Ricoh GR IIIx Experiences: Why I Love This Camera
The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx deliver versatility far beyond street photography. With compact size, exceptional image quality, and thoughtful design, they offer a level of quality I usually only see with Leica, making them perfect for daily use and creative projects.
Unedited images straight out of the camera
Compact Size – Always Ready to Shoot
One of the biggest advantages of the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx is their compact design. These cameras fit easily in a jacket pocket and are always ready to use without drawing much attention. Unlike with my larger cameras, which often stay in the bag because they’re cumbersome, I find myself reaching for the Ricoh regularly. Having it in my pocket means I actually use it, and the image quality far exceeds what my smartphone can capture.
Impressive Image Quality – Thanks to the Outstanding Lens
The image quality of the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx is truly remarkable, and this is mainly due to the incredible lens. The sharpness and detail of the photos are superb, with vivid colors and natural contrast. These cameras bring out the best in any scene, with a quality I’ve typically only seen on my Leica M10 with Leica glass. I find the lens on the Ricoh GR IIIx to be just a touch better then on the GR III.
Flexibility with a Prime Lens and Digital Teleconverter
If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m generally not a fan of prime lenses. I often miss the flexibility of a zoom and initially wished the Ricoh GR IIIx had one. However, Ricoh surprised me with the digital teleconverter feature, which allows me to switch between 40mm, 50mm, and 70mm with minimal quality loss – especially at 50mm, where the results are outstanding. I’m typically cautious with digital zooms, but the Ricoh GR IIIx does it so well that I use this feature often.
Excellent Macro Shots – Perfect for My Passion for Watches
Besides photography, I have another passion: watches. The macro function on the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx is ideal for capturing the intricate details of watch faces, mechanisms, and engravings. It highlights even the smallest textures and nuances with remarkable precision. For my watch photography, the Ricoh GR IIIx adds a level of detail that’s impossible to achieve with my phone, making it an invaluable tool for this purpose.
Impressive Black-and-White Photos
One feature that really stands out with the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx is the quality of the black-and-white images. The contrast and tonal range captured straight out of the camera are excellent, giving the images an almost filmic quality. I’ve often tried to get good SOOC black-and-white images with Fuji, but once you’re used to the Ricoh GR III’s results, it’s hard to settle for anything else. Neither my Fuji X100V, Fuji X-Pro 1 & 2, nor the Fuji X-E4 come close to matching the Ricoh’s tonal depth, grain, or overall rendering. The Ricoh GR III sets a standard in black-and-white photography that Fuji’s color profiles and grain just can’t replicate.
Unedited images straight out of the camera
Thoughtful Handling – Attention to Detail in Every Aspect
The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are designed with such precision that I can operate them entirely with one hand. You can feel that Ricoh’s engineers approached this camera with a love for photography. Every button is intuitively placed, the menu is simple and well-organized, and the camera responds instantly to each command. This design allows me to shoot quickly and intuitively in my daily life without fiddling with settings – exactly how I like it.
Here are a few color samples
Unedited images straight out of the camera:
Tip: Check out my Kodak Portra recipe for the Ricoh GR III.
Summary
The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx impress me with their compact size, exceptional image quality, and well-thought-out handling, making them far more versatile than just street photography tools. With the digital teleconverter for added flexibility, an outstanding macro mode that’s perfect for my watch photography, and impressive black-and-white capabilities, these cameras are ideal for daily use and creative projects.
Thomas L.
I am based in Austria with a deep passion for photography, design, and 3D printing. I strive to capture the analog film feeling in my digital photography.
2024-08-24 12:58
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