Looking for an everyday carry, I can put in a smaller bag in the warmer months and jacket pocket in the colder months. I generally lean toward the 28mm focal length, but prefer the controls of the X2. Anyone here own or use both? As a day-to-day camera, which is better? I know I can't go wrong with either, but really looking to see what owners & those who have tried both have to say. The one con to both is dust can be an issue, which has me😬, but I hear there are ways to lessen it if that becomes an issue. The other con, at least for the X2 is the sub-par display, which I have to assume is not the best on a bright day? Thank you all kindly
As I understand it the Leica X series is no longer being produced so that is another drawback of the X2 so maybe it's better for service and support to buy something newer.
I like my old Rico GR II a lot but after many years of use it had to much dust on the sensor so I gave up on it, I am curious about the upcoming GR IV though so I haven't given up on the Ricoh GR series as such.
You might want to look into what Fuji and Sony has to offer as well or the Leica D-lux 8 if you favour Leica.
GR III controls are a bit fiddly, especially the rotating dial on the back. They are also very small, bear that in mind relative to your hand size. Vignettes heavily but easy to fix in post (there's also a setting in-camera to correct it to JPGs). The lugs to attach neckstrap or wriststrap are really really small and one of them has tight curve to it. Dust will be an issue with this one, but that you already knew.
Otherwise, it's a solid camera. Considering the size of it, it is impressive in terms of image quality and build quality (except the buttons and dials).
I sold mine because I wanted something that has more haptic feel to it and I want to shoot at least full frame sized sensor. I like dials and better buttons, or in lack of them, a very good, reasonably sized, bright touchscreen and logical user interface.
I might get another Ricoh some day for a always-keep-in-your-pocket type of camera but for now, I can do without and just use my phone for that
joakim wrote:
As I understand it the Leica X series is no longer being produced so that is another drawback of the X2 so maybe it's better for service and support to buy something newer.
I like my old Rico GR II a lot but after many years of use it had to much dust on the sensor so I gave up on it, I am curious about the upcoming GR IV though so I haven't given up on the Ricoh GR series as such.
You might want to look into what Fuji and Sony has to offer as well or the Leica D-lux 8 if you favour Leica....Show more →
Age is not an issue for me, but budget kind of is(or else I'd be waiting for the GR IV). I'm told there are ways to minimize dust that's relatively easy. I had a Sony, specifically the SLT A57 & didn't bond with it as much as the specs were there for me. Sold it to fund a Fuji X-E1+27mm f2.8(X-E2 was still new). I right now have a X-T30 & been very happy with it. A little too big to be an EDC setup for me, but great as a travel & outdoor setup.
Number 3 on my list is the D-Lux Type 109(same price as the LX100 Mk1 version, so might as well). I was originally looking for the D-Lux video but got wondering what other Leica's can be had for under $700, which led me to the Leica X series. I do like that the D-Lux/LX100 starts at 24mm at a f1.7, but want a fixed focal length for my edc/2nd camera.
tommmi wrote:
GR III controls are a bit fiddly, especially the rotating dial on the back. They are also very small, bear that in mind relative to your hand size. Vignettes heavily but easy to fix in post (there's also a setting in-camera to correct it to JPGs). The lugs to attach neckstrap or wriststrap are really really small and one of them has tight curve to it. Dust will be an issue with this one, but that you already knew.
Otherwise, it's a solid camera. Considering the size of it, it is impressive in terms of image quality and build quality (except the buttons and dials).
I sold mine because I wanted something that has more haptic feel to it and I want to shoot at least full frame sized sensor. I like dials and better buttons, or in lack of them, a very good, reasonably sized, bright touchscreen and logical user interface.
I might get another Ricoh some day for a always-keep-in-your-pocket type of camera but for now, I can do without and just use my phone for that ...Show more →
Would the GRii controls be less fiddly since it's a slightly bigger camera? I've watched & read a few reviews on the GR, but didn't see anyone really mention vignetting bing an issue. I take the button & dial issue are also there on the GRii & i? I prefer the buttons on the X2 better, as it's close to what I'm use to with my Fuji, but the GR has that small p&s pocketeable camera charm to it, while having a nice APS-C sensor. What did you go with?
The GR III and likely the upcoming GR IV really have no true competition except your smartphone's camera. It is the only truly pocketable APS-C camera available. That does mean a few compromises in handling and AF, but if you want to carry a real camera everywhere and are not happy with your phone's IQ, there is nothing else quite like it. Making it bigger just to improve the grip or buttons would take away the very thing that makes it so special.
Sigma BF and FP without lens are roughly the same size as GR III. With a pancake lens or otherwise short lens it would still be pretty pocketable system. I don't have any experience on Sigma bodies, but just a thought regarding the body size.
I kind of miss my Fuji X-E1 which I shot like a decade ago. It was pleasant to carry and somewhat intuitive to use without needing too much of a thought in the process. Didn't like the viewfinder so mainly shooting with the back screen or approximating "from the hip". But it wouldn't fit in any pocket, though.
At least in my case, I had to try and use several bodies and lenses to find out which ones suited for me from ergonomics aspect but also the feel, the portability, image quality etc. When thinking about every-day carry camera, smaller and lighter isn't always the better. The bottom line is my every-day carry is a system I enjoy to shoot, that is my Leica M. The joy it brings to me makes me take it with me to places, thus makes it my every-day carry.
It might lack some features or wouldn't be all-rounder covering lots of different focal lengths or ultra-fast auto-focus - I rather adjust my shooting pace and think about how do I capture this scene with this equipment than - let's say - carry my Canon DSLR system, which I take with me to certain places for different kind of photos, but it certainly wouldn't be my every-day carry.
Both are attractive cameras, but not for me. Out of curiosity did look at camerasize.com the FP would be closer in width to the GR while the BF would be closer in depth.
I doubt I could find a store with an X1 or X2 to hold. A local shop does have the GR iii I could hold, but that's over budget & lack some of the buttons & size of the GR i/ii. Also having an easier time finding the GR ii at a fair price vs the X2(X1 is in budget, but prefer the X2).
We are discussing used cameras that have depreciated to their floor, so just buying whatever you find the right deal on might be the move here. Live with it a month, see if it works. Don’t like it, sell it for what you bought it for and try again. I’ve been in your position, this is an opportunity to play with some different things.
p.1 #10 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
LezShoot wrote:
Both are attractive cameras, but not for me. Out of curiosity did look at camerasize.com the FP would be closer in width to the GR while the BF would be closer in depth.
I doubt I could find a store with an X1 or X2 to hold. A local shop does have the GR iii I could hold, but that's over budget & lack some of the buttons & size of the GR i/ii. Also having an easier time finding the GR ii at a fair price vs the X2(X1 is in budget, but prefer the X2).
I miss my GR II because it had the built-in flash, which was a lot of fun. The new GR IV won't bring the flash back, but at least it's bringing back the GR II's rocker-style +/- button. It still won't have weather sealing or a tilting screen, but it looks like it will feature a higher-capacity battery, a new 26MP sensor, new 18/2.8 lens with 7 elements and 3 asphericals, a new processor, improved IBIS, and 55GB of internal storage.
p.1 #11 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
Fred Miranda wrote:
I miss my GR II because it had the built-in flash, which was a lot of fun. The new GR IV won't bring the flash back, but at least it's bringing back the GR II's rocker-style +/- button. It still won't have weather sealing or a tilting screen, but it looks like it will feature a higher-capacity battery, a new 26MP sensor, new 18/2.8 lens with 7 elements and 3 asphericals, a new processor, improved IBIS, and 55GB of internal storage.
Here is the image:
Yeah, the +/- rocker helps make the GR / GR II a good snap shooter. Just set the camera to auto ISO and use the vertical +/- rocker for expo comp. Use the horizontal adj. rocker for aperture or SS. Very quick one-handed operation.
p.1 #12 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
Don't forget about the Nikon Coolpix A, which has roughly the same specs as the GRII, but I think it has a better control layout. Not much of a grip, though.
p.1 #13 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
freaklikeme wrote:
Don't forget about the Nikon Coolpix A, which has roughly the same specs as the GRII, but I think it has a better control layout. Not much of a grip, though.
The Coolpix A is meant to be a two-handed camera with important buttons left of the LCD like how Nikon loves to place them. I had a Fuji X70 too and sold it because I realized it had to be used two-handed... imo too slow and inconvenient for a pocket EDC.
p.1 #14 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
BSPhotog wrote:
We are discussing used cameras that have depreciated to their floor, so just buying whatever you find the right deal on might be the move here. Live with it a month, see if it works. Don’t like it, sell it for what you bought it for and try again. I’ve been in your position, this is an opportunity to play with some different things.
That's an apt way of putting it. I'll see what I can find in budget & go from there to see what I like. I probably won't lose much since prices seem to have been like this for at least a year.
I thought about the X70, but Leica & GR curious. Nikon CP A didn't cross my mind, but I'm not drawn to it like the others on the list.
p.1 #15 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
genjy wrote:
Yeah, the +/- rocker helps make the GR / GR II a good snap shooter. Just set the camera to auto ISO and use the vertical +/- rocker for expo comp. Use the horizontal adj. rocker for aperture or SS. Very quick one-handed operation.
The only issue I had with the rocker (at least on my old GR II) was that it was too easy to accidentally change settings while holding the camera. It would shift values constantly. I always thought that might be one reason Ricoh removed it and switched exposure compensation to the rear dial instead. So I'm not sure if bringing it back is really a pro or a con.
p.1 #18 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
I've read the reviews & seen a few videos of the X2(& identical X-E) & it seems like it could be for me. $1k would be out of my budget, but did see one at MPB last week within budget(under $800). I submitted some items to trade to fund it, but it sold out before I got a quote(actually still waiting on the quote).
What's a reasonable price for a GRii cause I see at KEH & MPB it's the same price as the GR iii. 🤷 A part of me does like the idea of the GR iii for the ibis, but based on pics I kind of prefer how the controls on the GR ii look.
p.1 #19 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
genjy wrote:
The Coolpix A is meant to be a two-handed camera with important buttons left of the LCD like how Nikon loves to place them. I had a Fuji X70 too and sold it because I realized it had to be used two-handed... imo too slow and inconvenient for a pocket EDC.
I didn't think the OP would mind, since the X2 is on his list and nearly all the buttons are on the left side.
p.1 #20 · EDC, which one: Leica X2 vs Ricoh GR III
Yeah she doesn't mind if I need to use two hands. My Fuji X-E had buttons left of the display; so okay with me. Can't say why, but the CP A doesn't lure me like the GR & X2 to do. But, like the GR I do like that it looks front jean pocketable.
Would $700(locally) be a reasonable price for a GRii? That feels a bit inflated to me, but seeing it at used camera sites have for $1000-1100 has me thinking maybe? 🤷
Youtube reminded me that the GR has the accessories(1st & 3rd party) advantage.
