M8 or Ricoh GXR A12 M-mount w/EVF?

[Acekerman]

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Guys-

 

Need some advice. I have a Leica 35mm f/2.5 SUMMARIT-M and trying to decide between an M8.2 or Ricoh GXR A12 for a body. Mostly for backup and travel. Previous M8.2 owner but wondering if there advantages to the Ricoh now. Thoughts? Thanks everyone for your valued opinions.

 

Cheers

Brian

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[Carduelis]

Hello Brian, welcome to the forum.

 

I bought the Ricoh GXR plus A12 mount and EVF and have been very happy with it. IMHO despite its ageing sensor it is preferable to the Nex cameras because the A12 mount was designed with Leica M lenses in mind and can accommodate the wider angle lenses that can can cause colour artefact problems on the Nex cameras. This is important because these cameras have a 1.5 cropped sensor which does not favour the lower focal lengths associated with wide angle lenses. The GXR works really well with the CV 15 mm f4.5 lens which provides an effective focal length of 22.5 mm.

 

After acquiring the Ricoh GXR, my first lens was a used 35 mm Summarit to give me my most used focal length of around 50 mm. I have since bought a used 75mm Summarit (eff focal length of 112 mm), a used Elmar 24 mm f3.8 (effective focal length of 36 mm) and the CV above. My motivation for buying the camera was having a compact and lightweight system with digital SLR quality and I have not been disappointed. The Ricoh GXR plus A12 mount, EVF and Summarit 35 mm only weighs about 600 g which is roughly the same weight as an M9 body.

 

Another big plus for the Ricoh GXR is the 920k resolution LCD which is higher than current Leica M8/M9 cameras. If the LCD ever develops a serious fault you can easily buy another GXR body at a very reasonable sum and not have problems as has been the case with the M8.

 

I think the 1.5 cropped sensor as opposed to a 1.3 cropped sensor seems more preferable to lens combinations if you go full frame as well which I am intending to do in due course with the purchase of a used M9. I will still however use my Ricoh GXR as a back up camera.

 

The Ricoh GXR camera, plus A12 mount and EVF have dropped in price now from around £1000 to £800 if you shop around. Try investigating Ffordes and Richard Caplan if you are interested.

[iedei]

Guys-

 

Need some advice. I have a Leica 35mm f/2.5 SUMMARIT-M and trying to decide between an M8.2 or Ricoh GXR A12 for a body. Mostly for backup and travel. Previous M8.2 owner but wondering if there advantages to the Ricoh now. Thoughts? Thanks everyone for your valued opinions.

 

Cheers

Brian

 

i really like the GXR and they can be found in the US market for under $800 with the M-Mount. I would consider buying it as a 2nd M-mount backup camera......but it's no M8! The M8 is just a joy to use....and even though GXR is a very cool little camera, it's nowhere near as enjoyable and inspiring to use as the M8.

[Acekerman]

How about IQ? I'm really into shooting Black and White. And the M8 without a filter seems like a the original Monochrome M.

[iedei]

How about IQ? I'm really into shooting Black and White. And the M8 without a filter seems like a the original Monochrome M.

 

if you're into B&W, then i totally agree----the M8, unfiltered, is the way!

[Carduelis]

if you're into B&W, then i totally agree----the M8, unfiltered, is the way!

 

From what I have read I believe the M8 is very good for B&W so if you are into shooting B&W it could be the camera to get. I am more into shooting colour and am happy with the GXR. Without the arrival of the GXR and A12 mount, I would never have considered the Leica M system.

[Carduelis]

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i really like the GXR and they can be found in the US market for under $800 with the M-Mount. I would consider buying it as a 2nd M-mount backup camera......but it's no M8! The M8 is just a joy to use....and even though GXR is a very cool little camera, it's nowhere near as enjoyable and inspiring to use as the M8.

 

Fair comment. Although I currently don't own a Leica camera, I guess it must be inspiring to use one. I will find out soon.

[iedei]

Fair comment. Although I currently don't own a Leica camera, I guess it must be inspiring to use one. I will find out soon.

 

well the GXR is a great camera IMO....so you're doing well already!

 

he unique thing about the M way of shooting is that every photograph has an interesting thought process and depth behind it......after i'm done shooting at the end of the day, i feel like the photographs were experienced and not just lost in memory.I realise this may sound a little hippy-dippy...but it's the first time i've felt this after taking photos. (i've owned my M8 for a few months only)

[fred2511]

The M8 is very good in B&w but can be frustrating at time. Low light is a no no and shooting color is 50/50.

I ave produce great photo with my M8 but I will say I get 3 out of 10 keeper due to focusing. I live north and is pretty dark, that doesn't help.

What I love is how much I ave learn with this camera and how it as improve my photography in general.

If I ad the money I go for the new M or M9.

[WillTemple]

well the GXR is a great camera IMO....so you're doing well already!

 

he unique thing about the M way of shooting is that every photograph has an interesting thought process and depth behind it......after i'm done shooting at the end of the day, i feel like the photographs were experienced and not just lost in memory.I realise this may sound a little hippy-dippy...but it's the first time i've felt this after taking photos. (i've owned my M8 for a few months only)

 

I have used Leica since college and still have the same hippy-dippy feeling today, I know what you mean about it sounding complete tosh (As I am constantly told by photographer friends) but it just makes you want to got out and shoot, and getting out there is the main part of photography for me.

 

To answer your question, get an M8. I'd get the M8 just for the shutter speed dial.

[bill]

The m8 is flawed and discontinued. My GXR takes ALL my Leica lenses, including R, by dint of Leitax mounts and a Novoflex adaptor. It is compact, lightweight, easy to focus, flexible and reliable, and does not need UV/IR filters. The A12 Lensor is purpose-built for Leica glass, unlike the Nex and other options. What's not to like?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

[Carduelis]

My GXR takes ALL my Leica lenses, including R, by dint of Leitax mounts and a Novoflex adaptor. It is compact, lightweight, easy to focus, flexible and reliable, and does not need UV/IR filters. The A12 Lensor is purpose-built for Leica glass, unlike the Nex and other options. What's not to like?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

 

I fully agree with your statements above. I find it hard to understand why interest in the GXR seems to have waned and prices have fallen quite sharply. If I was in the market today for a versatile lightweight compact camera with excellent image quality on a certain budget, I would buy the GXR without hesitation. Another big plus is that it is modular and upgradeable. It could be an interesting situation if Ricoh ever brings out a full-frame Leica M mount for the GXR.

[rudingshain]

Guys-

 

Need some advice. I have a Leica 35mm f/2.5 SUMMARIT-M and trying to decide between an M8.2 or Ricoh GXR A12 for a body. Mostly for backup and travel. Previous M8.2 owner but wondering if there advantages to the Ricoh now. Thoughts? Thanks everyone for your valued opinions.

 

Cheers

Brian

 

Hallo Brian,

 

I actually have the Leica M8.2 and the Ricoh GXR with m-mount. My lenses are Summicron M 50 and Elmarit M asph 28 2.8. and much R glass

 

Some days before I had made a real world test with a R Summicron 50 on my GXR and the M summicron on my m8.2 . I did similar shots and made some interresting conculsions. My raw converter was RPP 4.7 with k64 preset. The pictures of that you will find in the leica talk forum at dpreview my name is spiegellos there.

 

Some pictures with M8.2 and GXR m-mount: Leica Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

 

spiegellos for other pictures with both cameras

 

1. Both cameras can produced stunning pictures but the Leica pictures have a more crisper 3D Look which I like very much

2. I really like the colors of the Ricoh Leica needs a lot PP

3. Wide open the Summicron M was sharper in the edges

4. With the Leica I had more pictures in focus despite using magnification and focus peeking with the Ricoh

 

I always thought that the picures with the Ricoh are in focus but when you shoot the Leica next to the Ricoh you will see what real in focus means. I must say that my M8.2 and the Summicron 50 where calibrated on each other. It was a real surprise for me that I had more pictures in focus with the Leica while I expected nearly the same results. Both are great machines but since I have the Leica M8.2 my Ricoh was very often at home.

[stephen.w]

I think it comes down to whether you want to shoot with a rangefinder (still the best way to focus an M lens) and and are happy only to shoot up to ISO 640 (some will say ISO 320). If yes, then get an M8. A second hand M8 tends to be treated like some sort of electronic leper, but the way prices have dropped, and presumably will continue to drop, it has become less of a gamble.