http://www.dpreview.com/previews/RicohGXR/
It's official
Ricoh GXR
(70 posts) (11 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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@nikodoby I didn't realize the third party lens creators licensed the mount. I had always just assumed that like in the days of the first 'IBM compatibles' when pc manufacturers reverse engineered the IBM BIOS (and won in court), that they merely learned to make things that fit the mount and there was nothing nikon/canon could do about it. Good to know.
Posted 3 years ago # -
You know, it may be crazy, but Ricoh may be onto something.
I thought about it for 2 more seconds. :D
Could this be the predecessor to the modular DSLR we had dabbled about in threads in the past? I mean, this is far from modular, but this is slightly more modular than DSLRs in that both the sensor and the lens can be swapped out.
Now you could argue that the Minolta was first, but that's not around anymore, isn't it?
I mean, imagine if sensors, pentaprisms, lenses, displays and circuit boards can all be swapped out at our own leisure. That'd be pretty awesome, no? That would be like the original Nikon F. I mean (if the D3 were modular), I could buy a used D3 body, rip out all the guts, and still run with the pros for maybe slightly less than buying a new body. And if I want my D3 back, I can always shove the guts back in.
Plus, it's more environmentally friendly.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I don't think I would call it more modular than DSLRs. DSLRs have 2 basic components to swap out. The body that contains sensor, memory, display, etc. and the lens.
This system also has 2 basic components, the body which contains the memory and display, and the lens which contains the sensor and the electronics for it. Seems exactly as modular to me, just with different arrangement of components.
I agree with you, though, that a more modular system like the original F could be very interesting.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Image samples look very good for a "point & shoot". Very DSLR like. It's a good sign when so many image samples are available on the announcement day. I guess Ricoh knows it has to sell this crazy system on image quality alone or it's dead in the water.
Posted 3 years ago # -
What I don't get is why the lens/sensor could not be 2 pieces: You could have 2 sensors for crop factor and MP change and then a few lenses like we have now
Pete
Posted 3 years ago # -
Right, Pete. Like tai said, too, this isn't really more modular than what we have (just like you would use a D300s and a D700 for different applications).
Maybe this will at least get some people thinking about being more modular, though. That would be good.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah, Tai, you're right, it's APS-C and its FF, if I get it correctly. Or at least the 50mm has a larger CMOS and the zoom lens has a CCD.
Confusing, slightly.
But in other words, you still need to carry around a bag of small cubes if you want to change lenses. I guess it's a lot less bulky than a 24-70 and a 70-200 with a 14-24, but still, I guess it could work.
It could be more approachable than a micro 4/3 camera if people are skittish about changing lenses.
Edit- the test photos seem to all have been taken with the more expensive 50mm lens. Looks pretty good, I guess.
Posted 3 years ago # -
The test photos look pretty good, but for that price (body + 33mm f/2.5== $1380 USD) I could get a D90 and 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4
Posted 3 years ago # -
dpreview has a big sample gallery with both lenses and high ISO shots.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah tai but that's a big difference in size. Besides look at the Leica X1 it's a fixed camera in all conventional ways and it cost 2 grand.
The GXR is meant for photographers who already have DSLRs and want the same kind of picture quality but in a very small package. The whole crazy mod aspect is just a side note to that.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah, but still, I wouldn't go for something almost as complex as a DSLR. Personally, I wouldn't go over the $350 mark if I was in the market for a relatively quick point and shoot, because any higher and that equals DSLR camera equipment.
Heck, would you rather get a $200 35mm 1.8 or a $200 point and shoot? I sure as hell go for the 35mm 1.8.
Same thing with the Ricoh. It seems slightly more expensive than the M4/3 line though, and it seems to be running a more high end market, so maybe it does have a chance.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I don't think this approach is more modular than a current DSLR. They've just coupled the lens and sensor together. Economically this only makes sense when the sensor becomes comparatively inexpensive. Now I carry one camera body and 4-5 lenses. With the GXR I'd also be carrying 4-5 sensors. As far a size goes, I'd like to see the ergonomics of the GXR with a long, fast zoom.
The Leica X-1 commands a high price partly because of the promise of legendary Leica optics. Ricoh optics?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yes, the size is the advantage this has. I also wouldn't spend that much money on the Leica X1. I do want a small, capable camera, but it's as a supplement to my DSLR equipment, and shouldn't have a price tag in the same range as much of my DSLR equipment. This stuff might not be as expensive as my D700, but It's certainly expensive as some of my lenses. If I were incredibly wealthy, I would certainly want one. Sadly, I am not.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ted this is modular in the sense that it can also be used in other ways. Imagine if you had an fmount/CMOS "unit" then you could use this body with all your Nikkors. Upgrade to a Leica mount X1 like sensor and you've got one versatile camera all without spending "a lot" for a new camera each time a new sensor lens combo comes out.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Note, Niko, are you forecasting what could happen, or what will happen? There's a difference between the two.
The fact is, only 2 lenses with 2 sensors have come out, and the F-mount version of the Ricoh isn't even out. Why would I even want to use F-mount lenses on the Ricoh, except maybe out of curiosity? Forget about ergonomics, VR compatibility and all that stuff.
In theory- very cool. But in actuality, not very.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Well Im not saying that Ricoh would make an adapter unit at all. The beauty is that third parties (or bored hackers) could easily do it. This is as close to an "open source" camera as we've got yet.
I guess I think more creatively than you NSX.
Posted 3 years ago # -
This doesn't seem even as open source as, say, Nikon's current DSLRs, since Nikon will license the f-mount to third parties.
A bored hacker would have to get one of these lens-sensor combos and find a way to remove the lens and put the camera-side f-mount on instead. Or, they could find a way to interface to their own sensor through those pins (maybe rip it out of a Nikon body?), but that seems even more unlikely.
I think this is going the way of the Minolta system.Posted 3 years ago # -
Yes, Niko, I am relatively uncreative. So yeah, I could have failed to see the F-mount Ricoh.
In any case, I guess you could be optimistic. I am more of a pessimist. :D
Posted 3 years ago # -
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Alrighty then... it's settled. My tombstone shall read, "Here lies Niko Doby, Greatest Lover, Photographer, And Only Man To Buy A Ricoh GXR" :^)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Right it into your will that I can inherit it! ;^)
Posted 3 years ago # -
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I can't wait to see the looks on everyone's face when we go birding with Gentoo and I whip out my Ricoh GXR looking like this:
Who thinks it's a dumb idea now huh?!
Posted 3 years ago # -
admin said:
This is the craziest camera of the year! I am not sure what to think of it yet, but this may be the future (RED is also into modular cameras). There was a rumor few months ago that Nikon will be doing one too.The comparaison with the RED camera doesn't work.
This new system is not more modular than any DSLR, you can change the lens, except they will lose much more value over time considering that they only work with only 1 resolution. Imagine if film was stuck on alphanikonrex's 50mm f/1.2 that would be bad today because he wants to shoot it with a much newer body.
The RED has interchangeable lens, sensor, everything. Now there are advantages because you can get better IQ by upgrade lenses and/or the sensor but you still keep your very good monitor, very good handles and viewfinder.. etc.. Ricoh's system would only be good if there was a way to change the lens as well...
Also, alphanikonrex you idea of getting only one lens defeats the whole purpose of the camera... if I only get 1 lens, why would I want a camera on which I can change the sensor?
Ricoh is already a small company, they are trying new stuff but it's overpriced and it simply won't work.
Posted 3 years ago #
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