Dr_Fishy
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 p.6 #13 · Fujifilm X100VI vs Ricoh GR III | |
capturethesun wrote:
I wanted to share my experience because I’ve owned the Fuji XT2, Ricoh GRIII, Fuji x100v, Fuji XT4, Nikon z6, Nikon ZF, and Ricoh GRIIIx. I currently own the Nikon ZF and GRIIIx. I’m also the mom of two small kids.
I owned the GRIII at the same time as the XT2, before kids. I bought it for a cycling trip in Italy. It took great photos and was so easy to carry, but ultimately I preferred the Fuji colors and sold it. I preferred to shoot jpg only at the time.
Right before my first child was born, I decided to try the Nikon z6. The image quality was much better than the Fuji, but after my son was born I missed Fuji again (for the colors and dials) and bought the x100v. I loved it, and used it regularly for a couple years. The negatives—it was big to carry around discreetly, I couldn’t shoot with it one handed, and the image quality wasn’t the same as the full frame Nikon. Right before the birth of my second child, I started using the Nikon again and started editing the raw files. I was much happier with the images I got that way.
I ended up selling the Fuji for what I paid for it, sold the Z6, and bought a ZF because I like the Fuji style dials. The ZF is big, and with two kids I carry a lot more, so I got a GRIIIx for the small moments when I can’t carry the Nikon. I am very happy with this setup!
Imo, the Fuji is neither here nor there. It’s not pocketable, nor is the image quality quite as great once you’ve used a full frame. However, the body feels wonderful to hold and the JPGs are the best (the raw files however are the worse). The GRIII/x autofocus isn’t amazing (it’s definitely worse), but I use tap to shoot and honestly it’s fine. I should note I prefer the IIIx to the III—I like 40mm over 28mm for everyday photos, especially on the GR. The GR produces a kinda gritty contrasty look that’s especially noticeable on 28mm and I just don’t prefer it. But I shoot raw now so it doesn’t matter.
TLDR I think the Ricoh for everyday + full frame for special occasions is the ideal setup. But the X100 is also a beautiful and delightful camera to use. I wouldn’t want the Ricoh as my only camera because I like shooting with a proper camera/viewfinder/different focal lengths, but I could see the x100 being someone’s only camera (though I prefer the Nikon ZF now, myself)....Show more →
My experience has been really similar and I think I can chime in here as well. I have a couple young kids and have been trying to be more intentional about documenting them but also using a camera that stays out of the way/keeps me present.
GRiii - ultimate in portability. I usually will keep it in my pocket instead of my phone. Focus really sucks for this application but I get some great keepers with a higher aperture and/or snap focus. Any fast movement you can kiss it goodbye though, unless shooting around f/8 or more. I really want to try the iiix, though, as I just don't know that I love 28mm despite using the GRiii for the last 7+ years now.
I do really like the images, very sharp, but indoors it is mostly unusable without good natural light/highlight weighted metering. The high ISO noise is pretty bad compared to the x100vi and Zf.
Zf - unreal c-AF and IQ for me. The c-AF is basically as reliable as s-AF which is just nuts to me. The 40mm and 28mm lenses are great. The 24-70 f/4 is really cheap and a great do-anything lens. If the Zf was smaller, or if they made a Zs like a Sony A7c size, it would be perfection for me. The size is the only reason the Zf doesn't go everywhere with me. Some less than perfect smaller prime lenses would be awesome as well. I do like the TTartisan 50mm f2 a lot, its a fun lens.
x100vi - This one is the hardest for me. I was fortunate to snag one of the 'made in Japan' when they first were available at BH. I had an x100f in the past that I really enjoyed but man, the AF was awful. It would just give false AF confirmation all the time and when reviewing images later they were not in focus where they should have been. The AF on the x100vi is SO much better. Nowhere near the Zf still, but I use s-AF and eye detect and get a high rate of keepers. The eye detect on the x100vi is really good in my opinion. I don't really use c-AF still, unlike the Zf it just isn't that reliable.
The images look amazing to me, even in poor light. The high ISO has a pleasing look compared to the GRiii. I agree with what you said though that the SIZE is a weird middle ground. Not pocketable...and not THAT much different in terms of committing to carry it all day compared to the Zf+40/2. I need a sling for either one. It is much lighter than the Zf but when I am already packing a sling I am not sure how much it matters I guess.
The other thing that is a downside to me, for now at least, is that I almost get analysis paralysis with all the film sims, how I want this photo to look, etc. I enjoy using it, but it doesn't stay out of the way as much has the others do but I admit this is probably temporary until I figure out how I want to style these images. With my old x100f I just used astia or cc. The GR is much simpler - I usually use neg or pos film. With the Zf I really love the rich tone portrait colors, or the stock monochrome is incredible to me as well so I just lock those two in and use the mode dial to quick swap them depending on my mood.
I will probably sell one of these cameras...I know it won't be the Zf, though.
This was pretty long winded but I have been in this boat exactly so figured I would just word vomit some of my thoughts here. Happy to answer any questions on these three cameras if anyone has any.
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