Vintage Digital, AKA A Semi Rational Odd Duck: The Ricoh GXR + 50mm f/2.5… Macro.

In my first post on the GXR system, I pondered whether that post keeps the spirit of not overthinking my overthinking or was this overthinking my overthinking?

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A brief fit of overthinking is how I ended up with the GXR system. In that post I then went on to list a number of odd duck cameras I had purchased in the past. I then went on to say that I imagined someone in RICOH Engineering mumbling under their breath,

“Ergonomics and looks only a mother could love with an insane list of “Just why?” features, a clumsy first try one and done AF system, and ergonomics not seemingly made for human hands and a layered sensor that seems not quite ready for prime time? Pfft. Hold my Red Bull.”

I further went on to document two takes on the GXR system. Mad scientist angle and one from a mad customer angle. All done tongue in cheek with the base conceit being that this GXR system was odd. Osser than these other examples given even.

But I have changed my mind since. Here I will restate my defense of the GXR:

• “Value” (In quotes because… well you know. None of this makes sense.)
  • I have not taken the time to research the asking price as compared to rivals at release in 2009, but current asking prices for most bits of this kit are surprisingly affordable compared to other similar, APS-C fixed lens point and shoot products of similar vintage. A body (Around $175) and GR 28mm module (Around $225 or so.) can be had combined for around the current price <Rechecked current asking prices since I have not looked in a while and wow.> far less than an also quirky SIGMA dp Quattro vintage digital all in one. Now the GXR does forgo the Pixie Dust Foveon sensor but it does add some features as well, that I will go into later.
• Different Sensors, Same System
  • While I would not touch the zoom modules I find them fascinating. In this same form factor SIGMA created zoom modules with tiny sensors to manage impressive range and include IBIS. What? That is madness, but I like it. Just not enough to buy one even though they are dirt cheap. An APS-C sensor is a large draw for me. Take that away, and my interest goes with it. The IQ of all sample photos do nothing for me.
• Different Mount, Same System
  • Hear me clearly. They made an M mount module. <ahem> They made an M mount module! Put another way they did exactly what I had hoped manufacturers other than Leica would have done by now. And they did it. Kind of… More in the bullets below. Like the zooms, I am not interested even if it is for completely different reasons. Three to be exact. All are personal preferences.
    • No full frame, then no interest from me.
    • For M mount I am in it for the rangefinder and this is yet another focus peaking situation.
    • Nearly twice the price of the AF lens having 28mm and 50mm modules is more than I am willing to spend on novelty alone.
• A Bit More Failure Proof
  • A downside of vintage digital cameras, as well as high fallutin’ electronic film cameras for that matter, is that if they fail repair is off the table, risky, and/or prohibitively expensive. I found out with a stuck shutter on power up with my RICOH GR just getting someone to look at your camera can be pricey. With no guarantee that it can be fixed and it might get bricked. So I left it as is and just added pressing the shutter, which frees the shutter, as a part of my startup routine. Why not just replace it? The asking price was more than I wanted to pay to address a common issue that may happen again and the camera I have technically still works. And newer models that might avoid the issue cost more than I want to pay. To sum up, a failure of the GXR body might happen and a failure of a module might happen, but a failure of both seems unlikely and I can replace either for little more than KEH was charging just to look at my GR, with no promise of a repair or working camera.

I then stated that once you get past the whole one of a kind module thing the GXR is basically a slightly larger GR that adds:

• Well… modules.
  • Or additional focal lengths with one body. Where other brands make you settle on one focal length, like the Leica Q, or buy a whole other camera, like the dp Quattro line and RICOH’s own GRIIIx, for a relatively modest sum you gain access to multiple focal lengths in a point and shoot system. When the dust settles I will have a GXR body with 28mm and 50mm equivalent focal length modules for less than the cost of a used GRII.
• A flash.
  • GRIII models and dp Quattro models do not have a flash.
• An honest to goodness EVF.
  • Not an OVF. And an EVF that costs barely more than a SIGMA GR OVF. I bought one on GP. On general principle simply because it exists. And it flips up (which I have already made much use of).

Or remove the EVF for a more compact profile.

While I am aware that the tiny size of the pants pocket GR is the selling point I do prefer the slightly larger jacket pocket GXR.

This is a quibble but I also prefer the dedicated ON/OFF switch instead of a power button.

I went on to heap more praise upon it.

All great, but none of this matters if it does not produce a fine image. Well, it does. So far every bit the equal of the GR. Which makes sense since I understand that the lens in the 28mm GR module is exactly th same as the lens in the GR. As far as the sensor in the module it does better with recovering shadows than it does with highlights so I underexpose a bit if there is a risk of a blowout. Made very easy to adjust on the fly since the GXR shares the GR’s dedicated exposure up/down toggle.

It has video. That is about enough of that.

Honestly, other than the modules every praise of the GR line applies here. All of the one handed functionality, snap focus, and other features are there.

I will note that the 28mm module does not have a dedicated macro mode, like the GR or 50mm module, but it focuses closely enough that this is not an issue. If you have or have had a GR camera the GXR will feel quite natural to you. With an EVF and additional focal lengths available.

And this is just based on my experience with the 28mm module. I hear the 50mm module is the real star of the show. I should know soon. Blaming Steve Huff for this one. His 50mm sample shots, especially the macro pics of his son’s eye, are quite impressive. I cannot blame 35mmc at all this time. I read their post after I had pulled the trigger, but it did confirm my decision.

I then added sample Images from the 28mm module.

I have gone on to take plenty more photos with that 28mm module.

But since that last post I no longer think the GXR system is all that odd functionally. The method to get there is unconventional. But I cannot argue with the results. What changed my mind? Welp…

I will make a statement that I wholeheartedly believe while I am at the same time being astonished that I am saying it. Ahem…

This is the best all around 50mm equivalent APS-C lens I have ever used.

So good in fact that I believe RICOH missed an opportunity when they did not go on to make this lens for other systems. Why?

• As is the case with most macro lenses it is extremely sharp.
• Great colors with no faults or aberrations I can see in normal use.
• Great detail that squeezes the most out of a relatively modest MP spec.
• Nice bokeh. Expected in macro mode, but does well in normal mode also.
• True 1x macro capabilities.
• Having a macro button on body nicely limits the focus range in both modes.

• Reasonable 2009 era AF performance in normal mode. Can be a bit slow in Macro mode but MF is well employed which addresses the slowness nicely for me.
• Surprisingly small given its focal length and macro capabilities.

It is the perfect compliment to the 28mm. Pair it with the EVF…

…which goes from convenient with the 28mm to near essential for macro or portraits with the 50mm.

One tip is to check the firmware. On first try I had a sow AF scare that ended up being resolved by updating the firmware. That is about it. A wonderful little lens. Here are the sample images.

The next two sets of photos show how thoroughly bokeh obliterates backgrounds in macro mode.

Wrap Up

This lens is awesome.

As mentioned earlier RICOH could have cleaned up if they had made this lens for other mounts. Take a look at those images above. Surely it would do at least as well in front of a Sony or Fujifilm APS-C sensor.

The bottom line remains, I like it.

Happy capturing.

-ELW