agentlossing
Well-known
Initially, I was slightly underwhelmed at the conservative nature of changes being made, but I remember being the same when the GRIII was announced. Using the GR gives many of us flights of fancy over what the camera could be, but it remains that the GR line is extremely capable and focused on a very precise niche.
As I think over the details we have at this point, I think there are some significant updates:
- Redesigned lens (another element/group, similar to the GRIIIx lens - which is phenomenal).
- 5-axis IBIS, up from 3-axis.
- Removal of the finicky rear wheel and replacement with a more GR/GRII-like 4-way controller.
- Return of the +/- control rocker of the GR/GRII.
- Updated sensor, probably similar to the Pentax K-3 mkIII, in which case would be BSI and offer improved IQ.
- Much higher internal memory (could write faster than to a card) of 53gb.
- Focus limiter (near side or far side - good for low light, less hunting).
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
It seems like a pretty solid update to me. I'm a bit disappointed they went with a micro SD card slot, but I guess with the internal memory, it isn't that big of a deal. I'm afraid to see what this camera is going to cost though. I've read speculation that it will be in the $1,500 to $2,000 range, which seems way too high. If they can't bring the price in at least 25% lower than the X100VI, I think they are going to be in trouble. I'm thinking like $1,200; $1,300 tops.
Zuiko-logist
Well-known
Looks good. A mono version would be cool.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Does III have dust reduction as IV has?
agentlossing
Well-known
The GRIII has "dust reduction" while the GRIV lists it as "dust reduction DRII." Adding a "II" is Ricoh's way of indicating an update to a system... what that update will be, who knows.
trix4ever
Well-known
GRiv Mono please.
I would buy one sight unseen. And sell half my other cameras.
Please please please...
I would buy one sight unseen. And sell half my other cameras.
Please please please...
Freakscene
Obscure member
I wish too. But assuming that this is the same or a very similar sensor to the one in the Sony a6700, there is no stock monochrome version. The likelihood of a mono version is, therefore, as we say in my line of work “approaching zero”. Disappointing. Maybe the Pentax K-3 iii Monochrome will embolden Ricoh into ordering a run of custom chips without a Bayer filter. But really, I just don’t think so.
One of these with a 28mm equivalent lens and one with a 40mm equivalent lens would cover an awful lot of what I do.
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agentlossing
Well-known
In a recent interview, I think it was posted on DPReview, Ricoh's tone regarding amonochrome GR was more "interesting concept" than straight-up "ain't happening" which is how they always sounded with the GRIII series. So... we might be closer than before.
Personally I'd like a GRIVw more than a GRIVm... and by that I mean a 21mm model, like the GR21 of old. Not that it'll happen! But I can dream.
bcostin
Well-known
It looks like a pretty reasonable update to me, given that the GRIII is already so well designed and spec'd. It's nice that they were willing to roll-back some of the controls to the GRII pattern.
I've been seriously considering a used GRIII or GRIIIx to use alongside my GRII on vacation and they're generally over $1000. The new model is definitely on the expensive side but it seems like the demand may be strong enough to support the price.
I've been seriously considering a used GRIII or GRIIIx to use alongside my GRII on vacation and they're generally over $1000. The new model is definitely on the expensive side but it seems like the demand may be strong enough to support the price.
agentlossing
Well-known
I agree. To be clear, I don't think any price has been announced. But it's unlikely to be anywhere near the GRIII release price.
Freakscene
Obscure member
I saw this. But it’s quite simple: if you sell at Leica prices, you can afford to put custom chips in your cameras. If you do not, you can’t. I doubt they are willing to increase the price that much. I might be crazy enough to pay $5k+ for a mono GR, but I doubt enough people would be to make a profit. And redesigning the internal architecture from the ground up to accommodate another sensor when the monochrome version would probably be a lesser seller than the colour version would also not make economic sense.
I’d like a GRIVx, which I assume will appear soon enough. I like that toggle switch from the GRII.
olakiril
Well-known
i was about to buy an GRiiiX hdf about a month ago but i held off because of rumors on GRIV .I am happy they mentioned the hdf version again and pretty sure an X will appear at the same time.
now a BW would be wonderful and i think the market is large enough to justify it . they did it with a dslr so they could easily use the same sensor.
for me the only improvement that was really needed is the AF. snap focus of course is great but a fast AF is always nice to have. If i can dream then it should also have the custom LUTs as recent panasonic cameras which removes any need for post processing.
now a BW would be wonderful and i think the market is large enough to justify it . they did it with a dslr so they could easily use the same sensor.
for me the only improvement that was really needed is the AF. snap focus of course is great but a fast AF is always nice to have. If i can dream then it should also have the custom LUTs as recent panasonic cameras which removes any need for post processing.
agentlossing
Well-known
This seems to be slightly ignoring the K-3 mark III Monochrome, which was significantly more that the base K-3 III, but hardly Leica Monochrom money. I think a $2k mono GR would be reasonable personally. The camera world would get excited all over again for a mono camera you can carry in your pocket. All assuming they can source a mono sensor, of course, which is not a given.
Freakscene
Obscure member
The Sony STARVIS IMX571BQR-J sensor in the regular/colour Pentax K-3iii was already offered in an off-the-shelf monochrome version, the STARVIS IMX571BLR-J, so it was relatively simple for Pentax to make the K-3iii Monochrome. This is not the case for the sensor in the GR.
I have the K-3 iii Monochrome, so I am well aware of it.
olakiril
Well-known
But for GR IV Ricoh reports the effective resolution to be 25.7 MP which is the same as K-3 III. So it is very likely the GRIV will be using the same exact sensor in which case we are very likely to have a BW version.
Freakscene
Obscure member
It is a different sensor in the GRIV to the GRIII, but it is probably the sensor from the Sony a6700. The heat sink and wiring for the sensor in the K-3 iii is relatively deep, definitely the wrong shape to fit in a GR.
olakiril
Well-known
I dunno, I think they would have to develop the heat sink and wiring with either sensor. I guess we can wait 6 days to find out.
In any case K3iii performed a bit better than the A6700 in low light so it is quite a decent sensor.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
I'm glad Ricoh is having such a success with this line but it's not my thing guess. I really need to come up with the money for a K3mkIII Monochrome 
Archiver
Veteran
This might tempt me to return to the GR line, as I was such an avid user of the GRD III and GR. But the constant barrel extension and retraction of both cameras caused the shutter blocks to die, something I don't have to worry about with the Sony RX0, or mirrorless cams like the Panasonic GM1 or GX85. This is a real shame, because I love the handling and output of the GR cams, and I wish Ricoh could make one with a fixed, non-extending lens that was still relatively pocketable.
Freakscene
Obscure member
That would make it a custom sensor. Also, Ricoh have said as part of the release that the GRIV has phase and contrast detect AF on the sensor, so it is definitely not the sensor from the K-3 iii. Part of the reason that the K-3 iii and K-3 iii Monochrome files are so free of pattern noise is that the software is not trying to reconstruct the signal around an array of PDAF pixels. Their PDAF has its own sensor as is normal for SLRs.
It is a great sensor.
I have a GR IV on order but I think it might take a while to get to Australia.