Ricoh GRIIIx; A Tentative Acquisition

The Science Museum of Virginia features a "Water Bottle Wall," which is a
12-foot-tall, horseshoe-shaped display of nearly 1,600 water bottles. Each bottle has an LED
light that illuminates to visually represent the vast amounts of water used in daily life, showing
statistics on things like how much water it takes to make a cheeseburger. (click to enlarge)
All photos with the Ricoh GRIIIx; This one made at 1/60th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 500

Just a short break from my series of posts about my recent cross-country road trip…

Before I left on my recent adventure, I wrote a couple of posts and illustrated them with images from a Ricoh GRIIIx.  A couple of faithful long time readers pointed out that I had not previously mentioned anything about having a Ricoh GR camera.  Indeed, I hadn’t.  What was going on?  Was I up to no good?  Was I trying to slip something by my readers?  None of those, of course.  Since I was out of town and on my month-long road trip I responded that I would write about that in the near future.  The future is here.

In the title, I mention that my acquisition of a Ricoh camera was tentative.  I certainly don’t need another camera but I bought one out of curiosity—a desire to try one and find out for myself what all the ‘hype’ has been about over the past several years.  I am grateful that I have the means to do that.

A walk in the woods. (click to enlarge)
1/200th sec. @ f/8; ISO 500

As with other cameras (Leica Q3 and Q3 43, Hasselblad X2D, Fujifilm GFX100S II, Sony A1 II, as examples) I have been curious about and have been tempted to buy a Ricoh GR camera now for several years.  The camera’s size, largish APS-C sensor, excellent lens and myriad of features have intrigued me.  The problem has been they seem to always be out of stock.  I’ve wanted a camera (re: a decent camera) that I can slip into a pocket and take with me when I don’t want to sling a camera around my neck or carry a camera bag—to dinner, for example.  The Ricoh was the one on my radar.

My interest piqued even more when Ricoh announced an additional version with a 40mm f/2.8 equivalent lens to go along with the 28mm f/2.8 lens model.  Both have a 24mp APS-C sized sensor.  Forty millimeters on a 35mm camera has always been one of my favorite focal lengths for ‘walk around’ and ‘casual’ photography going back to my Leica Minilux film camera (which I still have).  

The intense direct sun was coming from the left about an hour before sunset.  I had to underexpose
almost 2 stops to keep highlight detail in the highlights.  However, I was still able to bring up the
shadows to see plenty of detail and little noise.  I didn't fully raise the shadows in this rendition because
I wanted to keep them dark and reflect the extreme contrast of the scene but all the detail is present.
  Also, the lens renders excellent detail as you can see when examining the photograph at a
magnified level. (click to enlarge)
1/1250th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200; Exp. Comp. -1.7

The issue I struggled with and why I’ve held off buying this camera always has been a lack of electronic viewfinder (EVF) or optical viewfinder (OVF).  I never much liked having to hold a camera out in front of me and look at the LCD display to compose my images—especially in bright daylight (think using a phone—not a satisfying experience).  I never feel confident that I’ve nailed my composition exactly and I’m very precise when it comes to composing my images.  However, after acquiring a Fujifilm X100VI, I have found myself using the LCD display at times to compose so I thought I would give the Ricoh a try.  

When trying to buy one, I found at most places they were still out of stock, even after being in the market for 6 years.  A friend pointed me to a regional Midwest camera store which had them in stock and I purchased one.  (Note:  I’ve now found several times that when B&H, Amazon, Adorama or other major retailers are out of stock and there is a long waiting list, regional mid-market retailers often have what I want.  I have bought several pieces of kit from these stores now.)

Just a random scene that I captured when first testing the camera. (click to enlarge)
1/80th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200; Exp. Comp. +0.7

After receiving the camera, I first watched several YouTube videos on setup, features, use, etc.  I found the menus easy to understand and setup was relatively easy.  I took it out to practice and check if my chosen settings worked well and found the images I made were excellent in every way.  Also, this first time out reinforced to me that I would have to spend some time getting used to composing with the LCD, again, especially on sunny days.  But, the LCD will brighten up enough to view it adequately, so there’s that.

One thing I quickly discovered that has helped me adapt to using the LCD instead of an EVF is to display the histogram.  I use the histogram and the ‘red overexposure warning (blinkies)’ feature to finalize exposure as I can’t rely on just looking at the LCD to judge exposure settings due to varying outdoor lighting conditions along with turning up the LCD’s brightness to make it easier to see.

This composition was straight on backlit.  The sun was directly overhead and in front of
me.  I set the camera for one of the black & white simulations and made this image.
(click to enlarge)  1/125th sec. @ f/8; ISO 100; Exp. Comp. -1.7

I’ve not used the camera a sufficient number of times yet (since I have been on a month long road trip) to make a final judgment, but I have made images in a variety of conditions including some high ISO shots and the noise is no worse than other like cameras.  Also, the camera has a nice and easy to engage/disengage close-up/macro mode which I like.  Since I mainly shoot with the raw format, the color style options aren’t that meaningful.  However, I have slightly modified the settings of one of the camera’s black & white recipes that I like and I shoot raw + JPEG to capture monochrome images.

One aspect of the sensor coupled with the image processor is that I have not yet found a situation that exceeds the camera’s dynamic range.  Dynamic range is very good.

I just want to quickly mention the Snap Focus feature.  I won’t go into an explanation here of how it works and if you want to learn what it is and how it works, look here.  However, as a practical matter, I have the Snap Focus feature set to automatically focus at about 15 ft. (5m) at f/8 (and Auto ISO), which then gives me a depth of field from 7.3 ft. to infinity.  When I see what may be a fleeting scene, I just push the shutter all the way without stopping for the AF to engage (half press) and the camera automatically goes to those settings.  Very handy.  Snap Focus provides a number of different settings to meet the needs of many different circumstances and preferences.  It is a nice feature to have.

Just a random 'wandering around' shot I made.  These are the old Richmond, Fredericksburg &
Potomac Railroad (RF&P) canopy covered platforms at the old Richmond, Virginia railroad station.
 (click to enlarge)
1/250th @ f/7.1; ISO 200; Exp. Comp. -1.0

I am aware of three general criticisms of this camera.  First, the battery is really small but you have you expect that when you buy a really small camera.  Duh!  I bought a second battery and keep it in my pocket.  No big deal.  As I said, it is tiny but I have not depleted one in practice yet.

Second, the AF is a bit sluggish and hesitant in low light.  I am almost never in a hurry or am shooting fast moving subjects with a camera such as this, so as long as the AF is accurate and locks on to my subjects, I’m okay.  

Another random 'wandering around' composition. (click to enlarge)
1/1000th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 100

Finally, some owners have complained that dust has somehow gotten on the camera’s sensor.  Other than sending the camera in to have it serviced, with a fixed lens there is no easy way to remove it.  The camera does have a dust removal vibration feature that will shake the sensor whenever you turn it on and off.  I have that enabled.  Also, I bought a very inexpensive slip-on lens cap that will prevent dust from entering in through the lens mechanism and I have placed a tiny bit of black gaffer’s tape over each of the two tiny microphone holes and the four tiny speaker holes.  I don’t need either since I don’t shoot any video.  So far, all is good.

Here are some of my general likes and dislikes I’ve found so far with this tiny, high powered camera:

Likes

Size; fits in my pants pocket

The 40mm f/2.8 lens (sharp edge to edge) and resolves detail very well; little to no distortion

The 40mm equivalent focal length; my favorite focal length

Overall quality of my photos; I like how they look from both technical and aesthetic aspects

Fast startup and fast to use

Easy to use; I find the the buttons easy to program and the controls responsive and well placed

I find the menus are easy to use—set and forget for the most part

One of the black & white picture styles perfectly suits my taste

Snap Focus feature works really well.  If you aren’t familiar with it, look it up.  No other camera does this to my knowledge.

Dislikes (mostly niggles or my preferences)

No EVF;  I still don’t like using the LCD, especially outdoors where this camera will almost be exclusively used.  But I’m adapting.

No easy, one button or dial way to switch from color to B&W and back as I can with my Fujifilm cameras and my Nikon Zf.  

Distances only in meters, no way to switch to imperial units; this is an easy fix in firmware

I would like to be able to rotate the ring around the D-pad to control exposure compensation; if anyone knows how to do this let me know as I can’t find a solution

A couple more buttons for custom functions would be nice.

Overall I’m liking this camera.  Now that I’m back from my road trip, I plan on using it more often.  I will use it in the same manner I use my Fujifilm X100VI.  You can go back six months and read my blog posts on how I use that camera if you wish.  

Now I need to refresh my memory about how I have the GRIIIx configured and practice switching settings quickly.  Practice, practice, practice.  That’s how you develop proficiency and become better at understanding your gear’s capabilities.

Here are a few more random photos I made as I was out wandering around with this camera.

(click to enlarge) 1/250th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 100

(click to enlarge) 1/250th sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 200; Exp. Comp. -1.0

(click to enlarge) 1/100th sec. @ f/10; ISO 100; Exp. Comp. +0.7

(click to enlarge) 1/250th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200 Exp. Comp. -0.7

This tree was directly backlit on a sunny day.  Not a cloud in the sky.  I was able to bring up all
the detail in the bark in the foreground plus bring down the the sky to show its blue color.  I'm
satisfied that this camera's sensor has excellent dynamic range. (click to enlarge)
1/60th sec. @ f/8; ISO 400; Exp. Comp. -1.3

Would I consider a 28mm Ricoh GRIV?  Probably not.  I have more gear than I know what to do with and have that focal length well covered.  Although the thought of taking two Ricoh’s out—one in each pocket, one with a 28mm lens and other with a 40mm lens intrigues me just a little…just a little.

The bottom line is the camera is capable of producing excellent image files.  How good the photos are is completely up to the operator’s abilities.  I’ll keep the camera.  It has a lot of potential.  It is growing on me, so to speak.  You will see more photos from this camera in the future.  When I do post them, I’ll identify that they came from the Ricoh.

If you use one or have any questions about the GRIIIx, please comment or send me an email.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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