MY Ricoh GR III 

I have a GRii, which I love for all the reasons you laid out (plus, it's perfectly flat on the bottom and both sides, so you can easily perch it!) Bought the GRiii as a replacement, but there's something about the revised ergonomics I didn't quite gel with. Switched that for the GRiiix when it came out and you're right - the 28mm & 40mm equiv lenses do make for an excellent combo. Do iiit...! :-) Really appreciate the down-to-earth nature of your videos, and your eye is superb. Thanks for producing this content and long may it continue!

Wonderful, wonderful camera!

I've had the GRiii for over 2 years and use it all the time. I love it. I have had issues with the wheel before not doing as it was told but resolved this with a little WD contact spray. To keep out that pesky pocket dust from the lens I use a purpose made stick on UV filter over the gap coupled with a third party metal cap over the whole lens. Works for me ( it became second nature removing the cap as it came out the pocket ).

Welcome to the club. The GRIII is always in my pocket. It helps me keep consistency in my photography, even when you're busy. It even inspired me to make a video with images I made with it during the first year I had it.

I just got the GRi, and love it for all the reasons you stated for the GRiii.

Love My Gr3 Even sold my Leica Q2 after using it for a few days

So many amazing shots in every video. What an eye he has. I’d be happy to get one of them once a fortnight.

I bought the GRiii in 2020 when my interest in photography was waning. The Ricoh reignited my passion for photography again. I agree with all your points but its now my number one camera to use (along with my phone). I have been travelling for 3 months and its the perfect travel camera. Other faults with the GRiii is the useless battery life, the dodgy jog wheel and it doesnt like the heat. But these are minor gripes. Its a classic.

Thank you for this presentation. I found your analysis to be totally objective. I recently purchased the GR 111X and honestly, I love the camera. Everything you said was true ( and informative) but for my tastes, I’m so impressed by the lens and the image quality, I’m able to overlook some of the downsides you mention. I bought it mainly for “street photography “ but it handles landscapes to my satisfaction as well. Again, very good video!

Many thanks for yet another inspiring discussion/video…The GR’s do always inspire strong opinions etc. I divide my time between, pen f and a GR3 too…Did like your tip on setting square format on the wheel right slot, I also went on to set the movie button ( never used) to cycle through the “crop zoom” modes both really easy to adjust now! Cheers.

I had one of these and I must get one again

Nice video, thank you. I own the Ricoh GR iii 40mm with 60mm extended. I love portret photography with this camera. Its also very capabele to make lots of other photos. Its so compact which it's is a plus for me. No bulky phone, very easy to use and to bring with you.

Great share of your opinions and thoughts (as always lol). I am very lucky to have several cameras, mostly fuji, including the 100v. Personally, I love taking the griii and if i have a bag then with the wide lens. It just makes me want to take photos and to experiment. It's inconspicuous so I feel safe, it's size is never an inconvenience. As you say, the crop mode is brilliant, or just crop the shot after. Pano landscapes with letterbox crops, omg. I always have more keepers with the gr as well. Photography is about enjoyment and confidence imo, the gr is this to me. Thanks again. Love your work

I bought the gr3X and love it. Its very capable. The ibis is great and the picture quality is top notch.

It's a fantastic fun camera. I love the looks I get from other photographers using their big dSLR, you can see what's going through the mind " wot that's a toy camera". I have had leicas and hasselblads but I love this camera. Takes a bit to understand it and set it up, but once you do it gets out of the way. Oh, and the print quality is quite something.

Hi Craig - had both the 3 and the 3x - at the same time - confusing and eventually got rid of them both - battery life is horrendous but all the other features are very good - in the end I've settled the 28mm problem by just using my Leica Q2 and for portability and size my Fuji X-E1 with the 35 f2 - - nice to see you back online too :)

For me 4:3 format is something I could not get used to. GR IIIx works well as the GR III from my experience. I can recommend having both.

I used to carry my first GRII in a pocket, but it did collect dust like crazy. So i returned it undet warranty. My second one i carry in small dedicated camera pouch and the dust issue is gone. Still some dust spots on the sensor, but nothing hard to remove in post. Love this camera.

Great video. Great photos.

GR stands for Great Review :) Thanks for sharing!

That snap focus has got my attention! I guess we've all got a favorite focus length trained into us, I bought a used D7000 (Nikon APS-C 2x3 with 90 some odd percent viewfinder coverage) and a Sigma 17-50. I discovered I was shooting the majority of my images at 36mm which makes perfect sense given what I carried the previous 4 decades was a 35mm SLR with a 55mm lens.

I also agree I wish they would add 4/3 crop by firmware upgrade ,latest firmware upgrade expands options using the video button as another custom button, a couple nice features I don’t see hilighted much is a good multiple exposure blend and blending multiple frames where only new light areas are added similar to the Olympus feature. I have the GR3 x ,very pleased with it, not sure about the thumbs up grip I put it on take it off never sure if it helps or hinders, helps grip it but hinders actual manipulation of access to dials touch focus , for my hands and use anyway. I notice in a later video you succumbed and got the GR3 x also, GAS has a way of getting us all even when we try to simplify our kit. 😂

Hi Craig Thanks for great videos,l was going to buy the GR3 but instead plump for the Panasonic LXii,brilliant little camera and has all the things that the Richoh doesn't. Regards Philiam

Really liked your roundup of the experience of your GRlll. In March 22, I bought a GRlll but only after a good look at the pros & cons and also on your recommendation. There were some slight niggles that were flagged up but ultimately, it was my decision to buy it, mknowing that there might be one or two compromises to make and I could live with that. For me, it's an exceptional piece of kit and I'm happy with it's set up but the main plus I've found is that it's put the fun back into my photography. Well, that and your quick draw section.

I had a Ricoh FF-1 (35mm film) I loved it, wish I still had that little gem, no idea what happened to it 😞

...great great video again...btw the fujifilm xf10 has the snap focus function too...

I put a screen protector on the back and use a felt tip pen to draw crop lines on the screen protector. That gives you a 4/3 format or anything else you want. Just crop the image after you import to Lightroom. The same method could be used to make a wide format.

I've used a GR2 since 2020 and love it - for many of the reasons you list. IQ, Snap Focus, Raw Editing, Positive Film Sim etc. The faults are - I hate the fragile "dust sucking" lens so I always have the adapter and UV filter on. It's never going in my pocket anyway, so size is not an issue. I recently tried the GR3x but I just don't think 40mm is right for this format of camera. The GR series is about "look, snap and away" (usually) and 40mm just seems less forgiving and more focused. So the 3x has gone back and I'm going to stick with my GR2 until it dies, then reluctantly I will either get a GR3 or GR2 (maybe there will be a GR4 by then, so the GR3 is cheaper!)

Brilliant video, I bought this camera in the first lockdown when we were allowed to exercise for an hour and this was my camera of choice for my and have loved it ever since. I often go back to the original RU-vid videos and rewatch but your sums up many of the pain points. I’ve learned to live with them, but I would love a viewfinder, because I wear glasses too. I can’t recommend it highly enough. That said, what I’d do for that Olympus Pen F in black though. Always loved it and regret not buying it. Very jealous you have that!

If Panasonic would properly follow up the GM5 with IBIS, I’d snatch it up in a second.

Thanks! I always enjoy your videos and music! I'm really keen to get an x! You've gotta try the Sigma fp or fp L! More aspect ratios than any other (including A4 paper/A1 poster print ratio; also Director's VF mode), crop-zoom on the fp L -- also I think you'd like the surreal film simulations. P.S. Please use grey or midtone for those intertitles so my pupils can adjust!

At least being shortsighted all I have to do is lift my glasses up to see the screen. 🙂 My wife has the GRiiix but hasn’t yet explored the custom modes, so this has provided some inspiration 👍

'A camera to catch the family with" - cue image of a funeral. Say cheese! Love it 🙃

Any other camera have preset snap .. Yes, as far as I recall the Ricoh R10 / R8 / R7 do have this feature, and all at a fraction of the price, and packing a handy zoom.

Nice! :) Keep up the good work!

I'm here just to get inspired by your excellent photos. Reminds me to carefully craft my composition, timing, and story! 👌

The lack of a viewfinder is what has kept me from buying any iteration of this camera. I almost always use the viewfinder. I went with a Fuji X100 series camera instead. I love it but it’s nowhere near as pocketable. I carry it in a small LowePro bag.

I wouldn't say those are really "faults" of the camera that you've listed. Those are just what the camera offers, and it just so happens that those don't fit your requirements and/or your workflow.

Crop to 35mm in the settings , zero loss of quality.

Thank you very much for the really nice video, new subscriber to your channel! This is a really nice camera with really good image quality. But the sensor dust issue is a considerable drawback. I bought this camera new and I had to return it as on day two, the dust spots on the sensor were visible even with f/5.6.

It would also be nice it it featured a thread so a filter could be attached to it … It is quite a bit of money … but your review (or experiences with it), kind of helps to justify it.

Fascinating thanks. Would be interested to know how you manage battery life

Nice combo a GR & M43. Just enjoy, no camera or lens is perfect. If you can work around certain things that is called craftmanship.

Funny, I really dislike 4:3 crop, square even worse. OK for portraits and abstracts perhaps but I much prefer a 3:2,. It's seems far more natural and more akin to our natural field of view, and of course you can always crop to suite. Looks like a great little camera, just ordered mine.

cool 😀👍👍

I use a fuji XF10. Found it used for a nice price, and I quite like it. Very similar spec to the GR3. I do however struggle with the fixed 28mm. Perhaps I'll try the crop 35mm and 50mm modes like your doing. Great video!

Hi Craig, I went for the GR3X ,as I’m sure future Craig agrees with😂😂😂These are little power houses, I too wish for a 4/3 crop ratio, maybe a future firmware update?

As mentioned by others: you forgot the most pervasive and objective of the GR’s faults: sensor dust. Reports vary, but are plentiful enough to indicate an intrinsic issue. I own a GR I which has accumulated several prominent spots and I would never buy another one because of it, despite the fact that I love this camera in pretty much every other aspect.

Is this where I mention the option of a Lumix GX9 🤷🤷 MFT, 4x3, EVF (bad as it is), tiltable rear screen, the ability to shoot 4k video . . . Paired with a Lumix 20mm f1.7 pancake and/or Olympus 17mm f1.8 pancake!

I looked at this camera, but got the Canon G1x III instead for it's EVF and sharp zoom lens. Not pocket size but fits well in a small fanny pack.

Hi, Craig. Have you ever tried using the lenses for smartphones as part of your photo creativity experiments? What is your opinion? Thank you

canon sure shot 120 is very small , fully manual mode and with a zoom lens and cheap now.

Enjoyed your video , as have contemplated buying a GRiii for a while now. How does the focus perform in low light?

Just pointing out that when you digitally crop to 35mm FOV on the GRiii the sensor area being used is about that of a micro 4/3 sensor. Further the 20mm micro 4/3 lens isn't strictly a 40mm equivalent length in FF because of the difference between 4:3 and 3:2 aspect ratios. In landscape, the vertical side of the 20mm micro4/3 lens is about the same height as a 35mm lens in FF 3:2 aspect ratio. It's just a little more cropped in the horizontal dimension. Makes me wonder whether there is any real benefit to you in using the GRiii in cropped mode over your micro 4/3 if you want that 35mm FOV.

I want this camera….on a side note. Where did you get that Mind The Gap light?

Don't understand what the fuss is about regarding Leica cameras. Seems to me that it is a fashion thing and overpriced for what it is. Still each to their own I suppose.

I have a GR II and use an old voigtlander viewfinder in the shoe good enough for anything other than close ups. Same issue with my eyes only about 10 years worse than you :( Also love the zone focus..

Hey Craig, and anybody else. Has anyone tried to update a Ricoh GRIIIx to the latest firmware? The new one is 1.11, but when I follow the download procedure I get the older one, 1.10. Tried it a few times. When I Get Info on the .bin file the date on it is from back in July. Maybe someone from Ricoh is reading this. They should be because Craig is great and takes amazing photos with his cameras, including the GRIII.

Hi Craig. You wanted to be corrected in regards to your claim that snap focus is unique to the GR? In fact it’s not. The Olympus E-M1 mk2 also has this function, however it’s not quite as refined as it is on the GR. But you can preset a fixed focus distance, and recall it at any time. The function is called 'Preset MF', and it may also be available on the Pen F.

If it's any consolation I'm 50 in a few weeks! And I've started having to wear glasses too!

I'm wondering how it compares to the Fuji X70 - also 28mm, APS-C, and pocketable. And also lacking a view-finder. They seem very similar, yet very different in looks.

Has no viewfinder been a problem for you? Nice video.

I'm 70 now, and a camera without a viewfinder is hopeless for me. I can hardly see the lcd screen and rely on big EVF with diopter adjustment to see and frame a shot! This camera is therefore useless for me. I'm more than happy walking around with an E-PL6 fitted with a VF4 and 19mm/2.8 Sigma as my default street camera.

Have you tried the Fuji X100V? Seems like it addresses most of your complaints about Ricoh.

Find a good used Panasonic GM5

No matter how good it is.NO VIEWFINDER NO RICOH GR3 right #ricoh #ricohGR @ricoh

The GR has a cult following. How often do you carry it in a pocket? That seems to be the main selling point of this expensive camera. Otherwise there are slightly larger choices including 35mm and a viewfinder. Oh, you can add an external viewfinder to the GR, but that also defeats the purpose for pocketability.

I love the idea of this camera but I have been worried by the talk about dust getting to the sensor and the wobbly control wheel. When spending this much on a camera, I expect it to be tougher. But are these issues overstated?

Sounds like your ideal camera is a EM5 ;-)

Do you consider the size factor as something that's really exclusive to this camera? If we aren't concerned with sensor size, isn't the size comparable to micro 4/3 cameras with the equivalent lens like the panasonic lumix or olympus epl line?

Due to needing glasses now my GRII is rarely used. I take the Pany14mm f2.5 on the EM10 MKII as its equivalent with the benefit of EVF. If your carrying other camera gear I don't see any benefit to the Ricoh, I just chuck in the used 14mm for £90. Carrying the Ricoh alone in a jeans pocket is a minimalist approach but watch for sensor dust. The Ricoh does have little niche advantages over say Olympus system camera but in the world of compromises for me its just not worth it.

filters? no. I am moving on

You had me greatly confused banging on about focal lengths, I had to stop viewing and look up the actual specs. My photographer grandson has only used Olympus. His mother did use 35mm film at school, but I don't think she as any idea of any other lens then 50mm on that camera. Talk about angle of view. We all recognise a right angle and 45 degrees when we see them, we can wave our arms about to grasp something else.. 47 degrees? Near enough half a right angle, 45 degrees. 30? Narrower, 60? Wider.

@2:36 A wrist strap is for sissies. 😀