GXR, f4.5, 1/1070, ISO 200, JPG, 50mmToday, Ricoh has released a new firmware update for the GXR. It addresses the biggest problem with the camera and this is the extremely slow and unreliable AF.
Ricoh have now added a slower AF mode which does not freeze the screen and a fast AF mode which freezes the screen during focus but focuses faster.
Since I complained and have criticised Ricoh a lot for the poor AF in the GXR, I could not wait to try the new firmware out. And indeed, Ricoh has addressed both of my complaints with the AF, unfortunately I can only have one at a time. So it's either the same slow AF but no screen freeze or the very annoying screen freeze during focus but a more usable AF speed.
Ok, to make it clear, the AF has been improved and this is great. It is great to see that Ricoh does listen and keeps improving their cameras. Make no mistake though, compared with the GF1, the AF speed is still way behind but now it's at least in good light much closer.
So while Ricoh has disappointed a bit with the initial GXR modules, at least they don't disappoint when it comes to improving their cameras through firmware updates based on feedback from users.
Still not good enough, eh, Cris? :)
ReplyDeleteNothing is perfect, I guess...
Mark
Mark, I am a tough audience. Maybe it's because I have so may Ricoh cameras and know what Ricoh can do so my expectations are higher than from other people.
ReplyDeleteThe firmware update is great however and shows that Ricoh does care about user feedback and their products. So I hope that my comments are taken as a means to push further improvements in firmware and not as a criticism to the hard work the engineers put in to provide this firmware.
Yes, but still waiting for a firmware update for GRD3 high iso banding, or am i waiting for godot?
ReplyDeleteI am affraid that we will be waiting for quite a while for a fix to the GRD III banding. From my understanding it is not something that Ricoh can fix in firmware.
ReplyDeleteThis is a shame and I hope there is at least something they can do to improve the situation when using ISO 1600.
oh well too bad...i think the only improvement is darkening the shadows and try to forget about it...adding artificial noise helps as well. i don't mind noise but i don't like the banding. and it shows up even as low as 400. but haven't really tested in real prints yet-so i may end up bothered less...
ReplyDeleteI will bring this up again with Ricoh on the next meetup and see if there are any news.
ReplyDeletemuch appreciated
ReplyDelete