Ricoh GR III Owners Thread

[d00d]

Hey guys, I've been playing around today with settings. I've set the 35 and 50mm crop mode to the movie button on the left so that's quite handy if I need to instantly change.

Hey Lee ... I've been trying, but can't figure out how to do this, Help!

 

[Merlin5]

Hey Lee ... I've been trying, but can't figure out how to do this, Help!

Sorry David, just saw this. Yeah, not easy to find because it's a sub menu hidden in the Fn Button Setting.

Go to Customise Controls,
Press 'Fn Button Setting',
Then scroll down. I imagine the GR3x menu is the same as my GR3 and on mine I scroll down past 'ISO', 'Drive Button' and then I get to 'Movie/Wireless Button' .
Press 'Movie/Wireless Button' and then there's a ton more things to scroll that can be assigned to the Movie Button. Scroll down until you see 'Crop' and click 'OK'.
Done.

 

[d00d]

Sorry David, just saw this. Yeah, not easy to find because it's a sub menu hidden in the Fn Button Setting.

Go to Customise Controls,
Press 'Fn Button Setting',
Then scroll down. I imagine the GR3x menu is the same as my GR3 and on mine I scroll down past 'ISO', 'Drive Button' and then I get to 'Movie/Wireless Button' .
Press 'Movie/Wireless Button' and then there's a ton more things to scroll that can be assigned to the Movie Button. Scroll down until you see 'Crop' and click 'OK'.
Done.

Aw Thanks, done it!

What I've done is assigned the Movie button to Continuous ... should come in handy, we'll see, I might change it to something else at a later date.

So there's lots hidden in sub-menus, not mentioned in the manual.

There's a site I've found: https://ricohrecipes.com/ not studied it fully yet but might try some of the suggestions there.

 

[Merlin5]

Glad you're sorted now, David.

I bought 4 aftermarket spare batteries. Both came with chargers, and the total price of all four including the chargers was about half of just one single original Ricoh battery! And they last the same time or even slightly longer. I'm getting 1 and half to two hours per battery and I'm switching the camera off between shots as start up to camera ready for a shot is instant.
So, I've got five batteries now which will get me through a whole day. I went out yesterday for a walkabout around London. Took these shots in low light, some with flash.


Embankment by Merlin 5, on Flickr


National Gallery by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Sphinx 1 by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Sphinx 2 by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Cyclist 1 by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Cyclist 2 by Merlin 5, on Flickr

 

[FishyFish]

Coffee & Donuts by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

 

[d00d]

Three from today ....

 

[gramps]

Three from today ....

Nice link in #1

 

[d00d]

Hyde Park today

 

[trevorbray]

Hyde Park today

That’s a view you don’t often see.

 

[Merlin5]

Couple of cityscapes from yesterday with some rare December sunshine!


View From Waterloo Bridge 2 by Merlin 5, on Flickr


View From Waterloo Bridge 1 by Merlin 5, on Flickr

 

[gramps]

Looking at the GR III & IIIx there seem to be a lot of reports of failing rear command dials, "skipping" settings.
How important is that dial in actual use?

 

[d00d]

Looking at the GR III & IIIx there seem to be a lot of reports of failing rear command dials, "skipping" settings.
How important is that dial in actual use?

I remember hearing about that, negative aspect, when I first got interested. Then I was unsure which dial they meant, then it didn't matter any more because it seemed irrelevant, over hyped, now no longer an issue, not much talked about anymore. (?)

"How important is that dial in actual use?" ... I'm still trying to get the hang of things, but if it's the Control Dial then I'd say that's mainly for scrolling through the menus: I'd rather use the touch screen for that. This camera doesn't have many knobs, wheels, dials, but many ways in which to configure it to your liking.

There are videos suggesting lubrication, compressed air, and/or some wiggling can fix it. Personally, I treat her nice and keep her dust free.

 

[gramps]

I remember hearing about that, negative aspect, when I first got interested. Then I was unsure which dial they meant, then it didn't matter any more because it seemed irrelevant, over hyped, now no longer an issue, not much talked about anymore. (?)

"How important is that dial in actual use?" ... I'm still trying to get the hang of things, but if it's the Control Dial then I'd say that's mainly for scrolling through the menus: I'd rather use the touch screen for that. This camera doesn't have many knobs, wheels, dials, but many ways in which to configure it to your liking.

There are videos suggesting lubrication, compressed air, and/or some wiggling can fix it. Personally, I treat her nice and keep her dust free.

TBH I didn't note the timing of the reports I saw but was looking at one at reduced cost due to having the issue, so I wondered how much it would affect its use.

 

[d00d]

TBH I didn't note the timing of the reports I saw but was looking at one at reduced cost due to having the issue, so I wondered how much it would affect its use.

It was in March 2019 Ricoh admitted some GR3s had a wobbly control dial

http://thenewcamera.com/ricoh-calling-back-gr-iii-models-with-wobbly-control-dialpad-issue/ They've said it does not affect the camera function.

The issue is much talked about by youtubers trying to make a name for themselves. I was wondering if the problem was overstated, but now I'm beginning to wonder if there's a separate issue here ... with the wheel: some say it sticks, moves jerkily!

I mentioned above that the dial (wheel) is used for scrolling through the menus, but, it is also used for adjusting ISO. So far, I've found myself touching the ISO button then Fn to switch between a preset low ISO and Auto with a preset max of 3200. I've been trying this for fast moving street in poor light using something like f/5.6 and 1/250 sec (or something like that).

Gramps, a new one is only £900! I would consider a half priced one with wheel probs. Hmmm or what about a little Panasonic body with tilt up screen and a pancake prime?

 

[gramps]

Gramps, a new one is only £900!

Not so loud, she'll hear you!

TBH David, I probably really don't need this camera at all, I've got my 2 x E-M5 Mk3's and great lenses to use with them.
It's a bit like an earworm, a few weeks ago I had never even heard of a Ricoh GR but now it keeps coming back to me!

 

[Saintsman]

Not so loud, she'll hear you!

TBH David, I probably really don't need this camera at all, I've got my 2 x E-M5 Mk3's and great lenses to use with them.
It's a bit like an earworm, a few weeks ago I had never even heard of a Ricoh GR but now it keeps coming back to me!

I previously owned a GRiii and sold it which I almost instantly regretted.

A few months back I took the plunge and got a GRiii x and I am VERY happy with it. Like the GRiii it feels like it has been designed by someone who uses the camera on a daily basis. It has great handling, is super customisable, really well built and has a superb lens. I also have an Olympus outfit but love the fact I can put tje Ricoh in my pocket and have it woth me all the time.

 

[gramps]

Well I gave in today and bought a 'demo' GR III with 28 clicks and boxed with everything ... also ordered a couple of extra batteries and a lens cap.
I toyed with the idea of a GR IIIx but having my E-M5 Mk3 with 12-40, 25 & 42.5mm lenses so covered there really ... a 'forced' 28mm will be a new challenge to enjoy.
Will no doubt be asking lots of questions ... any recommended informational sites/videos out there?

 

[d00d]

Welcome to the club gramps

https://www.youtube.com/@RICOHGRPHOTOGRAPHY is a good start, https://www.youtube.com/@EYExplore being informative.

James Popsys, like me, favours the GR3X

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY9xmUAsi2Y&t=363s

 

[Fuji Dave]

Well I gave in today and bought a 'demo' GR III with 28 clicks and boxed with everything ... also ordered a couple of extra batteries and a lens cap.
I toyed with the idea of a GR IIIx but having my E-M5 Mk3 with 12-40, 25 & 42.5mm lenses so covered there really ... a 'forced' 28mm will be a new challenge to enjoy.
Will no doubt be asking lots of questions ... any recommended informational sites/videos out there?

Welcome to the GR club Gramps, think you will like the GR 3 as mine is my most used camera at the moment.

 

[gramps]

Thanks guys, hopefully here tomorrow unless Royal Mail delay it ... it's RMSD which I think they are prioritising so hopefully not delayed.
@d00d I did think about the IIIx but as above thought I would accept the challenge of 28mm ... and it was cheaper than anything else available.
If I really like it I could always get a IIIx as well!

 

[Merlin5]

Well I gave in today and bought a 'demo' GR III with 28 clicks and boxed with everything ... also ordered a couple of extra batteries and a lens cap.
I toyed with the idea of a GR IIIx but having my E-M5 Mk3 with 12-40, 25 & 42.5mm lenses so covered there really ... a 'forced' 28mm will be a new challenge to enjoy.
Will no doubt be asking lots of questions ... any recommended informational sites/videos out there?

Congrats gramps! Welcome to the club. You can always use the two crop modes of 35 and 50mm if you want more reach. Good idea on the lens cap. The first GR3 I bought from Park Cameras came with one and then I broke the camera, got a refund, bought a second one from them but that didn't have the lens cap. I bought this one, perhaps it's the same one you ordered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WC1XQV9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Be careful to remember to remove it when switching the camera on. I forgot once or twice and the extending lens pushed it off. No biggie but probably not great for the lens motor if it was done regularly. 28 clicks is very good. I paid £599 and got 400 clicks.

As well as Ricoh discussions here on TP, another good resource that I use is the 'Ricoh Talk' forum on DPR. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1013

You might still yearn for an EVF but trust me, after a short while you won't miss it anymore and you'll be getting one handed shots just using the screen that you might not have got with another camera. You'll love the snap focus too. I set mine between 1.5 and 1 metre, but mostly at 1.5m. Here's a couple of tips. You can use snap focus and still use auto focus by half pressing the shutter button. For me personally, I've assigned auto focus to the Fn button. So we can alternate between snap and auto focus instantly. Another tip is that you can turn the camera on to look at shots you've taken and look at the menu without needing to extend the lens. You just need to press the play button at the top right underneath the mode dial, and press it again to turn the camera off. To save battery life, there's a number of things that can be disabled but in general, I turn the camera off between shots. I didn't think that was a great idea at first for street photography but the camera is so unbelievably fast to turn on and be ready. Did you buy two spare Ricoh or aftermarket batteries? I bought 4 aftermarket batteries from two different companies which came with chargers, all for less than the price of a single Ricoh and they all perform as well and for as long as the Ricoh.

 

[gramps]

Congrats gramps! Welcome to the club. You can always use the two crop modes of 35 and 50mm if you want more reach. Good idea on the lens cap. The first GR3 I bought from Park Cameras came with one and then I broke the camera, got a refund, bought a second one from them but that didn't have the lens cap. I bought this one, perhaps it's the same one you ordered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WC1XQV9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Be careful to remember to remove it when switching the camera on. I forgot once or twice and the extending lens pushed it off. No biggie but probably not great for the lens motor if it was done regularly. 28 clicks is very good. I paid £599 and got 400 clicks.

As well as Ricoh discussions here on TP, another good resource that I use is the 'Ricoh Talk' forum on DPR. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1013

You might still yearn for an EVF but trust me, after a short while you won't miss it anymore and you'll be getting one handed shots just using the screen that you might not have got with another camera. You'll love the snap focus too. I set mine between 1.5 and 1 metre, but mostly at 1.5m. Here's a couple of tips. You can use snap focus and still use auto focus by half pressing the shutter button. For me personally, I've assigned auto focus to the Fn button. So we can alternate between snap and auto focus instantly. Another tip is that you can turn the camera on to look at shots you've taken and look at the menu without needing to extend the lens. You just need to press the play button at the top right underneath the mode dial, and press it again to turn the camera off. To save battery life, there's a number of things that can be disabled but in general, I turn the camera off between shots. I didn't think that was a great idea at first for street photography but the camera is so unbelievably fast to turn on and be ready. Did you buy two spare Ricoh or aftermarket batteries? I bought 4 aftermarket batteries from two different companies which came with chargers, all for less than the price of a single Ricoh and they all perform as well and for as long as the Ricoh.

Thanks Lee, yes the lens cap is the same as yours, I ordered a pair of DSTE batteries at the same time as I have used that brand before and found them fine.
I didn't get quite such a good bargain as you did, I paid just over £700 (that's £200 off new) but I was happy at the saving and full 12-month warranty that comes with it as a 'new' camera. I don't know how I will get on without a viewfinder but I have practiced a bit with the screen on my Olympus and I like the way I am more 'in tune' with the environment.
Thanks for the tips and I'll check out DPReview.

 

[Merlin5]

Thanks Lee, yes the lens cap is the same as yours, I ordered a pair of DSTE batteries at the same time as I have used that brand before and found them fine.
I didn't get quite such a good bargain as you did, I paid just over £700 (that's £200 off new) but I was happy at the saving and full 12-month warranty that comes with it as a 'new' camera. I don't know how I will get on without a viewfinder but I have practiced a bit with the screen on my Olympus and I like the way I am more 'in tune' with the environment.
Thanks for the tips and I'll check out DPReview.

Yep, £700 is a great price. Ah yeah, DSTE are two of the ones I bought. I think that's the thing about no viewfinder, it does seem to help us tune into the environment more and you can experiment with high and low angles that you might not have tried otherwise.

Welcome to the club gramps

https://www.youtube.com/@RICOHGRPHOTOGRAPHY is a good start, https://www.youtube.com/@EYExplore being informative.

James Popsys, like me, favours the GR3X

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY9xmUAsi2Y&t=363s

I like James Popsys, he's very witty. He says "there's a really good macro mode on this camera. Could take a photo of the battery maybe."

 

[gramps]

Well according to Royal Mail tracking the GR III has made it to my local sorting office and should be delivered today

However my outgoing parcel taken to the sorting office first thing yesterday morning doesn't appear to have gone anywhere

 

[gramps]

Well it’s here and I’m well pleased with it, absolutely as new. However I did have some fun trying to work out how to open the USB-C charging port! Internet to the rescue, a quick flick with the fingernail.
Got it on charge now so look forward to trying to work through the menus!

Not over-keen on the Ricoh charger so a couple of questions:

1. Can I charge the in-camera battery with any USB-C cable (longer one I have would be more convenient)?
2. Can I charge the in-camera battery with any USB charger e.g. Apple wall charger for my iPad/iPhone?
3. My car radio has a USB charge socket, could I use that to charge the in-camera battery?

 

[Merlin5]

Well it’s here and I’m well pleased with it, absolutely as new. However I did have some fun trying to work out how to open the USB-C charging port! Internet to the rescue, a quick flick with the fingernail.
Got it on charge now so look forward to trying to work through the menus!

Not over-keen on the Ricoh charger so a couple of questions:

1. Can I charge the in-camera battery with any USB-C cable (longer one I have would be more convenient)?
2. Can I charge the in-camera battery with any USB charger e.g. Apple wall charger for my iPad/iPhone?
3. My car radio has a USB charge socket, could I use that to charge the in-camera battery?

View attachment 376013

View attachment 376015
View attachment 376016

Glad it's arrived! Yeah you should be able to use any USB-C cable, I'm pretty sure they're all standardised.

My DSTE batteries and my Hosan batteries came with single and twin battery chargers, I thought maybe your DSTE batteries would too. I guess it depends on what output is needed for the batteries but I know that some people charge their Ricoh from powerbanks which only outputs what the Ricoh needs, which I might do as well since I carry a powerbank around. I would imagine it'd be fine to use your wall charger or car radio socket, but I'm sure there's better qualified techno experts here to say yay or nay.

 

[gramps]

Glad it's arrived! Yeah you should be able to use any USB-C cable, I'm pretty sure they're all standardised.

My DSTE batteries and my Hosan batteries came with single and twin battery chargers, I thought maybe your DSTE batteries would too. I guess it depends on what output is needed for the batteries but I know that some people charge their Ricoh from powerbanks which only outputs what the Ricoh needs, which I might do as well since I carry a powerbank around. I would imagine it'd be fine to use your wall charger or car radio socket, but I'm sure there's better qualified techno experts here to say yay or nay.

Belated order for a triple charger in, should be here by Thursday ... now battling through menus, great to have 3 x dedicated User Sets.

 

[gramps]

Loving this camera, particularly the options that snap focus gives to get a different and discreet angle, maybe straight ahead...


Striding out by Bristol Streets, on Flickr

maybe to the side...


Drifting by by Bristol Streets, on Flickr

and I am rarely missing a longer focal length now that I've got into my stride with it ... but a question...

I watched a video, (can't remember who), where the guy stated he always used Highlight Protection, so I gave it try and sure enough no blown highlights but there is a definite negative effect on the shadows unless you want them really dark - how do you overcome this? Do you not use it? Do you combine it with Shadow Protection? Or do you just bring up the shadows?
Or something else?

 

[d00d]

Shadow, Highlight Correction? D-Range?

Haven't tried that yet, or seen the video. Although I've used it when playing with the in-camera raw processing ... I think.

I will play some more. I'm pretty much stuck at home at the moment with a broken arm.

Hey Gramps, I see you've got Oly gear up for sale, are you going exclusively Ricoh?

 

[gramps]

Shadow, Highlight Correction? D-Range?

Haven't tried that yet, or seen the video. Although I've used it when playing with the in-camera raw processing ... I think.

I will play some more. I'm pretty much stuck at home at the moment with a broken arm.

Hey Gramps, I see you've got Oly gear up for sale, are you going exclusively Ricoh?

Hi David, sorry to hear about your arm, that's miserable.
Hope you are fully mobile soon.

Yes sorry should be Correction it works well to stop blown highlights but as above can create unwanted darkness in the shadows.

I'm selling all of my Olympus as I am so pleased with the convenience and usability of the GR III that it's all I need now.

 

[Merlin5]

Shadow, Highlight Correction? D-Range?

Haven't tried that yet, or seen the video. Although I've used it when playing with the in-camera raw processing ... I think.

I will play some more. I'm pretty much stuck at home at the moment with a broken arm.

Hey Gramps, I see you've got Oly gear up for sale, are you going exclusively Ricoh?

Sorry to hear about your arm, David! Hope it mends quickly.

Loving this camera, particularly the options that snap focus gives to get a different and discreet angle, maybe straight ahead...


Striding out by Bristol Streets, on Flickr

maybe to the side...


Drifting by by Bristol Streets, on Flickr

and I am rarely missing a longer focal length now that I've got into my stride with it ... but a question...

I watched a video, (can't remember who), where the guy stated he always used Highlight Protection, so I gave it try and sure enough no blown highlights but there is a definite negative effect on the shadows unless you want them really dark - how do you overcome this? Do you not use it? Do you combine it with Shadow Protection? Or do you just bring up the shadows?
Or something else?

I must admit I haven't tried the Highlight Protection metering. Wouldn't that be the same as nudging exposure compensation to the left into minus numbers? I suspect the video you watched was most likely from Sean Tucker as he always talks about protecting the highlights and does a lot of sun and shadow shots.

 

[gramps]

I must admit I haven't tried the Highlight Protection metering. Wouldn't that be the same as nudging exposure compensation to the left into minus numbers? I suspect the video you watched was most likely from Sean Tucker as he always talks about protecting the highlights and does a lot of sun and shadow shots.

Could well be Sean, I've listen to a number of his ... I seem to remember whoever it was has used it on photos of his French Bulldog(?).

 

[d00d]

Hi David, sorry to hear about your arm, that's miserable.
Hope you are fully mobile soon.

Sorry to hear about your arm, David! Hope it mends quickly.

awe thanks guys ...

 

[d00d]

if you're talking D-range correction then I'd say auto is safe by default.

but yeah we don't always want safe.

These Ricoh's may be small but because of their smallness, not the easiest camera to use.

... just feeling frustrated, I want to get out there, get creative with big skies

 

[Merlin5]

if you're talking D-range correction then I'd say auto is safe by default.

but yeah we don't always want safe.

These Ricoh's may be small but because of their smallness, not the easiest camera to use.

... just feeling frustrated, I want to get out there, get creative with big skies

Yeah. I can't wait for longer days to return, but that's not till about March. I'm not an early bird so hard as I try to get up at 8am I often fail. Very limiting when it's mostly drab weather plus it starts getting dark after 3pm.

 

[gramps]

Yeah. I can't wait for longer days to return, but that's not till about March. I'm not an early bird so hard as I try to get up at 8am I often fail. Very limiting when it's mostly drab weather plus it starts getting dark after 3pm.

At my age I'm neither an early or late bird and the old joints appreciate the comforts of life.

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

I'm not an early bird so hard as I try to get up at 8am I often fail.

When I was travelling to Northamptonshire every day from Kent I used to leave at 4am the latest depending on what mode I was travelling by, although being the owner of the company I could start work as & when I wanted to. Now that I no longer do that journey I'm still up & about by around 4am every day solely because I choose to be.

 

[Merlin5]

When I was travelling to Northamptonshire every day from Kent I used to leave at 4am the latest depending on what mode I was travelling by, although being the owner of the company I could start work as & when I wanted to. Now that I no longer do that journey I'm still up & about by around 4am every day solely because I choose to be.

That's impressive, George! I occasionally go to bed at that time.

 

[Durlacher]

Hi everyone, thought I’d share some shots from recent travels to Bangkok taken with the GR III - best camera I’ve ever owned!

 

[d00d]

I must admit I haven't tried the Highlight Protection metering.

highlight-weighted? ... not tried it either. some rate it highly, saying you are guaranteed not to blow highlights. some use it for camera jpegs in hi-contrast B&W