Hi all
I am relatively new to this forum and just discovered this thread about the Ricoh GR cameras. I am fortunate enough to be able to own multiple cameras and the GR III complements my Canon system just perfectly. The GR III is the camera I bring when I don't want to bring a camera, if you know what I mean? It is so small and light and fits in my jeans pockets. This, coupled with the really good image quality was the selling point for me. It takes a bit more space than my smartphone but is just miles ahead in IQ and overall handling - as you can tell I really like the camera and the concept.
Ever since owning this camera I was contemplating buying the GA-1 and GW-4 wide angle adapter. I'd like to experiment with filters and the 21mm, altough not a much used focal length of mine, would come in handy from time to time. What kept me from the purchase is the fact that it takes away from what the GR is to me: a simple, small and lightweight camera without making a fuss. It would make shooting with the Ricoh more complex imho. I can have complex with my R5 and multiple lenses. When I shoot the Ricoh I want simplicity.
But still sometimes to be able to pop on a polarizer or pro mist filter would be nice. What are your thoughts? Do you keep it simple or do you own those accessories? How much are you using them and how do you like the handling of the camera with them?
(I hope discussions are permitted here? If not I added a picture from a couple months ago when it was still kind of winter here in Switzerland)
jj1804 wrote:
Ever since owning this camera I was contemplating buying the GA-1 and GW-4 wide angle adapter. I'd like to experiment with filters and the 21mm, altough not a much used focal length of mine, would come in handy from time to time. What kept me from the purchase is the fact that it takes away from what the GR is to me: a simple, small and lightweight camera without making a fuss. It would make shooting with the Ricoh more complex imho. I can have complex with my R5 and multiple lenses. When I shoot the Ricoh I want simplicity....Show more →
For me it's exactly that. I use the GR 3 / 3x for indeed 'simple' images. If I need anything special I grab other cameras. A couple of further thoughts:
The sensitivity to sensor blobs / dirt is inherent to the design, but turns out to be a real spoiler for me. My brand new X has a speck. It's easy to clone out in lightroom but still an annoyance for almost a thousand dollars / pounds / euros.
I just can't decide between the GR3 and the GR 3x for street shots - I have them both. Feels like the X has to go as I instinctively grab the 28mm equivalent for 'simple' shots instead of the 40mm equiv. For anything else (like sports, landscapes) I like to use more complex setups.
I have the wideangle setup for an earlier GR version. Optically really good - the front lens is huge and therefore sensitive to damage (but a filter helps). Did not use it much - not contributing to a 'simple' approach.
I will add the GR III (28) to my GR IIIx. Did one holiday trip (Lisbon etc.) with the GR III and realized that it‘s too wide for me as a „stand alone“ solution.
The GRIIIx joined me on my recent trip to Paris. I didn‘t miss much. However, from time to time 28mm would come in handy. So I will have a nice street set up. GR III in one, GR IIIx in the other pocket. Their form factor is fabulous.
zeitlos wrote:
I will add the GR III (28) to my GR IIIx. Did one holiday trip (Lisbon etc.) with the GR III and realized that it‘s too wide for me as a „stand alone“ solution.
The GRIIIx joined me on my recent trip to Paris. I didn‘t miss much. However, from time to time 28mm would come in handy. So I will have a nice street set up. GR III in one, GR IIIx in the other pocket. Their form factor is fabulous.
zeitlos wrote:
I will add the GR III (28) to my GR IIIx. Did one holiday trip (Lisbon etc.) with the GR III and realized that it‘s too wide for me as a „stand alone“ solution.
The GRIIIx joined me on my recent trip to Paris. I didn‘t miss much. However, from time to time 28mm would come in handy. So I will have a nice street set up. GR III in one, GR IIIx in the other pocket. Their form factor is fabulous.
What about using the crop mode on the III or the GW-4 on the IIIx? Both would give you either 35 or 50 (crop) or 30mm with the GW-4 on the IIIx. After only a couple of responses I see that I'm not the only one using this camera for simplicity's sake. Altough my suggested workarounds would theoretically work I can see how you'd rather add the III to your -x.
I couldn't bring myself to purchase the IIIx. I love the 40mm of my EF 40 2.8 pancake and was contemplating on what to do. Even considered buying a Fuji X-E4 with the two pancakes 18 and 27mm. But I don't want another system so it is Ricoh GR III for me + cropping as I can't see myself buying the IIIx just for the focal length.
40mm is very versatile. You hardly can go wrong. It‘s exactly between 35 and 50mm.
I also have the Batis 40mm 2.0 for my Sony. Whenever I use it I get very usable results.
Using the crop function might be a good solution for some people but unfortunately not for me. I had a Leica Q2 before which I planned to use in crop mode too. It didn‘t work out for me. Cropping with the Q2 and its sensor is of course way easier than cropping with the GR III.
I‘m happy for everyone who can use this workflow, however, I can‘t.
I use the 40 2.8 all the time indoors. My wife can't bring herself to use my R5 with the 35 1.4 to photograph our son indoors so the 40 2.8 stays on pretty much 90% of the time. I really like the focal length as well but the Ricoh to me is more of a Snapshot kind of camera so 28mm is more versatile to me. Of course YMMV. I really like the GR III and hope the IV will have a swivel oder tilty screen. My only gripe with the GR III right now.
I'm considering buying a GRIIIx at some point, and took a few minutes to go back through my II photos. When I had the II, I would always gravitate toward my RX1 due to the better IQ and shallower depth of field. But looking at these photos, the GR obviously excels at street photography, much more than the RX1. Most of these were shot with snap focus at 2.8 I think.
28mm was always a little wide for me, which is why I'm thinking about the 40mm. The 35mm on the RX1 sometimes feels too wide to me as well, so I'm thinking a true 40mm might be nice.
Processed these to look a bit more "snapshot" like than my normal work, which I sometimes enjoy.
I highly recommend that anyone considering the GR IIIx should go ahead and do it! I like 28mm, but 40mm is a bit more versatile in my opinion. And the two together are a great small kit for travel, EDC, etc.
helimat wrote:
I highly recommend that anyone considering the GR IIIx should go ahead and do it! I like 28mm, but 40mm is a bit more versatile in my opinion. And the two together are a great small kit for travel, EDC, etc.
I'm seriously thinking about the 3x for that 40mm FL. The 3 is a very nice little camera that I wish I would have bought a long time ago..
Had a GRII a few years ago and miss that high contrast B&W. Only thing keeping me from buying a III is wondering if the IV will announce sometime soon.
