I shot a griii for a year and enjoyed the files. Capture one really made them feel alive and they packed a punch.
Later I traded a Contax T2 for a GR21. darkroom prints on warmtone fiber I pulled out of that little thing were nothing short of mind bending fun for me, a special little lens and flash combo. -
I was on the fence with the new model maybe suiting me more than the x100vi.
I’m probably not anymore. The price and very small changes is a no. Maybe it won’t be as much in the UK and will sit only £100 above the existing model. (Edit to correct its only increased £150 here, not matching USA pricing £for $. So it is considerably less expensive than the Fuji.
That said, and even though it’s probably not for me, I’m sure it will be fantastic for some and I hope for those of you who do buy it, you enjoy it
I’ll need to see very fast AF and dust reports. Oh ya, and a 40 mm version.
fjablo wrote:
The GF-2 flash looks cool, but seems for some reason it’s not fully compatible with the GR III? Bummerrr..
It's possible that it will be after an October firmware update on the GR III. Ricoh's wording on this is a bit ambiguous as they state that it's not possible with older models due to a difference in the hotshoe contacts but then also single out the GR III for future compatibility via this firmware update. Looking at the contact layout for the GR III vs GR IV, it appears the layout is similar except that the GR III is missing two contact points that exist on the GR IV.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
It's possible that it will be after an October firmware update on the GR III. Ricoh's wording on this is a bit ambiguous as they state that it's not possible with older models due to a difference in the hotshoe contacts but then also single out the GR III for future compatibility via this firmware update. Looking at the contact layout for the GR III vs GR IV, it appears the layout is similar except that the GR III is missing two contact points that exist on the GR IV.
I believe it will work in TTL mode only on the GR IV. It might be compatible with the GR III, but probably only at full power. I'd love to be wrong about that and Ricoh does some firmware magic to make TTL work even on the III.
I use the mini-flash Ulanzi SL01 on the GR III...and it's only $20. It has 4 power settings, so no TTL. GN8 instead of GN3.
(Did not read every post in this thread) A GRIV Monochrome…that would be a possible buy for me. I’ve read rumors about either a GRIII Monochrome or a GRIV Monochrome. Anyone here that has more news on this?
I watched the official GR announcement () and two surprises stood out:
- They’ve improved the brightness of the rear screen, so it’s easier to see in bright conditions (this is in addition to the new automatic brightness adjustment). I haven’t seen this being reported (the brightness levels bit).
- The lens motors have been improved, so it makes AF much faster (AF being faster was reported but not the lens motor being improved).
Mujabad123 wrote:
(Did not read every post in this thread) A GRIV Monochrome…that would be a possible buy for me. I’ve read rumors about either a GRIII Monochrome or a GRIV Monochrome. Anyone here that has more news on this?
Thanks! I watched the video again and also on the GR IV product page it says they increased the brightness to better handle bright outdoor locations. That combined with the better IBIS, faster AF, etc I decided to get on the pre-order list. When it comes in I might cancel, but at least I'm in line. When I could see the display I really enjoyed using the GR IIIx. It's just so easy to toss it in a pocket and always have it on me, than to take a small bag for my X100VI or Sony A7CII. With those cameras it's more of a decision to carry it even though they are light enough. I find when I have a camera with me I'm looking for photos. If I plan on going some place to take photos, I will take my larger cameras and the right lenses for the situation. I see the GR as the camera for when you don't carry a camera... My iPhone just doesn't do that for me.
milend wrote:
I watched the official GR announcement () and two surprises stood out:
- They’ve improved the brightness of the rear screen, so it’s easier to see in bright conditions (this is in addition to the new automatic brightness adjustment). I haven’t seen this being reported (the brightness levels bit).
- The lens motors have been improved, so it makes AF much faster (AF being faster was reported but not the lens motor being improved).
I looked up this flash and ordered the sl 02 for a princely amount of $16 from Ulanzi's Aliexpress store. Can't go wrong with the price.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I believe it will work in TTL mode only on the GR IV. It might be compatible with the GR III, but probably only at full power. I'd love to be wrong about that and Ricoh does some firmware magic to make TTL work even on the III.
I use the mini-flash Ulanzi SL01 on the GR III...and it's only $20. It has 4 power settings, so no TTL. GN8 instead of GN3.
Price aside, this looks great. Only things I'd want at aps-c size would be an f2 (unnecessary considering it's a truly pocketable camera, but would really elevate the offering) and a tilt screen (only major thing I see wrong with this package).
Other than that, I think it really hits the spot for an EDC camera atm. You could make arguments for the Q but then you'd have to contend with macro capabilities, an astronomically higher price, and now the camera is nowhere near pocketable. The X100's lens wasn't as good as the III's, I feel the IV will only widen the gap here (plus huge gap in close focusing/macro). Sony's latest 1r somehow has no stabilization for a 60 MP sensor.
Like, I am not defending the price other than to say the recent political climate continues to kick everyone in the pants and give manufacturers both excuses and actual need (everyone's buying less because of stupid prices, so prices must come up even more) to raise prices further. But to me, looking at a few recent releases of disappointing fixed lens compacts, Ricoh seems to "get it" more than anyone.
Of course, can't afford it myself atm. But if I had money to burn I'd definitely pick one up.
Ricoh, along with reviewers and camera stores, lists the dimensions of the new GF-2 Flash as 51 (W) × 31 (H) × 17 (D) mm. However, I believe this may be a mistake by the marketing dept.
From the photos, the flash appears to be about 17mm in height (not 31mm), 51mm in width, and 31mm in depth (not 17mm).
I haven't seen anyone else mention this, so I could be wrong, but my Ulanzi SL01 flash is 28mm tall and looks noticeably taller than the GF-2. That makes it unlikely that the GF-2’s height is really 31mm as Ricoh states. (see images below)
It was almost an inevitability; I've bought every GRD and GR model except the GR II ( which was a minor upgrade adding WiFi ). Pre-ordered at Wex in the UK; not waiting for the monochrome - probably a year out, it if happens.
Sold my GRIII and GRIIIx before Christmas and switched back to the GR I and GRD IV ( which I had retained for all those years ). Not sure if I would replace the IIIx - I think a film rangefinder at eye level works better; whereas with the 28mm, the extra angles opened up through digital and LCD composition happen very frequently.
The thing with the Ricoh GRs is that they are invisible. Yesterday I was queuing inside an Edinburgh fish and chip shop, and casually took a few pictures of the interior - no one batted an eye.
Speed of use, IBIS and improved ISO will be good . The +/- dial on the older cameras is better than the menu wheel. The lack of WiFi on the older cameras was not an issue in the day, but with the current ease of mobile iPad editing it highly desirable.
While I agree that Ricoh shouldn't try to add to much to a camera that is by all means perfect, I'm confused by why the flash can't be brought back when it was implemented two gen ago and the lack of weather sealing. This last bit would have carried me over from the x100vi I have and I could have reasoned with the upcharge.
Word is that the price in japan is more reasonable but I have yet to validate it.
You don't have to validate anything about the price in Japan. I live here and the price I mentioned earlier in this thread was from MAP camera or one of the other big retailers.
As for the Flash dimensions that Fred mentioned, if the numbers are the same but in a different order from what you're imagining, maybe they are just looking at the flash from above when measuring it lol.
Having used the viewfinders for the GR II I know the impact they have on the form factor and handling. Curious to handle the new GR IV + flash combo and see if the 17mm profile is low enough to get out of the way.
Looking at the, relatively few, samples around I'm wondering if the look of the new lens + processing is a bit more soft and mellow. Looking more Pentax that previous GRs, am I imagining things? I like the GR iq but it has had a harshness to that I don't see in the samples.
