as the releases before.

--
http://ricoh-gr-diary.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristiansorega/
http://jpgmag.com/people/Cristian

 

[robertb3604]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply,
I think I will take Vladimirs advice and wait a little longer.
Kind regards
Bob

 

[momonyc]

the grd III was 560 euros for the longest time at this store i buy stuff from...over the last two months it has dropped down to 366 euros...not sure this means anything, just sayin'...

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply,
I think I will take Vladimirs advice and wait a little longer.
Kind regards
Bob

--
'Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace ' -Lennon

http://www.morristaub.aminus3.com

 

[slncezgsi]

Well I would say that the camera did not find many buyers at 550 euro. 350 sounds very reasonable to me though.

--
Matus

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Well I would say that the camera did not find many buyers at 550 euro. 350 sounds very reasonable to me though.

--
Matus

Well I bought one of the first GRDIII's in Australia virtually as the rep took them around to show them. The dealer made me a special deal at the time for a little discount and bought another for the shop which he put in his showcase for slightly under AUD$1,000. Was still there a couple of weeks ago. Same price. The Aussie dollar has appreciated a lot since he bought it - latest equivalent US$1.07. Makes buying legacy lenses from overseas a shooting gallery sport. I wonder how the local distributers are going to price the M mount module ....

--
Tom Caldwell
I am always trying ...