Key Takeaways
- Ricoh launched new GR III and GR IIIx cameras with a built-in Spotlight Diffusion Filter.
- The brand new fashions keep unique options however supply a novel softening impact alongside picture edges and on highlights for a classic look.
- Adjustments embrace a darkish silver shutter-release button and enhanced Zone Choose AF, however no built-in ND filter.
Ricoh has introduced new variations of its GR III and GR IIIx cameras, although if you happen to had been anticipating a drastic change, you are out of luck. The brand new variations add a particular built-in Spotlight Diffusion Filter for softer highlights. However past that, a lot of the unique options of those compact cameras stay the identical.
Ricoh GR III initial review: Tugging on those high-end heartstrings
The GR III is coming to Europe, priced £800/€900. We bought to play with the high-end, fixed-lens, APS-C sensor compact to see if it nonetheless appeals.
Ricoh
The GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are official
However what’s new?
The GR III and GR IIIx, each widespread selections for road images as a result of their compact kind, share many options, together with point-and-shoot performance, a 24.2-megapixel sensor, three-axis sensor-shift stabilization, face and eye detection, and in-camera modifying. Nevertheless, they differ of their lens specs: the GR III is provided with a 28mm lens (35mm equal), whereas the GR IIIx contains a barely tighter 40mm lens (35mm equal).
All these stats keep the identical on the brand new GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras. What Ricoh has finished is add a Spotlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that it developed utilizing its superior inkjet expertise. The special-effect filter diffuses highlights and “creates a blurred impact alongside the picture’s edges,” says Ricoh. These results produce a softer picture, very like these captured by movie or in classic films. The HDF will be immediately switched on or off with a single motion, so photographers can simply change between seems to be.
This is the way it seems to be in use:
Ricoh
The above picture on the left was taken with the HDF filter off, whereas the picture on the precise is with the HDF filter on. You’ll be able to see how tender the highlights get with the HDF filter.
Ricoh
Different delicate enhancements
Past the HDF filter, Ricoh additionally modified the colour of the shutter-release button to darkish silver to distinguish it from different GR sequence fashions and to “symbolize the easy shift of visible specific,” Ricoh explains. Ricoh additionally modified the default settings of the Operate (Fn) button to regulate the HDF setting. The Fn button will be personalized, after all, however if you happen to’re shopping for the HDF model, you may possible need that function accessible with the press of a button.
The 2 new fashions additionally function Zone Choose AF, which mechanically units the deal with essentially the most applicable space throughout the picture after the photographer chooses the three-by-three desired zone. Sadly, the built-in impartial density (ND) filter just isn’t accessible on the GR III HDF or GR IIIx HDF, so you may must do with out that.
One function launched on the HDF variations can also be carried over to the present fashions with the assistance of function-expansion firmware. It is possible for you to to pre-program as much as three white stability settings as the bottom white stability. That function will be paired with the White-Stability Nice Adjustment perform as effectively. The up to date firmware might be accessible concurrently the market launch of the HDF fashions.
Ricoh
However how a lot will they price?
Each the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF might be accessible in April for $1,070 and $1,150, respectively.
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