a response from ricoh on snap focus
Feel free to use and adapt if you like (as an aside, I heard back from someone at Ricoh within hours and they are forwarding my message on to the appropriate folks . . . I hope):
Dear Ricoh: As a long-time user of the Ricoh GR Digital line of cameras, I was dismayed to learn that a feature that was present in the recent GRD III camera is no longer available in the GRD IV. The ability to set the Snap Focus distance using a combination of the Up button and the Front dial has now been replaced with the ability to switch between Function button settings. While this new feature is one that is appreciated, many photographers who use the Snap feature of the GR Digital cameras use the Up button/Front dial method frequently (myself included) to quickly change the focus distance setting while in Snap focus mode. Photographers now need to go back into the Control menu to change this setting and given the nature of Snap focus and why this feature was added to the camera (to quickly set focus at different distances) I feel embedding this setting in the Control menu without giving the user the ability to change it more easily using the Up button/Front dial method is a big mistake. In a future firmware update, I feel you should give the user the ability to decide how the Up button/Front dial works (maybe a choice between Function buttons and Snap focus distance setting). If the user chooses to use the Up button/Front dial combination to change the Snap focus distance, then the other Function button sets could be accessed through the Control menu. Thank you for your consideration.
Hi Paul,
As I just ordered my GRDIV and wait for its arrival, I went ahead and sent a message to Ricoh addressing the Snap Focus issue. I received a message from them rather promptly. And wanted to share what they had to say.
I am a little concerned with there response, and without my GRDIV in hand (arriving on the 15th) I am unable to see how effective this solution is. Hanging onto my GRDIII and unsure if I will keep the GRDIV now. Anyone out there able to confirm this is an effective solution, I would love to hear.
Ricoh's response is bellow:
Thank you for contacting Ricoh Japan,
Thank you for your comment on the GR DIGITAL IV product.
We are afraid that there is no plan to include the function like you
requested.
However, for your case, would you try the following setting.
Focus > Snap
Snap Focus Distance > Auto
Since the GR DIGITAL IV adopts the external AF, the camera always meter a
distance. If the Auto is set for Snap Focus Distance in advance, The camera
in the Snap mode will automatically focus on to the distance that has been
measured with the external AF.
This procedure will be less than those with Up button + front dial.
Sincerely yours,
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Ricoh PMMC Japan
Customer Support Digital Camera Products