White bench by the river

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/310, ISO 200, JPG, 53mm (Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 35mm)

One Way

GRD, f2.8, 1/160, ISO 1600, JPG b&w

Checking Mail

GXR A12-M, f1.4, 1/125, ISO 1250, RAW, 53mm (Voigtlander Nokton f1.4 35mm)

National Maritime Museum

GXR A12-M, f2.8, 1/11, ISO 3200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Turn your back on me

GXR A12, f2.5, 1/217, ISO 200, RAW, 28mm

Another picture with a central focus point, it is not great but I like the light and how the GXR captured it.

Stop

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/10, ISO 3200, RAW, 44mm (Holga HLW v1 f8.0 29mm)

This is the first try of my new Holga lens after I adapted it for M mount, the initial idea was good and it was quick to modify it by just filing down the old mount a bit. After screwing in a L to M adapter I had my new mount in place and the lens ready for use on the GXR.
This worked all well but for one 'small' issue with the distance between lens and sensor getting bigger by doing this so I ended up with a lens only usable for close focusing. Now I need to get this somehow closer to the sensor and then I should be all set to play around with the Holga lens.

Focus on Imaging 2012

Another year of Focus but this time around there were more interesting cameras to play around with, mirrorless options grew and got more and more interesting over the years.
As interesting and innovative some of the mirrorless cameras are, as uninspiring are the model numbers of the cameras. Starting with Fuji with the X-Pro 1 or is it X1 Pro, the Olympus OM-D or E-M 5 or both (or whatever silliness Olympus has done by using two model names), the Canon GX1 or G1X or something else with this combination of letters and number 1 (which seem to be the only ones in the alphabet for camera manufacturers), the non-functional Sigma DP1 and DP2 Merrill (seems Sigma only uses the DP1 and DP2 naming for the compact cameras and did not purchase the rights to any higher numbers or different letters) it seems Nikon was the most innovative with their 1 series, shame the cameras are cheap plastic toys. Naming is not something the manufacturers have really figured out.

But let's look at the actual cameras, like last year I was again interested in a new camera from Fuji. The X-Pro 1, like the X100 and X10 before it, is a great looking camera and shows that Fuji has figured out that retro is in and sells. The X-Pro 1 is their first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and should prove very popular and give Leica a well deserved trashing for not being innovative at all and re-hashing outdated designs with their M series.
Handling the camera actually feels very good, it is nicely built and Fuji has listened to complaints/feedback and improved the menu and external controls from the X100 and X10. The camera is also way more responsive than the sluggish X100, offers more customization options and a improved menu system.
Unfortunately (or as usual) Fuji falls short of having the best camera of the show with some annoying but avoidable problems. My most hated feature in cameras is the screen freeze when focusing and the X-Pro 1 not only has this but the AF is also very slow and mostly not very reliable and misfocusses very often, especially at close distances. While the AF is pretty poor (like the X100 in terms of speed and reliability), the MF speed has been improved so now turning the ring actually moves the MF point at a reasonable pace, unfortunately there is no focus peaking so MF is done by assessing fuzziness on the screen. The last point is the screen does not tilt, this would not have been a major point a while ago but right now there is no excuse not to have a tilt screen.

I did not expect much of the Olympus OM-D (I will call it OM-D since this is the only sensible name for it and not E-M5) given the poor track record of Olympus with their other m4/3 cameras with their poor controls and build. They did manage to surprise me though and this camera stole the show, it is THE best m4/3 camera to date and one of the nicest built and handling mirrorless you can buy. It has a great screen which you can tilt, a very good built-in EVF, customizable controls with wheels, very good build quality with weather sealing, it's very fast (the AF especially is impressive) and very responsive and has some nice accessories available for it.
It basically shows that Olympus has been listening to feedback and has improved their cameras, unlike Panasonic who have got worse an worse. Right now I would go as far to say that this is the only m4/3 camera one should consider and if I were not in the process to get rid of my m4/3 gear or even if m4/3 would be better at supporting M lenses I would be very tempted by it.

I have also played around with the Sony NEX-7 a bit more and still like it, next to the OM-D it's probably the best camera at the show but it feels a bit hollow and way too light compared with the GXR or GRD cameras which feel solid. The lens selection is still not there yet and without proper support for M lenses it is too expensive right now compared with the IMO more capable (in terms of M lenses) and cheaper NEX-5n, despite the great results Björn is getting with his camera.

As for the rest, the Canon G1X is simply a G11 with big sensor, which is not a bad thing per se but it's not very innovative and the OVF is a joke. The Panasonic GX1 is simply a GF1 with handgrip and a (way overdue) improved sensor but without any flip screen, built-in EVF, weather sealing or any features worth mentioning. The Nikon 1 series are horrible plastic cameras with huge (and slow lenses) and some of the worst controls since the Sigma DP1. The Sigma DP1 and DP2 Merrill look like what the original DP1 or at least DP2 should have been but they are years too late to the party.
As usual neither Ricoh nor Pentax were around so unfortunately I could not check out the new, funky looking Pentax K-01 or the new A16 Zoom module.

So overall mirrorless offers have been growing and have got better. Still, after the GXR Mount A12, I am not tempted by anything but a new GXR body with a flip screen.

Having said this, I did end up buying something. I got myself a Holga lens for the Samsung NX mount which I intend to convert to M mount and use on the GXR. I do like the one for the GF1 and wanted to have one for the GXR, too.

Blue and Green

GXR P10, f4.6, 1/100, ISO 100, RAW, 85mm

Empty Bench

iPhone 4, f2.8, 1/15, ISO 1000, JPG, Hipstamatic app

This central composition was not done on purpose but is a result of the inaccurate 'viewfinder' of the Hipstamatic app.

London Bridge Rail

GXR A12, f2.5, 1/30, ISO 1250, RAW, 28mm


People always say it's not good to place the main point of interest in the middle of the picture but I think it's not such a bad thing and can work well at times if the rest of the composition goes along with this.

Man on Bike

GXR A12, f2.5, 1/125, ISO 2263, RAW, 50mm

Across the Line

GXR A12-M, f2.0, 1/125, ISO 1671, RAW, 75mm (Jupiter-8 f2.0 50mm L)

Two

GXR A12-M, f2.8, 1/34, ISO 3200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Not very inspired so this is the best I have for today, the result is not as good as I thought it would be and the focus is slightly off but at times this is the best for the day.

Fire and Smoke

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/233, ISO 200, RAW, 22mm (Voigtlander Heliar f4.5 15mm L)

Reading in the Painted Hall

GXR A12-M, f4.0, 1/68, ISO 3200, RAW, 135mm (Leica Elmar f4.0 90mm L)

Chill

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/410, ISO 200, RAW, 22mm (Voigtlander Heliar f4.5 15mm L)

The Slice of Life

GXR A12-M, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)


Took this while on my way to lunch, the weather was very nice and people were enjoying the sun and mild temperatures outside.

Low Tide

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 5 sec., ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

Writings on the Wall

GXR A12-M, f6.3, 1/620, ISO 200, RAW, 22mm (Voigtlander Heliar f4.5 15mm L)

Texting Interrupted

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/310, ISO 200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Not a great picture from a technical standpoint, it is not accurately focused and the pole seems to come out of his back as well as the guy in the background is distracting. Yet, I still like the picture mainly due to his expression. It was this what made me take it while walking past so it was more getting the shot than making sure it is perfect, at times getting the shot is enough though.

Shadow

GXR A12-M, f6.3, 1/620, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

Blue Barrel

GXR A12-M, f1.8, 1/97, ISO 3200, RAW, 75mm (Canon f1.8 50mm L)

London Rose

GXR A12-M, f2.8, 1/64, ISO 200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Back to London after the recent travels, took this while out for a walk around Greenwich in the evening. I liked the rose she was holding and the red London letters in the background.

Velo

GXR S10, f3.5, 1/153, ISO 100, RAW, 50mm

Another stop-over in Zurich on my way back to London thanks to the strike at Frankfurt airport. Zurich is great for a stop-over since it's quick to get into town and back to the airport and security is very efficient.

I already took a picture of this bike last time but was not happy with the result, this time I think it's better.

Walking in Berlin

GXR S10, F2.5, 1/30, ISO 911, JPG, 24mm

Back in Berlin for another day but this time it was spent mostly in an office and on the phone so only had time in the evening for a walk. I decided to take only the GXR with S10 module along but kind of wish I didn't but take one of the GRDs along or the A12 modules, the S10 simply does not preform very well.

My View

 

iPhone 4, f2.8, ISO 80, JPG, Hipstamatic app

This is a view I saw a lot in recent weeks, I like travelling so don't mind it and it's nice to get out of the office.

Evening Jog

GXR S10, f2.5, 1/9, ISO 1600, RAW, 24mm

Waiting for the Plane

GXR A12-M, f2.8, 1/1870, ISO 200, JPG, 53mm (Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 35mm)

BerlinArt

A small series of the different art you can encounter during your visit to Berlin. It was great to have another day in Berlin although it was freezing outside and using a metal camera is not always great, especially when you also need to focus the lens. The GXR at least fared very well in these temperatures and had no problems at all although the focus on the Nokton got more difficult to turn.

Return to Berlin

GXR A12-M, f1.2, 1/125, ISO 320, JPG, 53mm (Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 35mm)


Back to Berlin for a short stay. I spent most of the day enjoying lunch and the view from the TV tower so only done some photography in the morning and evening. I liked how the street lights had exactly the same colour as the statue on top of the Brandenburg Gate.

Waiting in Zurich

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/189, ISO 200, RAW, 53mm (Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 35mm)


Another stopover in Zurich but this time only one picture rather than a series. I like Zurich and how quick it is to get from the airport to the city and back so you can afford to go into town even for a short stopover without having to worry about being late for your flight.

Waiting

GXR A12-M, f4.0, 1/2, ISO 400, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Today, I met fellow bloggers and photographers Iesha and Tom for a mini Ricoh meetup. It is always great to meet other photographers and especially Ricoh users since it quickly becomes clear why we are all using Ricoh cameras, no other camera offers the same handling and image quality in a compact package.

Men at Work

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/310, ISO 200, RAW, 42mm, (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Glow

GXR A12-M, f4.0, 1/3, ISO 400, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Royal Greenwich

The snow came overnight and after all the fuss at airports and the weather warnings around the country it was disappointing to see only 2-3 cm of snow which had mostly melted away by the afternoon. The British always like to make a big fuss about any weather changes and Heathrow showed again why it rightly is the world's worst airport and run by incompetent fools. Good thing I did not need to travel in this 'severe' weather ;).

Despite the snow, Greenwich held it's celebrations for becoming a Royal borough. I had hoped for more things and events but there was only a parade, some music and fireworks. It was ok but not too spectacular.

I went out and took my GXR A12-M and the Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 35mm lens with me to capture some scenes. I initially planned to have only pictures in square format but some did not work well in square so it ended up being a mix.

Cigarette Break

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/310, ISO 200, RAW, 42mm (Ricoh GR f2.8 28mm L)

Steel and Concrete

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/203, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

Ricoh Lens A16 24-85mm f3.5-5.5 GXR Zoom Module Announced

After many delays Ricoh has now officially announced the GXR A16 24-85mm zoom module for the GXR, as reported earlier it has a f3.5-5.5 aperture and a new 16 MP sensor. The lens is as reported not a GR lens but the quality should nonetheless be much higher than your typical software corrected lens from the other manufacturers.
While the zoom range is great, the slow aperture is a bit of a let-down and not what most have expected from Ricoh. At least you get something better than normal kit lenses, both in zoom range and also quality but on the downside you get a sensor stuck to it as well.

The most notable new features are the ability to continue shooting while holding the shutter button pressed, this will use the same settings as before, and a new self closing and opening lens cap. Other notable features include a improved leveller, RAW only shooting capability (something I have never seen the reason for but people apparently want) and the ability to enter copyright information in the EXIF data. All other features are the same ones you can find in the other GXR modules so you will get a lot of customization and features aimed at photographers.

One feature which is still neglected and is typical for Ricoh is the video mode which is still only available in 720p and without any meaningful compression or options.

While this module will appeal to some people who want a APS zoom for their GXR camera, I think it is too big and the lens is too slow for any low light shooting, especially when combined with the maximum ISO of 3200. There also is no manual zoom or focus ring on the lens so it means using the zoom buttons on the body for this.

Below is the full press release and the full specs.

UPDATE: I just received an update on this and by the looks of it the sensor will not have an AA filter so it should provide excellent detail.

Steel and Glass Canyon

GXR A12-M, f5.6, 1/68, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)