The ASP-C Compact Segment is Still Going Strong

[fotofool]

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I happened to run across this article and it made me wonder if someone at Leica is finally going to realize the missed opportunity and get an X3 in the pipeline.

https://petapixel.com/2023/08/28/the-gr-iii-is-so-popular-ricoh-cant-keep-it-in-stock/

An unrealistic hope I suppose.

 

[wda]

This report does not surprise me at all. I have the Ricoh iiix version, simply because Leica produces nothing to compare with. I also have the original GR digital which is still going strong and use it for monochrome work. The physical design is almost unchanged  since its inception. I also have my original Leica X1 and rue the day Leica killed off the X-line. Such a shame!

[RexGig0]

An X3 would get my attention, too. I came close to buying a pre-owned X1 or X2, several times. If a well-preserved X were to appear at the local Leica dealer, I might yet buy one.

I liked the Nikon Coolpix A, in its time, and still occasionally use it. It competed directly with the digital GR-series Ricoh cameras. In my hands, the A’s ergonomics beat the GR. It has one or two annoying quirks that keep me from liking it more, and I had hoped that Nikon would develop a successor that addressed those annoyances. The Coolpix A’s focus could be manually set to a specific distance, which I really liked, but I was annoyed that it would “forget” that distance, if the camera went to sleep, which made capturing the moment quite difficult.

 

 

[dpitt]

+1

The X2 (or X1) is still unique. It has the typical Leica qualities in a lightweight and very compact package. Nothing that Leica offers comes close. Not the Q, because its form factor does not allow the same use. Let alone its price point and weight. I am happy with my TL2 with a small M lens (also discontinued), but the X2 still beats it when I want something with high quality to take with me everywhere.

[Stuart Richardson]

I inherited an X2 from my father, but I use a GRIIIx primarily. To me they are in different segments. The X2, small as it is, is bulkier and larger than the GR cameras. And frankly, it just isn't anywhere near as good when it comes to image quality or utility. Age has not helped it here. I think in this segment, providing the smallest possible size while retaining good ergonomics and excellent image quality are the key. Over the years I have had the X100F, T and Q2 as well, and as great as those cameras are, they ultimately failed for me, whereas I use the GRIIIx every day. A big portion of that is that it just fits right in a normal pocket with no fuss at all, and it is so brilliantly set up for the kind of work it is ideal for. I always felt like the other cameras I mentioned were large enough to not offer any substantial advantage over a full sized camera, except on something like a hike or long walk. The GRIII is a camera with superb quality and control, but the form factor is more like a pack of cards or an extra thick phone. The only cameras I have seen that are somewhat similar have much smaller sensors (RX100 series, for example).

[david strachan]

I'm just not surprised the APS-C is going so well.  One can print big, get a great colour range and images are sharp. The cameras and lenses are much lighter, and edge distortions and smearing is vastly reduced.

All that's missed out is bokeh balls and softer backgrounds, we all seem to love.

I'm still on my two Fuji XE-1's...not as much fun as my Leicas...but much more adaptable.

I do like processing DNG's though, so take the most pics with M8 or M-P, or even my Leica IIIc if I want to return to basics(can't do film with APS-C...  )

...

 

[edwardpychan]

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I had the X3 for quite a while and I simply adore it. Especially, for a beginner like me it's more than I need.

[Ko.Fe.]

On 10/2/2023 at 12:41 PM, fotofool said:

I happened to run across this article and it made me wonder if someone at Leica is finally going to realize the missed opportunity and get an X3 in the pipeline.

https://petapixel.com/2023/08/28/the-gr-iii-is-so-popular-ricoh-cant-keep-it-in-stock/

An unrealistic hope I suppose.

 

GRD, GR colors are on the odd side to me. I have to edit or get used to.

Any Leica camera, colors  are just great SOOC and with minimal PP are even better. 

Yet, I have two Ricoh GRD series cameras and they are so good (CCD), I see zero reason to overpay for GR III (CMOS).

But I always wanted X series cameras from very first day of X1 release. So, this year I got pristine looking X2.  For the price  of ... new GR III  

 

As for article, as usual, those writers are missing the real plot  .

It is FujiFilm X100 which is sold out for years now and they are not even accepting on waiting list. 

Ricoh GR III joined out of stock club much later. 

But how about Casonikon APS-C ? Even fancy Zfc seems to collect dust at stores shelves. 

So, even if camera is small, fancy and affordable here is something which makes it cult camera.

None of the Leica APS-C cameras gained this status of been desired, owned by masses.

Why? First and foremost LCAG has zero interest in selling of affordable camera. Does anyone want to pay more than advanced FF camera for APS-C these days? ..... crickets. Nada. 

LCAG  lack of modern camera engineering (awful E-TTL flash support, no IBIS, no advanced AF and so on) is somewhat compensated by marketing selling it as simplicity and polished by hand for three hours (at 200 EU  p/h rate, plus fifteen minutes paid breakes). 

But "simplicity" is niche market.  Not sustainable by reasonably priced cameras. 

 

It might be more profitable to play M43 card via re-labeling Panasonic cameras again. 

Instead of pushing 3-4K$ X3, they could revive LX by LX100 III re-badged camera. 

Panasonic got new M43 sensor already for one bulky, boring looking, oversized M43 camera. And they have no RF style cameras left except one very outdated which is sold for something like 600$ two lenses bundle. 

But if you are curios, check old Olympus digital Pen F used prices. Here is obviously demand for compact, RF style and stylish M43 camera. And Leica has all kind of nice lenses for it via Panasonic.   

Plenty of us are getting older and we are willing to down-size. So, maybe not X3, but X43.  

[Einst_Stein]

Apparently APS-C has opportunity cost much too high for Leica’s business model. 
Cheaper electric car has high demand, but Tesla has to work on its own dish. 

 

 

 

[FaustoReid]

On 10/24/2023 at 4:49 AM, Ko.Fe. said:

GRD, GR colors are on the odd side to me. I have to edit or get used to.

Any Leica camera, colors  are just great SOOC and with minimal PP are even better. 

Yet, I have two Ricoh GRD series cameras and they are so good (CCD), I see zero reason to overpay for GR III (CMOS).

But I always wanted X series cameras from very first day of X1 release. So, this year I got pristine looking X2.  For the price  of ... new GR III  

 

As for article, as usual, those writers are missing the real plot  .

It is FujiFilm X100 which is sold out for years now and they are not even accepting on waiting list. 

Ricoh GR III joined out of stock club much later. 

But how about Casonikon APS-C ? Even fancy Zfc seems to collect dust at stores shelves. 

So, even if camera is small, fancy and affordable here is something which makes it cult camera.

None of the Leica APS-C cameras gained this status of been desired, owned by masses.

Why? First and foremost LCAG has zero interest in selling of affordable camera. Does anyone want to pay more than advanced FF camera for APS-C these days? ..... crickets. Nada. 

LCAG  lack of modern camera engineering (awful E-TTL flash support, no IBIS, no advanced AF and so on) is somewhat compensated by marketing selling it as simplicity and polished by hand for three hours (at 200 EU  p/h rate, plus fifteen minutes paid breakes). 

But "simplicity" is niche market.  Not sustainable by reasonably priced cameras. 

 

It might be more profitable to play M43 card via re-labeling Panasonic cameras again. 

Instead of pushing 3-4K$ X3, they could revive LX by LX100 III re-badged camera. 

Panasonic got new M43 sensor already for one bulky, boring looking, oversized M43 camera. And they have no RF style cameras left except one very outdated which is sold for something like 600$ two lenses bundle. 

But if you are curios, check old Olympus digital Pen F used prices. Here is obviously demand for compact, RF style and stylish M43 camera. And Leica has all kind of nice lenses for it via Panasonic.   

Plenty of us are getting older and we are willing to down-size. So, maybe not X3, but X43.  

Thanks for the info, I didn't know it before. You made my day.

Edited March 22, 2024 by FaustoReid