Ricoh GR III HDF Review: Diffusion Filters Are BACK, Baby!

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@retouch4me

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The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx have proven to be incredibly popular compact cameras but they have been showing their age a bit. So, we were surprised to see a new variant with a diffusion filter released instead of a new model. Chris has been carrying a GR III HDF around for weeks now and has his final opinion on this interesting new model and if it's worth picking up.

0:00 - Intro
0:28 - History Lesson
2:29 - What’s still missing
3:18 - What’s new
4:55 - HDF Filter
5:52 - ND vs. Diffusion
6:45 - Portraits
8:30 - Which should you buy?

[cowslaw]

Pretty soon we'll be able to buy a brand new Ricoh GR IIIx HDF HD NPR CBS NBC III XL

[NeonShores]

Can't believe how long Ricoh is milking the GRIII. I know a IV is on the way but its taking forever.

Also it's crazy to me that they keep releasing different versions of this camera and still refuse to fix the dust issue.

[PawFromTheBroons]

At this point, I'd be willing to believe that George R.R. Martin is writing the tech specs of the belated GR IV

[johnc_]

March 2037: Ricoh announce the brand new GRIII super B+, with all new beige shutter button and brown lens ring!

[thephotochroma]

I had a GR II and sold it because I changed systems. Got the GR IIIx though and it quickly became my most used camera. I love it for street photography and as an everyday camera, it is always in my pocket. I own Nikon Z bodies and lenses, but as it turns out, travelling light (just a carry-on bag) and walking around a city all day forces you to rethink what gear you want to take with you. So I recently added the GR III HDF. Two cameras, each in one pocket with less total weight than one Nikon Z body. I also got a LightPix flash, great companion for this type of camera. A truly pocketable and versatile set. It is certainly not for everybody, but I have to admit, the more I use it, the more I appreciate the GR system.

[SummersSnaps]

What you missed here is the fact the HDF is behind the glass, this leads to NO filter ghosting when in use. If you need the ND's I find them (of all filters) to typically cause the least amount of ghosting when placed over a lens. For this reason I think the HDF version is kinda the winner. I currently use a GRIIIx with an adapter and a Glimmer Glass 1, you'd be surprised at how often the ghosting thing can be an issue, so to have something built right into the camera (that gives no ghosting) and being able to toggle the effect on/off at the push of a button I think is really neat. Actually legit not gimmicky but useful.


It might not seem like much innovation, but at this point in time I think a lot of camera companies are a bit stale on this front. There's a spec war, but not many are thinking outside the box to implement stuff like this. It's 2024.. I don't understand why only some video cameras get built in ND filters, I think its high time we all had such features included as standard in cameras along with the special effect ones. Hopefully the rest of the industry catch on. I mean nowadays so many cameras are hybrid and ND filters arguably even more useful from the video aspect...

[andythealien]

I can't wait for the Ricoh GRIV to come out so that I can place my preorder and wait 3 years to get it, by which time the Ricoh GRV will be announced.

[paulfallat]

As someone who needs reading glasses, I would love to see one with a small EVF with a diopter. I would grab one in a NY minute.

[ZOB]

I really like my GRIII, I carry it with me every day, even on professional work with my Sony gear, the Ricoh still comes with me.

[pouchboy]

I was skeptical until I bought one. It’s fun and takes great pics.

[atheistbear]

Totally into the Griiix, honestly just wish there were more prime lens compacts. Whenever the GRIV drops will pick that up to get the alternate POV but would love to see Canon and Nikon doing more in this segment. Lots of love for the RX100 line obviously.

[reek]

like everyone i am also frustrated on ricoh for not releasing griv and lack of innovation but honestly what about other manufactures like sony, panasonic, canon with all the money not able bring back their compact lineup despite being in demand for the last 4 years which is more frustrating and the lack of competition in the market for ricoh there is no real pressure. they can take thier sweet time.

[joshuaspop]

People wanting a IV.

Ricoh can’t make enough of the current camera. It’s virtually never in stock.

[Joelsfilmer]

I don't understand the criticism for the lack of an EVF. A tiny viewfinder with poor eye relief and limited sun-shading does not seem like a worthwhile addition to a camera like this. You can stick an OVF in the hotshoe, so I don't see the problem.

[ScottJWaldron]

Small size is the one feature this camera has going for it. I wouldn't want to see an integrated EVF unless it were an optional one that works through the hotshoe. Same for a tilting screen. Hopefully the new version comes out soon with better autofocus and weather resistance. Maybe somehow get a larger capacity battery in there too, but size should be the main design consideration.

[gerikmd]

Might be Ricoh using up all GR3 bodies before releasing a new body for the GR4? I still prefer the ND filter than HDF.

[andrewsorrell]

will there ever be some competition in this space? or its gonna be ricoh gr3s for ever? even sony haven't done any compacts for a long time now

[justwhenithought]

Instead of giving us the long-overdue GR IV, Ricoh gave us a GR III with a bloom filter. Lol.

[JennyDarukat]

A GR IVx (HDF) with better AF, hopefully a more power efficient processor, articulating screen and weather sealing would be a dream camera. Loved the IIIx when I had it on loan for a while, but I just can't motivate the spend for such old tech - if we were in a normal used market and the subject detection AF were passable, it'd be a serious contender.

[xenonMerchant]

"Cloud based plugin" - wow... im too old for this.