Shelton Muller discusses the Ricoh GR Digital with Professional Supplier & photographer, Bruce Pottinger AAIPP Hon. FAIPP.

Bruce Pottinger is the kind of man who is used to shooting with Phase One backs that produce 39 megapixel images. He is also used to taking pictures with a certain compact digital that produces 8 megapixel images – and wouldn’t have it any other way. It is the Ricoh GR Digital.

“I like the feel of the camera” he says. “It’s like the Leicas I own.” In this Bruce refers to many of the features of the Ricoh GR Digital that have been designed for photographers used to tactile control of their cameras. “The manual controls aren’t tucked away in submenus. I like using aperture priority auto too and I can do so using a dial!” Manual control is important to many photographers, and having controls you are used to is important. “It does what you’re used to” he says. But the Ricoh adds the advantage of live histograms for tweaking and correcting exposure. “You can adjust your exposure using the histogram while actively shooting!” he adds with excitement. This process helps ensure the highest quality digital image.

Unlike many digital compacts that now have no viewfinder and rely on a screen for composing, Bruce also prefers using the GR Digital’s external optical viewfinder in the way he has done with his cameras for many years. “You can see what is outside the frame, what you might miss. It’s how I am used to shooting. It gives me options.”

“And the macro is to die for!” he adds excitedly. “We’re talking about a point and shoot camera here!” Bruce refers to the Ricoh’s ability to focus to 1cm in macro. “The resolving power of the lens is stunning” he adds. Because the Ricoh GR digital has a fixed 28mm (equiv) lens, it has been designed for optimum sharpness no matter what aperture is set. Ricoh has seen to it that this lens is worthy of the GR name, one that has been synonymous with incredible lens quality and chosen by Leica to incorporate it into its L-mount range.

“This is the camera that goes with me everywhere I go. I don’t need zoom. I see in 28mm, and I have 21mm if I need it,” he explains. “And whenever I show it to other professionals there is always an ‘oooh’ when they hold it. Every professional should have this camera in their bag.” We would suggest the same for anyone who wants a camera that produces high quality images and allows complete control.

The Ricoh GR Digital is very well built with a diecast body and leather-like inlay handgrip. Its optional accessories include an external viewfinder, wide 21mm conversion lens, external strobe, cable release, hood and filters. And Bruce Pottinger isn’t the only one who loves it. The Ricoh GR Digital has won seven major international awards including ‘Best Prestige Camera in Europe’ by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), ‘Camera Grand Prix Special Prize’ in Japan, and ‘Compact/Consumer Digital Camera of the Year’ from Camera Magazine Imaging Awards in Australia.

Website: www.ricoh.com.au/smallbutpowerful

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Entry was posted on Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 at 8:05 am under Uncategorized.

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