Ricoh announces Leica M-mount unit for GXR

Ricoh GXR M-mount unit
The new Ricoh GXR unit can accept Leica M-mount lenses

Ricoh has announced a new unit for its GXR compact system camera which is capable of accepting Leica M mount lenses, as well as other brands when used with an adapter.

The GXR system was introduced in 2009 and it comprises a back with the controls and LCD screen, and a separate, interchangeable camera unit. This camera unit is made up of a lens, sensor and image processor.

The new GXR MOUNT A12 doesn't have a lens, instead it has a lens mount.

Featuring an APS-C size CMOS sensor and newly developed focal plane shutter, the GXR MOUNT A12 makes it possible to mount Leica M lenses and provides a variety of compensation and correction functions.

Other lenses can be used with the unit if a conversion adapter is used. A checking device is included for confirming whether or not other lenses are physically compatible with the unit.

Functions

The GXR MOUNT A12 is capable of independently correcting colouring at the corners of a frame. Colour shading correction is also possible, along with peripheral illumination correction.

A distortion correction function is also on board, with photographers able to set the correction to "strong," "medium", or "weak".

To help with accurate manual focusing, a focus-assist function is also included. Users can select from two modes and check the focus by strengthening outlines and contrast.

Magnifying the image on the back of the screen while shooting can be done throughout the image, and quality of the image at 4x and 8x magnification has been enhanced.

Two shutter methods can be used with the unit. First a newly developed focal plane shutter, which can achieve shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec to 180 seconds. An electronic shutter can shoot from 1/8000sec to 1 sec.

The GXR MOUNT A12 unit will be available from September 9, 2011. Price is yet to be confirmed.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.