My New Camera (System?) Ricoh GXR Introduction
After a close-call with the post service black hole, my Ricoh GXR finally arrived safely into my hands the other day. I haven’t had much time to play with it, but here are my initial thoughts and impressions about this unique camera. Or is it a camera system?
Introduction
There are three main reasons I knew I had to try the Ricoh GXR one day. First is my love for my 2013 Ricoh GR. From the get go using that camera I knew it was going to be a keeper, and over a year later it’s still going strong with no signs of selling it. I wasn’t convinced before that Ricoh made cameras any more special than the next, and now I am. So, I wanted to delve deeper into some of the other cameras in the series.
Second, the camera system is like no other. I haven’t heard of any other camera system that took the approach Ricoh did here. The camera you hold onto is nothing more than a screen with buttons, a flash, a spot for a battery and SD cards. It’s incredibly light without a module attached. The modules house the sensor, lens and processor. By swapping the module, you are not using a new lens on the same sensor and processor, but a completely different “camera.” I mean that. Across the modules you have three different sensor sizes, CCD and CMOS sensor types, and different processor specs. And then of course the lenses. You are maintaining the same grip, buttons, and menu system of your camera but otherwise getting quite a different camera experience.
My third reason for wanting to try out this camera was specifically for the Leica M module. This APS-C module is the only one that accepts interchangeable lenses, and with that you have a Ricoh mirrorless camera that you can mount all sorts of vintage lenses too. If that doesn’t sound fun, I don’t know what does. You must not love having fun very much.
My Modules
Ricoh released a total of six modules for the GXR before the system died. These ranged from small sensor super zooms, to normal zooms, to fast APS-C primes and finally, the only interchangeable lens mount module, the Leica M module.
The three I bought to start with are the S10, the A12 Leica mount and the A16.
S10 24-72mm f2.5-4.4
The S10 is a normal zoom with a 10 megapixel 1/1.7” CCD sensor. It’s not particularly fast, and the sensor size isn’t particularly large. But it is the most compact module making the Ricoh GXR just a tad larger than my 2013 Ricoh GR and still very much pocketable. In recent years, and for whatever reason, the S10 will pop up as an infrared converted module almost more times than it’s not. I don’t know if it’s just a particularly easy sensor to modify, or if the idea that you could have one camera that can have an infrared module and a normal module is appealing to some. In any case, mine is infrared converted and I look forward to shooting with it.
A12 Leica M module
The A12 Leica M module is the most unique in that it is the only module that allows attaching other lenses. It uses what appears to be the same 12.3 megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor from the other two A12 modules, the 50mm f2.8 macro and the 28mm f2.5.
The history behind why the Leica M mount was chosen is unknown to me and will require additional research, but I have some guesses. One would be that Ricoh and even Pentax had some work with Leica before, and certainly respected their work. The second is more practical - in 2009 when this camera was released there was no an abundance of mirrorless mounts like there are today, and certainly not apparent which ones would live and which would not. If the GXR were being developed today it would have many more options to choose from, and who knows, maybe would even include a micro 4/3 mount.
I bought a Leica-M to Pentax-K adapter for the module and plan to use it this way mostly. If you have any insights into affordable Leica M mount glass then let me know. I would be willing to try some out that way.
A16 24-85mm f3.5-5.5
This APS-C module has a different sensor and processor from the A12 modules. It is a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor with a newer processing engine. The lens itself is a normal zoom range. Remember the numbers listed on the modules are for the equivalent 35mm format focal range, so the lens itself is actually a 15.7-55.5mm lens on APS-C sized sensor. This makes the 24-85mm a perfectly acceptable range to cover a lot of scenarios. It’s not very fast, but very sharp, and can achieve nice bokeh when zoomed in on a close subject.
It does strike me as an odd module. It’s the highest megapixel of the series and the newest processor. But it’s also by far the largest, and not a very standout lens on a spec sheet. But if you were invested in the system and wanted a normal zoom in APS-C, then I suppose this was there answer to that.
Using the Camera
So far (in my very short experience) the Ricoh GXR is a treat to use. If you are familiar with any Ricoh GR series cameras, even the newer ones, the menu system and button layout will feel right at home. It’s a system that makes a lot of sense to me. The body is comfortable in the hands, but starts to feel small once you use a larger module or when I mounted heavy lenses to the Leica M module.
Sliding the modules on and off feels great! It feels just like taking on and off a lens, just not rotational. There’s a quick release level on the camera that is a switch instead of a button. Once you depress and hold that you can slide the unit off. Sliding a new one in is easy to line up and you get a satisfying click signifying that your module is attached securely. It feels very strong and not at all gimmicky.
The Ricoh GXR is just a tad larger in all dimensions than my Ricoh GR (2013). When used with a smaller module it is perfectly pocketable, if maybe a larger pocket than the smaller GRs. The larger modules turn it into a compact mirrorless camera that you would need a small bag for.
Now to shoot it
That’s it for my introduction to the Ricoh GXR. I’m off to shoot it for the next few months and see what I think before reporting back. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for what to mount to my Leica M mount module.
If you are looking to pick up a Ricoh GXR, don't forget to go through my new eBay affiliate link! It won't cost you a penny more, and you'll be supporting this site and my efforts. Thank you.
You got it! I've been highly curious about the GXR for a while, I'll be interested to hear your observations.
The Leica-M mount is the most interesting to me. If you want affordable Leica mount lenses, you need to look at screw mount models with an adapter. I have a Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Skopar lens which is the LTM (Leica Thread Mount) version, but with a super slim steel adapter which screws in without adding any length or bulk and gives you the M mount. Actually, this particular lens isn't usually cheaper for the older LTM version than the M version brand new (around $400). I like the aesthetics of the old version on my Voigtlander. Canon LTM lenses made for their rangefinder system are inexpensive, as are the older, slower Leica 50mm lenses.
Alternatively, you can get Chinese M mount lenses, like the 7artisans 35mm f2. There are some options that are said to be good, but you give up the vintage appeal (though not the small size and focus tab).
Quote from agentlossing on November 3, 2021, 4:15 pmYou got it! I've been highly curious about the GXR for a while, I'll be interested to hear your observations.
The Leica-M mount is the most interesting to me. If you want affordable Leica mount lenses, you need to look at screw mount models with an adapter. I have a Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Skopar lens which is the LTM (Leica Thread Mount) version, but with a super slim steel adapter which screws in without adding any length or bulk and gives you the M mount. Actually, this particular lens isn't usually cheaper for the older LTM version than the M version brand new (around $400). I like the aesthetics of the old version on my Voigtlander. Canon LTM lenses made for their rangefinder system are inexpensive, as are the older, slower Leica 50mm lenses.
Alternatively, you can get Chinese M mount lenses, like the 7artisans 35mm f2. There are some options that are said to be good, but you give up the vintage appeal (though not the small size and focus tab).
One of these days I’ll get to the bottom of what you have in your seemingly eclectic collection of camera gear 😃 Seems you have something of just about anything I ask about…
This is helpful because I have zero knowledge about Leica lenses, so I am starting my understanding from scratch. Leica’s never interested me (probably only because I couldn’t afford them), and I am only now finding out about the other cameras that have used different Leica mounts over the years and how that works for adapting.
I did message 7Artisans to see if they would sponsor a review video of one of their M lenses. We’ll see if they respond. I am guessing not, but why not try at least once.
For now, I am probably going to stick with my Pentax K adapter and lenses and we’ll see how long it takes me to try out some other cool lenses.
I even prototyped my own 3D printed adapter last night to put Pentax Auto 110 lenses on. The flange distance between the two mounts is 0.8mm off, but close enough for some closer subjects I think. My first prototype pushed that even further, so I need to shrink down the size a bit. I had a pretty small focus zone of only two feet away at the furthest.
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I like the idea of adapting Auto 110 lenses on the GXR mount! Very cool.
I don't have that massive of a collection, I generally keep around 6 cameras that are fully working, with some half- or non-working ones laying around. A few of them are subject to turnover while others are standbys. But, during this last couple (objectively rather dull) years, I've had a bit higher than average turnover.
APS-C also has about the same coverage as half-frame, so if you want a wild time you can adapt your Oly Pen-F lenses to Leica M as well!
Quote from Justin Tung on November 4, 2021, 1:32 amAPS-C also has about the same coverage as half-frame, so if you want a wild time you can adapt your Oly Pen-F lenses to Leica M as well!
Oh man. That sounds awesome!
Besides my M4/3 cameras (which I only bought my first one this year) I've never had so much room on a mount to mount different lenses. Very fun.
Quote from Snappy on November 4, 2021, 10:04 pmQuote from Justin Tung on November 4, 2021, 1:32 amAPS-C also has about the same coverage as half-frame, so if you want a wild time you can adapt your Oly Pen-F lenses to Leica M as well!
Oh man. That sounds awesome!
Besides my M4/3 cameras (which I only bought my first one this year) I've never had so much room on a mount to mount different lenses. Very fun.
Welcome to the land of mirrorless! Haha. Almost everything is adaptable all day long. I'm interested these images, especially after how much Mattias Burling hyped it.
Quote from Snappy on November 3, 2021, 7:15 pmI even prototyped my own 3D printed adapter last night to put Pentax Auto 110 lenses on. The flange distance between the two mounts is 0.8mm off, but close enough for some closer subjects I think. My first prototype pushed that even further, so I need to shrink down the size a bit. I had a pretty small focus zone of only two feet away at the furthest.
That is my favourite lens, the 70mm Pentax 110. I would love to hear more about your adapter and how you designed and made it. I would love to do the same for an L mount to P110 and add a diaphragm.
Karen
Quote from kmcsmart on November 5, 2021, 8:15 pmQuote from Snappy on November 3, 2021, 7:15 pmI even prototyped my own 3D printed adapter last night to put Pentax Auto 110 lenses on. The flange distance between the two mounts is 0.8mm off, but close enough for some closer subjects I think. My first prototype pushed that even further, so I need to shrink down the size a bit. I had a pretty small focus zone of only two feet away at the furthest.
That is my favourite lens, the 70mm Pentax 110. I would love to hear more about your adapter and how you designed and made it. I would love to do the same for an L mount to P110 and add a diaphragm.
Karen
I haven't figured out how to add a diaphragm to my 3d printed adapters, but I'm sure some smart engineer could figure it out. That would be great to have something adjustable. Maybe easier to make a slot to slide in and out tabs with the different sizes in. That might work...
I still need to print my next version. I modded the first a bit to see if I could get closer to infinity and fixed some sizing issues.
Second try works better, but I didn't make an indent large enough for part of the base of the Pentax 110 70mm to fit. That should give me at least another 1mm room.
Anyway, makes a nice portrait lens. My daughter had this thing right now where she shows me her feet when I try to take a picture of her. So all the photos we have of her this summer have a foot sticking up, lol.
R1019258-01 by Snappiness, on Flickr
