fsiagian – All my images here are DNGs processed in Lightroom.
You can get a sense of what you can do with JPGs from the 17 images in the Ricoh GR III brochure, each with a caption showing the JPG settings used, here — interesting to see the wide dispersion in the EV adjustment used:
Incidentally, you can shoot DNGs and use the in-camera RAW Development facility to try out the different "simulations", called Image Atmosphere (Image Control) in the operating manual. These can also be edited and saved in two custom Image Control Settings. For example, some people have been complaining that they like the GR2 Positive Film setting better than the one in the GR3 — you can adjust the Positive Film setting and save it in one the custom slots.
EDIT: you may have to copy the link and paste it in your browser: for some reason links on the FM Forums don't work unless you empty the browser cache. This is something that Fred Miranda should be able to fix easily, as it's a frequent annoyance in using these forums
The update is said to improve low-light/low-contrast AF performance, but in my (very limited) testing so far I see only minor improvements. However, I've found that real-world AF is actually pretty decent even in the blue hour...
To me it looks like there's a significant improvement with the new firmware: AF is a lot faster and there is less focus hunting in low light.
Mitch Alland wrote:
To me it looks like there's a significant improvement with the new firmware: AF is a lot faster and there is less focus hunting in low light.
I haven't concluded if its faster or not, but seems to have a higher success rate and feel more assured
DaveFP wrote:
Is the GR's IQ significantly better than the RX100 V?
Yes (for stills). The GRs sensor is over 3x the size of the RX100s, and the GR's lens is very sharp.
Although they are both premium compact cameras at similar price points, I wouldn't consider them in the same segment. The RX100 has a flash, a zoom lens, excellent video quality, a 4:3 aspect ratio, and very fast auto-focus. In use, the cameras feel completely different.
I mostly like B&W, particularly when it's high contrast like the version I posted earlier in this thread. But I prefer the color version of this one — I'm finding that I like the color rendition of the Ricoh GR3 and that the files are easy to work with.(This was literally a walk-by hip-shot: I was holding the camera at my right side, with my thumb on shutter.)
Shot into difficult, harsh and bright light streaming into the left top corner. Interesting to see that lens flare was not more intense. Camera was held at waist level, pressing the shutter with right thumb.
Is anyone using the GR III with one of the optical finders? If so, what is the height with the finder installed? I'm trying to determine if it will still fit a jacket pocket. If so, it is probably just what I need. Many thanks for your response.
With the GV-1 finder the GR III is about 9cm tall (3.55 inches). Seems like a nice optical finder. Similar to the old Voigtländer finders, but not identical in form. The foot offset is different to the 25mm Voigtländer I have. The Voigtländer actually seems to sit more directly over the GR III's lens than the GV-1. But the framing error is always going to be there with this sort of finder. The GV-1 seems pretty good at medium to far distances.
I have the GV-1 finder but only used it once or twice and since then just kept it in the box...
I've always found that the LCD of my GR I works well in almost all conditions. It doesn't suffer from reflections as bad as my RX100 I (I guess that camera just needs the articulating screen more).
I use a Panasonic DMW-VF1. I like the extra point of contact with the camera for stability and the 24mm fov allows me to see subject approaching the frame. It's a little taller than the GV-1 but i like the build quality better.
Thanks for the recent viewfinder comments, and especially to Steve Keirstead for measuring the GR III with the GV-1 finder.
The GR III looks very attractive both for street and for portability when skiing or biking. The lack of a built-in VF is of possible concern, as the optional VF might make it too large for pockets.
The images posted here and on the Ricoh thread are testaments to both a nice camera and to some skilled photographers.
