The new ultra-compact GF-2 external flash designed for the GR IV also works with the GR III, but the exact functionality is still unclear.
Ricoh recently released firmware v2.10 for the GR III, which adds compatibility with the GF-2. It appears that the GR III will fully support the flash, just like the GR IV, using the new GF-2 option in the menu after updating the firmware.
The earlier ambiguity likely came from Ricoh's first product page for the GF-2 (which stated it was "designed for the GR IV" and only "physically compatible" with earlier models). But the firmware v2.10 directly overrides that.
From the firmware update page: "[GF-2 Flash Mode] automatically calculates the appropriate exposure value before shooting, based on the subject distance measured by autofocus or the distance set manually…"
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Can anyone confirm this? I'm tempted to try the new flash on my GR III HDF.
I'm also interested in getting the GF-2 and a little confused, so bumping the thread if anyone has experience.
Reading the firmware update text it seems like it would function as a TTL flash, but I see you need to manually engage a "GF-2 Flash Mode". I don't know if it's more intelligent on the GRIV, or maybe this is the only caveat.
ArveyAll wrote:
I'm also interested in getting the GF-2 and a little confused, so bumping the thread if anyone has experience.
Reading the firmware update text it seems like it would function as a TTL flash, but I see you need to manually engage a "GF-2 Flash Mode". I don't know if it's more intelligent on the GRIV, or maybe this is the only caveat.
Those are my thoughts as well. It's possible the GF-2 works the same way on both the GR III and GR IV, but the IV can detect it automatically, while the III requires manual selection in the menu.
Is this flash setting available on the GR IV? I'll check the manual to confirm.
After reading both manuals, I think I understand what's going on:
On the GR IV, the GF-2 flash is automatically recognized, and there's a setting called Flash Output that can be set to Auto, 1/1, or 1/4. There's also a Flash Mode option with settings like Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye, Slow Speed Sync, and Slow Sync + Red-eye.
On the GR III, the GF-2 isn't detected automatically, and there's no Flash Output setting. Instead, along with the regular Flash mode options, there's a new option called "GF-2 Flash Mode", which, when enabled, allows the flash to operate in Auto mode (without selectable 1/1 or 1/4 power).
In practice, when you attach the GF-2 to the GR III and turn on GF-2 Flash Mode, the flash automatically adjusts its power based on subject distance. The GR IV detects the GF-2 automatically and offers manual power control, but the GR III still supports fully automatic flash operation with the new GF-2.
Oh I see, that makes sense. Thanks for looking into that.
It's a neat compact addition to the GR, and I do miss flash on compact cameras. I might get a bit frustrated with the lack of power adjustment control in some situations, but maybe the TTL works well. They have developed some compatibility, so it must work well enough for acceptable functionality.
crf59 wrote:
Has anyone been able to find one in the wild yet in the US? I'd buy one if I could find one.
I've ordered it.. was from a small shop, link below.. says "in stock" but placed the order over the weekend and it hasn't shipped yet, so my guess is they're just not reporting stock / "pre-order" properly.. will post back when it shows up.
Received the GF-2 flash today and it's impressively slim, matching the camera perfectly. It automatically calculates exposure when GF-2 mode is enabled on the GR III, but its choices are a bit odd. For instance, in low indoor light it often picks 1/30s, even though my minimum shutter speed is set to 1/80s, and that can't be changed regardless of switching between A, Tv, or M modes. Basically, you're stuck with whatever the camera decides, though to its credit, the exposures come out well.
In low light, the GF-2 mode sets the shutter to 1/30s to capture some ambient light, but it also automatically stops down the aperture to f/4 or f/5.6. The result is a well exposed subject with a dark background (very flashy look), and the slow shutter can introduce motion blur. In other words, the Ricoh’s GF-2 logic works well for casual snapshots, but for controlled shots, it can be frustrating.
BrandonSi wrote:
Thanks for sharing! Mine should be in this week, along with the GR IV finally.. will see if I end up getting the same behavior on the IV.
I believe the GR IV will include options to adjust flash power directly in the menu. It will also detect the flash automatically.
By the way, after some more testing yesterday, I realized how much firmware 2.10 improved the GR III for flash users. When the GF-2 mode is enabled in the menu, it doesn't just work with the official Ricoh GF-2...it also functions with third-party flashes that match its output. For example, my compact Ulanzi flash with four manual power levels produces identical results to the GF-2 when set to full power.
The Ulanzi's specs list a GN8 output at full power, but in reality it's probably closer to GN3 or 3.5 since it matches the GF-2's output when the GF-2 exposure mode is enabled in the GR III menu. In short, the GR III calculates exposure based on the GF-2's output, and the Ulanzi just happens to line up perfectly with that expected power level.
Thanks for testing that out. The strange 1/30s override is a bit frustrating though, a bit too limiting for me, maybe they will firmware fix that in the future. Shame, love the form factor.
ArveyAll wrote:
Thanks for testing that out. The strange 1/30s override is a bit frustrating though, a bit too limiting for me, maybe they will firmware fix that in the future. Shame, love the form factor.
Yes, I haven't found a way to change that in low light. I think Ricoh is aiming to capture as much ambient light as possible and decided that 1/30s is sufficient to avoid handshake with a 28mm lens. Technically you could achieve the same total exposure with higher ISO and faster shutter speed, but the camera's GF‑2 logic doesn't let you apply that directly ... it prioritizes flash-to-ambient balance rather than user-controlled shutter speed.
I've been shooting with it more, and while my cheaper third-party flash works similarly with the new camera function, the Ricoh GF-2 is incredibly light, fits the camera's dimensions perfectly, and extends just 17mm above the body. It's so compact and seamless that I can leave it mounted all the time and only turn it on when needed, and the camera still easily fits in a pocket with the flash attached.
For some, the higher price may be hard to justify compared to other options, but if you want a flash that calculates exposure automatically and looks great on the camera, this is the one to choose.
In daylight, it consistently delivers excellent fill-flash exposure. You can't control the aperture, but at least exposure is fully automatic when the flash is used.
RICOH GR III HDFGR LENS 18.3mm F2.8 lens18mmf/2.81/800s125 ISO0.0 EV
I completely missed the announcement but Godox released a version of their iT20 flash that supports TTL on the Ricoh GR. Imo a much more useful product than the Ricoh GF-2.
It is the weaker version of their i-Flash series, no official guide number info but seems to be 5-8m vs. 15m for the iT30 Pro.
I hope they'll also release a Ricoh version of the iT30 Pro in the near future!
fjablo wrote:
I completely missed the announcement but Godox released a version of their iT20 flash that supports TTL on the Ricoh GR. Imo a much more useful product than the Ricoh GF-2.
It is the weaker version of their i-Flash series, no official guide number info but seems to be 5-8m vs. 15m for the iT30 Pro.
I hope they'll also release a Ricoh version of the iT30 Pro in the near future!
It's taller than the Ricoh TTL version, but as you said, more functional. What's really nice about the GF‑2 is how it matches the camera's texture and barely sticks up. Either way, both are definitely compact flashes.
