Ricol Gz-1?

wolfier · 08-10-2009, 03:00 PM

Ran across this, no idea of authenticity.

RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor | GB LIFE STYLE

"Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1.

the web site obtained pictures of engineering samples - compared with GRD and GX, it retains the two dials, is slightly larger, and added a small top LCD. 3" 0.9MP back LCD, internal flash and a red LED AF assist light. Tv mode is added. There's a lens release button at the front, which can be paired with compact interchangeable lenses.

In the future there'll be a PK Mount adaptor, much like how M4/3 uses existing 4/3 lenses (it's unknown whether it supports AE and AF). It's rumoured that this move can diversity Ricoh's product range, increase sales and market share of Pentax lenses, and expand Samsung's territories on sensors and related electronics. Availability: TBA."

PNTXFTW12 · 08-10-2009, 03:28 PM

that looks really cool.
i would buy it!

*isteve · 08-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by wolfier

Ran across this, no idea of authenticity.

RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor | GB LIFE STYLE

"Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1.

the web site obtained pictures of engineering samples - compared with GRD and GX, it retains the two dials, is slightly larger, and added a small top LCD. 3" 0.9MP back LCD, internal flash and a red LED AF assist light. Tv mode is added. There's a lens release button at the front, which can be paired with compact interchangeable lenses.

In the future there'll be a PK Mount adaptor, much like how M4/3 uses existing 4/3 lenses (it's unknown whether it supports AE and AF). It's rumoured that this move can diversity Ricoh's product range, increase sales and market share of Pentax lenses, and expand Samsung's territories on sensors and related electronics. Availability: TBA."

No way. Registration distance of 15mm lens too large and scale completely wrong. Obvious photoshop chop job but in principle (owning a Ricoh GX100 and several LTD lenses) I love the idea.

junyo · 08-10-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by *isteve

No way. Registration distance of 15mm lens too large and scale completely wrong. Obvious photoshop chop job but in principle (owning a Ricoh GX100 and several LTD lenses) I love the idea.

Not saying you're wrong, but the translation and some other rumor sites seem to indicate it's based on a redesigned "lightweight" 15mm Ltd. I'm not an optics nerd, so I have no idea whether you even could redesign an existing lens for a different registration distance, but there you go.

But oh how I want this to be true.

Edit: Just for clarification, I don't use "nerd" as a pejorative, I generally use it as a sign of respect for people who have vast amount of knowledge on a subject.

lithos · 08-10-2009, 09:41 PM

I'm wondering why Ricoh'd pair up with Pentax, though it would indeed be awesome. Ricoh's made some excellent cameras, and I'd love for them to do a high-grade compact with Pentax...

cyg · 08-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by wolfier

Ran across this, no idea of authenticity.

RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor | GB LIFE STYLE

"Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1.

This sounds excellent, but...

1. "based on the DA15 ltd"(*) doesn't make much sense because of different flange back distance, as mentioned already;

2. It would be odd of Samsung to lend their sensor when they are coming up with their own "micro-APS" compact body this fall;

3. It would be really annoying if this turned out to be true, as Ricoh apparently still does not distribute their cameras in Canada.

(*): Everybody would scream at the lens being "only f/4" anyway...

Kunzite · 08-11-2009, 06:54 AM

Yep, I expect a non-retrofocus 15mm f/4 would look quite different than the current, retrofocus design.
But I like the idea

(not sure I would pay the money, though...)

k100d · 08-11-2009, 07:07 AM

the proportions just don't look right, i'm leaning on photochop too
but if this ever worked out...

mk07138 · 08-11-2009, 08:09 AM

Just to throw out there. Pentax did redesign the 43mm ltd for Leica (I think?) for their rangefinders so they obviously can decrease the registration distance.

lithos · 08-11-2009, 08:17 AM

I don't think they did, MK. I remember reading on APUG or somewhere one of the 43mm LTM owners noting how the the lens mount's basically an extension tube to bring the rear lens out to the requisite 45.46mm distance.

mk07138 · 08-11-2009, 08:18 AM

Well it appears I would be incorrect then. Haha I take back the previous statement.

RaduA · 08-11-2009, 08:39 AM

For me the giveaway that this was a farce was the inclusion of Samsung in the mix. Pentax doesn't need Samsung approval to use the sensor in other camera and I doubt they (S) would work with both Ricoh and Pentax in a project whilst working solo for the NX.

Fact is I think Ricoh and Pentax are a match for a premium compact camera (or more) and I hope they could start a collaboration soon.

Radu

cyg · 08-11-2009, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by k100d

i'm leaning on photochop too

Well they do say that it *is* a photoshop job made for illustration...

Pretty much the only part I can read on that page.

davebris33 · 08-11-2009, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by lithos

I'm wondering why Ricoh'd pair up with Pentax, though it would indeed be awesome. Ricoh's made some excellent cameras, and I'd love for them to do a high-grade compact with Pentax...

Ricoh used to make slr's with a k mount, so there is a history there...sort of

planedriver · 08-11-2009, 12:45 PM

As GX-100 owner I would say the body of that camera on the picture looks exactly like the GX-100/200 (apart from the top LCD right to the flash). (may be photoshop)

Anyway the idea sounds very promising as the GX-100 is a very nicely built compact with superb ergonomics. Sadly IQ suffers from the megapixel war a lot at ISO anything higher than 200.

Andras

08-10-2009, 03:00 PM	#1
wolfier Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 123	Ricol Gz-1? Ran across this, no idea of authenticity. RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor \| GB LIFE STYLE "Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1. the web site obtained pictures of engineering samples - compared with GRD and GX, it retains the two dials, is slightly larger, and added a small top LCD. 3" 0.9MP back LCD, internal flash and a red LED AF assist light. Tv mode is added. There's a lens release button at the front, which can be paired with compact interchangeable lenses. In the future there'll be a PK Mount adaptor, much like how M4/3 uses existing 4/3 lenses (it's unknown whether it supports AE and AF). It's rumoured that this move can diversity Ricoh's product range, increase sales and market share of Pentax lenses, and expand Samsung's territories on sensors and related electronics. Availability: TBA."

08-10-2009, 03:28 PM	#2
PNTXFTW12 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vaughan, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 269	that looks really cool. i would buy it!

08-10-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
*isteve Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 1,187	Originally posted by wolfier Ran across this, no idea of authenticity. RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor \| GB LIFE STYLE "Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1. the web site obtained pictures of engineering samples - compared with GRD and GX, it retains the two dials, is slightly larger, and added a small top LCD. 3" 0.9MP back LCD, internal flash and a red LED AF assist light. Tv mode is added. There's a lens release button at the front, which can be paired with compact interchangeable lenses. In the future there'll be a PK Mount adaptor, much like how M4/3 uses existing 4/3 lenses (it's unknown whether it supports AE and AF). It's rumoured that this move can diversity Ricoh's product range, increase sales and market share of Pentax lenses, and expand Samsung's territories on sensors and related electronics. Availability: TBA." No way. Registration distance of 15mm lens too large and scale completely wrong. Obvious photoshop chop job but in principle (owning a Ricoh GX100 and several LTD lenses) I love the idea.

08-10-2009, 08:09 PM	#4
junyo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 418	Originally posted by *isteve No way. Registration distance of 15mm lens too large and scale completely wrong. Obvious photoshop chop job but in principle (owning a Ricoh GX100 and several LTD lenses) I love the idea. Not saying you're wrong, but the translation and some other rumor sites seem to indicate it's based on a redesigned "lightweight" 15mm Ltd. I'm not an optics nerd, so I have no idea whether you even could redesign an existing lens for a different registration distance, but there you go. But oh how I want this to be true. Edit: Just for clarification, I don't use "nerd" as a pejorative, I generally use it as a sign of respect for people who have vast amount of knowledge on a subject.

08-10-2009, 09:41 PM	#5
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	I'm wondering why Ricoh'd pair up with Pentax, though it would indeed be awesome. Ricoh's made some excellent cameras, and I'd love for them to do a high-grade compact with Pentax...

08-10-2009, 10:09 PM	#6
cyg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 134	Originally posted by wolfier Ran across this, no idea of authenticity. RICOH NEW GZ-1 Rumor \| GB LIFE STYLE "Bridge camera from Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung, based on the DA15 Limited, and with a Ricoh-designed and branded body (GRD-based) with Samsung's 14MP CMOS sensor, to become a compact body with exchangeable lenses, GZ-1. This sounds excellent, but... 1. "based on the DA15 ltd"() doesn't make much sense because of different flange back distance, as mentioned already; 2. It would be odd of Samsung to lend their sensor when they are coming up with their own "micro-APS" compact body this fall; 3. It would be really annoying if this turned out to be true, as Ricoh apparently still does not distribute their cameras in Canada. (): Everybody would scream at the lens being "only f/4" anyway...

08-11-2009, 06:54 AM	#7
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Yep, I expect a non-retrofocus 15mm f/4 would look quite different than the current, retrofocus design. But I like the idea (not sure I would pay the money, though...)

08-11-2009, 07:07 AM	#8
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	the proportions just don't look right, i'm leaning on photochop too but if this ever worked out...

08-11-2009, 08:09 AM	#9
mk07138 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Frostburg Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 151	Just to throw out there. Pentax did redesign the 43mm ltd for Leica (I think?) for their rangefinders so they obviously can decrease the registration distance.

08-11-2009, 08:17 AM	#10
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	I don't think they did, MK. I remember reading on APUG or somewhere one of the 43mm LTM owners noting how the the lens mount's basically an extension tube to bring the rear lens out to the requisite 45.46mm distance.

08-11-2009, 08:18 AM	#11
mk07138 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Frostburg Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 151	Well it appears I would be incorrect then. Haha I take back the previous statement.

08-11-2009, 08:39 AM	#12
RaduA Guest	For me the giveaway that this was a farce was the inclusion of Samsung in the mix. Pentax doesn't need Samsung approval to use the sensor in other camera and I doubt they (S) would work with both Ricoh and Pentax in a project whilst working solo for the NX. Fact is I think Ricoh and Pentax are a match for a premium compact camera (or more) and I hope they could start a collaboration soon. Radu

08-11-2009, 10:33 AM	#13
cyg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 134	Originally posted by k100d i'm leaning on photochop too Well they do say that it is a photoshop job made for illustration... Pretty much the only part I can read on that page.

08-11-2009, 12:24 PM	#14
davebris33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 140	Originally posted by lithos I'm wondering why Ricoh'd pair up with Pentax, though it would indeed be awesome. Ricoh's made some excellent cameras, and I'd love for them to do a high-grade compact with Pentax... Ricoh used to make slr's with a k mount, so there is a history there...sort of

08-11-2009, 12:45 PM	#15
planedriver Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Velence, Hungary Posts: 664	As GX-100 owner I would say the body of that camera on the picture looks exactly like the GX-100/200 (apart from the top LCD right to the flash). (may be photoshop) Anyway the idea sounds very promising as the GX-100 is a very nicely built compact with superb ergonomics. Sadly IQ suffers from the megapixel war a lot at ISO anything higher than 200. Andras