When I was in the Leica store in Manila last year the representative and I were talking and of course, discussing Leica cameras and he asked me what I was shooting with today. I loved that question because it wasn't what camera do you have or have at home but what are you shooting with today. I was a bit embarrassed and showed him my old Ricoh gx200. The model before the GR came out. His eyes lit up and as I thought he was going to tell me to get a real camera and just buy that CL I was looking at he smiled and said to me, that is a great camera and so is the rest of the GR line today. Just about as good as a Leica. I was surprised that someone at Leica would tell me that, then he showed me his M8 and his GR2 in his camera bag. The whole point here, GR is a great tool.
Leica EU stores are licensed to sell Ricoh products because Leica was so impressed with the quality of them. That's a seal of quality, I think the last time Leica stores stocked non-Leica cameras was way back.
Leica film cameras were worth the money but Leica digital is a joke. The only reason to wear Leica digital around your neck is the same reason you put a Rolex on your wrist.
Yup! It really helped me to get a better grip on it. There was another guy who also did an excellent overview but I forgot the name of his channel. The video is about 40 min long.
I have a friend that uses it. She gets a big full frame DSLR on a strap on her shoulder and shoots with this. She said that once the subject sees the DSLR and sees that she is not touching it the subject does not notice the Ricoh.
I was tempted by the GR III, but decided to go for the GR IIIX which is identical to the GR III, but has a 40mm full-frame equivalent lens rather than a 28 which I find a tad too wide. I agree about the learning curve and I've not been able to get snap focus working with the shutter button either. I was unsure at first, but now never leave home without my GR. Incidentally, I've found that the eye detection works really well. Street photography for the shy and retiring!
I recently bought the GR3X....tip.....sent off for a proper printed manual......several companies do this.......excellent manual arrived....cost around £20.....Worth every penny..!!!.......also got the Ricoh viewfinder...helpful in bright sunlight.........So far so good.......goes everywhere with me........!!!!!!
I love my Ricoh GR III. I'm not too picky about photo quality because i typically shoot for personal reasons. Glad you had the chance to try it out. I always appreciate the humor in your videos.
I absolutely love the GR III. Tiny size, superb raw and jpg images, and gotta love that 28mm focal length. Plus I shoot a lot with it while cycling and every button and dial is on the right side making it easy to change settings in motion. Plus this is easily the best experience I've had transferring from camera to phone, then into Lightroom for editing. Sony, Canon, and Fuji all have such painful and unstable apps but somehow Ricoh nailed it. I'd buy another GR III in a heartbeat if I broke or lost it. Quick edit: you're right that the focus can be really dopey and takes some getting used to. The batter life is pretty terrible too!
I was considering the GR put I couldn’t justify the cost, then I discovered the Fujifilm XF-10. I found a XF-10 on eBay with original box, manuals and all accessories with 3,045 shutter accusations. I did a lot of research on the FX-10 from the RUclips community watching “how to” and “comparison to Gr” videos and Fuji forms. After watching the the camera for three weeks I offered the seller $300.00 he accepted and I’ve been using it daily. I pair it with my Fuji XE-3 with 23 & 35mm f2 lens and fits nicely in my Domke F-5XB camera bag. Also great video as always!
I would also argue the GR I/II/III are also PERFECT for moments you don't want to intrude on with a full-sized camera. I have photos of the first moments of my daughter's life, after an extremely stressful unplanned c-section. The idea of walking in with a full camera around my neck after such an experience was not happening, so i left my Fuji in my bag and brought the Ricoh. Similarly, with the wide angle, it worked great in the first 6-9 months of her life (because she mainly stayed where she was) to just have in my pocket, or on the sideboard to grab and snap a pic when the light was perfect etc. Now I have the GRIIIX as she is so mobile, but I don't want to bring my full camera gear down the park every time we just go to play on the swings! I realise it's not advertised this way - but this was a HUGE, huge part of that period of time for me. I also just have it in the car at all times in case i see something, or go somewhere but don;t want to look like I'm on assignment!
I was hoping you’d do a GRIII video at some point, been keen to hear your thoughts. I have the GRIIIX which is identical but with the 40mm equivalent lens, it’s really great. I use my iPhone for 28mm shots and GRIIIx for tighter shots. Great pocketable combo.
Omar thanks again for putting this video together. A lot of us are very curious about the GRiii still. I have the Canon M6 Mii and it to fit the need with the option for interchangeable lenses, however its bulky. I mainly use it with the 22mm lens which gives me a 35mm field of view. Again I love the M6 Mii, but it is bulky. The mechanical shutter is loud compared to leaf shutters, so I tend to switch to electronic …… and I have the viewfinder which is great for us old guys and it has a flip up screen. Sadly Canon discontinued it. I would love to try the GRiiix though because of the field of view. *When I shoot in public, or street photography 85mm is really my jam, but that’s a bigger overall set up and I want smaller easier to carry.
I got that camera two years ago and damn! I love it. Many months I've stopped completely of using the X-T4 because of this camera. I love the highlights weighted metering mode, the macro is amazing for insects as well... And the positive film simulation is amazing!
It's a great choice for hiking and biking. If you need a small light camera for landscapes, you can even put a filter on it with an adaptor. You can fit it in a small pocket on your bike and be ready to shoot in a few seconds. I use it also when i have a 300mm hanging on my dslr, in order to make pictures of the environment.
Thank you, Omar. I really like your thoughtful and humorous sharing on this small gear. It does help me to decide which one to go - Fujifilm X100VI or Ricoh GRIII. I do prefer to have more precise details on GRIII.
After I first picked one up I struggled to get photos I liked. I think it's because I was using it in environments it wasn't designed for. I decided to take it on a trip this past summer to Europe along with my X-T3 as a sort of backup and street cam. Suddenly it all made sense to me and some of my very favorite shots were captured with it. Achieving proper snap focus is incredibly satisfying and I love the highlight-weighted metering (which Nikon also has) to make sure I never blew anything out. I agree that while it's niche, it is the best tool for doing what it does. It's a shame Ricoh/Pentax isn't much of a player in the industry anymore - they clearly really know how to make amazing cameras.
I got a Ricoh GR first as a carry around but just couldn't get into it. I got a Fuji X70 instead and found it so much better for my needs, the flip screen being the main factor
Zeppole! Is a traditional and local sweet we eat in carnival. Love it! In Italy there are different kinds of zeppole, but those of marche region have the donuts's shape
I just bought it , for street photography. Also got a wide lens. I was student of photography 15 years ago but I will have to relearn everything again. Wish me luck
I’ve just exchanged my Fuji for the Richoh I’m loving it ! I love Fuji cameras but I was finding that I was leaving at home This camera is just always in a pocket it’s simplicity is beautiful and the images 👌and the snap focus and snap priority work brilliantly! Makes you feel ninja when out compared to the beauty of the Fuji x100f which does catch peoples eye. Great in low light too 🎉
Man, as much as I enjoy your contents and learn from it I also enjoy watching your acts. Fun and educational! You are my first go to if I want to learn about fujifilm or mirrorless for that matter. You are also a watch collector/enthusiast, I guess. Have you ever considered openning a watch chanel? You are also a rider? You and I share three hobbies/ obsessions. What are the odds!
I have both the GR III and GR IIIx, it takes some getting used to for sure. As you mentioned, the files are great! The boring exterior definitely works to help keep the camera easier to use on the street. Can it better? Absolutely. But it's my most used camera.
I've been shooting with a GR since 2014. This camera helped build my street photography portfolio. It was special and I was lucky to have it last as long as it did, but ultimately it had issues. I bought two other versions and each one lasted less than 2.5 years. I won't buy it again...not because it's not fun and not even because of the issues with the iii and iiix that a lot of us experienced. It just happens that my love for Fuji blew up my heart!! Now I have 3 Fujis and have little interest in Ricoh. Sometimes I miss the "pocket ability" but I still have my original GR (albeit without the actual lens cover since it broke off when it got repeatedly stuck). I set it to just black and white and sometimes I'll use it. I used to use the viewfinder that I purchased separately, which isn't really a viewfinder, but helped... but now I cannot deal without a viewfinder. Frankly though, I get better, more interesting results with my x-e2 and my 27mm lens. Ricoh lovers, no hating please! This was my personal experience and evolution in my own photography. I now find ways to stay stealth and Fuji helped me get into another stage of my growth as a street photographer. I'm thankful to Ricoh but not interested anymore. By the way, I reached out to Samuel about all this. No response.
My griii has the screen not working anymore. It was initially showing a green color and now it’s just off. I’m trying to find what could be the cause and how to fix it.
Omar I love your videos, you convinced me to buy my fuji T20 a few years ago and I'm happy with my camera! Now I'm back because I'm thinking about buying this camera for street photography. your reviews are amazing!!!
Totally agree about the cam makers needing to copy Fuji's film sim game. It's one of the main things that draws me to Fuji. Such a doable thing that adds enjoyment to the process and potentially removes the need to get bogged down in photo editing.
I’m a Fuji shooter, but I had to get my hands on a GR IIIx, and I love it. Not sure the regular GR III is for me, but the X… It’s a super powerful little thing. The X100V is too big and heavy to bring in a pocket 😊
I'm desperate to get his camera. I love my X70, but the quality and natural look of the GRIII is just out of this world for the size. I don't event mind that there's no flip up screen for waist-level, the the buttons break easily, and it's a dust magnet. There are workarounds for all those things just to get the IQ.
A little late but definitely get the thumb grip. Sold this camera a few months ago and I’ve regretted it ever since. Not sure if I want to get it again or try the X version.
I'm a Fujifilm guy. I purchased the GRIII this summer, and took it to Scotland. I had it for two days there and took a dive down some castle stairs and borked the lens in/out mechanism!. :( I need to send it in and get it repaired, but I'm afraid the repair is going to meet/exceed the cost of a new one. I will say it was very handy to use while touring. I guess it could have been worse, my XPro3 could have taken the fall instead. ;)
LOL I love your little skits, makes your videos actually fun to watch. Your photography style isn't my type, but im definitely subscribing for a lot of fun reviews :D
Samuel knows his cameras and street photography :D great resource for directions. I believe the wizard at 10:16 is supposed to be Jafar from Aladdin. Fantastic video. I may try out this camera if Fujifilm doesn't make anything more compact than X100 series. And yes, always trust B&H :)
I prefer using the Fuji XF10 over this one. Also XF10 can be called a dust sealed body vs the dust sucker GRiii. I have both. Hopefully fuji releases an updated competitor
I've been in love with the GR series for a long time. I've been using the GR II for many years and ended up buying both the GR III (recently) and the GR IIIx (when it came out). I can recommend getting the wide angle add-on lens for the GR III, it's great. I never had any issues with dust on the GR III bodies.
Hahaaa... how crazy is that :) :) ! Just like me when I had my GRIII...ditched the printed manual and watched Samuel Streetlife's Video for the setup ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Interesting review. Hadn’t thought much about the Ricoh. I did not realise raw files could be edited in-camera. That has been a game-changer for me. The wind noise effect when you dress up as a ninja, is that from Thief: The Dark Project???
have you tried the xf10? its definitely a compromise in some ways (slowish focus) but it too is stealthy and flies under the radar but has snap focus too which is ace.
This is an excellent review of a camera I struggle to explain to others sometimes, great work Omar. I think most GR owners (like myself) can sound a bit biased and overly enthusiastic when reviewing something and you make great points that everyone should be aware of before spending a large amount of money on a single camera/lens.
Best review / overview of the Ricoh Griii. Most people overhype and don't go into detail on alot of the camera. Great job! I'm just going to wait for the gr4 since I believe it'll probably drop next year.
Great video Omar. It’s great that you “get” the GR as it’s often dismissed by those who haven’t used one. I’ve had Nikon and now use Fuji as my main system but most of my favourite photos are from my GRII.
Hey, I was born in Cold Spring. Butterfield hospital was torn down many years ago, though. I grew up right across the river by West Point. I just bought a used 28mm version. I'm wondering if I should also get a 40 because I love indoor parties and things, but 40mm would be great for the street
I constantly go back and forth about this camera. I was on my way to buy one but last minute something pulled me towards the Lumix GX9 for street. It is super small and I love the flippy screen. Nice image-quality in good light, fast and responsive, and very adaptable. If I had the spare money, I'd give the GR III a try still. But the dust, batteries and screen keep me waiting to pull the trigger. Secondhand are still pretty expensive. I guess I'm going to wait and see what they do with a GR IV or whatever.
Owner of a GR3, X100F and a Nikon Z6II. All cameras are tools. Nikon sees in the dark, X100 amazing Fuji colours but the GR ... is the PERFECT every day camera. Small to put in a pocket, amazing sharp lens, beautiful colours. People say its for street photography king due to its stealthy size and it's true ... but when you pass from street photography to your own photography looking for a tool to take photographs according to your journey in photography this is the perfect camera to have all day with you. Can do all .. can be with u all day
It is one of the few unique cameras on the market. I love the film simulations. The quality of the lense is incredible, maybe a bit better than the Fuji X100V. The Fuji is a hipster, the Ricoh is a punk. Both are as different as it gets, but are my favourite cameras.
I've always wondered if the dust issue comes from the fact that maybe many people puts the camera directly in their pocket without any kind of case (hard or soft)...
GR 1 was my favorite digital camera. Ran into rough times had to sell off all my gear. Miss the GR the most out of the digital and the Nikon F3 and FM3a for film. Camera prices have gotten crazy. I got the GR for maybe 450 dollars in 2015? Now Gr3 is 1000. Bit crazy if you ask me.
Great vid! I so regret selling off my X70. Wondering if the Ricoh could be a replacement. But no flipscreen, that’s a bummer. BTW, nice PRS in the end shot ;)
omar i used a somt rx100 as well as my fuji xt2 for street i have a blast with both. i know ricoh is apsc and has snapfocus, but the rx100 has amazing low light performance and an amazing viewfinder and 20 mp great for black and white.
Excellent video 📹 The only camera you need for professional, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers etc. Bit pricey. They can afford it. No nonsense ergonomics.
Comicon, San Diego is a great place to people watch. My fave scene was a Batman and Robin, where Batman has had too much to drink and he's puking into the gutter with Robin patting his back. So, get on down to downtown San Diego when Camicon is happening. And the weekend before is Pride, another great street photo opportunity.
This is the fastest camera I've ever used, with the Snap Focus (and especially the new "Snap Distance Priority Mode") one can really just concentrate on the decisive moment and quickly snap a photo at the exact moment, without fiddling with the camera, AF points etc. The desired focus distance can be blindly pre-selected just by rotating the front wheel in predefined increments (1, 1.5, 2, ... meters), so it's really just about learning what distance corresponds to each composition (like half/full body shot, group, etc.), it becomes second nature after a while, and the camera can be operated almost blindly without much thinking. This assumes good light though, when small apertures can be used, in low light shooting becomes much slower, but the image stabilization helps a lot (I really whish my small Fujis have IS btw).
Setting the distance is awesome and every photo is sharp and clear without a moments hesitation I get great shots, I couldn’t believe I’ve wasted so many years using a big DSLR
Loved your video; well if you like this for stealth, the original 8.1mp digital on B&W/ snap is bliss + use it against your black umbrella on rainy days, perfect for stealth image. Has to be the best street camera, certainly better than my XH1.
I have the GR2 and the GR3x. That 3x is better for street and generally better all round with stabilisation built in. I was very annoyed at no printed manual. For a £900 camera, I expect a printed manual.
I had one for a while. It's a very good camera, lens is really sharp. I just couldn't get used to composing with the screen and the slow low light auto focus.
Better than snap focus is the Snap Distance Priority, released last year. It's another exposure mode where you can set the distance and the level of depth of field, and the camera does the rest.
I had GRD IV (pre GR model) as my only camera for a few years until X-T3 around 2020. It's not for most people, but if it's for you it is fantastic. X-T20 is small, but can you keep it in your jeans pocket? And you know that the best camera is the one that is with you :)
Loved it! Nice hilarious video of yours on one of my favourite camera series. I have used the GRii for a few years and would love the iii but hard to justify the cost of the of the upgrade. The snap Focus is also fantastic when used with on board or off camera flash for those awesome action moments of your children, pets or events. Set one of the custom modes up for flash and then bang! Camera low and flash up high and you can create some awesome images without having to pre focus - my favourite feature.
i just love your style of camera videos, i would love to have a ricoh gr also for travel purpose - in all those countries were its dangerous to take picture with bigger proper cameras... and of course for street pictures :D
That's a fun review, with some lovely examples! Interesting that you mention the ZV-1. I had the GRⅢ, until it got stolen. Then after more than a year without camera, I bought the ZV-1. Yes, the GRⅢ is fun for street, and IQ is certainly much higher. On the other hand, the fast tracking AF in the ZV-1 is convenient for macro and in nature, in combination with the zoom. Also for street at night, because I can always shoot wide open. Just the ZV-1's is dumb to operate, especially having to go through a menu to change modes. I wish Sony provided a firmware update.
Thanks for the video. This is certainly a good camera. But I think it's another one of those fashion hype things. There are plenty of relatively small and unobtrusive cameras that are at least as good for street photography. With my pretty "old" XT-20 and the 27mm pancake, I'm just as well positioned (as you've demonstrated), and I also have a viewfinder and folding display at my disposal. The camera is a bit bigger (but at least it fits in my pockets) and more than five years old, but I have always achieved good results with it, even in the high-ISO range. If you want to jump on the GR III bandwagon, be my guest. I don't think it's necessary, at least not for me.
Ricoh GR is a gem, no doubt. And I agree, if you aim to be "in the scene" 28 mm is a challenging lense for street photography. Even if it's such a stealth camera you need quite a nerve to shoot strangers that close and be ready for some angry reaction. 40 mm is much more forgiving allowing you to fill it easier and keep some distance.
This is by far the best camera I've ever used. It has its odds. But that's okay. I'm glad that I bought this camera. Best camera for street photography ❤️❤️❤️
Looking at the technical specs, it sort of reminds me of the K70 sensor. Even the size and ISO range is very close. It's almost like they gathered all of their older K70 sensors and put them into the GR camera. Of course there are a few new features.
Hi Omar, I also recently purchased a Ricoh GR III. Did you already tried the Hard Monotone filter setting? When I do that, the air and clouds become really dramatic. Parts of the sky are100% black and the clouds are very white. It give a dramatic effect, as if you are looking at an old Frankenstein movie. But I am not sure if this is intended or that my Ricoh has a defect. How is you experience with the Hard Monotone setting. Please let me know.
Omar, thanks for this vid as I’ve been thinking about this camera. One question, though. The Italian feast which you photographed…was it the feast of St. Gerard in Newark? East Hanover had a Columbus Day feast too. I’m in Morristown so easy to get to either
It's really interesting to see how people react when you are using a camera. Huge difference between my Sony A7 and my RX100. And nowadays I almost feel that the RX100 is even more stealth than a smart phone for some reason.
When I was in the Leica store in Manila last year the representative and I were talking and of course, discussing Leica cameras and he asked me what I was shooting with today. I loved that question because it wasn't what camera do you have or have at home but what are you shooting with today. I was a bit embarrassed and showed him my old Ricoh gx200. The model before the GR came out. His eyes lit up and as I thought he was going to tell me to get a real camera and just buy that CL I was looking at he smiled and said to me, that is a great camera and so is the rest of the GR line today. Just about as good as a Leica. I was surprised that someone at Leica would tell me that, then he showed me his M8 and his GR2 in his camera bag. The whole point here, GR is a great tool.
Leica EU stores are licensed to sell Ricoh products because Leica was so impressed with the quality of them. That's a seal of quality, I think the last time Leica stores stocked non-Leica cameras was way back.
Leica film cameras were worth the money but Leica digital is a joke. The only reason to wear Leica digital around your neck is the same reason you put a Rolex on your wrist.
Love the Samual Streetlife section...that is how we all learned to use/love this little camera!!!
Yup! It really helped me to get a better grip on it. There was another guy who also did an excellent overview but I forgot the name of his channel. The video is about 40 min long.
I have a friend that uses it. She gets a big full frame DSLR on a strap on her shoulder and shoots with this. She said that once the subject sees the DSLR and sees that she is not touching it the subject does not notice the Ricoh.
Hmm that’s sneaky smart!
They wouldn’t notice her at all if she wasn’t wearing a DSLR like a purse.
@@carlosmcse nope, as soon as you look at some one they make eye contact.
@@orangekayak78 Good. Smile and wave. You’re not doing anything wrong.
It’s also the chimping with the viewfinder that makes people look at you
I was tempted by the GR III, but decided to go for the GR IIIX which is identical to the GR III, but has a 40mm full-frame equivalent lens rather than a 28 which I find a tad too wide. I agree about the learning curve and I've not been able to get snap focus working with the shutter button either. I was unsure at first, but now never leave home without my GR. Incidentally, I've found that the eye detection works really well. Street photography for the shy and retiring!
I recently bought the GR3X....tip.....sent off for a proper printed manual......several companies do this.......excellent manual arrived....cost around £20.....Worth every penny..!!!.......also got the Ricoh viewfinder...helpful in bright sunlight.........So far so good.......goes everywhere with me........!!!!!!
@@r423sdex Yep - it’s good advice. First thing I always do is download PDF versions of manuals to my phone.
Funny stuff, a colab with Samuel Streetlife someday? You two both have a positive vibe and imagine a fun video
Would love to. I was on as a guest once.
I love my Ricoh GR III. I'm not too picky about photo quality because i typically shoot for personal reasons. Glad you had the chance to try it out. I always appreciate the humor in your videos.
I absolutely love the GR III. Tiny size, superb raw and jpg images, and gotta love that 28mm focal length. Plus I shoot a lot with it while cycling and every button and dial is on the right side making it easy to change settings in motion.
Plus this is easily the best experience I've had transferring from camera to phone, then into Lightroom for editing. Sony, Canon, and Fuji all have such painful and unstable apps but somehow Ricoh nailed it. I'd buy another GR III in a heartbeat if I broke or lost it.
Quick edit: you're right that the focus can be really dopey and takes some getting used to. The batter life is pretty terrible too!
I finally get the Ricoh GR IIIx. I am in love and it makes photography fun again.
I was considering the GR put I couldn’t justify the cost, then I discovered the Fujifilm XF-10. I found a XF-10 on eBay with original box, manuals and all accessories with 3,045 shutter accusations. I did a lot of research on the FX-10 from the RUclips community watching “how to” and “comparison to Gr” videos and Fuji forms. After watching the the camera for three weeks I offered the seller $300.00 he accepted and I’ve been using it daily. I pair it with my Fuji XE-3 with 23 & 35mm f2 lens and fits nicely in my Domke F-5XB camera bag. Also great video as always!
I would also argue the GR I/II/III are also PERFECT for moments you don't want to intrude on with a full-sized camera. I have photos of the first moments of my daughter's life, after an extremely stressful unplanned c-section. The idea of walking in with a full camera around my neck after such an experience was not happening, so i left my Fuji in my bag and brought the Ricoh. Similarly, with the wide angle, it worked great in the first 6-9 months of her life (because she mainly stayed where she was) to just have in my pocket, or on the sideboard to grab and snap a pic when the light was perfect etc. Now I have the GRIIIX as she is so mobile, but I don't want to bring my full camera gear down the park every time we just go to play on the swings!
I realise it's not advertised this way - but this was a HUGE, huge part of that period of time for me. I also just have it in the car at all times in case i see something, or go somewhere but don;t want to look like I'm on assignment!
I hope your wife has able to overcome the trauma (you too) and you are all well!
@@MottiWolkenbruch hey thank you appreciate that
I was hoping you’d do a GRIII video at some point, been keen to hear your thoughts. I have the GRIIIX which is identical but with the 40mm equivalent lens, it’s really great. I use my iPhone for 28mm shots and GRIIIx for tighter shots. Great pocketable combo.
I think ist’s definitely time for a … on the street with Omar Gonzalez!
Omar thanks again for putting this video together. A lot of us are very curious about the GRiii still. I have the Canon M6 Mii and it to fit the need with the option for interchangeable lenses, however its bulky. I mainly use it with the 22mm lens which gives me a 35mm field of view. Again I love the M6 Mii, but it is bulky. The mechanical shutter is loud compared to leaf shutters, so I tend to switch to electronic …… and I have the viewfinder which is great for us old guys and it has a flip up screen. Sadly Canon discontinued it. I would love to try the GRiiix though because of the field of view. *When I shoot in public, or street photography 85mm is really my jam, but that’s a bigger overall set up and I want smaller easier to carry.
I got that camera two years ago and damn! I love it. Many months I've stopped completely of using the X-T4 because of this camera. I love the highlights weighted metering mode, the macro is amazing for insects as well... And the positive film simulation is amazing!
This is the best snapshot camera ever. Quick and image quality is fantastic.
It's a great choice for hiking and biking. If you need a small light camera for landscapes, you can even put a filter on it with an adaptor. You can fit it in a small pocket on your bike and be ready to shoot in a few seconds. I use it also when i have a 300mm hanging on my dslr, in order to make pictures of the environment.
Thank you, Omar. I really like your thoughtful and humorous sharing on this small gear. It does help me to decide which one to go - Fujifilm X100VI or Ricoh GRIII. I do prefer to have more precise details on GRIII.
After I first picked one up I struggled to get photos I liked. I think it's because I was using it in environments it wasn't designed for. I decided to take it on a trip this past summer to Europe along with my X-T3 as a sort of backup and street cam. Suddenly it all made sense to me and some of my very favorite shots were captured with it. Achieving proper snap focus is incredibly satisfying and I love the highlight-weighted metering (which Nikon also has) to make sure I never blew anything out. I agree that while it's niche, it is the best tool for doing what it does. It's a shame Ricoh/Pentax isn't much of a player in the industry anymore - they clearly really know how to make amazing cameras.
I got a Ricoh GR first as a carry around but just couldn't get into it. I got a Fuji X70 instead and found it so much better for my needs, the flip screen being the main factor
Zeppole! Is a traditional and local sweet we eat in carnival. Love it!
In Italy there are different kinds of zeppole, but those of marche region have the donuts's shape
I just bought it , for street photography. Also got a wide lens. I was student of photography 15 years ago but I will have to relearn everything again. Wish me luck
Omar's sense of humor is unbeatable! amazing video
OMG I LItERALLY got a GR3 3days ago and your video is the exact replica of my past three days (even the settings tutorial) love it!!!
I’ve just exchanged my Fuji for the Richoh I’m loving it ! I love Fuji cameras but I was finding that I was leaving at home This camera is just always in a pocket it’s simplicity is beautiful and the images 👌and the snap focus and snap priority work brilliantly! Makes you feel ninja when out compared to the beauty of the Fuji x100f which does catch peoples eye. Great in low light too 🎉
Man, as much as I enjoy your contents and learn from it I also enjoy watching your acts. Fun and educational! You are my first go to if I want to learn about fujifilm or mirrorless for that matter. You are also a watch collector/enthusiast, I guess. Have you ever considered openning a watch chanel? You are also a rider? You and I share three hobbies/ obsessions. What are the odds!
I have both the GR III and GR IIIx, it takes some getting used to for sure. As you mentioned, the files are great! The boring exterior definitely works to help keep the camera easier to use on the street. Can it better? Absolutely. But it's my most used camera.
I've been shooting with a GR since 2014. This camera helped build my street photography portfolio. It was special and I was lucky to have it last as long as it did, but ultimately it had issues. I bought two other versions and each one lasted less than 2.5 years.
I won't buy it again...not because it's not fun and not even because of the issues with the iii and iiix that a lot of us experienced. It just happens that my love for Fuji blew up my heart!! Now I have 3 Fujis and have little interest in Ricoh.
Sometimes I miss the "pocket ability" but I still have my original GR (albeit without the actual lens cover since it broke off when it got repeatedly stuck). I set it to just black and white and sometimes I'll use it. I used to use the viewfinder that I purchased separately, which isn't really a viewfinder, but helped... but now I cannot deal without a viewfinder.
Frankly though, I get better, more interesting results with my x-e2 and my 27mm lens. Ricoh lovers, no hating please! This was my personal experience and evolution in my own photography. I now find ways to stay stealth and Fuji helped me get into another stage of my growth as a street photographer. I'm thankful to Ricoh but not interested anymore.
By the way, I reached out to Samuel about all this. No response.
My griii has the screen not working anymore. It was initially showing a green color and now it’s just off. I’m trying to find what could be the cause and how to fix it.
Omar I love your videos, you convinced me to buy my fuji T20 a few years ago and I'm happy with my camera! Now I'm back because I'm thinking about buying this camera for street photography. your reviews are amazing!!!
Totally agree about the cam makers needing to copy Fuji's film sim game. It's one of the main things that draws me to Fuji. Such a doable thing that adds enjoyment to the process and potentially removes the need to get bogged down in photo editing.
There's a while app for sims and they are pretty great
My man.. ya it's not for everyone but amazing for what it's good at.
I’m a Fuji shooter, but I had to get my hands on a GR IIIx, and I love it. Not sure the regular GR III is for me, but the X… It’s a super powerful little thing. The X100V is too big and heavy to bring in a pocket 😊
Hope Fuji make a X70 successor, the Ricoh is cool, but I need my dials!
@@CianMcsweeney I like my GRIIIX, but it would be a great combo with a "X80" 😊
I'm desperate to get his camera. I love my X70, but the quality and natural look of the GRIII is just out of this world for the size. I don't event mind that there's no flip up screen for waist-level, the the buttons break easily, and it's a dust magnet. There are workarounds for all those things just to get the IQ.
I was hoping you’d do a review of one of these. Sam has some good ones. That was GReat.
Same chap who does the Fuji weekly recipe app does the same for the GR family. Worth a look lots of old film stocks recipes available.
I keep coming back for the hilarious snippets in your videos 😆 thanks for the info first but the comedy very close second!
Im just getting into the built in film simulations, they are customisable which is really cool, tinkering to get one with a nice filmic look
A little late but definitely get the thumb grip. Sold this camera a few months ago and I’ve regretted it ever since. Not sure if I want to get it again or try the X version.
You got some great shots at night. I just picked one up last week. Thanks for going over so much in this review!
Glad I could help!
best camera i’ve ever owned amazing stunning beyond that’s my good old gr3
I'm a Fujifilm guy. I purchased the GRIII this summer, and took it to Scotland. I had it for two days there and took a dive down some castle stairs and borked the lens in/out mechanism!. :( I need to send it in and get it repaired, but I'm afraid the repair is going to meet/exceed the cost of a new one. I will say it was very handy to use while touring. I guess it could have been worse, my XPro3 could have taken the fall instead. ;)
LOL I love your little skits, makes your videos actually fun to watch. Your photography style isn't my type, but im definitely subscribing for a lot of fun reviews :D
Samuel knows his cameras and street photography :D great resource for directions. I believe the wizard at 10:16 is supposed to be Jafar from Aladdin.
Fantastic video. I may try out this camera if Fujifilm doesn't make anything more compact than X100 series. And yes, always trust B&H :)
I encourage everyone to keep tapping 10:16 over and over just for fun.
I prefer using the Fuji XF10 over this one. Also XF10 can be called a dust sealed body vs the dust sucker GRiii. I have both. Hopefully fuji releases an updated competitor
I've been in love with the GR series for a long time. I've been using the GR II for many years and ended up buying both the GR III (recently) and the GR IIIx (when it came out). I can recommend getting the wide angle add-on lens for the GR III, it's great.
I never had any issues with dust on the GR III bodies.
Hahaaa... how crazy is that :) :) ! Just like me when I had my GRIII...ditched the printed manual and watched Samuel Streetlife's Video for the setup ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just got my GR3X from B&H instant credit with Payboo I was happy with how easy it was to buy. Shipping took less than 2 days !!
That flower photo was amazing, by the way. Lol!
I am sure Samuel of the GR III channel would lover his cameo on your RUclips channel.
Interesting review. Hadn’t thought much about the Ricoh. I did not realise raw files could be edited in-camera. That has been a game-changer for me.
The wind noise effect when you dress up as a ninja, is that from Thief: The Dark Project???
have you tried the xf10? its definitely a compromise in some ways (slowish focus) but it too is stealthy and flies under the radar but has snap focus too which is ace.
Overall still a great camera for streets and general nature light photography
8:06
I don’t know why but I literally LOL’d at this part.
This is an excellent review of a camera I struggle to explain to others sometimes, great work Omar. I think most GR owners (like myself) can sound a bit biased and overly enthusiastic when reviewing something and you make great points that everyone should be aware of before spending a large amount of money on a single camera/lens.
Fun video!! Lots of fun...
Thanks.
I just ordered one.
Those GR cameras are amazing once you play with them you will want to try the Pentax route for DSLR
GRiii is so much fun… but I’m addicted to reviewing images on the EVF.. sunny SoCal.
Your videos are the best funny and informative thank you Omar
How did I know you were going to pull up a Samuel Streetlife video? Because that's exactly what I would do if I picked up that camera! 🤣
Best review / overview of the Ricoh Griii. Most people overhype and don't go into detail on alot of the camera. Great job! I'm just going to wait for the gr4 since I believe it'll probably drop next year.
Yep Lintaro is the go to guy for Ricoh GR cameras, last time I watched he's into DSLR [Nikon D850] :D
Great video Omar. It’s great that you “get” the GR as it’s often dismissed by those who haven’t used one. I’ve had Nikon and now use Fuji as my main system but most of my favourite photos are from my GRII.
The 40mm equivalent Ricoh has become the camera I take when I don't want to take a camera
Hey, I was born in Cold Spring. Butterfield hospital was torn down many years ago, though. I grew up right across the river by West Point.
I just bought a used 28mm version. I'm wondering if I should also get a 40 because I love indoor parties and things, but 40mm would be great for the street
I constantly go back and forth about this camera. I was on my way to buy one but last minute something pulled me towards the Lumix GX9 for street. It is super small and I love the flippy screen. Nice image-quality in good light, fast and responsive, and very adaptable. If I had the spare money, I'd give the GR III a try still. But the dust, batteries and screen keep me waiting to pull the trigger. Secondhand are still pretty expensive. I guess I'm going to wait and see what they do with a GR IV or whatever.
I agree with you.
Owner of a GR3, X100F and a Nikon Z6II. All cameras are tools. Nikon sees in the dark, X100 amazing Fuji colours but the GR ... is the PERFECT every day camera. Small to put in a pocket, amazing sharp lens, beautiful colours. People say its for street photography king due to its stealthy size and it's true ... but when you pass from street photography to your own photography looking for a tool to take photographs according to your journey in photography this is the perfect camera to have all day with you. Can do all .. can be with u all day
It is one of the few unique cameras on the market. I love the film simulations. The quality of the lense is incredible, maybe a bit better than the Fuji X100V. The Fuji is a hipster, the Ricoh is a punk. Both are as different as it gets, but are my favourite cameras.
I've always wondered if the dust issue comes from the fact that maybe many people puts the camera directly in their pocket without any kind of case (hard or soft)...
GR 1 was my favorite digital camera. Ran into rough times had to sell off all my gear. Miss the GR the most out of the digital and the Nikon F3 and FM3a for film. Camera prices have gotten crazy. I got the GR for maybe 450 dollars in 2015? Now Gr3 is 1000. Bit crazy if you ask me.
I want the ninja to come back in future videos 😂🙌
Congratulation, Omar. This camera is awesome.
Great vid! I so regret selling off my X70. Wondering if the Ricoh could be a replacement. But no flipscreen, that’s a bummer. BTW, nice PRS in the end shot ;)
omar i used a somt rx100 as well as my fuji xt2 for street i have a blast with both. i know ricoh is apsc and has snapfocus, but the rx100 has amazing low light performance and an amazing viewfinder and 20 mp great for black and white.
Excellent video 📹
The only camera you need for professional, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers etc.
Bit pricey.
They can afford it.
No nonsense ergonomics.
I miss visiting B&H... Great video!
Comicon, San Diego is a great place to people watch. My fave scene was a Batman and Robin, where Batman has had too much to drink and he's puking into the gutter with Robin patting his back. So, get on down to downtown San Diego when Camicon is happening. And the weekend before is Pride, another great street photo opportunity.
I am considering buying the grIIIX so thank you for you sharing the experience
This is the fastest camera I've ever used, with the Snap Focus (and especially the new "Snap Distance Priority Mode") one can really just concentrate on the decisive moment and quickly snap a photo at the exact moment, without fiddling with the camera, AF points etc. The desired focus distance can be blindly pre-selected just by rotating the front wheel in predefined increments (1, 1.5, 2, ... meters), so it's really just about learning what distance corresponds to each composition (like half/full body shot, group, etc.), it becomes second nature after a while, and the camera can be operated almost blindly without much thinking. This assumes good light though, when small apertures can be used, in low light shooting becomes much slower, but the image stabilization helps a lot (I really whish my small Fujis have IS btw).
Setting the distance is awesome and every photo is sharp and clear without a moments hesitation I get great shots, I couldn’t believe I’ve wasted so many years using a big DSLR
Loved your video; well if you like this for stealth, the original 8.1mp digital on B&W/ snap is bliss + use it against your black umbrella on rainy days, perfect for stealth image. Has to be the best street camera, certainly better than my XH1.
I have the GR2 and the GR3x. That 3x is better for street and generally better all round with stabilisation built in. I was very annoyed at no printed manual. For a £900 camera, I expect a printed manual.
I’m looking into getting this camera. I’m in NJ also!
I had one for a while. It's a very good camera, lens is really sharp. I just couldn't get used to composing with the screen and the slow low light auto focus.
Better than snap focus is the Snap Distance Priority, released last year. It's another exposure mode where you can set the distance and the level of depth of field, and the camera does the rest.
fyi I also had a problem with full press snap not working. looked it up and discovered when you use back button focusing fps doesn't work
I had GRD IV (pre GR model) as my only camera for a few years until X-T3 around 2020. It's not for most people, but if it's for you it is fantastic. X-T20 is small, but can you keep it in your jeans pocket? And you know that the best camera is the one that is with you :)
Shooting a lot with a GRD IV myself these days. Still holding its own 12 years after its release!
Loved it! Nice hilarious video of yours on one of my favourite camera series.
I have used the GRii for a few years and would love the iii but hard to justify the cost of the of the upgrade. The snap Focus is also fantastic when used with on board or off camera flash for those awesome action moments of your children, pets or events. Set one of the custom modes up for flash and then bang! Camera low and flash up high and you can create some awesome images without having to pre focus - my favourite feature.
You should try the GRIIIx that’s 40mm. That’s what I have and I love it.
That was fun! Thank you!
Re. viewfinder
Ricoh make a viewfinder that attaches to the hotshoe (GV-2 for GR III and GV-3 for GR IIIx) but unfortunately it's an OVF not an EVF.
i just love your style of camera videos, i would love to have a ricoh gr also for travel purpose - in all those countries were its dangerous to take picture with bigger proper cameras... and of course for street pictures :D
That's a fun review, with some lovely examples! Interesting that you mention the ZV-1. I had the GRⅢ, until it got stolen. Then after more than a year without camera, I bought the ZV-1. Yes, the GRⅢ is fun for street, and IQ is certainly much higher. On the other hand, the fast tracking AF in the ZV-1 is convenient for macro and in nature, in combination with the zoom. Also for street at night, because I can always shoot wide open. Just the ZV-1's is dumb to operate, especially having to go through a menu to change modes. I wish Sony provided a firmware update.
Thanks for the video. This is certainly a good camera. But I think it's another one of those fashion hype things. There are plenty of relatively small and unobtrusive cameras that are at least as good for street photography. With my pretty "old" XT-20 and the 27mm pancake, I'm just as well positioned (as you've demonstrated), and I also have a viewfinder and folding display at my disposal. The camera is a bit bigger (but at least it fits in my pockets) and more than five years old, but I have always achieved good results with it, even in the high-ISO range. If you want to jump on the GR III bandwagon, be my guest. I don't think it's necessary, at least not for me.
Ricoh GR is a gem, no doubt. And I agree, if you aim to be "in the scene" 28 mm is a challenging lense for street photography. Even if it's such a stealth camera you need quite a nerve to shoot strangers that close and be ready for some angry reaction. 40 mm is much more forgiving allowing you to fill it easier and keep some distance.
This is by far the best camera I've ever used. It has its odds. But that's okay. I'm glad that I bought this camera. Best camera for street photography ❤️❤️❤️
Just swapped from the Fuji XE4 to the Ricoh GR IIIx. Great companion to my XPro2 👯♂️
Looking at the technical specs, it sort of reminds me of the K70 sensor. Even the size and ISO range is very close.
It's almost like they gathered all of their older K70 sensors and put them into the GR camera. Of course there are a few new features.
I had the GR2 and sold it because didn't focus good. BUT the ergos (like GR3) are amazing!
Hi Omar, I also recently purchased a Ricoh GR III. Did you already tried the Hard Monotone filter setting? When I do that, the air and clouds become really dramatic. Parts of the sky are100% black and the clouds are very white. It give a dramatic effect, as if you are looking at an old Frankenstein movie. But I am not sure if this is intended or that my Ricoh has a defect. How is you experience with the Hard Monotone setting. Please let me know.
Omar, thanks for this vid as I’ve been thinking about this camera. One question, though. The Italian feast which you photographed…was it the feast of St. Gerard in Newark? East Hanover had a Columbus Day feast too. I’m in Morristown so easy to get to either
It's really interesting to see how people react when you are using a camera.
Huge difference between my Sony A7 and my RX100.
And nowadays I almost feel that the RX100 is even more stealth than a smart phone for some reason.
Great video. I love my Ricoh GRiii!