RICOH WG-30 and WG-30w

RonHendriks1966 · 10-09-2014, 02:03 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Useless cameras. All specs are very weak, except water, dust and shock resistance.
WG-3 GPS had 2.0-4.9 lens and bigger LCD...
Right?

This was Always the budget series, so 1/3th cheaper.

bdery · 10-09-2014, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Well if we are going to whine, I would FAR rather have the GPS than the WiFi. GPS is useful, WiFi not so much. (At least I have not been able to find a use for it, though I am open to suggestions)

Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore!

IchabodCrane · 10-09-2014, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore!

I wonder if they tested to see if wireless control works underwater.

---------- Post added 10-09-14 at 10:02 AM ----------

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Looks like good updates. Anything impressing in them compared to the last version?

No longer burdened by the weight of sensor-shift SR (digital only now).

**jatrax** · 10-09-2014, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore!

Wireless transfer = too slow
Wireless control = why?
Auto update to social sites = I think I have Facebook page my wife set up for me. Might have posted there a few years ago. Once.
Link to smartphone = why?

I realize there are uses for all of those things but we are talking but me. And I have no use for any of those things. But I do use the GPS unit whenever I'm in the field.

I did get a FLU Card to test and so far have found that it works, but I have not found any real reason to go to the trouble of using it. Still looking. YMMV

**monochrome** · 10-09-2014, 08:38 AM

WG-30 is not on my radar. I note the WiFi only in the context of this camera possibly serving as a test bed for the technology, which might surface in the -Sx series some day. GPS might show up unexpectedly in something else - then start appearing in mid-range and up dSLR's. My bet is tethering (remote control) will be cabled for flagships and eventually Wi-Fi with browser for mid-range. I imagine we'll eventually see the O-FC1 was a quick and dirty (and inexpensive) bridge while Ricoh developed its own tech in-house.

We should always remember that not only must Ricoh catch up with it's product competitors, it must catch up with a target that is still moving forward. Sometimes the best way to do that is just work on whatever the entire market will deliver in three years, deliver it in two years, and accept you are behind for a while

bdery · 10-09-2014, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Wireless transfer = too slow
Wireless control = why?
Auto update to social sites = I think I have Facebook page my wife set up for me. Might have posted there a few years ago. Once.
Link to smartphone = why?

I realize there are uses for all of those things but we are talking but me. And I have no use for any of those things. But I do use the GPS unit whenever I'm in the field.

I did get a FLU Card to test and so far have found that it works, but I have not found any real reason to go to the trouble of using it. Still looking. YMMV

I did not realize we were talking about you

I thought this was about a new camera...

In a networked world, for those who participate in it, wifi is a very useful tool. YOU might not see the needs for some specific features, but in that case just look elsewhere and don't purchase that camera.

To answer your questions:

The link to a smartphone means that you can use your smartphone's GPS with the camera, by the way.

You cannot today evaluate if the wireless transfer speed is fast enough on that camera.

Wireless controls can be useful if you set your camera in a remote location.

IchabodCrane · 10-09-2014, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by bdery

I did not realize we were talking about you

I thought this was about a new camera...

In a networked world, for those who participate in it, wifi is a very useful tool. YOU might not see the needs for some specific features, but in that case just look elsewhere and don't purchase that camera.

To answer your questions:

The link to a smartphone means that you can use your smartphone's GPS with the camera, by the way.

You cannot today evaluate if the wireless transfer speed is fast enough on that camera.

Wireless controls can be useful if you set your camera in a remote location.

Do we know the camera can read the GPS coordinates from a phone and record that in the EXIF?

thibs · 10-09-2014, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by IchabodCrane

Do we know the camera can read the GPS coordinates from a phone and record that in the EXIF?

Well it seems clear to me that it can but maybe reading too much into their description.

Uluru · 10-09-2014, 04:21 PM

This entire range has become incomprehensible to me. They are the most updated / substituted / rebadged cameras in Ricoh Imaging's range. Or at least, they do appear to be updated every 6 months or so, changed labels, etc. But basically, they remain same, and changes are merely cosmetic and unsubstantial.
That is why they do it — too easy.

bobmaxja · 10-09-2014, 05:46 PM

Who cares, most peoples who buy these camera are not pro or semi pro or .... You mention to them they can use it under water, photos can be post to Facebook, that what they are interested. The rest , they dont care(sensor size,etc).

Smeggypants · 10-09-2014, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by thibs

Well it seems clear to me that it can but maybe reading too much into their description.

Can you kindly point me to where it's clear that the camera reads the GPS location from an external device via Wi-fi and writes it into the EXIF? Thanks

shuie · 10-09-2014, 09:03 PM - **1 Like**

Lets not overlook the importance of these types of products. A couple of years ago I bought a WG2. I wanted something small but rugged to take with me on a Big Horn sheep hunt. Over the last couple of years I have found I have taken far more pictures with this camera than my K-10. (which I plan on upgrading from). I realize the limitations of the WG series in comparison to even my K-10, however the convenience of having it with me, and not worrying about the elements makes up of some of them.

Additionally now that I work in heavy construction I frequently need to be able to take pictures on the jobsite. I have found the rugged nature of these cameras to be a great benefit. ( 100 feet in the air in a manlift with 20 MPH winds the tether is comforting). For me as well the digital microscope feature has been very handy. (capturing numbers on flanges at awkward positions and poor lighting).

In fact I have probably recommended a WG series camera to more people than a K series body. living in Colorado, and working construction, a robust, reliable camera can be more of a useful tool than a superior but bulkier body.

Ask yourself this, "will more people who think they want to get into photography buy Pentax because of the K mount systems, or because they have seen and used their less expensive point and shoots and been impressed with them" ?

While I have a few wishes that I hope Pentax fulfills, I will not complain when they roll out new products, but will wait until I find the one I want. Until then my K-10 still proves to be sufficient for my needs.

Smeggypants · 10-09-2014, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by shuie

however the convenience of having it with me, and not worrying about the elements makes up of some of them.

A very good point. The camera you have with you is the best one for the job

redrockcoulee · 10-10-2014, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

A very good point. The camera you have with you is the best one for the job

Using that kind of logic you would think that camera manufactures would make more than one type of camera. Oh wait, they do!

I love my WGIII. It allows me to do things that my other cameras do not. Same thing could be said of our Holgas, LF and MF cameras, home made pinhole cameras and of course our Pentax DSLRs.

The higher end WG had two models one that has a GPS option and it is more expensive than the non GPS model. So if you want GPS buy the Pentax/Ricoh model that has it. Not all models need to have all features otherwise how would you price them differently and why should people pay more for features they do not want, need or perhaps afford?

thibs · 10-10-2014, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

Can you kindly point me to where it's clear that the camera reads the GPS location from an external device via Wi-fi and writes it into the EXIF? Thanks

Well, the couple specs highlights + Bdery comments, it seemed clear to me.
However, reading the specs, it is not.
Moreover the WG-30 is a simplified version of WG4 (at least that's what WGxx previously led to beleive) si they might not want to let you do this for not canibalizing the sales of WG4 gps.

We'll know more with the manual.

10-09-2014, 04:21 PM	#24
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	This entire range has become incomprehensible to me. They are the most updated / substituted / rebadged cameras in Ricoh Imaging's range. Or at least, they do appear to be updated every 6 months or so, changed labels, etc. But basically, they remain same, and changes are merely cosmetic and unsubstantial. That is why they do it — too easy. Last edited by Uluru; 10-09-2014 at 04:41 PM.

10-09-2014, 09:03 PM - 1 Like	#27
shuie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 140	don't forget Lets not overlook the importance of these types of products. A couple of years ago I bought a WG2. I wanted something small but rugged to take with me on a Big Horn sheep hunt. Over the last couple of years I have found I have taken far more pictures with this camera than my K-10. (which I plan on upgrading from). I realize the limitations of the WG series in comparison to even my K-10, however the convenience of having it with me, and not worrying about the elements makes up of some of them. Additionally now that I work in heavy construction I frequently need to be able to take pictures on the jobsite. I have found the rugged nature of these cameras to be a great benefit. ( 100 feet in the air in a manlift with 20 MPH winds the tether is comforting). For me as well the digital microscope feature has been very handy. (capturing numbers on flanges at awkward positions and poor lighting). In fact I have probably recommended a WG series camera to more people than a K series body. living in Colorado, and working construction, a robust, reliable camera can be more of a useful tool than a superior but bulkier body. Ask yourself this, "will more people who think they want to get into photography buy Pentax because of the K mount systems, or because they have seen and used their less expensive point and shoots and been impressed with them" ? While I have a few wishes that I hope Pentax fulfills, I will not complain when they roll out new products, but will wait until I find the one I want. Until then my K-10 still proves to be sufficient for my needs.

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10-09-2014, 02:03 AM	#16
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by ogl Useless cameras. All specs are very weak, except water, dust and shock resistance. WG-3 GPS had 2.0-4.9 lens and bigger LCD... Right? This was Always the budget series, so 1/3th cheaper.

10-09-2014, 06:04 AM	#17
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by jatrax Well if we are going to whine, I would FAR rather have the GPS than the WiFi. GPS is useful, WiFi not so much. (At least I have not been able to find a use for it, though I am open to suggestions) Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore!

10-09-2014, 06:27 AM	#18
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by bdery Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore! I wonder if they tested to see if wireless control works underwater. ---------- Post added 10-09-14 at 10:02 AM ---------- Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Looks like good updates. Anything impressing in them compared to the last version? No longer burdened by the weight of sensor-shift SR (digital only now).

10-09-2014, 08:15 AM	#19
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by bdery Wireless transfer, wireless control, automatic update to social sites, link to your smartphone's GPS... hey, that way you don't need GPS in-camera anymore! Wireless transfer = too slow Wireless control = why? Auto update to social sites = I think I have Facebook page my wife set up for me. Might have posted there a few years ago. Once. Link to smartphone = why? I realize there are uses for all of those things but we are talking but me. And I have no use for any of those things. But I do use the GPS unit whenever I'm in the field. I did get a FLU Card to test and so far have found that it works, but I have not found any real reason to go to the trouble of using it. Still looking. YMMV

10-09-2014, 08:38 AM	#20
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	WG-30 is not on my radar. I note the WiFi only in the context of this camera possibly serving as a test bed for the technology, which might surface in the -Sx series some day. GPS might show up unexpectedly in something else - then start appearing in mid-range and up dSLR's. My bet is tethering (remote control) will be cabled for flagships and eventually Wi-Fi with browser for mid-range. I imagine we'll eventually see the O-FC1 was a quick and dirty (and inexpensive) bridge while Ricoh developed its own tech in-house. We should always remember that not only must Ricoh catch up with it's product competitors, it must catch up with a target that is still moving forward. Sometimes the best way to do that is just work on whatever the entire market will deliver in three years, deliver it in two years, and accept you are behind for a while

10-09-2014, 09:53 AM	#21
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by jatrax Wireless transfer = too slow Wireless control = why? Auto update to social sites = I think I have Facebook page my wife set up for me. Might have posted there a few years ago. Once. Link to smartphone = why? I realize there are uses for all of those things but we are talking but me. And I have no use for any of those things. But I do use the GPS unit whenever I'm in the field. I did get a FLU Card to test and so far have found that it works, but I have not found any real reason to go to the trouble of using it. Still looking. YMMV I did not realize we were talking about you I thought this was about a new camera... In a networked world, for those who participate in it, wifi is a very useful tool. YOU might not see the needs for some specific features, but in that case just look elsewhere and don't purchase that camera. To answer your questions: The link to a smartphone means that you can use your smartphone's GPS with the camera, by the way. You cannot today evaluate if the wireless transfer speed is fast enough on that camera. Wireless controls can be useful if you set your camera in a remote location.

10-09-2014, 10:09 AM	#22
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by bdery I did not realize we were talking about you I thought this was about a new camera... In a networked world, for those who participate in it, wifi is a very useful tool. YOU might not see the needs for some specific features, but in that case just look elsewhere and don't purchase that camera. To answer your questions: The link to a smartphone means that you can use your smartphone's GPS with the camera, by the way. You cannot today evaluate if the wireless transfer speed is fast enough on that camera. Wireless controls can be useful if you set your camera in a remote location. Do we know the camera can read the GPS coordinates from a phone and record that in the EXIF?

10-09-2014, 10:49 AM	#23
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by IchabodCrane Do we know the camera can read the GPS coordinates from a phone and record that in the EXIF? Well it seems clear to me that it can but maybe reading too much into their description.

10-09-2014, 05:46 PM	#25
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Who cares, most peoples who buy these camera are not pro or semi pro or .... You mention to them they can use it under water, photos can be post to Facebook, that what they are interested. The rest , they dont care(sensor size,etc).

10-09-2014, 07:37 PM	#26
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by thibs Well it seems clear to me that it can but maybe reading too much into their description. Can you kindly point me to where it's clear that the camera reads the GPS location from an external device via Wi-fi and writes it into the EXIF? Thanks

10-09-2014, 10:04 PM	#28
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by shuie however the convenience of having it with me, and not worrying about the elements makes up of some of them. A very good point. The camera you have with you is the best one for the job

10-10-2014, 07:53 AM	#29
redrockcoulee Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Medicine Hat Posts: 2,306	Originally posted by Smeggypants A very good point. The camera you have with you is the best one for the job Using that kind of logic you would think that camera manufactures would make more than one type of camera. Oh wait, they do! I love my WGIII. It allows me to do things that my other cameras do not. Same thing could be said of our Holgas, LF and MF cameras, home made pinhole cameras and of course our Pentax DSLRs. The higher end WG had two models one that has a GPS option and it is more expensive than the non GPS model. So if you want GPS buy the Pentax/Ricoh model that has it. Not all models need to have all features otherwise how would you price them differently and why should people pay more for features they do not want, need or perhaps afford?

10-10-2014, 09:09 AM	#30
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Smeggypants Can you kindly point me to where it's clear that the camera reads the GPS location from an external device via Wi-fi and writes it into the EXIF? Thanks Well, the couple specs highlights + Bdery comments, it seemed clear to me. However, reading the specs, it is not. Moreover the WG-30 is a simplified version of WG4 (at least that's what WGxx previously led to beleive) si they might not want to let you do this for not canibalizing the sales of WG4 gps. We'll know more with the manual.