As a GR owner (and pro shooter) - don’t pocket this camera. If you have any lint at all in your pockets (we all do). This camera will literally suction the fluff into the lens mechanism when you turn it on. It creates low pressure inside the body as the lens extends and opens the lens shields - and becomes a mini Dyson vacuum cleaner. Plenty of stories online about it. Great little camera tho
hope it'll be alright with the case. the main reason I want to get one is to always have a camera on me while also being able to go out bagless if I want to.
The fact that James finds the screen good for bright sunny days, while literally every other person on the internet and their dog complained about the brightness of the screen, really says a lot about what brits call "bright and sunny" 😁
It is a lovely camera for sure but the small battery means a dull screen with reasonable battery life or a bright(ish) screen with bad battery life. These days the phone makers are putting massive batteries in phones like the Samsung A54 & screen brightness is really good.
The Ricoh GR III cameras are pretty much unique in what they offer in such a small package. The image quality is insane for such a pocketable device. If I could afford a second camera beyond my regular Pentax APS-C DSLR system, I would have already got one.
Pentax here too! I personally don't have use for point and cameras like this, but I have recommended it to others looking for something better than your typical P&S without going to a DSLR.
I’ve got a GRIII recently and love it . My Fuji X-T2 stays at home on days out . The image quality is fantastic, there is a good community around it and great photographers like Sean Tucker using it ..
Hmmm the Nikon Coolpix A is a large sensor (APS-C) pocketable camera with a very good 28mm f2.8 equivalent lens. Yes, it's "old" and "only" 16MP and has some weird UI quirks, but it makes lovely photos.
Pentaxian here...I have my 5th GR now with the GRIII being with me whenever I leave the house. For travel i extend my set with the K1 when i want to carry heavier luggage or a Fuji X-T1 with the fantastic 18-135mm when I need it lighter (my problem is that I also carry additional cameras with me depending on what I picked of the shelf because it needs some usage to not get dusty so either my ME, LX, or/and one of the M's get some fresh air ;-) With what am i taking the most photos? GRIII... I am still shy to have a closer look at the IIIx .... another camera - oh nooo....
Picked up mine yesterday and can't stop using it. Bought the Hot Shoe EVF 40 and four extra camera batteries. Already have a case and power bank. Bought it used but came with a hot shoe thumb grip and wrist strap which I bought me a smaller one and using it. Have the battery charger and usb cable. Loving it and already took 200 photos and videos. Going to the Chinese Tea Garden and the Zoo today. Cheers!
My pocket system is my old lumix GM1 micro 4/3 . Two tiny lenses , 12-32mm and a 35-100mm. A complete pocket system. Old, only 16mp but still takes great shots 👍
Oh wow Chester..... such an lovely city.... my home town....I used to live 10 minutes walk fron the Groves and went to school near there..... some nice photos you've taken
The build quality is actually quite good. The body is magnesium alloy, just the surface texture might have given you the wrong impression of it being plastic. One improvement would have made me love it more is weather sealing.
I agree with your comment on build quality. Ive had the GR III for a few years and I’d say its build quality has shown up well. Ive also never had a problem with dust.
Dust problems typically occur as a result of non-use storage where lint and dust lives: pants pockets, jacket pockets, etc. Solution: use a lens cap when not in use. For instance: JJC Aluminum Lens Cap Cover Protector for Ricoh GR IIIx GRIIIx GR III GRIII GR II GRII with Soft EVA Interior. In the neighborhood of $15 on Amazon.
@@Pilpup Well.. I went kayaking and fell in the water with my GRiiiX in my pocket. It took 2 weeks to dry in rice, but the camera still works like a dream. Not really weather sealed, but it survived being under water
You make me smile, I enjoy your content so much. You say you are not a "gear guy" is like saying I'm not addicted to photography and feel somewhat melancholy when I don't go out and get away from the world. You my friend will buy more cameras as it is a side effect of the illness, and I will continue to feed my appetite to get away from the clamouring world of man and find serenity in nature
I feel just like you do. The image quality produced by this Ricoh GRIII X is simply amazing !Before having acquired one, I just could not imagine that such a small thing could take such photos !!
The Ricoh GR cameras have a very sturdy magnesium alloy body. Since the material is very light, it might not feel like a brick. For me, sturdy and light is the perfect combination.
I thought the issue with this camera was the sealing? It's known to collect dust or, in this case, pocket lint into the censor when turning it on and off. I read a lot about these issues, which is pretty common on many reviews videos/forums etc.
@@JonasMondrup I've read that as well. But in 9 years with my GR, GR III and GR IIIx I never had an issue. On the other hand, I never understood how people would just shove a tool like this in a pants pocket. Why not use a pouch or maybe a simple sleeve, like those thin mini outdoor packing bags? Remember those 'socks' for your mobile phone from pre-smartphone times? That works as well to keep pocket lint away.
I shoot on a K3 III and KP but I make sure my GR3 is always with me wherever I go. I absolutely ADORE that camera! Ricoh knocked it out of the park with that one.
Welcome aboard the Ricoh Train. Glad you’re enjoying using it. As you say, it’s a great piece of kit. Only just moved from my ageing Panasonic GX7 to the GR3. Great move for me. 👌🏻
totally unrelated to the GR but as someone who is also local to chester, i can say for sure its one of my favourite places to shoot...just for anyone who cares or is thinking about going lol
I have the original 28mm and I have to agree the most impressive thing about this little camera is how sharp the images are! Snap Focus is also a feature that sets it apart.
Oh Richo cameras are amazing. I have a Richo GR2 and the jpegs are absolutely amazing, so much so I never bother editing RAW. They produce magical photos
Welcome to the GR family ! I love my griiix. It’s always in my pocket and the perfect edc for family trips and amazing for street. Pretty dang versatile camera with a sharper than sharp lens 🤝🏼🤘🏼
I was skeptical too but I got one and now I carry it all the time. It’s become my go to street camera. The 40mm was what really did the trick, so thanks Ricoh for the “X”. Not sure you’ve discovered Snap Focus yet. It’s awesome.
GRIIIX owner here. I love it. All the things it may miss (viewfinder, weather sealing) would just make it bigger and ruin its USP. Perfect focal length for every day shooting and short portraits. I used to own an X100V and that's a wonderful camera but I didn't take it everywhere, this I do.
This is my thinking exactly. I have the X100V but don't take it everywhere as I thought I would. I still have to sling it over my shoulder or crossbody to carry it, then it's like... why don't I just take my FF then? It's not THAT much bigger.
I picked up a GRiii earlier this year, had been holding off for months and months, but it is the best quality camera in small take everywhere size, love it
Same here, the price tag is kind of hefty for a small camera like that but i ended up find one from OfferUp for $600. It was pretty much new, only 20 photos according to the shutter count. The guy said he didn’t like it so he just wanted to get rid of it. lol One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure. 😂
I was in the exact same boat - spent too much on switching to the Sony ecosystem and then 3 weeks ago, picked up a Ricoh GRiii and I have absolutely not regrets. Having a pocketable camera makes me excited to go out for walks and see what I can shoot, which is something I’d never do if I was lugging around my heavy Sony.
I use my 8.1 megapixel Ricoh GR digital from 2005. 28mm equivalent lens. I love it for black and white street. So small and discreet. Ricoh make their lenses from magic glass. My 50mm f2 K mount Rikenon is my Summicron killer for very few beans!
I thought about getting the Ricoh GR ii back in the day, but ultimately went with a mirrorless. Now I am back on the market and want to get back into street photography. The Ricoh GR iii looks great for a lot of reasons. When I was shooting street back in 2017 with my mirrorless, it was too obtrusive and I wanted to be more discrete. That's why everyone loves the Ricoh. You're basically a ninja and you can capture certain moments better when people around are less "aware" you are holding a mirrorless or full frame.
Good luck dealing with GAS, James! I'm constantly telling myself that I don't need more gear, keeping to my promise for maybe several months. Then I see a tripod that I somehow can't live without. Yeah, tripods... I know you can't relate. 😄
I have the GRiii and love love love it for all the reasons you state. In the process of selling it to switch to a GRiiix. But as you point out: if a camera doesn't fit in your jeans pocket it doesn't really matter if it is fuji x100v-sized or sony a7iv-sized, you still have to lug it around your shoulder or in a bag.
James, am looking forward to your full review of the GRIII X. I don't need one but I want one. Your videos are the only photography ones on you tube I watch to the end. Keep it up!
Yup, the pocketability is a major factor. Main reason I swapped out the 100v for the x70 is just down to the size. I would have gone for the GR over the x70, but the Fuji has a tilt screen which really helps for low angle stuff.
Love my GRIII. I had a GRII. Then had a GRIII. Then convinced myself I could do without it, to sell it for other camera gear. I was wrong. Rebought it soon after.
Excellent! I was thinking to sell my gr as I MUCH prefer the ovf in my 6d2 BUT the image quality of the gr always surprises me despite the fact I don’t like shooting with it. I’ll give it another go. Happy days!
I've used the Ricoh GR since its inception. It was my go to camera for backcountry hiking trips where weight was at a premium for many years. It's great for street photography, of course.
I'm with you James, I bought a Olympus little pocket camera, all the settings of a DSLR, 2.8 FL and shoots RAW too. Not made any more thouugh. Far superior to phone and looks even a little bit smaller than your. It has a really comfortable hand grip for one handed, and sharp too as yours is. I was pleasantly surprised as well. Cheers
What I learned from this video is that everyone will have personal specific wants and needs that won't always make sense to others, so basically it's mostly a question of trying lots of different things until you find what fits. And to not buy too much camera gear... (which is why I am now trading my 35mm lens for a 24mm lens instead of just buying the 24mm and leaving the 35mm to gather dust in a drawer)
i love how much attention the GR cameras have been getting recently. Back then they used to be niche cameras. No one knew about them. A few tips about it. There are two common problems that people always talk about, dust in the sensor, and the back wheel messing up. The dust problem happens mainly from putting it in the pocket which kind of defeats the purpose of the camera. Dust seems to sneak in through the small opening where the lens retracts when turning on and off. It’s a pretty expensive repair since you have to take apart the entire camera to reach the sensor. Of course, you can edit out the spots in post but eventually it’ll get super annoying. I just store mine in a small shoulder pouch I carry everywhere along with my keys and wallet etc. The wheel problem seems to be random so idk how you’d avoid it, other than using the touch screen more than the wheel itself, especially when scrolling through setting etc. Another thing that you forgot to mention (or maybe i missed?) is the ability to use film simulations similar to Fuji cameras. Check out the Ricoh Recipes app/website. It is made by the same guy from the FujiXWeekly website/app. I’ve honestly haven’t used any raw files from the camera because the photos that come straight out of camera are super good and require MINIMUM editing, just basic straightening or cropping. I transfer them wirelessly to my phone and go straight to social media. I’m looking forward to your review video on this camera, and hope you get to keep it.
Damn you James..... These were about £700 a 12 month ago and pondered it for ages and then decided I wanted one and it went to £900 - now you are singing its praises I am looking again!
Welcome. Bought a GR2, sold it, regretted it and just had to go back. Then I sold it again. And then I realised I couldn't live without a GR. Again. So bought another. Even sadder I really did buy the t-shirt as well. Uniqlo currently have a Ricoh GR timeline tee on sale. I think that maybe makes me a little sad!
“Wave it in the air like you just don’t care” 😂 Sorry but really enjoy framing up with a viewfinder and being able to brace the camera for longer shutter speeds. I got bigger pockets and a Fuji X-E4 with a couple of small wide angle primes!
My camera for those purposes is a Canon G7x mk1. I use it when cycling with a group, taking pics while riding. Fits in a jersey pocket or a small feed bag on my handlebars. So I do take some risks with it, but it was only $350 USD in a pawn shop 4 years ago. Not a huge loss if I drop it and I can buy another one like it cheaply.
😂I do so relate....your humor is price winning too. And yes the ricoh's are a revelation. Especially for the streets. And every day use. I have the Fuji xt5 with 2 small primes completing the set to roam the streets. But when in my daily life the GRiiiX is there with me
Hi James, I thought for a minute there where you showed that knife, you were going to drop in a moment from Crocodile Dundee ... "call that a knife ..." but then it was just used to open boxes, mainly containing cameras .. you crack me up!
Well… thanks for making me buy this camera. I absolutely did not need it. Such a nifty little thing though. Can’t say I regret it at all. The images are fabulous.
i've looked at these for the exact same reasons as you. thought it would be nice to have a "pocketable" camera but ultimately solved my problem by just using a cross-body bag.
For that purpose I have an Olympus Tough TG-6 in my trouser's pocket. Small, light, nearly indestructible, great pictures with superb colors in jpg (it can do raw, but I'm not spending time at a computer for the kind of pictures I take with this camera), plus unbelievable macro skills.
I transitioned to a TG-5 from a GR because of the sensor dust issues with it. The Olympus Tough cameras are the best pocket cameras for extreme environments.
Pentax shooter here. Nice to see this camera review - it's actually on my wish list for the exact reasons you got yours (although I've just bought a new lens for my K1 that's nearly double the cost of the bloody Ricoh). Look forward to your in depth critique sometime.
LMAO 🤣 🤣 🤣 you've just described what happened to me! "NO MORE CAMERAS, NO MORE GEAR"... "THAT X-E4 WAS THE LAST CAMERA I PURCHASE" !! but... I just had to get the Ricoh GRIIIX ! 😄
Oooooh! One of my favourite cities. Nice little video. Like you, I have more than enough cameras. (68 in total at the last count) but I could quite fancy a GRIIIx.
I’m sure it’s just me, but James seems to be making me actually laugh out loud as of late. My favorite kind of laugh is of the unexpected kind. James has that in spades. Never change my guy. Awesome content even if it isn’t always relevant to each viewer.
Thanks for making me buy one! My accountant is not happy as well, as I am just an amateur 😅 But I always thought it was about the same size as a x100! Thanks for opening my eyes on how much smaller it was! Really happy so far! I guess the reflex to bring it to my eyes will go away someday.
If you prefer between 40 and 50, you should really give the Samyang/Rokinon 45mm f1.8 on e mount a try. An absolutely fantastic character lens that doesn't sacrifice sharpness, and insanely cheap. A whole lot of fun to shoot.
I'm curranty exploring Full Spectrum/IR Photography with my D3400 and im loving it. its new medium and kind of refreshed my love for photography ! i want to do something very few people have explored and something I've always wanted to do !
Nice to see you still have the old G9. I love my GX9 with a 14mm or 20mm pancake lens. It doesn't fit in my pocket, but it's close. And interchangeable lenses, for the win!
I've just returned from 2 week holiday and took my GRiii and Sony a7riii / 40mm f2.5 lens. The Sony hardly left the apartment and I'm really pleased with the 200 or so shots with the GRiii, the colours are great and the shots are sharp. Will definately be saving my pennies for the GRiiix .
I’ve had a crush on these things for years but every time I get ready to buy one something in the house breaks or some other crazy thing happens that push the purchase back. It’s like the world doesn’t want me to own one
I will stick with my 7 yo design lumix DC-ZS70 (my 2nd copy of it), with it's built in thumb support. View finder, 30x zoom, just love it. And my g9 when I feel adventurous.
The Ricoh Gr III is the only camera that really fits in my small backpack for cycling. Great image quality for that size. Battery is a joke, always carry a spare.
I purchased a GR iix Urban Edition because of this video. It was not even on my radar. It arrived yesterday, so I have very little experience. That said, I can see I am going to really like this camera. Thank you.
The GR is a revelation. I am constantly amazed by what it produces. Its an extension of my body. Warning though..do not drop it! I dropped mine from waist height and it was buggered.......I went straight out and bought another, it's that good...bought a strap too.
GR gang unite!!! I've had my GR Mk II since 2015 and used the ever-loving hell out of it. Nothing else quite like it for having a real camera (not a phone) with you all the time or for casual travel photography
Love My GRIII and X - Don’t even use dslr/mirrorless cameras anymore. The quality is that good. Phenomenal travel cameras. Sync with pocket wizards for off camera flash at ridiculous speeds
Sometimes it’s all about the entertainment factor, however. And I find James hits the nail on the head as far as that goes. I’m guessing you think the same 😊
As a GR owner (and pro shooter) - don’t pocket this camera. If you have any lint at all in your pockets (we all do). This camera will literally suction the fluff into the lens mechanism when you turn it on. It creates low pressure inside the body as the lens extends and opens the lens shields - and becomes a mini Dyson vacuum cleaner. Plenty of stories online about it. Great little camera tho
So where to keep it?
I’ve been using it for 2 years, travelled around South America for 6 months, in my bag or pocket.. still working perfectly
I've always heard of people saying this happens. I've used it for years and keep it in my pocket. No lint.
hope it'll be alright with the case. the main reason I want to get one is to always have a camera on me while also being able to go out bagless if I want to.
"...heres my new camera"
The fact that James finds the screen good for bright sunny days, while literally every other person on the internet and their dog complained about the brightness of the screen, really says a lot about what brits call "bright and sunny" 😁
Good point! Can’t trust him! 😅
It is a lovely camera for sure but the small battery means a dull screen with reasonable battery life or a bright(ish) screen with bad battery life. These days the phone makers are putting massive batteries in phones like the Samsung A54 & screen brightness is really good.
😂😂
Bout time!! Wooo! I’m glad you tried this camera. Perfect pocket cam.
The Ricoh GR III cameras are pretty much unique in what they offer in such a small package. The image quality is insane for such a pocketable device. If I could afford a second camera beyond my regular Pentax APS-C DSLR system, I would have already got one.
Pentax users Unite!
Pentax here too! I personally don't have use for point and cameras like this, but I have recommended it to others looking for something better than your typical P&S without going to a DSLR.
I’ve got a GRIII recently and love it . My Fuji X-T2 stays at home on days out . The image quality is fantastic, there is a good community around it and great photographers like Sean Tucker using it ..
Hmmm the Nikon Coolpix A is a large sensor (APS-C) pocketable camera with a very good 28mm f2.8 equivalent lens. Yes, it's "old" and "only" 16MP and has some weird UI quirks, but it makes lovely photos.
Pentaxian here...I have my 5th GR now with the GRIII being with me whenever I leave the house. For travel i extend my set with the K1 when i want to carry heavier luggage or a Fuji X-T1 with the fantastic 18-135mm when I need it lighter (my problem is that I also carry additional cameras with me depending on what I picked of the shelf because it needs some usage to not get dusty so either my ME, LX, or/and one of the M's get some fresh air ;-)
With what am i taking the most photos? GRIII...
I am still shy to have a closer look at the IIIx .... another camera - oh nooo....
Picked up mine yesterday and can't stop using it. Bought the Hot Shoe EVF 40 and four extra camera batteries. Already have a case and power bank. Bought it used but came with a hot shoe thumb grip and wrist strap which I bought me a smaller one and using it. Have the battery charger and usb cable. Loving it and already took 200 photos and videos. Going to the Chinese Tea Garden and the Zoo today. Cheers!
My pocket system is my old lumix GM1 micro 4/3 . Two tiny lenses , 12-32mm and a 35-100mm. A complete pocket system. Old, only 16mp but still takes great shots 👍
Oh wow Chester..... such an lovely city.... my home town....I used to live 10 minutes walk fron the Groves and went to school near there..... some nice photos you've taken
The build quality is actually quite good. The body is magnesium alloy, just the surface texture might have given you the wrong impression of it being plastic. One improvement would have made me love it more is weather sealing.
Oh I thought a main complaint is that the weather sealing wasn't good, I would love to be proven wrong though :)
@@Pilpup my understanding is that it does not have weather sealing. And dust has been traditionally a problem with GR cameras.
I agree with your comment on build quality. Ive had the GR III for a few years and I’d say its build quality has shown up well. Ive also never had a problem with dust.
Dust problems typically occur as a result of non-use storage where lint and dust lives: pants pockets, jacket pockets, etc. Solution: use a lens cap when not in use. For instance: JJC Aluminum Lens Cap Cover Protector for Ricoh GR IIIx GRIIIx GR III GRIII GR II GRII with Soft EVA Interior. In the neighborhood of $15 on Amazon.
@@Pilpup Well.. I went kayaking and fell in the water with my GRiiiX in my pocket. It took 2 weeks to dry in rice, but the camera still works like a dream. Not really weather sealed, but it survived being under water
" I've swallowed bigger pain killers!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 James, I nearly fell off my chair!
James, you never disappoint in the humor department!😂!
Or, in your content in any video for that matter...
Thanks for a fun video!
Watching this for probably the 3rd time as I come back around to being tempted to get a Ricoh GR.
I'm watching it for the third time too, because I love my GRIIIx so much and I love watching James talk about it 😂
@@MikeStevens Lol. Seems like a killer camera, but I just can't justify paying that much for an outdated camera. But if there were a GRiv...
Glad to have your channel to watch after work, helping me transition into my photography brain, Cheers.
Love the man on the bench shot. One sandal and one sock and shoe.
You make me smile, I enjoy your content so much. You say you are not a "gear guy" is like saying I'm not addicted to photography and feel somewhat melancholy when I don't go out and get away from the world. You my friend will buy more cameras as it is a side effect of the illness, and I will continue to feed my appetite to get away from the clamouring world of man and find serenity in nature
I feel just like you do. The image quality produced by this Ricoh GRIII X is simply amazing !Before having acquired one, I just could not imagine that such a small thing could take such photos !!
The Ricoh GR cameras have a very sturdy magnesium alloy body. Since the material is very light, it might not feel like a brick. For me, sturdy and light is the perfect combination.
I thought the most recent GR III and X were plastic bodies. Nice to know they are not.
My GR is light, but I know it's a sturdy camera. Before I purchased it I read the specs 😊
I thought the issue with this camera was the sealing? It's known to collect dust or, in this case, pocket lint into the censor when turning it on and off. I read a lot about these issues, which is pretty common on many reviews videos/forums etc.
@@JonasMondrup I've read that as well. But in 9 years with my GR, GR III and GR IIIx I never had an issue. On the other hand, I never understood how people would just shove a tool like this in a pants pocket. Why not use a pouch or maybe a simple sleeve, like those thin mini outdoor packing bags? Remember those 'socks' for your mobile phone from pre-smartphone times? That works as well to keep pocket lint away.
I shoot on a K3 III and KP but I make sure my GR3 is always with me wherever I go. I absolutely ADORE that camera! Ricoh knocked it out of the park with that one.
Welcome aboard the Ricoh Train. Glad you’re enjoying using it. As you say, it’s a great piece of kit. Only just moved from my ageing Panasonic GX7 to the GR3. Great move for me. 👌🏻
Love my GR3 ,I sold my Leica Q2 after using my GR3 for 2 weeks.Amazing Camera
totally unrelated to the GR but as someone who is also local to chester, i can say for sure its one of my favourite places to shoot...just for anyone who cares or is thinking about going lol
I have the original 28mm and I have to agree the most impressive thing about this little camera is how sharp the images are! Snap Focus is also a feature that sets it apart.
Another one here loving his GrX 👋
Didn't miss a beat walking around London last week. Battery in each pocket though....
Oh Richo cameras are amazing. I have a Richo GR2 and the jpegs are absolutely amazing, so much so I never bother editing RAW. They produce magical photos
Welcome to the GR family ! I love my griiix. It’s always in my pocket and the perfect edc for family trips and amazing for street. Pretty dang versatile camera with a sharper than sharp lens 🤝🏼🤘🏼
I was skeptical too but I got one and now I carry it all the time. It’s become my go to street camera. The 40mm was what really did the trick, so thanks Ricoh for the “X”. Not sure you’ve discovered Snap Focus yet. It’s awesome.
I just bought the Ricoh GR1 for the same reasons. I took it to the Oregon coast to test it out.
GRIIIX owner here. I love it. All the things it may miss (viewfinder, weather sealing) would just make it bigger and ruin its USP. Perfect focal length for every day shooting and short portraits. I used to own an X100V and that's a wonderful camera but I didn't take it everywhere, this I do.
This is my thinking exactly. I have the X100V but don't take it everywhere as I thought I would. I still have to sling it over my shoulder or crossbody to carry it, then it's like... why don't I just take my FF then? It's not THAT much bigger.
@@V3ryM3tal exactly. I don't even have another camera now either. Just the Ricoh and my Pixel 6. Take a lot more photos.
I picked up a GRiii earlier this year, had been holding off for months and months, but it is the best quality camera in small take everywhere size, love it
Same here, the price tag is kind of hefty for a small camera like that but i ended up find one from OfferUp for $600. It was pretty much new, only 20 photos according to the shutter count. The guy said he didn’t like it so he just wanted to get rid of it. lol
One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure. 😂
Perfect timing! My Ricoh GRiii is out for delivery and arriving today. Going to be the camera I carry when out on my bike.
“I’ve swallowed bigger pain killers” … is the best one I’ve here so far! 😂😂😂
I was in the exact same boat - spent too much on switching to the Sony ecosystem and then 3 weeks ago, picked up a Ricoh GRiii and I have absolutely not regrets. Having a pocketable camera makes me excited to go out for walks and see what I can shoot, which is something I’d never do if I was lugging around my heavy Sony.
I use my 8.1 megapixel Ricoh GR digital from 2005. 28mm equivalent lens. I love it for black and white street. So small and discreet.
Ricoh make their lenses from magic glass. My 50mm f2 K mount Rikenon is my Summicron killer for very few beans!
I thought about getting the Ricoh GR ii back in the day, but ultimately went with a mirrorless. Now I am back on the market and want to get back into street photography. The Ricoh GR iii looks great for a lot of reasons. When I was shooting street back in 2017 with my mirrorless, it was too obtrusive and I wanted to be more discrete. That's why everyone loves the Ricoh. You're basically a ninja and you can capture certain moments better when people around are less "aware" you are holding a mirrorless or full frame.
Good luck dealing with GAS, James! I'm constantly telling myself that I don't need more gear, keeping to my promise for maybe several months. Then I see a tripod that I somehow can't live without. Yeah, tripods... I know you can't relate. 😄
I got mine when my second Ricoh GR1 35mm camera died. Couldn't be happier with my GR IIIx.
I have the GRiii and love love love it for all the reasons you state. In the process of selling it to switch to a GRiiix. But as you point out: if a camera doesn't fit in your jeans pocket it doesn't really matter if it is fuji x100v-sized or sony a7iv-sized, you still have to lug it around your shoulder or in a bag.
A really big thanks for the tip James! Today we visited Chester and we liked the town so much ! Cheers, Bart
James, am looking forward to your full review of the GRIII X. I don't need one but I want one. Your videos are the only photography ones on you tube I watch to the end. Keep it up!
Great camera, amazing lens, great city
Yup, the pocketability is a major factor. Main reason I swapped out the 100v for the x70 is just down to the size. I would have gone for the GR over the x70, but the Fuji has a tilt screen which really helps for low angle stuff.
"Oh no..."
This is the best clickbait ever change my mind
Love my GRIII. I had a GRII. Then had a GRIII. Then convinced myself I could do without it, to sell it for other camera gear. I was wrong. Rebought it soon after.
Channel your inner Sean Tucker. I would love a video or discussion with you two.
Agreed... Sean is amazing.
Love the way you talk about stuff James.
Excellent! I was thinking to sell my gr as I MUCH prefer the ovf in my 6d2 BUT the image quality of the gr always surprises me despite the fact I don’t like shooting with it. I’ll give it another go. Happy days!
I've used the Ricoh GR since its inception. It was my go to camera for backcountry hiking trips where weight was at a premium for many years. It's great for street photography, of course.
The very last joke with your knife made me laugh a lot !!!
I'm with you James, I bought a Olympus little pocket camera, all the settings of a DSLR, 2.8 FL and shoots RAW too. Not made any more thouugh. Far superior to phone and looks even a little bit smaller than your. It has a really comfortable hand grip for one handed, and sharp too as yours is. I was pleasantly surprised as well. Cheers
What I learned from this video is that everyone will have personal specific wants and needs that won't always make sense to others, so basically it's mostly a question of trying lots of different things until you find what fits. And to not buy too much camera gear... (which is why I am now trading my 35mm lens for a 24mm lens instead of just buying the 24mm and leaving the 35mm to gather dust in a drawer)
Ditto… bought the thumb rest when I got my GRIIIX… as well as the JJC battery charger and two extra batteries.
This is a camera I've wanted to own for a long time. I had just kind of stopped thinking about it recently..... Thanks
i love how much attention the GR cameras have been getting recently. Back then they used to be niche cameras. No one knew about them.
A few tips about it. There are two common problems that people always talk about, dust in the sensor, and the back wheel messing up.
The dust problem happens mainly from putting it in the pocket which kind of defeats the purpose of the camera. Dust seems to sneak in through the small opening where the lens retracts when turning on and off. It’s a pretty expensive repair since you have to take apart the entire camera to reach the sensor. Of course, you can edit out the spots in post but eventually it’ll get super annoying. I just store mine in a small shoulder pouch I carry everywhere along with my keys and wallet etc.
The wheel problem seems to be random so idk how you’d avoid it, other than using the touch screen more than the wheel itself, especially when scrolling through setting etc.
Another thing that you forgot to mention (or maybe i missed?) is the ability to use film simulations similar to Fuji cameras. Check out the Ricoh Recipes app/website. It is made by the same guy from the FujiXWeekly website/app. I’ve honestly haven’t used any raw files from the camera because the photos that come straight out of camera are super good and require MINIMUM editing, just basic straightening or cropping. I transfer them wirelessly to my phone and go straight to social media.
I’m looking forward to your review video on this camera, and hope you get to keep it.
Damn you James..... These were about £700 a 12 month ago and pondered it for ages and then decided I wanted one and it went to £900 - now you are singing its praises I am looking again!
Need that Ricoh to take a picture of what's in the next box that arrives in the post. ❤
Welcome. Bought a GR2, sold it, regretted it and just had to go back. Then I sold it again. And then I realised I couldn't live without a GR. Again. So bought another. Even sadder I really did buy the t-shirt as well. Uniqlo currently have a Ricoh GR timeline tee on sale. I think that maybe makes me a little sad!
“Wave it in the air like you just don’t care” 😂 Sorry but really enjoy framing up with a viewfinder and being able to brace the camera for longer shutter speeds. I got bigger pockets and a Fuji X-E4 with a couple of small wide angle primes!
My camera for those purposes is a Canon G7x mk1. I use it when cycling with a group, taking pics while riding. Fits in a jersey pocket or a small feed bag on my handlebars. So I do take some risks with it, but it was only $350 USD in a pawn shop 4 years ago. Not a huge loss if I drop it and I can buy another one like it cheaply.
😂I do so relate....your humor is price winning too. And yes the ricoh's are a revelation. Especially for the streets. And every day use. I have the Fuji xt5 with 2 small primes completing the set to roam the streets. But when in my daily life the GRiiiX is there with me
In the hunt for a small camera, don't know a awful much about cameras, so thank you for this video, nicely presented 👍
Hi James, I thought for a minute there where you showed that knife, you were going to drop in a moment from Crocodile Dundee ... "call that a knife ..." but then it was just used to open boxes, mainly containing cameras .. you crack me up!
Worth their Salt - totally a bonafide phrase, some workers used to be paid in salt ( especially round Northwich ) :-). Excellent vid.
Brilliant! I love my GR III (28mm equiv.). I also bought the first GRD back in 2005 -- still using it. Wonderful kit. I use the GR III for landscapes.
Well… thanks for making me buy this camera. I absolutely did not need it. Such a nifty little thing though. Can’t say I regret it at all. The images are fabulous.
You make a good case! Pocketability is *such* a boon!
i've looked at these for the exact same reasons as you. thought it would be nice to have a "pocketable" camera but ultimately solved my problem by just using a cross-body bag.
For that purpose I have an Olympus Tough TG-6 in my trouser's pocket. Small, light, nearly indestructible, great pictures with superb colors in jpg (it can do raw, but I'm not spending time at a computer for the kind of pictures I take with this camera), plus unbelievable macro skills.
I transitioned to a TG-5 from a GR because of the sensor dust issues with it. The Olympus Tough cameras are the best pocket cameras for extreme environments.
Pentax shooter here. Nice to see this camera review - it's actually on my wish list for the exact reasons you got yours (although I've just bought a new lens for my K1 that's nearly double the cost of the bloody Ricoh).
Look forward to your in depth critique sometime.
Α ..21mm f2.4 bloody lens?
@@XXX-vy6xv well, perhaps not nearly double the price.
50mm hd dfa 1.4 😊
@@TheSlowNewsDay suppose you're a happy buyer. Great lens from what I've read
The Ricoh can wait..
@@XXX-vy6xv waiting for it to arrive actually! Yes, the Ricoh had a low priority at the moment.
@@XXX-vy6xv arrived and tested.
To say it's good would be an understatement - it's almost too good!
LMAO 🤣 🤣 🤣 you've just described what happened to me! "NO MORE CAMERAS, NO MORE GEAR"... "THAT X-E4 WAS THE LAST CAMERA I PURCHASE" !! but... I just had to get the Ricoh GRIIIX ! 😄
Oooooh! One of my favourite cities. Nice little video. Like you, I have more than enough cameras. (68 in total at the last count) but I could quite fancy a GRIIIx.
The GR is great!
I’m sure it’s just me, but James seems to be making me actually laugh out loud as of late. My favorite kind of laugh is of the unexpected kind. James has that in spades. Never change my guy. Awesome content even if it isn’t always relevant to each viewer.
Not sure how you popped up in my queue.
Glad you did.
Liked. Subscribed.
Thanks for making me buy one! My accountant is not happy as well, as I am just an amateur 😅 But I always thought it was about the same size as a x100! Thanks for opening my eyes on how much smaller it was! Really happy so far! I guess the reflex to bring it to my eyes will go away someday.
That intro is so relatable it stings.
If you prefer between 40 and 50, you should really give the Samyang/Rokinon 45mm f1.8 on e mount a try. An absolutely fantastic character lens that doesn't sacrifice sharpness, and insanely cheap. A whole lot of fun to shoot.
I have the original GR film camera, great piece of kit
I'm curranty exploring Full Spectrum/IR Photography with my D3400 and im loving it. its new medium and kind of refreshed my love for photography ! i want to do something very few people have explored and something I've always wanted to do !
Love your humour James. Thank you for the informal review of the Ricoh. Sweet!!
That image at 1:57 is honestly exceptional!
Nice to see you still have the old G9.
I love my GX9 with a 14mm or 20mm pancake lens. It doesn't fit in my pocket, but it's close.
And interchangeable lenses, for the win!
Buy bigger pockets.
@@besperus4475
Lol. Not necessary. It fits easily into my ever present messenger bag.
Oh James you kept your G9. 🥰
"I don't need to spend any more money on cameras. In other unrelated news...here's my new camera."
Brilliant
I've just returned from 2 week holiday and took my GRiii and Sony a7riii / 40mm f2.5 lens. The Sony hardly left the apartment and I'm really pleased with the 200 or so shots with the GRiii, the colours are great and the shots are sharp. Will definately be saving my pennies for the GRiiix .
I’ve had a crush on these things for years but every time I get ready to buy one something in the house breaks or some other crazy thing happens that push the purchase back. It’s like the world doesn’t want me to own one
I will stick with my 7 yo design lumix DC-ZS70 (my 2nd copy of it), with it's built in thumb support. View finder, 30x zoom, just love it. And my g9 when I feel adventurous.
love your video and I love also my Ricoh GR3 and now you now have a gear channel ;-) thank you for your videos!!!
The Ricoh Gr III is the only camera that really fits in my small backpack for cycling. Great image quality for that size. Battery is a joke, always carry a spare.
I purchased a GR iix Urban Edition because of this video. It was not even on my radar. It arrived yesterday, so I have very little experience. That said, I can see I am going to really like this camera. Thank you.
Oh, indeed, you just tipped me over the edge 😉 Wex owe you some commision 💰 GR2 for sale 🤣🤣
The GR is a revelation. I am constantly amazed by what it produces. Its an extension of my body. Warning though..do not drop it! I dropped mine from waist height and it was buggered.......I went straight out and bought another, it's that good...bought a strap too.
GR gang unite!!! I've had my GR Mk II since 2015 and used the ever-loving hell out of it. Nothing else quite like it for having a real camera (not a phone) with you all the time or for casual travel photography
finally a UA-camr with nice images ! following
Love My GRIII and X - Don’t even use dslr/mirrorless cameras anymore. The quality is that good. Phenomenal travel cameras. Sync with pocket wizards for off camera flash at ridiculous speeds
Love the compositions of your photos! I've been tempted by the Ricoh for some time.
most underrated camera.
Best intro! Keeping it real.
Some of the sharpest lenses out there, it’s a brick, I’ve dropped mine a dozen of times with no issues.
Nice photo of the suspension bridge over the River Dee
I have learned absolutely nothing from this video, and I still feel much wiser after watching it. Not sure how you do it, but thanks.
Sometimes it’s all about the entertainment factor, however. And I find James hits the nail on the head as far as that goes. I’m guessing you think the same 😊