The GC-1 GRD II Case from Ricoh

For some reason, I am seldom enamored with the cases made by manufacturers for their own cameras. Oh sure, they fit and all, but they are usually not up to the quality or, in the case of the GRD II the style, of the camera in question.

That's pretty much the case with the GC-1. It fits the GRD II (though it's a tad snug). It looks OK. But, it doesn't really match the GRD II or the way most people are likely to use it. The leather feels rather slick and cheap and the lining is a little scratchy side. It has a D-Ring on the back and a very skinny belt loop. Some may find the fact that the GC-1 is not padded to be an issue but I don't. I think that padding in a case that's designed exclusively to be used on a belt is of little value. If you plan on using the smaller of the two Ricoh viewfinders for the GRD II (the GV-2) attached to the camera you can buy the nearly identical GC-2.

All in all, the GC-1 is rather disappointing for a case that costs around $40. Still, if you must have a Ricoh case for your GRD II the GC-1 will have to do.

Me? I'm sill looking for something better.

The Foothills Above JPL in La Cañada, CA

Robin & The Devil Dog at the Paseo in Pasadena, CA

Cases for the GRD II

Sure, the Ricoh GRD II is pretty tough, said to be made of a magnesium alloy and all that, but you do need to carry it in something, don't you?

I've done my time doing the P&S in Pocket thing but this is a rather expensive camera. It would seem to me that a suitable case is in order.

Ricoh makes two, the GC-1 and the GC-2. I am sure that both fit just fine but they don't quite match the GRD II's stealthy look. The GC-2 allows you to stow the camera with the smaller of the accessory viewfinders attached.

A company called M-Rock makes a case called the Yosemite which would appear to fit the GRD II's dimensions well.

ThinkTank Photo makes something called the Modulus Pouch that looks really cool. I bought one just for fun and my only concerns are the fact that it's a little tall for the Ricoh and it's not really padded. Still, I'm going to try it for a while and will let you know how it works.

Depending on whether you like your cases to fit loosely or snuggly you may want to check out Waterfield. They make beautifully made cases right here in California, but you will pay for them. My only issue with them is their lack of a traditional belt loop on the back of the case. Hey Gary...not everyone is hip enough to have a carabiner clipped to their pants!

I am planning a couple trips for this summer and I think I'll pick up one of those neato Pelican micro cases. Either the 1010 or the 1020 will fit the Ricoh. My thought is that a real hard case would offer superb protection inside of a suitcase or backpack where a soft case wouldn't provide complete protection.

It would appear that the following Lowepro cases will fit the GRD II:

Terraclime 30
Apex 20AW
Rezo 30
Tasca 20
D-Pods 30
Ridge 20

I'm looking into products from Tamrac and Case Logic to see if they offer anything interesting for the Ricoh.

Please let me know what you use to protect your GRD II and also what's worked well and not so well.

Why?

Why? Because the Ricoh GRD II is very cool. In a sea of samey P&S cameras the GRD II stands out as one that was actually designed to offer photographers an easier and better way to take pictures. Some aspects of the camera are very modest. It uses a fixed lens when the vast majority of P&S offerings use their zoom lenses as a major selling point. Ricoh has also eschewed most of the madness over the magapixel by cramming no more than 10.1 MP onto the GRD II's tiny sensor.

For me, a primary appeal of the GRD II is the combination of its trim size and how well it handles. No, I'm not talking about a car but the comparison is an apt one. The GRD II is easy to hold and operate. There are actually places to grip the camera and the surfaces that are held have the perfect combination of grip and smoothness. Someone was clearly thinking when they designed this camera.

The lack of a zoom tends to make me really focus on composition. I also am quick to rely on the ever ready foot zoom to get the perspective and framing that I want rather than relying on a bunch of glass to do the job for me.

I have been out of this hobby for a very long time and the GRD II has rekindled some of my passion for it. I am hoping that some of you who also enjoy the Ricoh will help me out here. There is much to learn about how and why the GRD II works and also about its limitations. I am also hopeful that we can find some interesting accessories that will make the Ricoh even more enjoyable for us to use.

Let's see how this works out!