This Ain't No Ricoh GR...

You've probably heard of the popular range of Ricoh GR cameras - well, before those were a thing, Ricoh tried to break the status-quo with pretty radical camera system. They called it the Ricoh GXR and it was a camera system that took the concept of modular camera design to a whole new level.

🖼️Check out my Lightroom Preset Pack 🖼️

📸 Used Cameras & Lenses 📸

--------------------------------------

🤘 FOLLOW ME 🤘

--------------------------------------

⏳ TIME STAMPS ⏳
Intro - @0:00
The Ricoh GXR - @0:26
Handling - @1:25
Lens Module Options - @2:42
Prime Lenses - @3:50
Zoom Lenses - @4:28
How It Works - @6:02
Missing Modules - @6:22
Bonus Module - @6:58
Video Capture - @8:06
EVF - @8:29
Image Quality - @9:23
Autofocus - @10:23
The Downfall - @10:50

--------------------------------------

💰My YouTube Studio Equipment 💰

📷 Sony ZV-E1

📷 Sigma 24mm f/2 DG DN
🇬🇧 TBC

📷Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8

📷 Insta360 X3

🎙️Movo VXR10

💲 Affiliate Links: The links above are affiliate links, which means that any purchases made using them may give me a small commission. This comes at no additional cost to yourself but does go a long way to help support the channel, so thank you in advance for using them.

--------------------------------------

⚠ PLEASE NOTE ⚠

All of the opinions expressed in this video are my own based on my personal experience whilst using the equipment/software featured. Whilst some videos may include paid sponsorship, I never allow manufactuers to dictate what I can or can't say about their product(s). Their money helps to cover the cost of video production, it does NOT buy my opinion.
My videos are designed to be both informative and entertaining and are made to the best of my abilities. I am only human so I do occationally make mistakes, and whilst corrections are always welcomed in the comments, please be polite and courteous and refrain from being a total cockwomble. 👍

#ricohgr #streetphotography #oldcamera

[TomCalton]

So who's with me? Who thinks we should make switches rocker again!? 🤘🏻

[mcnsir]

i've been using gxr for 12years till I change to gr3 one month ago. one of the best design

[dukes]

Maybe the M Mount module is so sought after because it's the only Ricoh digital camera with an interchangeable lens?

[imagilink]

I am a big fan of the Ricoh GXR. The M-mount module is my favorite. The module works great even with ultra wide lenses like the Voightlander 17mm. The big advantage of having multiple L-mount modules is that changing lenses is very easy, without having to worry about dust on the sensor. Focusing is very easy with the well implemented peak focus function. The DNG color files are great to look at, while the B&W flies are fantastic even by today's standards. Nice to see renewed interest in this camera. I bought the camera new at the time to be able to use it with M mount lenses without having to change lenses, but instead the complete module. Maybe you can get your hands on a M-mount module someday and share the photos you take with it on a future YouTube video.

[JordiTritllaCambra]

Nice review. I own the whole system with two bodies. You forgot to mention the gorgeous B/W pictures you can take with the two prime lenses, as good as in modern GR's... this is a fantastic idea I hope Ricoh will review anytime soon.

[video-carl]

Great review. I remember the launch of the GXR. Only photographers reviewed it and they couldn't get their heads around the concept, let alone the product - their brains were fused around a camera body and a separate lens. Ricoh's marketing didn't help themselves by naming the parts "Camera Unit" and "Lens Mount Unit". The system wasn't weather-resilient either which is a weird choice given that the basic design is conceptually robust against sand, sea and dust. And perhaps Ricoh was too brave to try this approach when sensors were costly. The time seems ripe for a second attempt and for that rocker switch to make a come back :)

[SimeonKolev]

The modular design is a great idea but it will reduce the profit of the camera company - which is why we will never see it again.

[alfredovitenteiii]

I got into collecting old digital cameras, especially old camera systems, over the pandemic. KEH had a sale on lenses and accessories a while back, and I was lucky enough to grab a GXR with A12 module for a really good price. It feels great in the hand and is just fun to shoot with. Hoping to eventually pick up one of the APS C prime modules.

[kinnectar]

I guess the advantage of keeping the lens and sensor together is that you can build the lens closer to the sensor, and pair small sensors with small lenses and larger sensors with larger senses so it is comoact when it makes sense or large when that makes sense. But really this is trying to be a mini version of how modular Medium Format systems work, and for that the M Mount module is realy critical. I really like the concept, but feel that they probably missed the mark by not having a larger body to go with the system and putting the processor in the lens module. If the processor was a separate module or in the handle, then you could have kept the same lens kits and upgraded your electronic shutter performance of old modules and gotten better AF when you buy new lens modules.

[GabbyMoore]

I have one I also have the GX100 with the VF1 viewfinder. The GX100 and GX200 are IMHO two unsung classics of the pocket cameras. They have a GR styled body but with a zoom lens and most of the good features as the GXR just need more menu diving to get to. Great video on one of my all time favorite cameras!

[robertchestnut]

dude I have been loving your stuff! I love the quirky digital cameras. I am finding that alot of the 15 to almost 20 year old cameras are plenty good for modern photographers. I have a canon eos 1ds mk II and it is 20 years old and its one of my favorite digitals to go out and just shoot around. I feel like old digital cameras are at a point now where they are kind of like film cameras were 10 -15 years ago. Like you can actually find a good deal on a digi cam and at a low cost go out and have fun with it.

I hope you are still loving your m8! the m8 is one of my favorites too.

[trels]

The GXR was sadly ahead of its time and not appreciated enough. I wish Ricoh kept it alive, imagine all the great modules we could have had.

I will say you are dearly missing out by not having the M-mount module, the rendering of that sensor paired with legacy rangefinder lenses is such an experience. There's a reason that module still fetches a lot! The sensor features micro lenses that correct various artifacts that are present when adapting old film lenses to digital, especially with wide angle lenses (chromatic abberation, fringing and smearing). The GXR can use some Leica lenses that the Leica m8 can't and others that the m8 can, but the GXR utalizes those lenses better because of the presence of micro lenses on the sensor.

Like the GRD1, I use mine exclusively in b&w (colors are still great). And since they both share the same button layout, switching between the two is seamless and becomes such a smooth workflow. They also share the same remote shutter release (Ricoh CA-1) which keeps the kit simple.

For the price you can't go wrong, it is the cheapest digital M-mount you can buy. If you are a Ricoh GR shooter with a collection of M lenses, the M-mount GXR is the perfect companion.

[bigbarkingdog]

Interesting video. Trippy camera. Makes me miss the golden age of compact camera design (circa 10 years ago).

[dpfreedman]

Love your videos, Tom, but really wish you'd post image samples without the Lightroom presets applied.

[SpudUna]

I had the apsc zoom and the Leica mount. Enjoyed both. I found the results from the zoom absolutely brilliant.

[JeffreyJohnsonC]

This idea should come back. Brilliant!

[agentlevanto]

Hey - great review, I have this camera, and it’s a total blast… the build quality is fantastic, ergonomics too, you get an optical viewfinder, and access to a bunch or classic Ricoh sensors that kick out interesting images. Kept it while selling on my GR3…

[HanETG]

DID NOT expect 9:00 man! what a blast from the past

[joelypolly]

I still have mine with all the modules, I really wish they would release a new version since it has the best UX of any camera I have used. I honestly prefer it over things like the Lumix S9 or Leica M11

[marcuseyre]

I own 2 bodies and 3 GXR modules all bought brand new when they first came out..still using them all with the 28mm being my favourite. Also Ricohs menu system, by far the best there is imo..absolutely love these things..Would like to see a review of the original GRD(if you can find one)…mines still going strong..