Digital noise varies from camera to camera, but in most cases it is unappealing so I can understand why manufacturers use the elimination of noise as a benchmark for image quality. Also, when manufacturers "stumble" upon wonderful intangibles — for example the way Pentax 67 lenses have all that detail in the "blown-out" focus areas — manufacturers seem less-inclined to claim credit, as they're aware that what many of us are responding favorably to are basically aberrations in their technology. That's not the kind of science manufacturers tend to brag about.
But many of us do respond in a big way to the particular film grain-like quality of the noise and the way colors saturate in the files the GRD produces, even if it turns out that Ricoh themselves were not satisfied with the camera's capabilities. The files stand out from the rest of the noisy pack, and many of us find that difference attractive. It's not necessarily good science, but it's true.
Yes, it's a tiny camera with great controls, but the thing I like most about it is the file it creates ... that it's not a Canon file, not a blank, versatile template (I know that's subjective and arguable) but one that truly imparts a pronounced signature that you either like or don't like. I like it.
Noise is not all created equal. TMZ3200, Scotch 1000, Agfachrome 1000, EES 800/1600, Polapan, 665, even Kodachrome were all films that delivered grain, but were all very, very different from one another, and results were contingent on any number of other shooting/processing variables, as well. I liked EES, for it's great saturated reds, but really I preferred EL, a 200 Ektachrome that when pushed slightly, had a subtle grain that was pronounced in the transitions from dark areas to highlights and a slightly punchy saturation, none of which consumed the entire image or came off gimmicky. It was a great, everyday flattering, romantic film stock that was wonderful for portraits and fashion. If you compare Arthur Elgort's 80s Vogue shoots (he used EL a lot) to, say, a current (obviously Canon dSLR) J Crew version of the same "lifestyle" approach, the difference is palpable, and not necessarily "progress".
The GRD at lower ISOs is reminiscent of that EL quality, or maybe a combination of that and the Scotch film. And it's built-in, which I think is cool. If someone has an ACR or Lightroom preset that truly achieves this quality, I'd be interested in checking it out. I'm not "all about grain" in any way, but I do like texture.
I have not found a simple effective method for producing life-like, breathable, believable grain in images that don't natively possess it to begin with, nor do I feel like taking on that mission. In terms of how a GRD or GX100 fits in to my life, having to go to great lengths to achieve results, image after image, sort of sucks the joy out it for me. They all get substantially worked as it is. By the way, results from plug-ins I've tested haven't been convincing.
I value empirical, systematic tests, and appreciate the ones that Sean conducts and am interested in in his (your) findings. But honestly, all I was hoping for from the GRD2 was faster RAW and a larger LCD.
The price disparity between dSLRs and medium backs is so much more acute than in the old days of film cameras — getting in to the Hasselblad is like 40 grand, but, wow, amazing files — that we've basically seen our world turn in to Canon Universe in the past five years. It shows, and in some ways it's sad (even if what Canon has made available to us has helped the bottom line of many of our professional pursuits).
To Mitch's original point of this thread, if it turns out that Ricoh truly doesn't embrace the look of their original GRD — in a way similar to how Kodak and Polaroid and Agfa and Scotch all eventually abandoned pretty much every one of those films I referenced in their marches forward toward a grainless, profitable benchmark — I find that disappointing, even if the GRD2 is a good camera in other ways.
Sorry for another endless post. I'm sure I'm repeating myself, again, at this point on these points.
I like photography.
: )
Cheers.
