oliverfisher
newbie
Reged: 25/01/2006
Posts: 27
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Hi,
After painstaking research I'd recently decided to get a Ricoh GR digital 2 next month.
However I've now seen the spec for the new GX200. I'd chosen the GR 2 purely for its manual exposure mode and I was happy to do without a zoom in order to have manual aperture. (Lack of manual controls is is why I've never owned a digital compact before).
Now I've seen the GX200 I'm wondering how important manual aperture really is. As The GX200 still allows manual control of shutter speed and seems to be a step up from the GR2 In all other respects.
I use a Leica R8 usually. I love it's manual... well everything! But I don't want to carry it round all the time. I'm looking for a compact that's nice and controllable. Considering the fact I don't really change my aperture all that much. How much is lack of manual aperture going to affect my photos?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Ollie
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Roy5051
Reged: 02/09/2001
Posts: 659
Loc: Somerset UK
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Manual controls have been available on many digital compacts for some years now, especially the Canon models. I have a Powershot A540 which has Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Full Manual, as had my A70 and A80 before.
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Roy
Why do people with expensive cameras say you don't need one to take good photographs
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4194
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Now I've seen the GX200 I'm wondering how important manual aperture really is. As The GX200 still allows manual control of shutter speed and seems to be a step up from the GR2 In all other respects.
Are you sure the GX200 doesn't have this? The GX100 has both aperture priority and full auto modes....
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oliverfisher
newbie
Reged: 25/01/2006
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Are you sure the GX200 doesn't have this? The GX100 has both aperture priority and full auto modes....
Yes your right. I had been getting my info from the specification pages on the Ricoh website which appears to list the full possible aperture range for the GR 2 but only the maximum apertures for either end of the zoom for the GX200.
I've now downloaded the manuals for GR 2 and GX100 and they have similar aperture settings.
But now I'm even more confused! What is the GR 2 actually for? I can't see any reason why it was manufactured let alone why anyone would buy it. The GR 2 is slightly more expensive and the only real difference I can see is that the GR 2 doesn't have a zoom. So if I'm choosing between the GR 2 and the GX 200 I am basically choosing between pretty much identical cameras. One with a zoom and one without. For pretty much identical price.
Am I missing something here?
Ollie
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4194
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
But now I'm even more confused! What is the GR 2 actually for? I can't see any reason why it was manufactured let alone why anyone would buy it. The GR 2 is slightly more expensive and the only real difference I can see is that the GR 2 doesn't have a zoom.
I'm not an expert on these cameras - but:
(a) prime lenses do have advantages over zooms - usually better resolution and a lot less distortion. The zoom may be more flexible but for some purposes the prime lens is definitely superior.
(b) there might be significant differences in the build quality, which are not evident from the specification.
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Siuya
Cool Hand Chris
Reged: 21/07/2001
Posts: 9403
Loc: Knackers yard!
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Quote:
Am I missing something here?
Of course - the GR 2 is much slimmer and fits in a shirt-pocket and the lens is a prime (no zoom), so is sharper 
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Chris
The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it (AA)
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oliverfisher
newbie
Reged: 25/01/2006
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Of course - the GR 2 is much slimmer and fits in a shirt-pocket
That doesn't appear to be the case.
Dimensions as follows:
GX200: 111.6mm(W)×58.0mm(H)×25.0mm(D) excluding projecting parts
GR II: 107.0 mm(W)x58.0mm(H)x25.0mm(D) excluding projecting parts
So there's almost nothing in it. The body itself is almost the same. Just 9mm wider on the longest side. Body depth is the same. Only difference is the lens which is going to stick out of the body about 10mm more on the GX200 with the lens cap on. Which is only 5mm or so deeper than the grip. Still easily pocketed.
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bench_ubbster
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 2516
Loc: Cambridgeshire, UK
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I've the GX100 and it's a splendid little camera which goes everywhere with me. It does have manual controls, this is what I use for the infrared images I take. In fact I program in my settings for IR and it saves them (including the all important customised white balance details).
Since the GX200 is now out I should think some deals are to be had on the GX100. One thing I will say against the GX100 is that the RAW write times are slow and I believe these have been improved on the GX200.
Some of my GX100 images can be found here.
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Master of the Bench and Global Ambassador of the Brotherhood of the Bench
Bench or No Bench
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Siuya
Cool Hand Chris
Reged: 21/07/2001
Posts: 9403
Loc: Knackers yard!
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I'm not quite sure of your point? 
First you ask "Am I missing something here?" and I reply. "Of course - the GR 2 is much slimmer and fits in a shirt-pocket and the lens is a prime (no zoom), so is sharper
To which you come back with a load of dimensions that don't tell the complete story and end with the statement that it is still easily pocketed (which of course it is, but not really shirt-pocketed as I stated). And what about the prime lens, and have you actually handled the GRDII and GX200 side by side?
Anyway, I'm completely in favour of the GX series, however, as I wanted a truly all-in-one shirt pocket camera with stunning video, I opted for the Samsung NV24 HD wide angle compact (24mm) - not quite as sharp as the GX series but after a tweak in PS, doesn't come out too bad Look see
I love having a 24mm wide cam with me all the time and I'm sure you will too!
Cheers
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Chris
The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it (AA)
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mike_j
nobbut a beginner
Reged: 23/08/2005
Posts: 1261
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Quote:
What is the GR 2 actually for? I can't see any reason why it was manufactured let alone why anyone would buy it.
Ollie
The GR digital was an attempt to follow on from the very successful GR1 film cameras which achieved some fame as result of their superb 28mm prime lens and excellent, practical, design.
I still use my GR1 camera regularly and haven't yet found a digital compact which I like half as much.
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oliverfisher
newbie
Reged: 25/01/2006
Posts: 27
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Yeah I understand what your saying. The fixed lens is of course going to have far less distortion. But when take my Leica out with me I almost always take all 4 of my lenses. I can't recall ever taking only my 28mm so I'm worried I'll be frustrated by the lack of zoom.
Please understand I'm not trying to argue with you about the dimensions. But I don't understand what you mean when you say that's not the complete story. The lens sticks out 10mm on the GX200 and 2mm on the GR. And the GX200 is just 6mm wider. Other than that the dimensions are indentical. I have a particular pocket in mind and I think both will fit.
I haven't handled both cameras at once. But I haven't been able to locate a dealer that actually has a GR II in stock here in London. It seems to be a special order camera everywhere. Any ideas where I might be able to see them together?
The most important thing I require is usable manual controls and RAW images. The up-down dial and the adj lever on both models make manual settings really easy. So one of these is perfect! But I just can't work out what else I'm going to want from it.
So confused.
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Siuya
Cool Hand Chris
Reged: 21/07/2001
Posts: 9403
Loc: Knackers yard!
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Quote:
But when take my Leica out with me I almost always take all 4 of my lenses. I can't recall ever taking only my 28mm so I'm worried I'll be frustrated by the lack of zoom.
Of course 28mm is not for everyone - I love it but opted for an even wider view this time round (I have a Ricoh R6 28-210mm zoom) - I'm just crazy about wide angle shooting 
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But I don't understand what you mean when you say that's not the complete story.
Well, I think you'd be surprised at what a few mm can do with regards the GRDII but, I think you'd prefer the zoom of the GX for its versatility
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Any ideas where I might be able to see them together?
No, sorry 
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The most important thing I require is usable manual controls and RAW images. The up-down dial and the adj lever on both models make manual settings really easy. So one of these is perfect! But I just can't work out what else I'm going to want from it.
So confused.
If you love 24mm wide then the only choice is the GX100/200, so just get it and enjoy 
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Chris
The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it (AA)
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Angela Nicholson
AP Technical Editor
Reged: 07/02/2006
Posts: 139
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You might be interested to know that we will be testing the GX200 in our 9th August issue.
Angela
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Siuya
Cool Hand Chris
Reged: 21/07/2001
Posts: 9403
Loc: Knackers yard!
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Quote:
You might be interested to know that we will be testing the GX200 in our 9th August issue.
Angela
I look forward to it
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Chris
The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it (AA)
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