My apology for sharing this article in English.
I meant to write something to share about my feeling on being a user of GXR and GR (Gen1)
I have been in and out with so many gears that I simply can't remember of them. From the notable Leica M240 to the popular Canon 5D Mark II, and occasional odessy around Nikon (D700, Df). As much as I hate to be a gear geek, I nevertheless fall into that trap, sometime, rather easily.... Oh, I forgot to mention the numerous Fuji gear that I used to own (X100, X100S, XE1, XE2, Xpro1 etc)
I travel a lot to oversea for business travel and that is usually where I mostly have time for taking photographs when I have time. Size and portability really matters. I simply cannot accept any DSLR, no matter full frame or not. To miss a moment of photography opportunity to worse that that exact pixel counts. I forgot to mention that I shot mostly JPEG not RAW.
GXR is an interesting little camera. For its boxy size, there is some weight built into the chassis that ensure the user stability or feeling of confidence. No camera is perfect, certainly not GXR or GR. However, this is a camera that allows you to take photography to the next level or it is a camera that allow you to develop your skill. GXR can ill be afford to qualify as a business tool for professional photographer and that is a fact. However, this camera can grow on you, can distinguish your skill, and even more amazing, can show you how different lens performs! My friend once told me, the color rendition and image captured on GXR is the most true-like to film. I agreed.
When I hold onto my GXR, I feel comfortable. Yes, the image captured may not be as sharp as some DSLR, but it has some unique taste to it, even at JPEC level. If you are a slow shooter not a fast machine gun user, the speed of focusing on GXR is fine enough. It may be slow to focus on the right amount but guess what, once it did, it is really the right focus, unlike my experience with some Olympus gears. I think it is ironic that GXR only have 28mm, 50mm as two good fixed focus prime lens. Not having too many lens to choose from, forced you to squeeze out the juice of your gears - I mean, you remain more focused on how to use them properly and not blaming or wondering if I should have another lens or so.
The magic of GXR with M module is another world of excitement. I got a lot of advice from my friend Nelson and to be honest, I wasn't counting too much on using these manual M mount lense. Boy, was I wrong on that. It simply is fascinating. Fascinating to see how lens of different origin, from Russion to German, to Japanese-German (Zeiss, Voigtladnder)perform on GXR. The photographic image recorded demands some challenge to user, but once you get it right, you walk away with an image to cherish a lot! A strong sense of satisfaction. I was so impressed by INDUSTAR 61 (which I bought from EBAY, from Ukraine to Taiwan, at around NTD1000) that my jars are wide open when I see the result! Similiarily, I am amazed at how my second hand Konica Hexanon 90mm performs, as a portraiture lens, the right balance of color tonality! All in all, I don't think any camera, at this size and weight, can deliver this level of joy and it is sad, this camera is no longer awailable as new, however, plenty on the open market.
Thank you Ricoh GXR. You make me understand what I really need and want. To many others, camera is a very subjective tool and it really depends on knowing your need. At the end of the day, if you do not use your camera often, it is a totally waste of money! I paid a hefty price to came to that conclusion. I look forward to enjoy my GXR, just like many of the fine users on this website. GXR can truly be my view point!
Gears on hand:
GXR with M module - 1 new, 1 used
Minolta 40mmF2 - trying to sell because of duplicate focal length
Zeiss ZM 28mm F2.8 - very good silver jewel
INDUSTAR 61 53mm f 2.8 - what a Russian surprise and ironically bought from Ukrainian.
Konica Hexanon 90mm f2.8 - choose this over Minolta because of F2.8 vs F4. Good choice.
Soon to be added:
JUPITER 12 35mm f2.8 - wanting to continue the 'Russian myth'
Voigtlander 15mm VIII - Nelson convinced me this is a great lens!
Sonnar C 50mm F1.5 - I am not too sure but will consider, either Zeiss version or Jupiter version
Seriously consider - an used but in good condition Epson RD1s or 1 or x
Thank you for reading and your patience
Grow your hobby, always understand your needs and choose the best gear you can afford!
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