Crave

(Credit: Ricoh)

The Ricoh GRD series of compact cameras have been a popular choice among photographers who want a stealthy point-and-shoot that offers manual focus and exposure control. The Japanese company has updated this line with the GRD III and its optics should appeal to enthusiasts.

The 28mm fixed lens has a maximum aperture of F1.9, and shutterbugs who snap a lot of pictures at night will find this large lens opening useful. Besides the usual JPEG image format, the 10-megapixel camera is able to take RAW pictures, and the 3-inch screen has been upgraded to a higher-resolution 920K-pixel display. Although this professional-oriented point-and-shoot records video at only 640 x 480 pixels, we're pretty sure its target audience won't mind.

The GRD III is compatible with a wide range of accessories made for the GRD II, save for a few peripherals such as the GH-1 lens hood.

The Ricoh camera is expected to reach shelves in the U.K. first for $877 in mid-August.

The Ricoh LC1 on a Leica D-Lux 4.

(Credit: Ian Ho )

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is a popular pro-level point-and-shoot that has won much praise from users. However, one minor gripe that most shutterbugs have with it is the lens cap. Some photographers find that a hassle and are looking for alternatives to protect the optics.

Malaysian blogger Ian Ho has found a pretty good solution, and no, it's not manufactured by Panasonic. Instead, he utilized the Ricoh LC1 self-retaining lens cap that was produced for the company's own GX100 and GX200. By using a combination of springs and hinges, three flaps protect the lens when the camera is not in use, and can be pushed open easily by the optics when it extends.

Ho mentions in his blog that it requires a bit of force to push the LC1 onto the LX3 or the Leica equivalent, the D-Lux 4. Take a look at the video below to see how it works. I think it's pretty cool.

Some shutterbugs who tried this mod commented that the flaps tended to block the AF illuminator, and that it will require some tweaking before this problem can be solved. Also, note that since the LC1 is not a listed compatible accessory for the LX3, your warranty will be void if you damage the shooter during installation.

You'll have to check with your local retailer for the availability of the LC1, or search online for it. Pricing-wise, it shouldn't cost more than $25.

(Via Crave Asia)

(Credit: Ricoh)

One of my legs is shorter than the other so I frequently find the pictures I take are a little crooked, unless, of course, I'm standing on a slight grade. The newly announced 10-megapixel Ricoh R10 would solve my problem (well, the cockeyed photos at least; not my legs) as it borrows a feature from 2007's GR DIGITALII and the GX200 launched this July--an electronic level indicator on the camera's 3.0-inch LCD. An acceleration sensor lets you know when you're tilting, so you can straighten out your shots before you click the shutter.

The R10 inherits its design cues from the currently available R8. Other features you'll find are a 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens (28-200mm in 35mm film-equivalent focal length), Ricoh's Smooth Imaging Engine III, and the ability to flag images to quickly recall them later.

No price was announced--or time frame for availability, for that matter--but if you're interested in getting one you'll be able to buy it in the U.S. from Adorama or PopFlash.Photo.

(Credit: Ricoh)

Ricoh has announced the second firmware upgrade to its 10MP GR Digital II 28mm single focal length compact camera, launched last November. This update, version 2.10, offers several function-enhancing changes.

Added is the option to finely adjust white balance color tones. It's now possible to specify noise reduction processing based on ISO sensitivity. You now have the ability to automatically shift aperture value in aperture priority mode. Now when the ISO is set to auto and you press the shutter button halfway, the selected ISO sensitivity will be displayed. There is also a more detailed information display when in playback mode. For more information and instructions click here.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer's Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of the documentation and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

(Credit: GPS Daily)

If the question "Where am I?" is a recurring issue for you, Ricoh has added a feature to its GPS-ready digital camera that you may want to check out.

The Ricoh 500SE GPS camera now includes something called an SE-3 GPS module, a three-axis compass developed by Honeywell that nails down the position and direction (azimuth), then displays it on the camera's LCD.

The data, in the form of point coordinates, is embedded into an image as it is captured.

This gives the user a 3D "cones-of-view" perspective, indicating the direction the camera was facing. It comes ready to use with mapping applications such as Google Earth and ESRI's ArcGIS (PDF.)

A laser rangefinder connected to the camera via Bluetooth also enables the user to enter accurate distances.

(Credit: Ricoh)

"Prior to the availability of the SE-3 module, images from the 500SE were simply points on a map with no indication of the direction the camera was facing," Ricoh manager Jeff Lengyel told GPS Daily. "Now we can provide an accurate visual reference of an image's azimuth, as well as the field-of-view the camera could see from that position."

Industries ranging from the military and disaster response to forestry and architecture currently use these features for both aerial and ground-based photography. Sounds like a must-have for any CSI unit.

Ricoh GX200

(Credit: Ricoh Co.)

Ricoh continues inching its way back into the U.S. market, this time with an update to its Caplio GX100 point-and-shoot camera, the GX200. The real distinguishing characteristic of the GX models is the 24-72mm-equivalent 3x zoom lens; 24mm is a fairly wide-angle view for a snapshot model.

The GX200 isn't a huge upgrade over the GX100; basically, it's got a higher-resolution 12-megapixel sensor compared with the GX100's 10-megapixel CCD, and it sports a slightly larger, higher-resolution 2.7-inch LCD, versus 2.5 inches for the GX100. Ricoh claims its updated image-processing engine, Smooth Imaging Engine III, provides "dramatic" noise reduction. That's essential for the higher-resolution sensor.

Optional EVF

(Credit: Ricoh Co.)

Ricoh didn't include pricing or shipping information in its press information, but Adorama camera (one of the few U.S. retailers to carry Ricoh models) is taking preorders, and at least on its site the GX200 is slated to ship in July for $599. Interestingly, Ricoh will also be offering a kit version of the GX200 with a removable tilting electronic viewfinder; that runs an extra $150 at Adorama. Both seem fairly pricey, though. If you're curious, PhotographyBlog has image samples from the camera.

Ricoh R8

(Credit: Ricoh Co., Ltd.)

After a several-year hiatus, Ricoh re-entered the U.S. digital camera market last year with the GR Digital II. That camera should feel a bit less lonely on the shelves now that Ricoh has announced another U.S.-bound model: the R8.

The compact R8 uses a 1/2.3-inch 10-megapixel CCD and features a relatively slow but relatively wide f/3.3-5.2 28mm-200mm-equivalent 7.5x zoom lens. It also incorporates CCD-shift image stabilization and a somewhat high-resolution 460,000-pixel 2.7-inch LCD display. Although it offers the ability to select your autofocus/autoexposure target point, it lacks aperture- and shutter-priority exposure modes.

Ricoh expects to ship the R8 in early March for $399. Ricoh simultaneously announced the 10-megapixel, 5x zoom R50, but that's just for our buddies across the oceans.

Ricoh announced its GR Digital II this week, the second-generation digital model in an unusual camera family geared for landscape specialists and enthusiasts with similar photographic needs.

Ricoh's new GR Digital II will go on sale in November.

(Credit: Ricoh)

Unlike virtually all other compact cameras sold these days, the GR Digital II's lens has a fixed focal length, the equivalent of 28mm on a 35mm film camera. The new six-element lens emphasizes sharpness and contrast, and has a maximum aperture of f/2.4, the company said. Other differences from the 8-megapixel predecessor include the new GR Engine II image-processing chip, a resolution bump to 10 megapixels, and the ability to shoot with a square frame.

Like the Ricoh Caplio GX100, a zoom lens-enabled relative, the GR Digital supports raw files, the data taken directly from the image sensor without any in-camera processing into JPEG. Also like the GX100, the GR Digital's raw files are stored as Adobe Systems' Digital Negative (DNG) format, an attempt to standardize some of the profusion of proprietary raw formats that typically are unique to each camera.

Ricoh doesn't have a big retail presence in the United States, but the new model is available at Adorama and PopFlash.Photo. The camera will be available in November, both outlets said.

The GR Digital II costs $700, about $100 more than the earlier model.

Unlike the GX100, the GR Digital II doesn't have an electronic viewfinder option, but there are two $200 optical viewfinder add-ons: the GV-1 with a 21mm- or 28mm-equivalent field of view and the new $200 GV-2 with a 28mm field of view. Another option is a $150 40mm-equivalent lens adapter.

(Via The Online Photographer)

(Credit: Crave UK)

Ricoh may not be the best-known name in the camera business, and you won't find the Caplio R7 in Argos. But we've been excited about the R7 since first hearing about it, and now we've got our hands on one we think it may be worth you tracking down. We also decided to put on our investigative journalism hat (the one we wear when browsing Wikipedia--it has "PRESS" written on it) and find out more about the Japanese company.

Ricoh was founded in 1936. It's now best known for making photocopiers. Fact!

The R7 is a 8.15-megapixel compact, with CCD-shift image stabilization in a slim metal body. What's really amazing about the compact size of the camera is there's a 7.1x optical zoom lens in there. As a result, when you switch it on and off you get a satisfying robot noise as the double retracting lens spins up and extends little further than the average 3x zoom lens on other compacts.

Ricoh has lent its name, and cash, to the 9,500-seat Ricoh Coliseum indoor arena in Toronto, Canada, and the Ricoh Black Rams, a Japanese rugby union team. Honest!

Even better, the R7's lens is equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm film camera. That's rather good, as it means you can fit more in than the typical 35mm. Macro mode also lets you get as close as 1cm, and you get face detection too.

The Ricoh Arena, home to Coventry City FC, is a 32,609-seater football stadium, and also includes a bar named after Canadian rocker (and talented photographer) Bryan Adams. Crazy but true!

Unusually, some of the R7's functions are controlled by a mini-joystick as well as the standard clickpad. This makes altering settings such as exposure compensation or white balance much more intuitive. Once pictures have been taken, you can also adjust brightness and color-tone in-camera and save the results.

The R7 comes in black, silver or orange flavors, and will set you back around 230 pounds (about $464). And we rather like it. Fact!

(Source: Crave UK)