Ok, so I finally caved and bought another compact camera. I tried the Fuji X100 and it didn't thrill me - controls are too small for my fingers. Someone suggested I look at the Ricoh GXR.
I did. I looked at it again. I was pretty impressed. I got it with the A12 28mm f/2.5 camera module (lens), and GV-2 optical finder. (Actual focal length is 18.3mm, Ricoh names their lenses/camera modules in 35-EFL. This camera has an APS-C format, 12 Mpixel sensor.) http://homepage.mac.com/godders/ricoh-gxr-a12_28.jpg It's teensy compared to even small DSLRs.. and it's delightful. First compact that seems just right. Controls are well laid out and easy to work even for my big mitts. They way they interact in use is remarkably thoughtful, whomever did this design deserves an award. The A12 28mm f/2.5 is a very fine lens. The sensor seems very good indeed right up to ISO 1600 with ISO 3200 still quite usable. AF is occasionally a little tetchy but the combination of accurate Spot AF, one-press flip to MF, plus Full Snap focusing (pre-set a standard distance and the camera jumps straight there when it doesn't have time to focus), completely eliminates any problems in use. Remarkable design...! There's a host of stuff I haven't even looked at yet like an intervalometer built in, video capture, etc. Amazing. What really gets me is how usable it is even while being so small and light. I posted some quickie photos http://gallery.me.com/godders#100299&view=carouseljs&sel=0 I've known of this camera for some time but had no idea just how good it was, it wasn't on my radar at all. Now I do. When the "Leica M camera module" comes out this Fall (that's an A12 sensor with focal plane shutter and a Leica M-bayonet lens mount) I'll be looking for a Pentax 43mm f/1.9 Limited in M-bayonet mount again ... usw, Godfrey - still a camera geek - [email protected] "No matter where you go, there you are." -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
