Ricoh is out on a limb, and probably out of its mind too, to introduce its modular camera, the overpriced GXR, of which the GXR body sells for $549, the A12 50mm lens for $830 and the optional view finder VF-2 for $275. For me, everything is kind of overpriced, but this is like really overpriced. The concept is every lens deserves a matching sensor and there is somehow enough suckers to cough up that amount of cash. So you are going to pay a lot for the modular lens because of its accompanying sensor. End of story. Just like dpreview has pointed out, Minolta had this idea way back and in 1998 EX-1500 was this love child of this modular innovation. If only we can learn from history. I say it would be a brilliant idea if the sensor is modular as well. I am a cheapskate and I just don't like the idea that the lens comes with a sensor sealed in a module unless the price of the sensor is negligible which of course is anything but.
Lens, sensor, and body should be the trinity, not lens with sensor and body.
The GXR is kind of brave and brazen but I am afraid it would just go down in history like the Minolta's EX-1500, that is into oblivion.
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No more Chrissie ? Man
ReplyDeleteNo, man. Did you put up anything on your side?
ReplyDeleteCertainly the sensor+dsp should be modular especially and seperate from camera bodies especially in pro camera body. Tieing lens with sensor is not a modular concept. If it is modular, something got to be reused during upgrades. It is a pitty to throw our camera bodies away when we want the better sexier sensors. Who would like to throw away all their lens when the next better sensor comes out? I bet you also need to throw also the camera body away as the dsp circuit in the camera body is certain not able to drive any new generation sensors.
ReplyDeleteThe Hasselblad modular CFV-39 is selling for USD13,995. So the Ricoh is a bargain.
ReplyDeleteI'd like Ricoh really comes out with a modular camera for the masses.