Ricoh GR Digital II

Opinion: Great compact with a fantastic prime lens. I was concerned with the noise levels issues which I've read about in several articles and reviews, but I'm actually quite pleased with the output. The BW images are clean and tack sharp. The color renditions are also very good. The 28mm lens is ideal for how I photograph and haven't missed not having optical zoom features. The built quality is solid and the controls are very intuitive and easy to use.

Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this camera and use it daily. I also have a Leica D-Lux-4 and V-Lux-1 and while I enjoy using them, I usually grab for my Ricoh GR-II first.

Opinion: I'm mentioning some other cameras first: leica digilux 1 (hello, LCT), Leica M 8.
Each of these cameras shares qualities with the grd11; all three have a relationship
with "the light" which is unique and especially rare in most digitals. I don't know
what to call it, so I'll refer a term coined by professional audio-writer Harry Pearson
(apologies if I've got the name wrong): "continuousness".

This quality may only be attempt on my part to justify what is simply a type-of-
image preference. So be it. The point is, if you like the Leica D1, amd M8 (for
"continuousness-of-tone reasons; agreed, no camera is perfect)- you may really
like the grd11.

gary dehmcke
ps: I very recently discovered a (new for me) trick using the grd's leveling tool.
First, using spot auto-focus, focus on the image element that you want to use as
your refrerence horizontal or vertical- especially if it's off-center. Then freely
recompose and shoot. I use it in manual mode. It helps create a coordinated
spatial sense in a wide lens. This may not always be a good thing, depending on
the image,

Opinion: Just picked up this cam, the latest experiment to find a livable p&s/walkaround. I
was sold on the E-420/pancake combo, but kept playing with the GR and
eventually just gave in. The ergonomics are beautiful, the lens is razor-sharp, and
everything about this camera just screams "use me"! I've been a Canon shooter for
quite a while, but despite owning a few of the G's over the years, never loved them.
The G-10 is a remarkable camera and in many ways it's a step up from the GR -
better noise, slightly quicker, and finally a selector dial. BUT, there's just this
attraction to the Ricohs....you put one in your hand and don't want it to leave.
The camera feels right, moves at a respectable pace, and makes itself invisible. Try
as i might, I STILL can't even modestly like the DP1. I almost bought one again,
but no matter how much I want to tolerate it in exchange for the image quality , it's
simply an awful camera. If only Ricoh could build Foveon's cameras instead of
sigma (gag).
The GR has a significant amount of noise, but as many people have posted - it's
pleasant. Sounds strange in the age of clean=good, BUT some of us came from
and still shoot a lot of film. Grain in film looks quite different than noise in digital,
although the GR is the closest I've ever seen. That was the decision maker for me
personally. Printing digital files, most cameras can look quite good, but the
highlight transitions and sharpening artifacts always give away the digital original.
From printing the GR files, I feel that the look resembles film, which is a look i
personally prefer. With some gentle noiseware pro work, the files clean up
extremely well but still have a nice feel.

Overall a beautiful experience, a real camera only slightly let down by the
chip...BUT it prints well with a little massaging in PS. Most importantly it's a FUN
camera to use, it's tiny and powerful AND because of these things I know I'll have ti
with me. Getting the shot is a LOT more important than owning a camera with
great IQ (DP1) that is no fun to use and will let you down in the moment.

Opinion: It's hard to rate this camera as it sits in a very small niche. When I bought it the
other option was essentially the Panasonic LX2 (which I own) and the upcoming
Sigma DP1. But it is clearly the more compact of the two - I can easily throw it in
my pocket. The build quality is excellent and the controls are intuitive in a way that
other cameras aren't. I can essentially shoot whatever I want in a variety of setting
without ever having to access the menu. The camera performs fast enough -
especially if the focus is manually set (or SNAP). The lack of optical viewfinder has
never been an issue as the camera isn't ever used in static, posed photography. It's
the perfect quick snap candid camera.

The image quality is good - better than the LX2 in low light settings. The jpgs can
be sharp and the noise acceptable. The RAW files allow even better results - and
ultimately that's the bonus of this camera. Having RAW format for such a small, yet
intuitive tool is a pleasure.

Finally the fixed wide angle lens means it's not the camera for all situations. My
reasoning is that I primarily shoot wide - I love the format, which allows you to get
close to your subject and fill the frame. But it's not for everyone. It's a special,
unique little tool for the type of person who knows why he or she wants it.

Opinion: I bought this camera as a replacement for my Ricoh GX100. Unfortunately the shutter lag is so bad that I am going to have to return it. I figured with a non-zoom lens the shutter lag would be equal or even less than my GX100, but I was very wrong. I've used $200 p-n-s cameras that have less lag than this, and after the GX100 I am shocked that Ricoh would release a new camera that wasn't even close to the same in this area. I guess I'll have to cross my fingers and hope the GX200 (with a zoom I'll never use) is better.

Opinion: Ever since I purchased this camera in January 08, it has been my primary "carry everywhere" camera; excellent for snapshots & it even stands up to 'bigger cameras' in terms of image quality.
When I first came across the GRD I had my doubts regarding the fixed lens, but when I tried a friend's GRD II, I was impressed with its speed & ease of use & I went & purchased one the next day.

It is my favorite camera at the moment.

Opinion: I originally posted this review in the forum last December (07) and only just found the user reviews page and thought it would be useful.

Took receipt of my first Ricoh camera last week (Dec '07) – GRDII. This forum (and website) has finally put an end to an obsession with Canon compact digital cameras. I am still a novice in the digital world preferring to stick with my Olympus and Mamiya film systems (OM 4Tis and RZ76 both with fixed focal lenses, images then either worked in darkroom or scanned with Nikon scanner for archiving, printing and exhibiting – a long process I know but one that I know how to control!).

I would like to air some comments on the new Ricoh GRD2 generally I am very satisfied though a few negatives have come to light. Firstly however I wanted to thank all useful comments and levels of advice this forum has issued regarding the Ricoh GRD2. A good friend had tried to persuade me that the GRD was an excellent choice a few years ago, but I was not sufficiently persuaded. Until now I have only really used a digital compact as a sort of ‘sketchbook’. That said I am now beginning to realise that there are affordable full-frame DSLRs on the market that are almost as good as my current setup with traditional system – and of course the practicalities of post processing are becoming ever easier.

The choice to go for a GRD2 was therefore to act as a stepping-stone potentially onto a DSLR system when I felt confident in the postproduction process with RAW files. I took the camera on a trip to Rome earlier this week and happily shot 430 images so I have had a good chance to test most features.

I should note that this is a ‘front-end/ hands-on’ opinion of the GRD2 and quite personal. I have not started any postproduction work and so it is aimed at shooting and camera ‘feel’. Hopefully however I will touch on a number of points that I had not read in this forum - you will have to forgive me if a similar post has been made in the last week (as I said I have been in Rome testing this camera).

All images were shot in RAW mode at 100ASA, me preferring to add noise in a controlled postproduction environment.

The positives in this summary are not definitive, merely ones I particularly liked. I found the camera to be considerably better than expected so more positives could be added…

Compact and very easy to use; quite intuitive and slipped into my pocket with considerable comfort.

Solid build and I was confidant that it was not going to be easily scratched in my pocket – though the flash appears a little flimsy when popped-up.

I particularly like the ‘my setting’ features and function keystroke, allowing the user to pre-programme and save as a dial setting is a huge bonus to me.

The RAW saving time is acceptable, not once did I get frustrated waiting for the camera. In fact shooting a few JPEGs proved to be a bit slow to record though I did not venture to find out why.

I shot 430 images on one battery (purchased a spare just-in case) a remarkable achievement considering the temperature and the amount of on and off and reviewing of the images that I did, to top it all I also managed to download the images to two PCs before I had to recharge.

Images appear crisp and I like the fixed focal length, only twice did I think that I could have benefited from a zoom.

Exposure compensation on the zoom control is excellent feature and I liked that you can programme the same lever for other functions – though not all, see negatives.

I thought the level meter would be a gimmick but actually found it to be very useful, it works in both landscape and portrait.

No viewfinder was a concern but the LCD display was brilliant, clear and precise. Being able to completely switch off the display was a huge bonus as it allowed for a few subtle shots.

I found the buttons to be located well (except for the playback and adjust wheel buttons – refer negatives) and the rubber grip made it easy to hold the camera which is quite long and as such a little harder to control with one hand. Keeping the little finger under the body helps a lot with stability while flipping through the modes and settings.

Opinion: the grd2 gives me a sense of freedom, the my1, my2 settings along with the adjust jog wheel make use and operation very smooth. it took me a short while to adjust to the fixed lens, but now see that as an advantage and challenge to my shooting styles. image quality for me is top notch, though do wish it had a touch of the original grd (in)famous noise/grain.

replaces my gx100 as my take everywhere camera (not that there is anything wrong with my gx100).

Opinion: it's about two mounths that i have this camera. It's a very particular camera, great for B/W, the noise it's nice at 400 iso seem like kodak tri-x film.
I can take photo, were whit the SLR it's impossible, i mean that you can use this camera very next to people that simply don't see it.
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