leicashot
Well-known
Well my GRD arrived from Popflash today, packaged perfectly, on time, as only one can expect from non other than Tony himself.
First impressions are as usual with all Ricoh GR's. Great build, pocketable and excellent handling and controls. Firstly noticeable is the screen and menu upgrade. Ricoh has put a 920K screen on this baby and it looks hot. It's colours are very accurate to my computer monitor and is quite easy to see at various angles and even in bright sunlight (to an extent).
The menu upgrade is impressive. The font is smaller and shows more on the screen at one time. The are so many customisazble options, one may think it's almost too much for such a small camera, but one must remember that this is no ordinary camera. The one feature that stands out for me is the manual flash exposure option which is great for making social pics when shooting at the same distance. It's a unique camera and there's nothing else currently like it (high speed fixed lens, and pocketable). For what it is, it brings me the closest in excitement to my Leica M8 as I could ever find in a compact pocketable camera.
Image quality wise, this camera excels. It's definately capable of producing highly detailed files, with excellent sharpness in the lens, even wide open at f/1.9!!! It has a nice overall feel to the images, like previous Ricohs, meaning that the files print exceptionally well, without the plastic look of other brands that shall remain nameless. GRD III files have character that look very film-like, especially in black and white, exhibiting excellent tone and depth. Raw files have a lot of room for movement without much loss of quality if one needs to correct any mistakes in the field. Detail at ISO 400 and lower, under the right conditions and aperture comes close to the M8, honestly! - EDIT: I take this back....got a bit excited ;-) It's not comparable, but very decent quality, quite equal to the files from my previous EP-1 - it's quality is very similar, maybe a slight edge going to the Olympus in file quality, but not by much. The Ricoh lens also outresolves the 17mm pancake.
Overall I love the camera. Many people speak of this camera as the 'ultimate street tool'. While this statement has a lot going for it, the ONLY thing that prevents it from having 'ultimate street tool status' is the fact it doesn't have a built-in viewfinder....and that it lacks manual/rangefinder focus....BUT, it is NOT a rangefinder, so for what it is, it is unbeatable in it's niche category. But seriously, if Ricoh made a larger model with a 'decent size' viewfinder, it would put it into a much different product category, so I'm happy with the way it is and wouldn't change it. I'd rather use a LARGE external viewfinder than a pissy small one built-in.
While many might complain about the US$699 retail price, I believe it represents fantastic value for money, and for those of you on the fence, I can positively say that once in your hands, the $699 you paid for it will seem like a bargain!
Here are a few quick samples. Most of the pics I took today were of my daughter so I have chosen samples without much face detail to preserve her identity. Haven't tested in low light yet, but I suspect it will do well based on my first impressions. Lastly, I believe the GRD II was a slight improvement over the GR, offering a slightly over-excited noise reduction system, whereas the GRD III is a large improvement offering much more resolution, better higher ISO performance, and more tweaking for those who know what they want from their files. This is THE upgrade original GR owners and others considering a GR have been waiting for.
Over the weekend I plan on shooting some pictures on Hollywood Boulevard and can post some of those if there is any interest.
Regards, Kris
ISO 64 f/8 about 1/500 sec
ISO 64 f/8 about 1/500 sec
ISO 400 f/1.9 about 200 sec
and 100% crop
Adding another, this time at ISO 800 in low light at f/1.9, 1/80 sec
First impressions are as usual with all Ricoh GR's. Great build, pocketable and excellent handling and controls. Firstly noticeable is the screen and menu upgrade. Ricoh has put a 920K screen on this baby and it looks hot. It's colours are very accurate to my computer monitor and is quite easy to see at various angles and even in bright sunlight (to an extent).
The menu upgrade is impressive. The font is smaller and shows more on the screen at one time. The are so many customisazble options, one may think it's almost too much for such a small camera, but one must remember that this is no ordinary camera. The one feature that stands out for me is the manual flash exposure option which is great for making social pics when shooting at the same distance. It's a unique camera and there's nothing else currently like it (high speed fixed lens, and pocketable). For what it is, it brings me the closest in excitement to my Leica M8 as I could ever find in a compact pocketable camera.
Image quality wise, this camera excels. It's definately capable of producing highly detailed files, with excellent sharpness in the lens, even wide open at f/1.9!!! It has a nice overall feel to the images, like previous Ricohs, meaning that the files print exceptionally well, without the plastic look of other brands that shall remain nameless. GRD III files have character that look very film-like, especially in black and white, exhibiting excellent tone and depth. Raw files have a lot of room for movement without much loss of quality if one needs to correct any mistakes in the field. Detail at ISO 400 and lower, under the right conditions and aperture comes close to the M8, honestly! - EDIT: I take this back....got a bit excited ;-) It's not comparable, but very decent quality, quite equal to the files from my previous EP-1 - it's quality is very similar, maybe a slight edge going to the Olympus in file quality, but not by much. The Ricoh lens also outresolves the 17mm pancake.
Overall I love the camera. Many people speak of this camera as the 'ultimate street tool'. While this statement has a lot going for it, the ONLY thing that prevents it from having 'ultimate street tool status' is the fact it doesn't have a built-in viewfinder....and that it lacks manual/rangefinder focus....BUT, it is NOT a rangefinder, so for what it is, it is unbeatable in it's niche category. But seriously, if Ricoh made a larger model with a 'decent size' viewfinder, it would put it into a much different product category, so I'm happy with the way it is and wouldn't change it. I'd rather use a LARGE external viewfinder than a pissy small one built-in.
While many might complain about the US$699 retail price, I believe it represents fantastic value for money, and for those of you on the fence, I can positively say that once in your hands, the $699 you paid for it will seem like a bargain!
Here are a few quick samples. Most of the pics I took today were of my daughter so I have chosen samples without much face detail to preserve her identity. Haven't tested in low light yet, but I suspect it will do well based on my first impressions. Lastly, I believe the GRD II was a slight improvement over the GR, offering a slightly over-excited noise reduction system, whereas the GRD III is a large improvement offering much more resolution, better higher ISO performance, and more tweaking for those who know what they want from their files. This is THE upgrade original GR owners and others considering a GR have been waiting for.
Over the weekend I plan on shooting some pictures on Hollywood Boulevard and can post some of those if there is any interest.
Regards, Kris
ISO 64 f/8 about 1/500 sec
ISO 64 f/8 about 1/500 sec
ISO 400 f/1.9 about 200 sec
and 100% crop
Adding another, this time at ISO 800 in low light at f/1.9, 1/80 sec
Last edited:
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Congrats on the GRD 3
Your Daughter is Beautiful
BUT
its the PUG that STOLE my HEART... a confessed Pugaholic
with Two (BUlly & Lulubelle) snoring, curled around my Feet
Cheers- Helen
Your Daughter is Beautiful
BUT
its the PUG that STOLE my HEART... a confessed Pugaholic
with Two (BUlly & Lulubelle) snoring, curled around my Feet
Cheers- Helen
FA Limited
missing in action
thanks for the report. will be interesting to put this, the lx3 and the new canons side by side 
leicashot
Well-known
thanks for the report. will be interesting to put this, the lx3 and the new canons side by side
While this camera (previous GRD's) is compared to those cameras, none of those are as pocketable, except maybe the LX3 in a large pocket, or the new Canon S90, which even though it doesn't have a fixed lens, it's size and 28/2 starting focal length/aperture make it the GRD's nearest competitor.
Regardsless, it feels like a pro camera in a small body. I doubt the Canon can pull of a similar feel and asthetic.
leicashot
Well-known
VladimirV
Member
Very well written and I fully agree with you, the GRD III is the best GRD so far although the GRD I still has a place for it's excellent b&w JPGs.
The GRD III pictures remind me a lot of the Panasonic LC1/Leica Digilux 2 in the way the colors are rendered but also from the depth of the images and dynamic range.
The GRD III pictures remind me a lot of the Panasonic LC1/Leica Digilux 2 in the way the colors are rendered but also from the depth of the images and dynamic range.
rondo
Established
Congratulations! These images look fantastic. I wouldn't want to spoil your honeymoon with GRD3, by any means, but: have you observed any vertical banding on high ISO shots (on the left half of the frame)? The DPreview samples seem to have that problem, and also some of the Flickr full size samples. Thanks,
P.S Cris, maybe you may want to add your thoughts on this issue as well...
P.S Cris, maybe you may want to add your thoughts on this issue as well...
Last edited:
.ken
I like pictures
beautiful rendering. Ive always been a fan of GRD, imho one of the innovators in the "compact pro" category... looking forward to your other pictures.
andrewteee
Established
Thanks for your report. I had been on the fence about the GRD3, then just ordered mine (from Pop Flash) this morning. I've had the GRD2 for a couple of years and it's still one of my favs. By all accounts the GRD3 is a solid upgrade. I'm looking forward to getting to know it. The GRDs are so fun and easy to have on hand and use, and it really works for my style. The customizable snap focus mode will be useful.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I missed a shot today because I didn't have a camera on me. I have been on the fence about the E-P1 but the GRD is so much more pocketable. Looks like I am getting a new toy tomorrow
leicashot
Well-known
Took thos one at ISO 1600, no banding whatsoever.....crop at focus point. shot qide open at f1.9.
leicashot
Well-known
I missed a shot today because I didn't have a camera on me. I have been on the fence about the E-P1 but the GRD is so much more pocketable. Looks like I am getting a new toy tomorrow
File technicalities asside, the best camera is the one you'll use the most and take with you the most places, soooooooo.....
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
ISO 1600 looks good in good light.
How about low light?
(I know, I know, I'm asking for a lot)
If these keep up I'll probably snag one myself and sell my GRD II
Cheers and thanks for the review!!!
Dave
How about low light?
(I know, I know, I'm asking for a lot)
If these keep up I'll probably snag one myself and sell my GRD II
Cheers and thanks for the review!!!
Dave
leicashot
Well-known
Well I would classify the ISO 1600 shot as good low light but it wasn't poor low light. Will see what I can come up with, but I'm guessing you can somewhat guess what it's gonna be like...probably similar to the M8 from what I'm seeing at the ISO 1250/1600.
BillBingham2
Registered User
May I HIGHLY recomend that you get a CV 28mm Black Metal Bright Line finder. The metal CV finders are world class, the 35 and the 28 might be the best in the focal length.
I have one on my GRD and it makes it a dream camera when I am in bright sunlight or existing darkness.
B2 (;->
I have one on my GRD and it makes it a dream camera when I am in bright sunlight or existing darkness.
B2 (;->
rondo
Established
Thank you for the additional images. I may have not made myself clear: The crop you included is at the center of the frame, which is typically good-I would look at the background (beige/white wall behind, on the left side of frame. I only hope that the DPR people had a pre-production unit and the problem is resolved! But you can look here for what I mean:
http://a.img-dpreview.com/gallery/ricohgrdiii_preview/originals/r0010559.jpg
Thanks again,
VladimirV
Member
I had the opportunity to use 2 sample cameras and one of them does show some banding at SO 1600, I have seen it only in few picture so far but need to test this more. The first sample I have seen did not show this problem at all. I will need to keep a closer look on this though.
If some of you want to see samples at ISO 1600, here are a few (developed with RAW Therapee and used Noise Ninja to remove color noise only):
http://ricoh-gr-diary.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-grd-iii-impressions.html
You can download some RAW files at ISO 1600 here:
http://ricohforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=2958
rondo
Established
ISO 1600 looks good in good light.
How about low light?
Dave
Dave, two shots from Cris (vladimirV)
iso 1600-1200
http://www.kudrys.com/files/grd3_cris/R9830142.DNG
http://www.kudrys.com/files/grd3_cris/R9829683.DNG
rondo
Established
Well, not sure if inconsistency is good or bad in terms of solving the problem. I would think it points out to hardware problem as opposed to a firmware solvable problem.
Thanks for following that up.
AusDLK
Famous Photographer
As a former owner of two GRD I's, I now have the GX200.
Maybe not an apples-to-apples comparison, but I'm not going back the GRD. The image files out of the GX200 are great and gotta admit that the zoom is worth it.
Maybe not an apples-to-apples comparison, but I'm not going back the GRD. The image files out of the GX200 are great and gotta admit that the zoom is worth it.