Thanks to generous offer of Ricoh Europe, I will have an opportunity for time limited test of GXR with some accessories. Because of limited number of available GXR samples and high demand for them, I will have it only for three days. It's pretty short time to test everything and I cannot promise I will test everything you suggest. At least not right now
I may get another sample for long term test when the situation with samples improves. But at the moment, it's hard to tell an exact date. I should have the first GXR sample sometime early next week. Bad timing, because I will have to go to work and no chance I can leave it before sunset (except short lunch break). So I suppose most of my test photos will be done mainly under the low light and at high ISO. I'm also planing to do an AF test and compare the AF speed and reliability with GRDIII and let's say CX2. But nothing scientific. My aim will be to take as many photos as I can and probably later (with second sample) do some more thorough tests.
So if there is anything I can test for you (something that was not yet covered by available previews), feel free to let me know!
--------------------------------------------
INITIAL COMMENTS:
07/12/2009
While I'm waiting to complete the charging process, here are some initial comments...
So far I'm impressed with GXR build quality and feeling in my palms. It's very nice shaped, everything is in reach of my right thumb, of course, except the Direct, Open flash and VF/LCD buttons located on the left side of the camera body.
A12 module slides in the body very easily a the connection is assured with solid (but not obtrusive) click. There is no wobbling at all. Wverything is tight and very solid. What I miss are the skid-proof rubber "buttons" at bottom of the camera body (available on GRDII and III).
The EVF is huge and looks somewhat inappropriate and bulky if attached on the camera. On the other hand, its viewable area looks significantly larger than the viewable area of my old (already gone) E400 OVF.
The overall size of GXR+A12 (-EVF) is not THAT much larger than GRDIII + attached wide angle lens. I don't have third camera with me right now, so I will post a comparison photo later today, when I return home from work. But I can easily put it in my coat pocket, the same as I'm able to do this with GRD + GT/GW lens. Sure, it's not very comfortable, mainly because of the weight. I would not do it frequently, mainly because I'm carrying camera and other things in GB1, which is always with me
But it's OK solution if you quickly need free hands or for short trips.What I (traditionally) don't like is the rear rocker. I'm sorry, but replacing the click-wheel with rocker was very bad idea. Even non-clickable wheel would be better than click-rocker.
That's all for now. More comments will follow when the battery charges up.
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The battery charged in about 2 hours. I would strongly recommend to get at least one spare battery.
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08/12/2009
AF speed is a mixed bag. In high contrast scenes it seems to be faster than GRDIII, which is not bad at all! The AF speed goes down hill in case of medium-low contrast scenes (seems to be below GRDIII AF speed). And it's really slow and sometimes completely fails to focus (or hunt for it) in low contrast scenes. Macro mode AF is even slower. What's big disappointment for me, Macro AF is very loud for my taste. I will try to prepare the usual audio preview/sound waves with example of AF speed (compared with GRD).
Another disappointment for me is somewhat too loud shutter. It's much louder than GRDIII or GX200 shutter. True, it's much less audible than DSLR mirror slap
But it's noticeable and somewhat distracting. It's not audible in busy places, but it may be noticeable in silent areas! It's definitely something I would like to see improved in next APSC based lensors. And my third disappointment is speed of Continuous mode in RAW. I believe I somewhere read that the A12 is capable of 3fps in RAW+JPEG mode? The truth is it's around 2.35fps in RAW and around 3fps in JPEG. 3fps is nothing particularly astounding but acceptable in this class of camera. But 2.x fps performance is just a disappointment. At least for me.
I love CX1/CX2 continuous mode performance and I would like to see the same level of speed also in GXR APSC modules (current or future). Unlike GRDIII/S10 sensor, where the speed of continuous mode is limited by sensor specs, APSC used in A12 should be physically capable of much higher continuous speed. Sony A500 DSLR (most probably the same APSC) is capable of 5fps. I would accept 3fps and would be really happy with 4fps. But 2.xfps is not very practical.
On the positive side, I'm more than pleased with A12 image quality. Of course, I would need some more time for optimizing the JPEG based settings (contrast, saturation). But I like GXR JPEGs even with default settings and I see nothing wrong in RAW. And B&W from A12 seems to be true return to GRDI film-like B&W. I'm yet to try ISO3200 but ISO1600 BW shots are gorgeous. I will soon post some photos. But everything you saw up to now (at other webs) is true! A12 is really THAT good
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09/12/2009
So far I'm very pleased with A12. The image quality is great. Of course, if properly focused and with correct exposure. People used in huge depth of field from GRD/GX will be confused and maybe even disappointed by completely different workflow and the need of precise focusing. I'm afraid, the Snap focus is almost completely useless with A12 and in low light conditions, where you are forced to use f2.5 and ISO3200. The DoF is just too small (especially with wide open lens) to even think about regular use of Snap focus. At least not without precise measure of distance and keeping the same distance all the time. Even few cm away from the ideal distance leads to out of focus rendering.
Manual focusing is great, but of course, somewhat slower. The focus by wire is not that bad as I would expect! Focusing ring is very responsive and very precise. One my colleague with DSLR (hi Orol!) was pleased by the feel and responsiveness of A12 focus ring. Completely different feeling than with his DSLR lens.
As I mentioned in my previous comment, the AF speed is a mixed bag. In case of contrast situations and enough lightning, it's very fast. But once the contrast/light fell down, the speed of AF gets noticeable slower and sometimes even fail to focus. GRDIII AF is in this aspect much better performer. No problem to lock the correct focus even under dim light. Most probably due to higher depth of field?
What I miss on GXR+A12 is distance/DoF preview bar in AF mode with enabled MF (via focus ring). In this mode, one can half press the shutter to let the camera to focus and then with half pressed shutter rotate the focus ring to re-adjust the focus. It would be very useful to see the distance/DoF bar in this mode. Currently, it's only available in MF mode.
In addition, it would be nice to have an option to assign some functionality to "Zoom" button. With A12 lensor, the zoom button is only usable in playback mode. But there is no zoom button functionality in record mode! It's like not having this button, which is a pity because it would be great to have another customizable button (actually two custom buttons - Up and Down)?
Unfortunately, I had no chance to try the GF1 (external Flash) as I just yesterday realized that one of my rechargeable batteries is dead, which left me only three batteries. And there is no chance I can try it today. But what can I say about it, it's HUGE. I mean, it's very well build and most probably powerful flash! But the size is a problem. What we need for GRD and GXR is just a small (less than half of GF1 size) flash with bouncing head and powered by just two AA batteries. Something like Nikon SB-400. It does not need to bee too powerful. Just enough to enlighten small rooms by bouncing the flash from ceiling.
Here you can hear the A12 AF performance and compare it with GRDIII AF. Each file contains 5 half shutter presses for high contrast, medium contrast and low contrast situation. In third file you can compare the loudness of A12 vs. GRDIII shutter.
gxr_af.mp3- (675.51 KiB) Downloaded 148 times
- grd3_af.mp3
- (402.45 KiB) Downloaded 90 times
- gxr_grd3_shutter.mp3
- (36.33 KiB) Downloaded 145 times
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13/12/2009
During my short opportunity to test the GXR + A12 I took also one HD video. Although the quality of video is nice, the absence of stabilization makes it slightly jerky. However, the main problem seems to be in the impossibility to focus during the video recording. Disabled AF and zoom during video recording is nothing uncommon in digital cameras. And I understand that continuous AF would most probably be impossible with A12 because it's too slow and sometimes also too loud so the sound of AF motor would most probably be recorded in the video. However, I think at least manual focus should be allowed? It's not that loud and it would be better than nothing.
Here is the short HD video:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_tes ... 010386.AVI
It's taken at ISO3200 so it appears noisy. But it's not a problem. Impossibility to focus during the video recording seems to be much worse difficulty.
---
Here are some initial photos (high ISO B&W).
- R0010161_sm.jpg (272.35 KiB) Viewed 6792 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:04 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1467
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010171_sm.jpg (285.2 KiB) Viewed 6807 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:16 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1600
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010174_sm.jpg (197.7 KiB) Viewed 6804 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:51 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/32 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1600
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010176_sm.jpg (207.69 KiB) Viewed 6804 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:52 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/28 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1600
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
Full resolution files (JPEG + DNG) can be downloaded here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/a12/a12_bw_high_iso.zip
Second batch of samples:
- This is really ISO3200! Just make sure the exposure is correct and ISO1600/3200 is not a problem for you. Of course, there is some noise and noise reduction artifacts, but both things are very well controlled. And noise is very easy fixable in DNG.
- R0010309_sm.jpg (495.8 KiB) Viewed 6724 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:08 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/16 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 17/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- Manually focused using EVF. Another example of high ISO usability.
- R0010314_sm.jpg (382.06 KiB) Viewed 6705 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:19 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/39 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: -3/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- And one more shot of Lucia waiting for breakfast ;) I hope you are not bored with all these Lucia shots? Unfortuantely, due to pretty short time of test and my work hours I can't search for more interesting subjects.
- R0010332_sm.jpg (417.52 KiB) Viewed 6661 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:02 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1987
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- An example of macro and out of focus rendering. Manually focused using EVF.
- R0010355_sm.jpg (227.59 KiB) Viewed 6656 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 6:25 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/100 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 542
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Shutter priority
- Exposure bias: 0 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
Full resolution files (JPEG + DNG) can be downloaded here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/a12/gxr_various.zip
Third
- R0010377_sm.jpg (529.26 KiB) Viewed 6354 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:18 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/32 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010380_sm.jpg (316.36 KiB) Viewed 6383 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:24 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1600
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 3/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010396_sm.jpg (385.37 KiB) Viewed 6470 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:06 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/23 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 13/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010402_sm.jpg (603.88 KiB) Viewed 6529 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:10 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/16 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: -7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010412_sm.jpg (435.77 KiB) Viewed 6560 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:19 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/6 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1600
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 13/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010443_sm.jpg (646.25 KiB) Viewed 6578 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:41 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/10 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 800
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 13/10 EV
- Metering mode: Pattern
- R0010450_sm.jpg (439.14 KiB) Viewed 6629 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:50 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 2075
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010471_sm.jpg (311.83 KiB) Viewed 6605 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:13 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1822
- Whitebalance: Auto
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 3/10 EV
- Metering mode: Pattern
Full resolution files (JPEG + DNG) can be downloaded here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/a12/a12_night_streets.zip
Some raws processed in Silkypix PRO:
- R0010402_dng.jpg (351.49 KiB) Viewed 5192 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:10 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/16 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: -7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010377_dng.jpg (380 KiB) Viewed 5252 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:18 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/32 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 3200
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010326_dng.jpg (328.96 KiB) Viewed 5360 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:52 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/100 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1131
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Shutter priority
- Exposure bias: -7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010323_dng.jpg (406.09 KiB) Viewed 5472 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:46 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/100 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 1037
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Shutter priority
- Exposure bias: -7/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010251_dng.jpg (597.89 KiB) Viewed 5710 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:12 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/3.5
- ISO speed rating: 228
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: -10/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010267_dng.jpg (376.96 KiB) Viewed 5803 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:06 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/4 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 800
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 17/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010249_dng.jpg (161.34 KiB) Viewed 5800 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:10 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/48 Sec
- F-number: F/3.5
- ISO speed rating: 271
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 0 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010116_dng.jpg (355.27 KiB) Viewed 5888 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 3:50 am
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/18 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 400
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 0 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
- R0010347_dng.jpg (715.38 KiB) Viewed 5981 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Wed Dec 09, 2009 6:14 pm
- Focus length: 33 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/100 Sec
- F-number: F/2.5
- ISO speed rating: 566
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GXR
- Exposure program: Shutter priority
- Exposure bias: -3/10 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
Here are some comparison shots/details of GXR + A12 (sorry for bad and sometimes soft images full of unwanted shadows
)- gxr_1.jpg (196.39 KiB) Viewed 6410 times
- Here you can see that GXR + A12 is not much larger than GRDIII + GW2. Both are pocketable in my "not as big" autumn coat. Of course, demounting VF2 significantly improves pocketability ;)
- gxr_grd3_top.jpg (211.9 KiB) Viewed 6613 times
- gxr_grd3_front.jpg (212.95 KiB) Viewed 6401 times
- gxr_grd3_back.jpg (162.65 KiB) Viewed 6531 times
- Here you can see how massive the new VF2 is compared to VF1. At top of VF2 is the diopter adjustment ring. VF1 diopter adjustment ring is integrated in the eyepiece.
- vf2_2.jpg (127.15 KiB) Viewed 6216 times
- Elevation of VF2 is stepped (unlike VF1).
- vf2_1.jpg (144.05 KiB) Viewed 6199 times
- VF2 eyepiece is large and very comfortable to use. I had some problems with VF1 visibility, but this VF2 is just great!
- vf2_3.jpg (146.27 KiB) Viewed 6218 times
- This "mysterious" connector is not mentioned anywhere in the GXR manual. It was first spotted in dc.watch.impress GXR preview but still no answer about it's true function. It may be a diagnostic port, but I guess it's something related to future GXR accessories (battery grip?) mounted to tripod hole.
- bottom_connector.jpg (238.29 KiB) Viewed 6366 times
- This small hole at bottom of the camera is most probably a hole for optional (not yet announced) AC Adapter, similar to adapters for other Ricohs:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/option/ac/#popup - gxr_bottom.jpg (163.99 KiB) Viewed 6376 times
And one just for fun...
- GXR+A12 vs. D90 + 18-200
quite a bit of difference in size and weight? :D - gxr_d90_sm.jpg (359.98 KiB) Viewed 5839 times
- EXIF-Data
- Image taken on: Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:58 am
- Focus length: 6 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/32 Sec
- F-number: F/1.9
- ISO speed rating: 100
- Whitebalance: Manual
- Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
- Camera-model: GR DIGITAL 3
- Exposure program: Aperture priority
- Exposure bias: 0 EV
- Metering mode: Center-weighted average
wow! I can not wait to see your test! Although I am sure that I can not afford a GXR, I really want to see the difference between GX200 and GXR. So I really want to see the image quality in low light condition.
