Review of Ricoh GR iii for Street Photography

[Toby43]

particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I

the start up time on the GRI and II was super fast as noted in many reviews. I am very doubtful that the GrIII start up can make any significant difference in real use

have you ever missed a picture because of the start up time with the previous models ?:-D

Harold

Start up time was not a problem that needed to be solved.

 

[Harold66]

particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I

the start up time on the GRI and II was super fast as noted in many reviews. I am very doubtful that the GrIII start up can make any significant difference in real use

have you ever missed a picture because of the start up time with the previous models ?:-D

Harold

Start up time was not a problem that needed to be solved.

I agree ..

The GRIII is in many ways a solution to a problem which did not exist for many users

On the other hand when you make the list of ALL the useful stuff that the GRIII dropped from the GRII , it is really sad :-( :- -(

Not to mention that it did not include a lot of things which would have been expected at this time in the technology

Harold

 

[Hustle76]

I have found the IBIS has resulted in some excellent images that the GR & GR II would have failed to get. Its a useful tool for me. I particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I recently acquired the specific GW3 21mm conversion lens for the GR III, its is IMO an excellent optic. It manages just as well even with the higher res 24Mp sensor. I still have all of the earlier 21mm adapters.

Not having IBIS isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it is a feature that I find incredibly useful and the GRIII having it was a big plus for me.

Not long after the GRIII launched, I went to a Ricoh photowalk organised with a UK retailer, which started with the usual talk at such events and felt the III’s IBIS was useful in having the camera - certainly, it was a feature that was a must-have, or a near one, for quite of the few attendees, who I spoke to.

I’ve been to quite a few of these type of events and this one was similar to another one (Panasonic) in terms of people attending and how wonderfully diverse the crowd was, in terms of experience, knowledge and kit. Virtually all (including myself) hadn’t used Ricoh kit and the event was definitely a good marketing tool (plus a 10% off camera orders within 7 days). Not sure how many sales were converted from it, but my gut feeling was a decent proportion of people attending, based on talking to others and store staff. We were able to use both the GRII and GRIII on the photowalk - interest was really on the latter.

re: start-up time - I think it is PD good. On the walk, I did a couple of experiments where I had the camera off and by my side, then raising it as it was switched on, to see if I could make a shot that I wanted (e.g. as a couple of people were entering in front of me as they entered an arch) - and was able to make those shots; had the startup be a second or half, would have missed them. A slightly slower startup isn’t a dealbreaker for me, as in real-world usage, I’m not going to be switching on and off the camera that way - but sometimes, particularly, with friends and family, faster start-up to capture will let me capture the moment.

Re: converter lens - personally, I like when there are these sort of options available, but not sure if it’s something I would really get much usage out of. That said, when I had a quick go with the GW3, was rather impressed - and it’s good to hear positive things about it from someone who has one.

 

[Harold66]

Over, say, the last 3 years, I am confident that something like 15 out of my 20 best GR pictures were shot with the 21mm conversion lens

Harold

 

[sae1lin2aug3]

Ebay has some, but used.

Right now Ebay has around 10 listings of new GR II from Japan. I bought mine new two months ago from Germany on Ebay.

How do I contact them.

 

[Tungsten Nordstein]

Ebay has some, but used.

Right now Ebay has around 10 listings of new GR II from Japan. I bought mine new two months ago from Germany on Ebay.

How do I contact them.

Ricoh Imaging online shop in Europe also have new GR2 available.

https://www.ricoh-imaging.eu/eu_en/gr-ii-professional-compact-camera

 

[thelps]

I have found the IBIS has resulted in some excellent images that the GR & GR II would have failed to get. Its a useful tool for me. I particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I recently acquired the specific GW3 21mm conversion lens for the GR III, its is IMO an excellent optic. It manages just as well even with the higher res 24Mp sensor. I still have all of the earlier 21mm adapters.

Not having IBIS isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it is a feature that I find incredibly useful and the GRIII having it was a big plus for me.

I tend to want to travel without a tripod. For various reasons. On occasion I had managed low light images with my Pana LX3 (no IBIS) using techniques like the 2 sec timer while bracing and holding carefully. I can get to maybe 1/15 sec with good results. This takes set up time and having somewhere to brace. The GR III IBIS extends where I can go low shutter speed.

I can live without it but having the GR III there is no reason for me to.

Not long after the GRIII launched, I went to a Ricoh photowalk organised with a UK retailer, which started with the usual talk at such events and felt the III’s IBIS was useful in having the camera - certainly, it was a feature that was a must-have, or a near one, for quite of the few attendees, who I spoke to.

I’ve been to quite a few of these type of events and this one was similar to another one (Panasonic) in terms of people attending and how wonderfully diverse the crowd was, in terms of experience, knowledge and kit. Virtually all (including myself) hadn’t used Ricoh kit and the event was definitely a good marketing tool (plus a 10% off camera orders within 7 days). Not sure how many sales were converted from it, but my gut feeling was a decent proportion of people attending, based on talking to others and store staff. We were able to use both the GRII and GRIII on the photowalk - interest was really on the latter.

re: start-up time - I think it is PD good. On the walk, I did a couple of experiments where I had the camera off and by my side, then raising it as it was switched on, to see if I could make a shot that I wanted (e.g. as a couple of people were entering in front of me as they entered an arch) - and was able to make those shots; had the startup be a second or half, would have missed them. A slightly slower startup isn’t a dealbreaker for me, as in real-world usage, I’m not going to be switching on and off the camera that way - but sometimes, particularly, with friends and family, faster start-up to capture will let me capture the moment.

Re: converter lens - personally, I like when there are these sort of options available, but not sure if it’s something I would really get much usage out of. That said, when I had a quick go with the GW3, was rather impressed - and it’s good to hear positive things about it from someone who has one.

--
DPReview Quote: Ricoh GR III shooting experience: "Shut up and take my money"

 

[thelps]

particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I

the start up time on the GRI and II was super fast as noted in many reviews. I am very doubtful that the GrIII start up can make any significant difference in real use

have you ever missed a picture because of the start up time with the previous models ?:-D

Harold

Start up time was not a problem that needed to be solved.

I disagree, it is a problem with all retractable lens digital cameras. In the 80s and 90s I used my OM4 with 40mm lens always with film pre-wound, the lens set to a hyperfocal distance with appropriate aperture set and walk about. I would see a subject, point and depress the shutter button. Within a femto-second the AE metering would meter and the image made. Instantly in human terms. I had much the same with my Leica MP. Even in the 60s my Kodak Instamatic 33 was that. Instant.

What happens with digital is after powering up you have to kind of wait and check that its ready then the shutter button can be depressed. If you keep pressing at the shutter button without looking and the camera is not ready you have to keep releasing and re-press. At times the moment is gone.

Obviously all this depends how you work. But for me coming from the OM2 and OM4 and the Leica the "compact" digital cameras with lens tubes "delay" me. The faster the better IMO.

--
DPReview Quote: Ricoh GR III shooting experience: "Shut up and take my money"

 

[sae1lin2aug3]

Ebay has some, but used.

Right now Ebay has around 10 listings of new GR II from Japan. I bought mine new two months ago from Germany on Ebay.

How do I contact them.

Ricoh Imaging online shop in Europe also have new GR2 available.

https://www.ricoh-imaging.eu/eu_en/gr-ii-professional-compact-camera

Thanks for the info, but they don't ship to USA.

 

[Tungsten Nordstein]

Ebay has some, but used.

Right now Ebay has around 10 listings of new GR II from Japan. I bought mine new two months ago from Germany on Ebay.

How do I contact them.

Ricoh Imaging online shop in Europe also have new GR2 available.

https://www.ricoh-imaging.eu/eu_en/gr-ii-professional-compact-camera

Thanks for the info, but they don't ship to USA.

My stupid. I should have realised. Ok. Send it to me and I'll send it to you. Your costs in shipping. If you trust me

Must be easier to login to ebay and order one from Japan though.

I didn't understand your 'How do I contact them' question. Just click buy or 'ask seller a queaion', if you have one.

 

[sprouty115]

The shot at 5:10 is really beautiful.

 

[Toby43]

particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I

the start up time on the GRI and II was super fast as noted in many reviews. I am very doubtful that the GrIII start up can make any significant difference in real use

have you ever missed a picture because of the start up time with the previous models ?:-D

Harold

Start up time was not a problem that needed to be solved.

I disagree, it is a problem with all retractable lens digital cameras. In the 80s and 90s I used my OM4 with 40mm lens always with film pre-wound, the lens set to a hyperfocal distance with appropriate aperture set and walk about. I would see a subject, point and depress the shutter button. Within a femto-second the AE metering would meter and the image made. Instantly in human terms. I had much the same with my Leica MP. Even in the 60s my Kodak Instamatic 33 was that. Instant.

What happens with digital is after powering up you have to kind of wait and check that its ready then the shutter button can be depressed. If you keep pressing at the shutter button without looking and the camera is not ready you have to keep releasing and re-press. At times the moment is gone.

Obviously all this depends how you work. But for me coming from the OM2 and OM4 and the Leica the "compact" digital cameras with lens tubes "delay" me. The faster the better IMO.

Well I used OMs 1 to 4 over the years and still have four of the later models and my experience as a photojournalist is that the GR II start up time is a non issue.

 

[PentaxNick]

I've used Ricoh GR iii for street photography for a few months and made a video summarising my experience:
To me, for the purpose of street photography, I don't think it's worth upgrading from GR ii,

Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

In manual mode (I assume you mean for exposure) you adjust the parameters to give the exposure you want. Exposure compensation is for automatic modes. I find the EV adjustment on the back adjust dial more intuitive than the previous rocker (I was surprised at this. It was one of my apprehensions when getting the GRIII)

Finally in street photography , you sometimes have unwanted elements which are entering the frame , meaning that you sometimes have to crop. so if you shoot vertically and you need to crop in the width of the picture , good luck to you on a camera which no longer accept the 4.3 ratio like the GRI and II did

Thats rubbish. If there was a built in 4:3 crop it wouldn’t affect the vertical width pixels. With the GRIII you have more of them anyway. If you really want to compose only in 4:3 use some black tape on the screen.

the improvements such like IBIS, megapixels, refined lens, etc, none of them can be a deciding factor for upgrade personally, and the downsides like reduced battery life is the main reason why I prefer GR ii instead.

Reduced battery life is offset by the faster startup time. You don’t have to carry it around switched on.

as I mentioned before this is only ONE of the reasons . I just mentioned three more above and I could go on ...:-D

As much as I love using my GRII for street and everyday photography ( and as a sidenote which may surprised many here, I also used it a LOT for models shoot with the 21mm conversion lens ) , a GRIII for me would be a USELESS brick :-x

This is why I now have THREE GRII ( two brand nee back up in their box) because as soon as I found out about the new modeI features I knew my Ricoh saga as far as new models are concerned was finished :-(

Harold

 

[PentaxNick]

particularly enjoy the extra fast startup time the III has over the GR I & II. This is often an overlooked extra benefit of the GR III. Its quick.

I

the start up time on the GRI and II was super fast as noted in many reviews. I am very doubtful that the GrIII start up can make any significant difference in real use

have you ever missed a picture because of the start up time with the previous models ?:-D

Harold

Faster startup time helps with battery life as you don’t need to carry the camera around switched on. I suspect the issues that some have reported with overheating are due to people trying to use the GRIII like they had to with the previous models, rather than adapting.

 

[thelps]

I've used Ricoh GR iii for street photography for a few months and made a video summarising my experience:
To me, for the purpose of street photography, I don't think it's worth upgrading from GR ii,

Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

In manual mode (I assume you mean for exposure) you adjust the parameters to give the exposure you want. Exposure compensation is for automatic modes. I find the EV adjustment on the back adjust dial more intuitive than the previous rocker (I was surprised at this. It was one of my apprehensions when getting the GRIII)

I've found the adjust lever for exp comp a much better implementation. More than once I inadvertently hit the rocker on the GR only to find some bad exposures. Nothing worse than a great image ruined due to bad button placement. The back focus is assigned to FN button. Its not lost, its there awaiting a press.

 

[rondom]

the loss of +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

In manual mode (I assume you mean for exposure) you adjust the parameters to give the exposure you want. Exposure compensation is for automatic modes. I find the EV adjustment on the back adjust dial more intuitive than the previous rocker (I was surprised at this. It was one of my apprehensions when getting the GRIII)

I've found the adjust lever for exp comp a much better implementation. More than once I inadvertently hit the rocker on the GR only to find some bad exposures. Nothing worse than a great image ruined due to bad button placement. The back focus is assigned to FN button. Its not lost, its there awaiting a press.

The GR/gr2 had a one press Exposure correction option when the camera was set to manual mode. Based on the menu setting, one could instruct the camera to adjust the aperture or the shutter speed to avoid wrong exposure by single pressing the +/- button.
Can something similar be done with gr3?

 

[Harold66]

I've used Ricoh GR iii for street photography for a few months and made a video summarising my experience:
To me, for the purpose of street photography, I don't think it's worth upgrading from GR ii,

Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

In manual mode (I assume you mean for exposure) you adjust the parameters to give the exposure you want. Exposure compensation is for automatic modes. I find the EV adjustment on the back adjust dial more intuitive than the previous rocker (I was surprised at this. It was one of my apprehensions when getting the GRIII)

Yes thank you for reminding how manual exposure work. After all , I have only used all my cameras in manual exposure for the last 30 years :-D

You clearly have not used the GR or GRII in manual mode . Maybe you never even had one of these two models

I was referring to something else but I do not need to explain it . Rondom just did that in his reply

Finally in street photography , you sometimes have unwanted elements which are entering the frame , meaning that you sometimes have to crop. so if you shoot vertically and you need to crop in the width of the picture , good luck to you on a camera which no longer accept the 4.3 ratio like the GRI and II did

Thats rubbish. If there was a built in 4:3 crop it wouldn’t affect the vertical width pixels. With the GRIII you have more of them anyway. If you really want to compose only in 4:3 use some black tape on the screen.

This has to be one of the most clueless suggestion I have ever seen on this Ricoh forum :-O and I have seen lots of them ;-)

Even with black tape which is hardly practical , it would only help, to a point, for composition and when WHAT ? when I download my pictures , they would still be in that 3.2 ratio and I would have to go over this issue on EACH file

Ridiculous .. your eagerness to dismiss my point is really mind boggling

the improvements such like IBIS, megapixels, refined lens, etc, none of them can be a deciding factor for upgrade personally, and the downsides like reduced battery life is the main reason why I prefer GR ii instead.

Reduced battery life is offset by the faster startup time. You don’t have to carry it around switched on.

Seriously ? Let s expose your bs. People can check EVERY SINGLE review ever made on the GR and GRII and you will not find any complaining about the start up time . in fact quite the opposite

and trying to pretend that the tiny difference in start up speed which may be exist between the GRII and GRIII would be so big that you save on battery life is plain NON SENSE

You obviously like your GRIII and there is nothing wrong with that but maybe you should stick on the few advantages of the new model instead of trying to make up imaginary ones

Harold

 

[Harold66]

. More than once I inadvertently hit the rocker on the GR only to find some bad exposures.

You have written this to me before but no matter how many times you say it , it does not make it more valid

Nothing worse than a great image ruined due to bad button placement.

Ruined ? nothing less , hey ? the exposure comp goes by 1/3 of a stop increment. so even if one pressed it inadvertently before releasing the shutter how does a shot under or overexposed by ONLY 1/3 of a stop could be ruined ??? ridiculous :-D:-D

and even in the case where you had pressed this 5 or 6 times , and since you can only compose the image on the LCD , then you would see that the exposure is completely off BEFORE making the picture ? :-O:-O

Not credible at all .. UNLESS of course you are one of those " shooting from the hip" guys with a camera

The back focus is assigned to FN button. Its not lost, its there awaiting a press.

and yet on almost every camera on the market which has one ,the back focus button is always located there.. not to mention that if you do allocate the BF to a FN button , you have now lost TWO direct functions compared to the GRII.

Difficult to describe losing TWO direct functions as an improvement over the previous two models .:-O

and yet I trust the bad faith of some of the members here to be able to do just that ;-)

Harold

--
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thedemandingtraveler.org
www.haroldglit.com
IG :thedemandingtraveler

 

[Rambow]

Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

As much as I love using my GRII for street and everyday photography ( and as a sidenote which may surprised many here, I also used it a LOT for models shoot with the 21mm conversion lens ) , a GRIII for me would be a USELESS brick :-x

So basically, what you`re trying to say is that you are a very picky man with a very specific array of exentric needs that fery few people and things on earth can ever satisfy. To everyone`s luck, the Ricoh GRII is among those select few.

This reminds me of a certain boy genius:


Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode.

 

[Harold66]

Well the GRIII is imo a downgrade from the GRII in several ways . Now if one talks especially about street photography , the loss of the back focus button is a drawback . and so is the +/- button especially if you shoot in manual mode

As much as I love using my GRII for street and everyday photography ( and as a sidenote which may surprised many here, I also used it a LOT for models shoot with the 21mm conversion lens ) , a GRIII for me would be a USELESS brick :-x

So basically, what you`re trying to say is that you are a very picky man with a very specific array of exentric needs that fery few people and things on earth can ever satisfy.

Thank you for the insulting comment and comparison :-x.

so let me get that straight . so your needs are ok but mine have to be eccentric ;-)

It is hard for you to make the point, because I am not asking about some specific needs which do not exist anywhere else in other cameras

I am talking about functions that Ricoh decided to include in its previous models, so surely I must not be the only one thinking that those features were useful :-D

I am OK with people having different opinions , especially those who explain why , but you do not seem as open minded . this is sad and imo a little bit shameful

Harold