The ricoh rival

[Guest stnami]

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Ricoh GXR interchangeable unit camera, previewed: Digital Photography Review

[adan]

An interesting piece of outside-the-box engineering! And ammunition for those who dream of being able to constantly upgrade sensors (although it needs a bit of work, since I'd prefer to not have to constantly upgrade my lenses, too! )

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[Guest stnami]

.the 50mm lens is the real rival........... due to zooms the lens range will be limited as there will be no need for them. A damn good idea and great for those who want something different ............. the GRseries had a very distinct footprint on images taken hopefully the cmos sensor/50mm GR lens combination may be a bit more flexible

Edited November 10, 2009 by stnami

[ottocrat]

Some video here

 

Oh that's a pity, the guy's taken the video down. It was some interesting footage of him swapping the lens module and sensor in and out and talking a bit about the flexibility of the system.

Edited November 10, 2009 by ottocrat
broken link

[NZDavid]

Intriguing! Ricoh has some innovative stuff. But the sensor/lens combo must add significantly to the cost.

[ferdinand]

... an adapter module with R-bajonett, 24x36 sensor and electromechanic aperture control - and the digital R is finished

[ottocrat]

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So, we have a 50mm equivalent genuine macro lens, apparently, coupled with an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, in what appears to be a package as small as or smaller than an X1, with the option of an electronic viewfinder.

 

Looks like the game is on!

[Speenth]

So, we have a 50mm equivalent genuine macro lens, apparently, coupled with an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, in what appears to be a package as small as or smaller than an X1, with the option of an electronic viewfinder.

 

Looks like the game is on!

 

A Leica M mount module for this Ricoh, with inbuilt sensor optimised for 24 to 50mm M lenses would be very attractive!

[Guest stnami]

I doubt if ricoh gives a rat's arse about the m mount.....leica does what it does and ricoh has it's own agenda

[Speenth]

I doubt if ricoh gives a rat's arse about the m mount.....leica does what it does and ricoh has it's own agenda

 

I wouldn't expect Ricoh to be making the module! But you never know, it all generates sales and establishes a niche in the market.

 

... and my original thought remains - the possibilities of such a module are intriguing, not least for the road Leica digital itself might one day travel.

[coup de foudre]

I doubt if ricoh gives a rat's arse about the m mount.....leica does what it does and ricoh has it's own agenda

 

and Ricoh's agenda might be selling cameras:

 

The camera system is in itself interesting enough, but the potential for add-on elements and more developments make GXR very exciting. There is no lens mount obviously, but on questioning Mr Kazunobu Saiki, general manager for Ricoh's global camera division, seemed to acknowledge that a sensor unit fitted with a mount receptive to M and L rangefinder lenses would be a positive addition to the system. Those with good memories will recall that Ricoh had the 28mm f/2.8 and 21mm f/3.5 lenses from its film GR series of compact cameras launched as limited-edition screw-thread L models many years ago. I don't suppose the possibility of making its new system directly attractive to Leica and Voigtländer users has passed the company by. Neither Saiki nor Katagiri would be drawn on when this type of unit might become available, but in previous talks Saiki has agreed that an important element in the success of the Micro Four Thirds system is its ability to tap into existing lens systems via adapters. This type of strategy ensures a new system does not require a complete reinvestment for photographer to take it up.

There will be more lens/sensor units released in the second quarter of 2010.

 

in the meanwhile, that 50mm looks quite sweet!

[Speenth]

and Ricoh's agenda might be selling cameras

 

From your quoted text:

 

"Mr Kazunobu Saiki, general manager for Ricoh's global camera division, seemed to acknowledge that a sensor unit fitted with a mount receptive to M and L rangefinder lenses would be a positive addition to the system".

 

Now that is interesting!

 

In this concept lies the potential to have the M lens characteristics optimised, both in terms of the sensor used in the module and also in the associated software inherent in the module. The Ricoh camera becomes little more than a hand grip, viewing device and exposure parameters selector, with seemingly good ergonomics (according to dpreview).

Edited November 10, 2009 by Speenth
typos

[Guest stnami]

Ricoh won't compromise its lens sales.............the micro four thirds is losing the battle with m mounted 35mm lenses and wider, leica had its problems with the m8 /lens combination........ remember it is a pressman's take of what he thinks......

seemed to acknowledge that ....

[coup de foudre]

Ricoh won't compromise its lens sales.............the micro four thirds is losing the battle with m mounted 35mm lenses and wider, leica had its problems with the m8 /lens combination........ remember it is a pressman's take of what he thinks......

 

obviously.. but the possibility is out there...

 

that's more than can be said with the X1, non?

 

as for wider lenses, i'd prefer to keep with a Ricoh anyways. i've grown quite partial to their 28's on the GRDs. it would be especially lovely if they could keep the f/1.9 whilst using the larger sensor for decent high ISO... and if we can manually focus the lens -- on the lens -- like the 50mm, i'd be in hog heaven.

[Guest stnami]

But alas my priority is the X1 the ricoh 50 will be considered at a later date .......... like I stated it was the dominant sensor footprint of ricoh that led me to selling the camera

[SiOnara]

Looks a bit gimmicky to me. I think I am still attracted to the simplicity of the X1.

[stevelap]

Some video here

 

Oh that's a pity, the guy's taken the video down. It was some interesting footage of him swapping the lens module and sensor in and out and talking a bit about the flexibility of the system.

 

Here's the video: LINKS: Removed Video of Ricoh GXR Camera System is here. courtesy of Photo Rumors

Edited November 10, 2009 by stevelap

[coup de foudre]

But alas my priority is the X1 the ricoh 50 will be considered at a later date .......... like I stated it was the dominant sensor footprint of ricoh that led me to selling the camera

out of curiosity, do you find the sample images from the 50/sensor combo to have the same footprint you disliked?

 

to me, it looks like a totally different camera... i just played with the image of the girl and the mirror, converting it to b/w, and it's stunning. everything i hoped from the X1 but haven't seen thus far...

 

would i have preferred a 40mm? yes, but i am really really liking what i've seen from the 50. if i have to step back, so be it... i'm actually kind of surprised that i like it as much as i do.

[Guest stnami]

Just about to look at the samples Ricoh GXR A12 and S10 preview samples galleries: Digital Photography Review

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[vicpeh]

Just about to look at the samples Ricoh GXR A12 and S10 preview samples galleries: Digital Photography Review

 

I like what I see!