FAQ PENTAX GR II digital camera.
What accessories are provided with this camera?
The following accessories are providing with this camera.
•Wrist Strap
•USB cable
•Rechargeable lithium-ion battery DB-65
•USB power adaptor AC-U1
•Hot shoe cover (Set on camera)
•CD-ROM
•Instruction manual
* No camera case, AV cable, HDMI cable or SD (SDHC) Memory Cards are included with the camera
What are the optional accessories for this camera? The optional accessories are as follows:
•Rechargeable Battery (DB-65)
•Battery charger (BJ-6)
•AC adapter (AC-5c)
•External viewfinder (GV-1)
•External mini viewfinder (GV-2)
•External TTL flash (GF-1)
•Hood and adapter (GH-3)
•Wide-angle conversion lens (GW-3)
•Soft Case (GC-5)
•Jacket (GC-6)
•Neck strap (GS-3)…GR logo
•Neck strap (ST-2)…RICOH logo
•Hand strap (GS-2)…GR logo
•Cable switch (CA-2)
•HDMI Cable (HC-1)
•AV Cable (AV-1)
Are there any other necessary items that are not included in the kit? The kit does not come with an SD Memory Card, so please prepare an SD Memory Card with the necessary capacity.
You can use the optional HDMI Cable (HC-1) or a commercially available micro HDMI cable (type D) to connect to and play back recorded images or movies on a TV screen or other AV device.
What is the material of camera body. It is a magnesium alloy
Does the camera have an optical viewfinder? The camera itself does not have a built-in optical viewfinder.
However, there is a dedicated external optical viewfinder GV-1 and GV-2 available.
Does the camera have a zoom function? No. However, there is a Crop function that can be set at 35mm or 47mm from original 28mm.
What is a [Crop] function ? Select [Crop] at the shooting menu.
Choose [35mm] or [47mm], then the angle of view will change from original [28mm] to [35mm] or [47mm] and also display will change accordingly.
There are some restrictions for Picture format and size depends on a [Crop] setting.
[35mm]: [L] size cannot select.
[47mm]: [L] and [M] size cannot select.
* If you set [28/35mm] or [28/35/47mm] for Fn1/Fn2/Effect button, then you can switch angle of view accordingly by pressing each button.
Is there any function to reduce camera shake? No.
What is the recording format? Still: JPEG (Exif 2.3) , RAW(based on DNG)
Movie: MOV(Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H264, Sound: PCM(mono)
What is the RAW image development ? In the Playback Mode, you can convert RAW images into JPEG format and then save them as new files.
At the Playback setting Menu, select [RAW Development] to save the JPEG image.
The following setting are available
• Picture Size • White Balance • Brightness Compensation • Effect • Image Settings
• Dynamic Range Compensation • Color Moiré Correction • Aspect Ratio • Noise Reduction
• Color Space Setting • Ambient Brightness
The setting that were set at the time of shooting are initially selected.
Which SD Memory Cards have been tested for compatibility? Compatibility with this camera has been tested with memory cards from the following manufacturers:
– Panasonic / Toshiba / SanDisk
SD Memory Cards with capacities up to 2 GB
SDHC Memory Cards with capacities up to 32 GB
SDXC Memory Cards with capacities of 64 GB/128 GB
As of June 2015
Can the UHS memory card be used? Yes It can be used UHS-I SD (SDHC, SDXC) card.
Can the Micro SD (SDHC, SDXC) memory card be used? No guarantee of proper operation with SD card adapter.
Please use SD (SDHC, SDXC) card.
When using SD (SDHC) Memory Cards, what should I do first? Card that are unused or that have been used on other devices, such as another camera or a computer, must first be formatted on the GR II.
* Please note that formatting will delete any data recorded on the card.
* When using a new Eye-fi card, copy the install file of Eye-Fi Manager stored on the card to your computer before you format the card.
What kind of battery does the camera use? The rechargeable lithium-ion battery DB-65 only.
The DB-60 or dry cell can’t be used for GR II.
How long can the rechargeable lithium-ion battery DB-65 be used for? | Number of still images shot: | Approx. 320 |
| Playback time | Approx. 190 minutes |
| Movie recording time: | Approx. 45 minutes |
How to charge the rechargeable battery DB-65? Can rechargeable battery DB-60 be used to GR II? No. Use the rechargeable battery DB-65 only.
Can dry battery be used to GR II? No. Use the rechargeable battery DB-65 only.
Is there an AC adapter for the camera? There is the optional AC adapter [AC-5c]
When the battery is removed, how long is the date set in the camera retained? And does the internal clock keep running? Once a new battery has been loaded and left in the camera for at least 1 day, data in the camera remains backed up for approximately 5 days when the battery is removed. The clock also continues to run while the data is backed up.
* It is result of a measurement and not guarantee for back up time.
How to operate the Macro mode. If you set Macro Mode by pressing the Macro button, you can shoot the subject as close as approx. 10cm (shooting range: approx. 12x8cm) away from the front edge of the lens. If you press Macro button once again, Macro mode will be cancelled.
* At the Auto shooting mode, Auto Macro is set and the Macro button is invalid.
* When [focus] is set to [MF], use the up-down dial to adjust the focus
Can GR II take black and white image? Yes. There is [Effect] in shooting set menu, you can choose [Black & White], [B&W (TE)] or [Hi-Contrast B&W].
[Black & White]: Takes black and white image
[B&W (TE)]: Adds tint to black and white image.
[Hi-Contrast B&W]: Takes images with stronger contrast than [Black & White]. Makes it possible to take images with a grainy feel, such as that created by using ultra-high–sensitivity film in a film camera or by push processing film at the development stage
What is the [Dynamic Range Compensation]? You can expand an image gradation to make the bright and dark portions of an image clearly visible.
You can select from [Off], [Auto], [Weak], [Medium] and [Strong].
When dynamic range compensation is set, available ISO sensitivity is limited.
| Setting | ISO Step Setting [1EV] | ISO Step Setting [1/3EV] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. | |
| Auto Weak Medium Strong | ISO 400 ISO 200 ISO 200 ISO 400 | ISO 6400 ISO 12800 ISO 12800 ISO 6400 | ISO 320 ISO 160 ISO 200 ISO 320 | ISO 8000 ISO 16000 ISO 12800 ISO 8000 |
What is the [Aperture Preview]? You can check the depth of field before shooting the image.
What is the function of [AF Button]? AEL/AFL: AE lock or AF lock is available in place of pressing the shutter release button halfway.
C-AF: While the AF button is pressed, “Continuous AF” which continuously focuses on the subject will be active, regardless of the [Focus] setting.
What is the function of [Interval Shooting]? The camera takes pictures automatically at fixed intervals and number of pictures.
In the [Shooting] menu, select [Interval Shooting] and you can set the shooting interval from 1 second, 2 seconds or between 5 seconds and 60 minutes (in 5 seconds increments) and value of number of pictures from 1 to 99 or ∞.
* It is recommended to use the battery with sufficient power or optional AC Adapter(AC-5c).
* It is recommended to use a memory card with sufficient free space and a high speed memory card.
What is the function of [Interval Composite (Star Trails)]? A series of continuous images taken at set intervals is merged in such a way that the bright areas remain.
Use this function when you want to record the trails of light formed by stars or the moon during nightscape shooting at a fixed position.
• Interval: Set the shooting interval from the shortest value (Min.) up to 60 minutes.
• Save interval Composite Img.: Sets how the images are saved.
[Off]: Saves only the merged image.
[Save Each Image]: Saves both the unmerged image and merged image in JPEG format
[Save in process]: Saves each image at the point it is merged in JPEG format
* Please mount the camera on a tripod
* The flash cannot be used with this function.
* Set the mode dial to Av, Tv, TAv or M.
* It is recommended to use the battery with sufficient power or optional AC Adapter(AC-5c).
* It is recommended to use a memory card with sufficient free space and a high speed memory card.
What is the function of [B (Bulb)] and [T (Time)] ? You can select B (Bulb) and T (Time) for the shutter speed in M mode.
B (Bulb): The image continues to be exposed while the shutter release button is pressed.
The exposure ends when the shutter release button is released.
T (Time): The exposure begins when the shutter release button is pressed/
The exposure ends when the shutter release button is pressed again.
What is the function of [Slow Shutter Speed NR] ? When [Slow Shutter Speed NR] of the [Shooting] menu is set to [On], noise reduction processing is carried out depending on the combination of the ISO sensitivity and shutter speed setting. If this is the case, it takes longer time to save the processed image than usual.
ISO sensitivity and Shutter speed at the start of processing
ISO 3200 or less: 8 sec. or more
ISO 3201 or more: 4 sec. or more
How to operate [ND Filter]? You can decrease the brightness by using ND filter, so, it is useful that when you like to slower the shutter speed without changing the aperture.
With [ND Filter] in the [Shooting] menu, you can set whether or not to always use the camera’s internal ND filter
Off: The ND filter is not used.
Auto: The ND filter is used when the exposure is outside the linked range.
The ND filter is used if the icon is displayed on the shooting screen when the shutter release button is depressed halfway.
The ND filter is not used in P and M modes.
On: The ND filter is always used. The icon is displayed on the shooting screen.
* If [ND Filter] is set to the Fn1, Fn2 and Effect buttons in the [Key Custom Options] menu, [Off], [Auto] and [On] for the ND filter can be switched with button operation only.
What is the Effect function? The settings such as the hue can be changed to take distinctive images.
* If [Effect] is set, the setting for [Image Settings] are invalid.
* Settings made in [Effect] are not applied to RAW images.
Continuous Shooting Set [Continuous Mode] of the [Shooting] menu to perform continuous shooting.
The autofocus is fixed in the first frame.
How to set the noise reduction? In the [Shooting] menu, select [ISO Setting/NR], then you can select [Off], [Auto] or [Manual].
If the [Manual] is selected, you can set each sensitivity for [Strong], [Medium] and [Weak].
What is [Focus Assist] function? Intensifies the outlines and contrast inside the area, making it easier to adjust the focus.
[Shooting] > [FA/Move Target] > [Fn2 ]> [Focus Assist Setting], following setting can be set.
[MODE 1]: Emphasizes edges.
[MODE 2]: Emphasizes outlines
[MODE 3]: Inverts black and white for MODE 1.
[MODE 4]: Inverts black and white for MODE 2
Does GR II have a function of [Multiple Exposure shooting]? Yes it does. It takes images while merging them together. Up to five images can be merged.
It is also possible fine setting such as below.
* Merged images while adjusting the exposure value depending on the number of images.
* Saves each unmerged image.
* Saves each merged image.
* Can retake the last captured image.
In the [Shooting] menu, you can select [Multiple Exposure Shooting].
Can we adjust the intensity of flash? Yes you can adjust it in [Flash Exposure compensation] of the [Shooting] menu.
The intensity can be set in the range from -2.0 EV to +2.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
* When the flash mode is set to [Manual Flash], the value set for [Flash Exposure Compensation] in invalid.
* If the ISO sensitivity is set to [Auto], the range of the flash light will reach is approximately 20 cm to 3.0 m from the front edge of the lens.
Setting the Flash Intensity for Manual Flash The intensity of the internal flash can be set for when the flash mode is set to [Manual Flash].
To set amount of intensity, select [Manual Flash Amount] in the [Shooting] menu.
You can select from following fractions of the flash intensity.
[Full(1/1)], [1/1.4], [1/2], [1/2.8], [1/4], [1/5.6], [1/8], [1/11], [1/16], [1/22], [1/32] and [1/64].
About Recording Movies Movies with sound can be recorded.
Movies are recorded as MOV files.
The frame rates (frames/second) can be selected depend on the [Still Image Size] setting.
Still Image Size
Full HD (1920×1080): 30/25/24(frames/second)
HD (1280×720): 60/50/30/25/24(frames/second)
VGA (640×480): 30/25/24(frames/second)
* If the camera is operated while shooting, the operation sounds are also recorded.
* The following functions are not available in Movie mode.
Flash, FA(Focus Assist) and Move target.
* Each movie can be a maximum of 25 minutes long or up to 4 GB in size.
* The maximum recording time per shooting depends on the capacity of the memory card.
Shooting may end even before the maximum recording time is reached.
* Use a memory card of speed Class 6 or higher for recording movies.
* Use the battery with sufficient power.
* Recording format is MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H264, with monaural sound).
Which OS are confirmed function with USB(PC) connection. Following OS are confirmed function.
Windows: Windows Vista® / Windows® 7 / Windows® 8 / Windows® 8.1
Macintosh： OS X 10.7／10.8／10.9／10.10
How to transfer images to PC? Connect the camera to PC with the USB cable that contained with camera.
The PC then recognized the memory of the camera automatically as the removable disc..
Double click the icon of the removable disc to open the folder, and copy the image file to PC.
* You can transfer the image from camera to PC without any software.
Can this camera use as PC camera? No, it cannot.
Is there any application software included with the camera? The [Digital Camera Utility 5] is contained in the CD-ROM for edit the image and develop the RAW file.
* The software for transfer the image is not included.
Does the camera support the "PRINT Image Matching III"? Yes, it does.
Does the camera support the [PictBridge]? No, it doesn’t.
Can cable switch be used for GR II? Yes. It can be used optional cable switch [CA-2].
It is capable with B(Bulb) and T(Time) exposure.
* Length of cable switch(CA-2) is about 65cm
Can the common filter be used for GR II? Yes. It can be used 49mm common filter with Hood & Adapter GH-3 (optional).
* The filter cannot install to the camera directly, the GH-3 is crucial item to use filter for GRll.
* If you use thicker filter, the hood may not be installed on top of it.
What is the Wide Conversion Lens GW-3? The GW-3 is the wide conversion lens(x0.75) for GRll/GR.
It is used with optional Hood & Adapter GH-3 as a set.
* Set [Conversion Lens]of the [Setup] menu to [Wide] when using the conversion lens.
* The GW-1 and GW-2 which are used for former GRs (GR Digital, II, III and IV) are not usable for GRll/GR because of the diameter of the Adapter.
Can movies be watched on a television with High-definition movie? Yes. You can watch the High-definition movie by using a commercially available HDMI cable (Type D) to connect the camera to a device with an HDMI terminal.
* The HDMI cable is not included in the kit.
* When connect HDMI cable to the camera, the camera will be set at Play back mode and the LCD monitor will be turned off automatically.
Is there any cable for connect analogue TV? Yes, there is optional AV Cable (AV-1).
It can be selected from NTSC system and PAL system.
