Warming Up To The Ricoh GR

Been a very long time since I posted anything in here, I know. Truth of the matter is, I’ve been lazy (wont deny), and didn’t know what to really post here. Didn’t take any really amazing shots or such and there have been major changes in life – for the better. I was troubled more with less photographic aspects of life.

One of the 2 major things that happened with me in 2014 is that I got a new camera – Ricoh GR. I was crying my heart out after losing my lovely and amazing little Ricoh GX200 (got stolen) that I just couldn’t help but stop taking pics.

It’s funny that there has been so many point & shoot sized cameras coming out that it’s almost impossible to decide which one you should buy. It’s like there will always be some sort of serious compromise with any system or camera model. It can be a good thing too, if you are very defined about your shooting habits and what you shoot. Otherwise, cramping everything into ONE system/camera is impossible!

Back in 2010 or so, when I was debating to buy the GX200, I had my eyes on the GRD III and I went with the GX200 (never regretting). So, when I lost my GX200 and the GR came out with an APS-C sized sensor, it was a no-brainer! I had to get it especially since I wanted to really try street shooting and yes, these Ricoh were a legacy with street shooting. And thus, I went for it.

It’s been a total different experience with the GR than it was with the GX200. Don’t ask me why, because I haven’t a clue! I just LOVED the super intuitive menu on the GX200 and I did expect the same with the GR. The GR menu I feel, is a bit more complex and deep-rooted than the GX200 was. Perhaps, it will take time to fully comprehend and grasp the camera.

I wanted to share a few pics that I did take and it would be nice if my readers left some feed back about the shots and their experience with their Ricoh GR … 🙂

 

An Encounter With Film – Once Again!

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It had been a VERY long time since I picked up my film camera… and to be honest, it happened because I don’t have a DSLR anymore and to top it off – my digital point-n-shoot got stolen from the car as well.

There was a model-photographer meetup that I wanted to attend, but not having a DSLR was disappointing esp. because I knew I wouldn’t be able to give away the “files” anytime soon. Nevertheless, I head out and bought  rolls of film – Kodak Ektar 100 and Ilford Delta 3200.

I wanted to see if I still “had it in me” … if I could still shoot film – and mind you, I NEVER have used a light-meter. I always have taken educated guess and metered it using my eye. Never has failed!!

I didn’t take lot of shots of Hayley at the meetup but these two were my favorites. Taken with the Ilford 3200 b/w. I did crop it in LR and did do a little bit of touch-up, but not to much.

The colored shots are from the Kodak. The Cat tails and the leaves with the sun peeking… both hand held and I must admit I am proud of myself that I pulled it off without any trouble.

In both the shots with Kodak I used the 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S lens. Whereas with Hayley, I used the 50mm and also 35~135mm f/3.5~4.5 Ai-S lens.

There was the added cost of developing and scanning of the 2 film rolls, it took a whole month before I sent them to the lab! This is something that really annoyed me. I don’t know if it was the cost issue or what… but film does hold you back!

One thing that definitely annoyed me was that I couldn’t change from color to b/w and vice-versa! I had to complete the roll or kill it if I really wanted to shoot in a different mode or film. So different an experience from using digital. But then again, it’s a whole other experience to begin with – Slow and Easy !!

 

Leaves On Fire

Taken with my LG Optimus G (13mp) phone.

 

Black On White

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Waiting for my ride to come and get me from the station, I thought why not and snap away the boredom!!

Tried out the very seldom used scene on my Ricoh GX200, the Text Mode… never did figure it out till now! I don’t know, but I kinda liked these. Straight out of the camera, just cropped it in LightRoom 2.0

 

Street Shot of an Unusual Kind

Shot this from the hip… came out pretty nicely I think! 🙂

 

Totally Blue

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To see the photos in full grandeur… check this “link“

 

 

 

 

Blonde Grass

Took this shot with my HTC Incredible phone … edited in LightRoom 2

 

Another One In Blackness

A silhouette of a tree against the sky… taken with HTC Incredible using the Retro Camera app

 

The CMYK Look !!

Oh! well, looking at LOADS of pictures on Flickr! and other websites just makes one more and more frustrated… esp. if he can’t do his art the way he likes and wants to!! I guess that’s what happened to me the other day, sitting on my bed, and started shooting the bedsheets!

Seemed really bizarre at first, but then I thought what the heck, who cares and who’s gonna say anything anyways… but yeah, I put it out on the internet for all to see and let me know what they think  🙂

 

China Town

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So I was in San Francisco the other day… particularly in China Town. Took some snaps, although didn’t have a Hasselblad or D3 or 1Ds Mk II, but I did have my Ricoh GX200… I’d say it served me well – wouldn’t you?!

 

Moon of Shabaan

RICOH GX200

Edited on LightRoom 2

So I stepped out in the balcony the other day and was greeted with this spectacular view!! This is the moon on the 3rd of Shabaan, which is the 8th month of the Islamic calender.

 

SAILAWAY…

Shot from my Kayak in Visona Lake Park in Los Gatos, California

 

Hanging Future

 

Raddish Me Good !!

Ricoh GX200

 

Golden Trails

Ricoh GX200

Shot at back of my apartment… it pays to wander off in the “do not cross” zone !! 😉
*minimal editing in Adobe LR2*