A couple of days ago a store manager told me how the Ricoh GXR was a nice concept but at the same time “selling poorly”. And today a huge store like BHphoto marked the GX3 as discontinued (Click here to see it). Let’s hope this may be a sign that a new successor is on the horizon. The worse case scenario would be that Ricoh…no wait I won’t even write that. Go Ricoh, show us the new model!
via Photorumors
18 Responses
I would have bought one of these things, I was waiting for an updated M-Mount module. If they would have made one, I probably would have got a couple of modules. They shouldn’t abandon the concept. May be a new body but keep the modules backwards compatible so that old bodies stay useful….
Could Ricoh be taking a page from Sigma by offering three fixed lens cameras covering three focal lengths?
This really was a cool idea, and I think everyone liked it technically. The Leica M module was great, but all the modules were quite expensive. Cost may have been the downfall, along with lack of distribution in the USA. I think the big box stores’ almost total preoccupation with Canon or Nikon dooms these creative smaller manufacturers, and, of course, the average customer buys what is “safe.”.
the m-mount module is great, wish i had more disposable income to get a second one before they go extinct.
No, they can’t discountinue the whole line. They committed to it when they introduced the system and if they do not follow up on it, all faith in Ricoh will be lost. Forever….
Why dont they release an ilc mirrorless camera, wouldve make things easier, and cheaper
I do not buy what is “safe”, but what I like and regard as a good and value product.
As with the Ricoh system we are not really talking about a system, but about a small series of modules to stick to a stable UI, this is even more true.
Pity that I (and many with me) didn’t think that sticking the lens with the sensor together & forever would be a good idea. I mean: it’s already annoying that we have to buy and buy again new sensors with every new camera, but Ricoh was forcing us to buy and buy again the same lens, in case we wanted to upgrade the sensor. This is crazy. And, in the end, the amount of modules available with good IQ (APSC sensor) was very low, and they quickly became old, as new improved sensors were being introduced in all other camera brands.
So, no, it was not an interesting concept, it was wrong from scratch. The only smart module was the Leica mount module, but I guess many wondered why it ended-up being so expensive.
Bah, go figure…
You are certainly entitled to your opinion but I disagree . I think Ricoh approach was an interesting one . The GXR body is pretty still uptodate except for the buffer could be a bit bigger. The most ” aged ” item of the GXR line is the EVF which needs a refresh
Ricoh simply did not have the resources and faith to introduce a full system .3 aps AF modules for a system won t cut it regardless of the brand
I also think the system came a little too soon . Now with current APS crop , the IQ is enough for most users who are not trying to always get whatever came last
Yep, I’d agree to all of this. Too little, too slowly, too soon. Hope they give it another go.
The idea is an excellent one, especially if expanded with modules with different mounts, but now that they have Pentax legacy to think about, I’m afraid they’ll forget the GXR. And if it was “selling poorly”, it was because it was marketed poorly. I never saw a GXR advert of any kind.
The GXR was a bad idea. Told you so the first day it showed up and it was bound to go down. Actually I was surprised they were so persistent and kept trying for so long. Ricoh seem to do other things just fine though.
(Guess I will receive some thumbs down for this)
I have 2 gxr bodies and 3 units and f’n love ’em. My only gripes are the buffer size and the focus speed–two things that should be addressed in any refresh of the line.
2 things Ricoh did very well with the gxr are the UI and the simple, form following function approach to design. I know the whole retro thing is hip right now. Personally, I think there’s too much focus on making modern cameras based on the function led forms of 50+ years ago.