My Leica M6 is a Ricoh GRIII

My Color Tweaks : 0 Saturation -1 Hue 0 High/Low Key +3 Contrast +3 Contrast Highlight -3 Contrast Shadow 0 Sharpness 0 Shading +1 Clarity

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Flashback to the GRII
02:38 2024 is a New Year
03:18 GRIII Set Up
04:47 ND Filter
05:18 Flash Options
06:34 Macro Mode
06:47 Stabilization
07:14 Autofocus
07:56 Touch Screen
08:36 In Camera Development
08:48 Raw Files
09:17 Creative Options
09:43 WiFi
10:10 Digital Crop
10:51 Built In Memory
11:02 Wide Angle Adapter
12:14 User Settings
12:47 Snap Focus
14:50 OVF in Use
16:54 B+W and Color Settings
20:07 Getting the GRII Look in Lightroom
20:56 The GR Issues
22:30 Other GR Accessories
26:39 Alternatives to the GRIII
30:59 Closing Thoughts

[quentinnewark]

Well we enjoy watching your struggle/discoveries with each camera. But so much complaining that the GRiii is not the GRii... buy a Grii?? Flash/color problems instantly solved!

[coryirvin]

I'm going on year 3 of having a GRIII, and it's been an incredible EDC, epescially as a dad. Knowing I can just put in my pocket or a bag gives me no excuse to not have it on me. With documenting my kid, the easy one hand operation, very pocketable, and it's ability to turn on and off in an instant, makes it a great package. Totally agree about the wifi, which i think is something not mentioned enough about this camera. I could probably count on one hand the times i've had problems with it and was usually user error. The other piece that you touched on that isn't mentioned enough is the files. The raw DNG's out of this camera are my favorite files I've worked with. They can be pushed so well and make editing them enjoyable. My camera does have the rotating dial issue that you mentioned. It makes it completely unusable to go full manual mode, but using aperture priority most of the time has made it a non-issue for me. The GRiii is one of those cameras where I've bought multiple accessories for it, and I always end up leaving them off/returning them. It has such a great form factor for such a small camera. I have large hands and the GRiii is one of the more comfortable cameras I've held. I have a fuji xt30 to have an interchangable lens setup, but I probably use the GRiii 80% of the time.

[Gogogordy]

Quite the refreshing deep dive into what is already a highly, almost overly reviewed camera. Amazed I stayed thru the entire video, as I typically dont watch new GRIII video reviews anymore having seen hundreds of them before and after purchasing my own GRIII many months ago. Thank you for this content and I love your “no bad cameras” approach (which proves truer and truer the longer I shoot and continue to pursue this craft/art)

[Leondrian]

I've used Reggie's Fujifilm Recipes like my go-to's for a couple of years now. Maybe his GR recipe can fill the space in color segment.
Great video BTW and you're so good at convey your experience. Both in technical and the even more important emotional terms. So glad I found your channel.

[StarrysLostandFound]

I really love my GRIIIx. This is pretty complete review not only for the GRIII, but also accessories. Thanks for the video and your opinion.

[martingreenberg]

Thank you for this review.

There is a cult following for the GR. It is very popular in the street photography community. I was resistant to the GRiii because I don’t like the 28mm focal length. It is too wide for me unless I’m at a parade or demonstration. Yes, there is the digital zoom feature. 15MP at 35mm and seven MP at 50mm. I want more MP at 50mm for printing. So for me no GRiii.

Then Ricoh came out with the GRiiiX. That model gives me a 40mm full frame focal length. Now we’re talking. The X is the same body and everything is the same as the iii except the focal length. This body gives me 40-60mm. With the teleconverter I’m up to 70mm. Now we’re talking.

I’m new to this body. Having problems with the focus as in it won’t. Have reset and it won’t snap, touch, or autofocus other than in automatic.The macro focus isn’t on. I’ll figure it out.

I too use a viewfinder. I miss an EVF. I’m getting use to only using the fixed LCD. The Ricoh viewfinder is expensive, ~$150 or 200, and not an EVF. The two options are get used to using the fixed LCD the way this one handed body is designed to operate. Plan B is purchase a Chinese viewfinder with plastic lenses. They have poor optics(@ that price what do I expect?) but they can help me frame the image. I haven’t opted for this yet.

Yes, the Ricoh has the film simulations (Fuji speak). I too love the hard B&W. Very contrasty. Reminds me of Daido Moriyama, who used a GR for his look. The negative film looks good too.

My favorite accessory is the JJC(there are other manufacturers) thumb grip. It makes holding the GR so much more comfortable. This is cheap at ~$12. Well worth it.

The Panasonic GM1 is very small. Emma really loves it. I love the slightly larger GX85/9 M43 body. The L monochrome D on the Gx9 is my favorite B&W jpeg. With the PL 15mm lens this setup is killer. They both have a flash but I never use it.

Like all small mirrorless cameras this body eats batteries. The battery is tiny. The solution is true for all small mirrorless cameras. Buy an extra two or three. Bring at least one in your pocket or bag. They are cheap and light.

Look for the GR used. Found mine for $650 on Craigslist. They show up for that price from time to time. Then jump on it. Fast. They don’t linger and neither should you.

Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[yendor]

As an owner of several Leica M's I agree with you. I own the Gr III and IIIx. The small size, excellent output and ease of use makes the Ricoh a winner for sure. Nobody pays attention to the Ricoh cameras when you are out and about shooting. I love that.

[HotspiceHobo]

You’re reviewing all the coolest cameras and this is how I talk about gear and photography with my friends. Keep it up ❤

[anidpatchettvintagecamerav]

Loved watching this thanks I’ve just switched from the Fuji X100f to the GR 111 and loving its portability and ease of use I really love the simplicity bringing you back to the moment Thanks for colours tip 🙏🏻

[therobotguide]

Beautiful photography. Thanks for a great authentic review, so rare on the internet now. I’m also a lover of the GR III (loved it for mono work) but sold it and actually gave up photography after nearly 25 years. But I miss photography, and think the GR III, prob the X which I really loved, will be the right place to start again.

[supergranular]

I was excited to see which OVF you were using and... it's the one I have. I find the lines don't represent what it shoots, but your confidence and affection for it have me wanting to try it again.

[jebeq]

100% agree about the color. I also bought a GR III 2 years ago and struggled to get the colors to look good, they were pretty sterile as you said. I returned my GRIII and found a GR II for a great price with only 35 on the shutter count. I love the GRII for the colors, Flash, ergonomics and the extra buttons in the back specially the exposure lock button. I don't think I would ever trade my GRII for a GR III.

[ccw]

A few weeks ago I watched your 'love letter' to the M8. You were fab. Great to watch with such passion. I own an M8 because of you now and I am intoxicated with its beauty, and its brilliance managing its obvious shortfalls. Its my only camera and I love it. Oh and its shutter sound! the essence of ASMR enjoyment :). Thanks for being you.

[bizpixvegas]

Excellent review. Thank you for the accessories you mentioned. 

Ricoh had a GR day in Vegas a few weeks ago. I went to the event and borrowed a GRIIIX for a few hours. For JPEGs I shot in bleached by pass setting while also recording in RAW. The focus slowness issue was there for sure. However, overall I was very impressed with quality of the images. The lens is crazy sharp. I shot a lot at f2.8 and the images are in the same league as my Sony A7RIV and super sharp Tamron lenses. 

One thing I did not expect was how good the colors looked. The colors pop like crazy. They look a lot better than my Sony files! They did something with the sensor as I saw almost no color noise from the sensor at high ISOs. The noise that is there looks like beautiful film grain. Bravo Ricoh for creating a true pocketable street camera. Despite its shortcomings and the quirks, the GRIII is a winner in my book.

[laurentbertrais]

Bonjour, merci pour ces précieux conseils, je reçois le mien cette semaine. Thanks for theses precious advices, I receive mine this week

[cfj]

This is hands down the best review of this camera! But for some reason I had trouble finding this video when I tried to watch it again a few weeks after I first saw it. By the way, I have just discovered your channel and I am already loving it!

[ernesto_creativo]

I love my GRiii as my EDC!!! Perfect for street photography with snap focus! It’s always in my trouser pocket! It is so versatile (macro) and the IQ with IBIS is great! And I love the possibility of jpg recipes!!! Never regretted buying it additionally to my other Fuji’s. Great review! 🥳

[deanrobertnoble]

Love my little GRiii. Took it to Vegas recently and with the Ricoh Recipes i managed to get a lovely look from the jpegs. I was hanging out round the Stratosphere end of town and definitely felt like Elvis was in the building!

Great video; thankyou!

[rhynorjr]

Yeah, another fabulous review. I love this camera so much. I take it everywhere, I store mine in a beer coozie with the lens cap. Really wish it had a flash. Thank you for this review. Big shout out to Samuel Streetlife.

[Datsunn]

I love my GRIII - I'm very much a hobbyist in the world of photography though.
A solution to the flash: REFLX LAB! They made a mini-flash for the GRIII and it's TINY but powerful. I think they have an updated version coming soon as well.
Great video!