Ricoh Ricoh GV-1 Viewfinder

Isoterica

Hall of Famer
I just got my GRD IV in the mail today. I was wondering if anyone here uses the wide angle lens attachment and the GV-1 viewfinder. If I keep this camera is it worth purchasing these accessories? GV-1 is for 21 & 28mm. Does anyone even use a viewfinder?
 
I used to use the wide lens conversion lens and the GV-1 with my GRD II but it is bulky and by the time i got the GRD III and now the IV I will only be using the smaller 28mm Ricoh GV-2 External Mini Viewfinder only
 
I have a GRDIII, but I don't have the wide angle lens. 21mm is just a bit too wide for me, 28mm is just perfect. But I guess it depends on the type of photos you are taking.

I do have the GV-1 viewfinder, and I love it. I didn't use external viewfinders on previous compacts, but getting the GV-1 was a real eye-opener.
Perfect for sunny days, and it feels like you are more carefully thinking about composition. Highly recommended.
 
Robert [taking a guess from your username], How far off is the viewfinder from what you would see on the LCD? Is it pretty accurate or what area are you finding yourself have to account for? If I decide against the wide angle which I may right now due to price, I will probably at least get the 28mm vf for the reason you stated, sunlight shooting but also the vf experience. Just wondering if I will do a lot of composition compensation when using it.
 
Hi Kristin,

I got the GV-1 instead of the GV-2, because the GV-2 was not in stock anywhere at the time I bought my GRDIII. I find the 28mm marking lines in the GV-1 finder display quite accurate. Of course, you have some parallax issues with close subjects, but that's something you get used to reasonably fast, especially when you are familiar with film compacts. And - but that's probably personal - I don't shoot a lot of close subjects with a 28mm anyway.

Grtz. Robert
 
Thanks Robert. Actually the GV-1 is the 21-28mm and the GV-2 is the 28mm mini. I'm guessing after people liked the vf experience they got with the wide angle + vf so made a general vf to use.
 
Any external viewfinder is a guesstimate but still very useful in bright sun where the lcd becomes hard to use, if you are not going to get the 21mm conversion lens I would highly recommend the GV2 over the GV1, It is lot smaller and more in keeping with the stealth size of the camera, the only advantage of the gv1 is you can see way outside the framelines which can be good but also can be distracting. Mine is just sitting a case with no longer used 21mm conversion where the GV2 is always on the camera. Speaking of the 21 I love that focal length probably more than most but I found the conversion just awkward and made the camera a lot larger and more delicate. All depends on what you want
 
I would definitely get the GV-2 if I'm not getting the conversion lens. Have the case coming today so it will all fit. Speaking of which though, I do have the adapter and hood, they are.. plasticky, is the 21mm lens just as plasticky in make? I guess I expected something that felt a little sturdier.
 
I use the GV-2 50-75% of the time for for the usual reasons (support, too bright for viewfinder) and find it a pleasure to use. Frame lines are accurate and bright. When I want to be less conspicuous on the street, I take it off. A little pricey but a nice accessory to have.
 
I would definitely get the GV-2 if I'm not getting the conversion lens. Have the case coming today so it will all fit. Speaking of which though, I do have the adapter and hood, they are.. plasticky, is the 21mm lens just as plasticky in make? I guess I expected something that felt a little sturdier.

The lens is not "plasticky" but the mount is, which one of the reasons i find it too delicate for running around with. You can do some great stuff with it you just have to be careful
 
I have the 21mm for my GRD first gen, landshark is correct about the mount. Optically it is superb.
2184355976_5cabaed939_b.jpg

But imakes for somewhat bulky, fragile handfull.
 
So there's no distortion like you can get with an adaptive lens, Lili? Though actually, sometimes I like the bowl look :)

I never noted much of any pincushion or barrel distortion, in the shot I posted I was shooting into the sun and there is very little flare too.
My Issue with the GW-21 is that it makes a sleek little straight razor of a camera into something fairly clunky.
 
Just the lens hood alone turns it into a clunky camera. I was surprised to say the least! If perhaps they made it a flush mount but not possible with the extending barrel. The wide angle lens on my LCA+ Isn't this big!
 
Back
Top