Ricoh_GRD_II_Review_Part

Original image file

Adjustment (Aperture settings: Contrast: 0.03, Definition: 0.11, Shadows: 5.6, NR - radius 0.81, edge detail 1.74)

Black and white conversion from original (no other adjustments)

Ricoh GRD II Review

Part 3

Results - Image Quality

The examples below provide a subjective demonstration of image quality and noise characteristics of 100% screen enlargements of a GRD II image in a real shooting situation to give an idea of image quality.

Taken at f/5.6 and 1/233rd, ISO 100.

	The original image taken with the GRD II before applying the monochrome conversion

	The 100% screen enlargements below are taken from the areas highlighted in red in the image above.

Image Quality Comments

From close inspection of the GRD II files I've the following comments:

The 5.9 mm lens is superbly sharp and delivers great image quality which is only limited by the noise characteristics of the sensor. Images from the original GRD were known for their characteristic noise which many people likened to the appearance of film grain. In designing the GRD II Ricoh's engineers have done a lot to reduce noise designing a new image processing engine. The camera's internal design has been modified from the original GRD, repositioning the CCD and shortening the distance from the CCD to the image engine to minimize interference that can manifest as noise.

You can download further GRD II image samples from the Ricoh website .

Macro Mode

I've included a macro example below, for the simple reason that the macro setting on the GRD II is so good that it deserves special mention.

In macro mode the GRD II will focus down to a distance of around 1.5 cm from the front of the lens. The Dandelion seed head image below was taken handheld at ISO 100 and shows some really great detail - see the 100% enlargements further down the page.

	GRD II in macro mode

	GRD II in macro mode 100% screen enlargement (taken from the section shown in red in the box, top right) - no adjustments

	GRD II in macro mode 100% screen enlargement (taken from the section shown in red in the box, top right) - no adjustments

	I don't usually go in for macro images, but just recently I've been experimenting with all sorts of subjects just because the macro mode is so good. Not only is the image quality good but so too is the macro control over focus. When in macro mode you can simply adjust the point of focus by pressing the 'ADJ' lever to bring up an 'AF target' which can be moved the desired point in the image to allow precise focus across the frame. Using the GRD in macro mode, with a small aperture allows considerable depth of field, especially given the wide angle lens. Due to the depth of field achievable some very interesting creative compositions are possible.

			Macro focussing using the movable AF target