New Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 1 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: March 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $499.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Excellent image quality, very versatile | Cons: | not the fastest AF -- but you knew that! | | To start off the reviews here: The GXR with the 50mm (equiv.) lensor may be the only camera equipment you'll ever need: The field of view is an extremely versatile one -- hey, there's a reason virtually every camera since the first Leica came with a 50mm lens! This particular lens is sharp from wide open -- extremely sharp, actually. I cannot fault the lens for anything, it is well-nigh perfect. Portraits are possible with 50mm, as are the best (to my eyes) macro shots I have seen from any camera system bar none. You may never need to anything except maybe a polarizer and a neutral grey filter.
Having the possibility to add the 28mm lensor (or even the P10 travel zoom -- absolutely underrated imho) is very nice, if you need more wide angle or more tele. I do regret, however, that Ricoh has not added a proper tele zoom with APS sensor. This, I think, would have turned the GXR system into the best travel camera of all times: essentially silent, very compact, perfect ergonomics -- and a time-tested lens set-up to match. The A16 does not cut it for me, and the S10 and P10 are small-sensor modules. Oh well, I got the M mount and can add tele lenses that way (if without auto focus).
The only possible downside of this lensor is the AF speed: It is a contrast detection system, so you know it is not gonna be as fast as a phase-detect DSLR. BUT, you knew that coming in -- and as far as contrast detection AF goes, this is actually a good one: With the current firmware, it may not be the fastest, but it is virtually foolproof, absolutely consistent and precise. Once you get used to it, it is absolutely easy to "get the shot". Add to that the possibilites for Snap focus and manual/ zone focussing, and this becomes a street photographers dream camera. Very, very, very responsive if you know what you're doing. Macro focussing is more difficult, but all the manual focus assists make sure you will get the shot here as well, even if it takes a little longer. So, focus performance is no real negative, just something you need to remind yourself of before you sell your DSLR. Because, as far as the results in terms of IQ go, this camera will make your DSLR go obsolete. Add to this the small size and weight of the GXR/A12 and your DSLR might start to gather dust on the shelve. My (D)SLRs all do now: The GXR +A12 is by far the camera I use the most...
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amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,660 | Review Date: September 15, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $190.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | sharp, color rendition, close-focusing | Cons: | occasional CA, occasional slow-to-focus | | firstly - this is NOT a 50mm lens; it is a 33mm lens (the 50mm comes from Ricoh wanting to sell the equivalency, etc...)
now that we've cleared that up....
what a pure gem this lens module is...
what we have is an APS-S sensor at 12MP, with a 33mm f2.5 Macro lens, all wrapped up in a tidy package for the GXR system...
exceptionally sharp, with great color rendition, and even decent bokeh - especially for 10-12 year old compact camera...
how about some images? sunflower by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr honey bee, pumpkin blossom by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr post & wire by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr crossing Broadway by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr pumpkin by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
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