Bad news on the Ricoh GXR front. The camera production has been stopped and in UK the camera is no more for sale at all.
Ricoh managers didn’t unveil the reason why the GXR has been phased out (Source: Amateur Photographer). And it really doesn’t look like the reason for this is a new upcoming model. It may be that Ricoh gives up the whole idea of doing such a modular camera 🙁
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Another proof that modular camera concepts are only interesting in theory. I real life they do not work and do not sell (well enough). Thus I believe that neither Nikon nor Canon will do it anytime soon.
If something is good “in theory” and bad in practice, is because the theory is not correct.
This modular concept wasn´t good enough. Others could be better and successful.
I should say that I am not surprised. I think Ricoh should have upgraded (separate lenses ans sensors) and develop the concept long time ago. At the point when the M-mount module was introduced it got a lot of attention (from what is admittedly a rather small community), because thanks to micro lenses even wide angle M-mount lenses worked well. But instead of bringing FX M-mount sensor, Ricoh just let the whole system rotten and spent time and money on the Pentax mirror-less junk. It really makes me wonder whether Ricoh is actually going to give us anything more than the digital GR (a great camera I know)
It really is a pity as the UI is marvellous.
Separate sensor-processor, dust sealed modules, interchangeable screens and viewfinders and top notch quality, highly durable bodies and lenses.
Feel bad for all the customers who bought into the promise, only to be dumped.
This doesn’t surprise me. Modular done this way really doesn’t work. Over time you’re going to have compatibility issues. Not to mention, over time you’re stuck with lenses on old sensors. The M-mount module was a little better, but not many can afford Leica lenses. There’s no “system” of lenses that people can purchase. The idea isn’t terrible, but the execution is.
And all those folk who said modular cameras were the way to go…
Hogan “Claims to remember”