I just lately shot a roll of side-by-side images within the Ricoh GR1 and the Minolta TC-1. I loaded each of those compact classics with Kodak Portra 160 and shot the pictures round Brisbane.
After I acquired the scans again, I used to be shocked at simply how related the pictures have been. So related, in reality, that for some time I couldn’t inform which roll was which. On this article, I’ll let you know about each cameras and present you some chosen photos aspect by aspect. Use the slider to match images from every digicam under—the Ricoh GR1 images are on the left, and the Minolta TC-1 images are on the suitable.
These two images of Coochiemudlo Jetty are nearly an identical.
First Impressions: Two Cult Classics
The Ricoh GR1 and the Minolta TC-1 have been launched inside months of one another in late 1996. These slimline cameras have been aimed toward photographers who wished professional-quality optics in a very pocketable package deal.
The GR1 was the primary in Ricoh’s line of slim avenue shooters, which additionally spawned the GR1s, the GR1V, and the GR21. This line later impressed compact digital shooters akin to the favored GR sequence, together with the Ricoh GR III—the proper digicam for avenue and journey.
The images of this Banksia additionally look remarkably related.
The Minolta TC-1 is commonly described because the “jewel within the crown” of Minolta’s compact lineup, a digicam that pushed the boundaries of what a point-and-shoot might obtain.
Once they debuted in 1996, every provided one thing uncommon: a 28mm broad angle lens and the flexibility to manually choose an aperture. For photographers annoyed with totally automated compacts, these options made each cameras severe inventive instruments.
The shadows right here within the TC-1 shot on the suitable are a bit of darker.
Construct High quality and Design
Bodily, the cameras replicate their makers’ philosophies.
The Minolta TC-1 is a tiny, titanium-bodied marvel of engineering. Unmistakably premium, it sports activities a 28mm f/3.5 G-Rokkor with apertures chosen by a front-mounted dial.
The Ricoh GR1 is slimmer and longer than the TC-1, and though extraordinarily succesful, doesn’t have the identical luxurious really feel. It was designed with portability in thoughts, simply slipping right into a pocket. It sports activities a 28mm f/2.8 GR lens. The GR1 has an understated design, giving it a extra stealthy really feel for avenue pictures.
The shadows are a bit of darker for the TC-1, however each images are very related.
Capturing Expertise
Though I couldn’t inform the distinction within the photos, utilizing the 2 cameras is a very totally different expertise.
The Minolta TC-1 all the time operates in aperture precedence mode—there isn’t a program mode. Utilizing a swap on the lens, you choose one in all 4 apertures (f/3.5, f/5.6, f/8, f/16), with the digicam setting the shutter velocity. It additionally has choices for publicity compensation, setting the movie velocity, and numerous flash modes. This provides a sense of management extra akin to utilizing a tiny SLR.
The GR1 can’t set movie velocity, nevertheless it has a useful program mode and extra choices for selecting aperture, proper right down to f/2.8. It additionally has the legendary Ricoh SNAP focus and an infinity mode.
To maintain issues truthful throughout my comparability, I matched apertures throughout each cameras when doable.
This is likely one of the extra fascinating variations—in program mode the GR1 will use a slower shutter velocity, leading to gentle trails.
Viewfinders and Focusing
Each cameras are infamous for his or her tiny viewfinders.
The TC-1 reveals you an approximation of the scene, whereas the GR1 reveals you framelines for picture composition, plus a bit of additional of the scene across the exterior. You may as well see the lens via the viewfinder of the GR1, which is a bit of odd at first.
For autofocus suggestions, the TC-1 shows precise focus distances alongside the underside of the viewfinder window, whereas the GR1 makes use of symbols—macro flower, single particular person, group of individuals, or a mountain for infinity. Each programs work nicely sufficient, and photographs with missed focus are uncommon.
I matched apertures for the overwhelming majority of the images on each rolls.
Picture High quality
Right here’s the place issues get fascinating. Trying via the digital contact sheets of each rolls, the variations in picture high quality are surprisingly delicate.
For many outside photographs—seashores, flowers, household moments—the images from each cameras seemed almost an identical. Colours have been vibrant, exposures correct, and sharpness wonderful throughout the body.
One constant distinction was that the TC-1 tended to render darker shadows in comparison with the GR1. This can be attributable to variations in metering, nevertheless it provides TC-1 photographs a contact extra distinction.
Utilizing flash revealed extra noticeable variations. On the TC-1, taking pictures a portrait at f/3.5 with commonplace flash produced a clear, well-balanced end result. The GR1, left in program mode, defaulted to a sluggish shutter velocity which could be as sluggish as 1/30 s. This slower shutter velocity gave the body some movement blur and lightweight trails. Apart from when utilizing particular evening scene flash modes, I’ve by no means seen this in some extent and shoot earlier than. Usually, they use sooner shutter speeds and freeze the motion, just like the TC-1 did.
The TC-1 picture on the suitable is noticeably darker right here—maybe because of the method it meters a scene?
Worth and Availability
As with most cult cameras, costs have climbed through the years.
The Minolta TC-1 usually instructions increased costs due to its legendary popularity and premium construct. Even with beauty points, these cameras typically promote for nicely over $1,000 right this moment. I picked mine up for the equal of $600 USD right here in Australia, and I’ve shot a pair dozen rolls via it thus far.
The Ricoh GR1 is extra inexpensive however riskier, given its historical past of digital failures. Bargains can nonetheless be discovered—my copy price simply $360 USD with a working LCD—however long-term reliability is unsure. I’ve been burned by Ricoh movie cameras prior to now—I’ve had two Ricoh R1 cameras die on me.
Sadly, time will not be form to any point-and-shoot movie digicam. My TC-1 takes nice photographs however suffers from a unfastened battery door and peeling leatherette.
It was solely as a result of I took two images of this Chinese language restaurant on the GR1 that I used to be in a position to work out which roll was which.
Last Ideas
After taking pictures each of those compact classics aspect by aspect, I used to be shocked at how related the outcomes have been. Which means that value, options, and usefulness are a lot larger elements than picture high quality alone. These getting old cameras are exhausting to advocate to folks, however they’re a lot enjoyable to make use of. What did you consider the pictures? Have you ever used these cameras earlier than? I’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback.
