Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

[DPNow]

The multi-award winning GR DIGITAL was launched as the successor to the GR Series of 35mm compact film cameras (first released in 1996) popular for their superb image quality.

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[Ian]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

Went to the official launch in the UK of the new GRII today - there was a very good turn out; quite a few journalists I wouldn't expect to see at a routine camera launch were there.

The GR-series commands a lot of interest; a compact camera, metal body, plus a non-zoom (28mm only) lens.

One brilliant feature in the new GRII model is an electronic level indicator; I'm always falling foul of tilted horizons

I can see this little trick (also fitted to the Nikon D3 I understand) being increasingly commonplace.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

Ian I've said for some years now that DSLR cameras should have some form of electronic spirit level in the viewfinder or similar. I've always been laughed at. Now its happening, and about time.

[DTD]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

I'd be very tempted to buy this camera – I've used the GR1s film camera for several years. Brilliant quality in a small well designed package.

The slow RAW write times of the original GR-D put me off.
I also wished Ricoh would produce a 40mm version of the GR-1, so that's been answered too.

Not sure about the extra pixels on such a small sensor – I suppose we'll have to wait for the reviews on image quality.

But all in all, an interesting launch, in line with Ricoh's slow-but-sure development of the original GR-1.

Glad to see the GR-D's accessories will fit the new model.

[Ian]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

We were handed some prints showing the MkII version at ISO 400 (night scene) and the MkI at ISO 100 and there wasn't a lot of difference. There you can take at least two RAW shots without a delay and a RAW frame clears the buffer in a claimed 3-4 seconds instead of 12 seconds in the MkI.

I wonder what happened to the little Sigma DP-1; that seemed like a great idea; maybe better than the Ricoh (same prime lens philosophy in a small package but with a large Foveon sensor).

Ian

Ian

[DTD]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

Don't suppose Ricoh needed anyone to do some long term comparisons for them did they?

[Ian]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

Don't suppose Ricoh needed anyone to do some long term comparisons for them did they?

You might be the ideal person to review this camera, David - review samples will be available at the end of November.

Ian

[DTD]

Re: Ricoh announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL II

Tell them I was only joking when I called them a photocopier company.