Ricoh Do I really need the new Ricoh GR?

wt21

Hall of Famer
Now hear me out for a moment. Legit question. I know I don't actually need most of my cameras, and I alo know there is a laundry list of fun-toy reasons to get the GR, but my question is more focused.

Given that I have the RX100, I get along with the RX100, and I do like that zoom up to 100mm, would I ever use the GR. It would have to be times I only want to shoot 28 or 35mm, or would I be willing to carry both bodies?

Wondering if anyone else is thinking the same??
 
Of course you should buy it. It's what we do.

Seriously, if 28 is your primary FL, then this could be a sweet camera. If not, it just won't see enough work .


Steve
 
It all depends on how much you value the zoom. The GR will have much better controls, ergonomics, image quality, etc, but it won't zoom. If you like the RX100 a lot and zoom often, I don't think the Ricoh is your best choice. I don't think you'll want to carry both.
 
I would agree that you wouldn't want to carry both. It also depends on what else you are using. I have an RX100 and an X100, but I'm still toying with the idea of a GR as a pocket-able option with APS-C quality. Since the GR interface seems to be similar to the GRD series it should be great, and a GR with the LCD off and an 28mm OVF should fit my shooting preferences perfectly.

-Thomas
 
I have a number of cameras ranging from full-on DSLR to micro four thirds to enthusiast compact. But I am loathe to carry more than one body at a time. If 28mm and/or 35mm doesn't float your boat then I would think the new Ricoh GR isn't for you.

But, just to demonstrate how twisted I am, I actually bought the RX100 but returned it a day later. Not because it wasn't a good camera but because I thought it was simply too expensive for what it is. Yet, here I am actually considering the purchase of the Ricoh GR for about $150 more than the RX100.

Everyone's different and to each their own. :)
 
GR seems to have it all.. but zoom. If you really use the zoom then you probably won't use the GR as much. How I justified it in my head, because a year ago I nixed the GRD IV due to the fixed lens, is that I shoot most of my film cameras with fixed lenses. I used to carry my DSLR and my LCA+ film camera at the same time, the LCA being fixed.. the other of course able to swap lenses. It was a good combo.. didn't need both cameras doing the same thing. If in doubt wait until it comes out and rent. No one up front is getting any great deal.
 
if I were a zoom kinda guy, I'd have no use for the GR. If I were a prime kinda guy, I'd REALLY have nose for the RX100. If I were cool with both, that would be tough to answer. Do you consider yourself more of one than the other?
 
If I'm out where taking photos is one of my goals, I generally carry one camera with multiple lenses, one camera with a zoom lens, or two cameras with different focal lengths. I haven't yet mastered the skill, artistic vision and comfort level to have just one camera with one focal length. I commend anyone who does. There were times that I carried only the X100. But just as a general carry around for unexpected photographic encounters. That being said, I pre-ordered the GR!
 
If in doubt wait until it comes out and rent. No one up front is getting any great deal.

This is a very important point. The new GR isn't going to disappear in a few weeks or months. It's not even in the stores yet. There's plenty of time to wait for the reviews, try one out in the store or even rent one for a week. And the price won't go anywhere but down - even if more slowly than many other cameras.
 
This is a very important point. The new GR isn't going to disappear in a few weeks or months. It's not even in the stores yet. There's plenty of time to wait for the reviews, try one out in the store or even rent one for a week. And the price won't go anywhere but down - even if more slowly than many other cameras.

Here's my devil's advocate counterpoint: you can always preorder it as you'll have plenty more time to think about it. :)
 
Like Amin, I think this depends on how much you like/need zoom, and how much you favour the 28mm focal length. In my post about a carry-everywhere camera, I said I'd like a high quality compact with a bit of zoom if possible. The RX-100 was suggested many times, although I find it ergonomically iffy. My preference would be for a GR type of camera.

I've gone through many combinations, including:

- one zoom compact (Canon G7, G10, S90, etc)
- one prime compact (Sigma)
- two prime compacts (DP1 and DP2, or GRD III and DP2)
- DSLR with prime and zoom compact
- DSLR with zoom and prime compact (DP1, DP2, GRD III)
- rangefinder and zoom compact
- rangefinder and prime compact

Until the last few days, I was carrying the Oly OM-D with Pana 12-35, and a second camera of whatever type. Now I'm back to the GXR 28 and GRD III to stave off the cravings until the GR arrives some time next month. My plan is to carry the GXR 50 and GR for a while and see how that goes, but I think that most of my general photography will be done with the GR. Its combination of size and image quality ought be a winner for me.
 
I think eventually will buy the GR. I have the GRD III and its different controls compare to my Panasonic LX3. The GRD can be turn on in fraction of a second and snap focus for street
photography. But I do want better low light features of the new sensor.

there are just so many new camera whcih we all love to have at this moment.!
 
I have the rx100. I still plan to buy the new gr. my reasons are

- better dynamic range
- higher iso capability
- 21 fov option

This will replace my rx100 as my everyday carry camera, but I don't plan to get rid of my rx100, there are times having a compact zoom like rx100 is useful. I also tend to carry two camera combos because I hate changing lens in the field.
- dp2m as primary w/ dp1m or rx100
- xp1 primary w/ xe1 or rx100
- x100 primary w/ rx100
- gxr primary w/ rx100 or new grd
The currently not used camera is always in my messenger bag. A grd primary w/ rx100 secondary combo would eliminate need for messenger bag.

Gary
 
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