grdIII

[thegf]

is this camera still relevant or worth buying new? or is the extra $200 worthwhile?

 

[gavinlg]

The grdIII is a great camera. The new one adds better jpeg noise performance, possibly more dynamic range in the highlights for jpegs, and image stabilization. Up to you if you want those features or not!

 

[Keith]

I'd have one for sure if it wasn't for the 28mm lens. These things are made for photographers and come with a refreshing lack of whistles and bells!

 

[CedMan]

I have a grd III and I WISH that I have image stabilization on this thing ... and IV delivers exactly that.

 

[robinsonphotography]

I think the GRD III is a lot of fun, but that's because I use it for night with flash i.e. out with friends, or during the day when noise isn't really an issue. Of course the IV has some nice perks, but I know that, for me, the snap focus was the single thing that made the camera so desirable to me as a III, so none of the IV improvements knock me out. Of course, I still have found I just love my M2 more than any point and shoot, so I am selling my GRD III, but that's a separate issue.

 

[thegf]

im thinking the 3 might be enough.

anyone have some good pics using high contrast settings?

 

[andersju]

im thinking the 3 might be enough.

anyone have some good pics using high contrast settings?

If you're interested in what the first GRD can do, I shot everything on http://2038.cc/ with it. I haven't used the 3 but I LOVE the noise characteristics of the original GRD that I bought in 2006, and I can't imagine it'd be any worse in the newer versions. Embrace the noise! 🙂 (2038: all JPEG (since RAW write times are terrible on GRDI), ISO 800 (except a few 1600), no noise reduction... my favorite digital camera ever. Thinking about finally upgrading to a GRDIV.)

Here are a few more "oooh, noise" to get some pictures in this thread. If you want to try a GRD for cheap, pick up the first version, I imagine they'd go for not very much now? Still very much usable...

 

[thegf]

alright so i think i want one.

anyone have experience with off-branded ("Pearstone") batteries?

 

[BillBingham2]

Not sure where you are but when I was thinking about an extra battery or two I saw some GREAT prices at PopFlash Photo, one of our advertisers. Tony and his crew are great people to deal with. I've had less than acceptable luck with getting pictures from AAA batteries though in a pinch they do work for a while (turn your LCD off for longer life).

Speaking of which, in the winter I turn off the LCD and use a Black Metal CV Brightline Finder on it. Keeps working well and the drain on the battery, which is thinking it's loosing power is very low.

I love my GRD III, to me the IV is not enough of an upgrade.

While you mileage may vary, the amount of fun you have with a GRD will not!

B2

 

[thegf]

i may look into pop flash. do any canadians have experience buying from there?

thanks.

 

[Archiver]

Oh heck yes, definitely worth the cash. The GRD III is my favourite compact camera and is companion to my M9. That says something. The GRD III did half the shooting in my three week trip to Japan last year and really brought back the goods. I even shot with it inside the Ricoh Ring Cube exhibition space and camera museum in Tokyo.

IS isn't that much a draw for me as I wear the GRD III on a neck strap, and any time I want stabilization I just pull the camera out until the strap is taut: instant stabilization rig.

The features of the IV that appeal to me the most are the faster AF, increased dynamic range, somewhat better image quality and high ISO capabilities. But I am happy to shoot with my III for some time yet. The III is still a great buy for anyone who wants a really well designed street camera that is a joy to shoot.

 

[shadowfox]

i may look into pop flash. do any canadians have experience buying from there?

thanks.

I'm not in Canada, but I too am a satisfied customer of Tony (Popflash).
And yes, seeing his price for GRD III, I was tempted also.

 

[nightfly]

High contrast photos from in camera setting:

 

[thegf]

ok last question - i currently have a g11; how do the jpgs/raw files compare?

obviously the lens is going to have a greater effect, but i a curious.

 

[Archiver]

I don't have a G11 but I've used one for a little while. The GRD III's jpegs are honestly kind of sucky, with a strange smearing effect at ISO's 400 and over. I shoot raw with it all the time unless I'm using the xpro or hi contrast bw scene modes, in which case they are a lot of fun. The III's raws, processed with Lightroom, are definitely better than what I've seen from the G11. Definitely sharper. The images also have a certain look, perhaps in the colour balance, that make them different from ones produced by a G11.

 

[Paddy C]

i may look into pop flash. do any canadians have experience buying from there?

thanks.

I bought my Zeiss Ikon and Biogon from Pop Flash. Pleasure to deal with, fast shipping. No problems.

BTW – I no longer subscribe to Reid Reviews but received a notification from him that he had put up his review of the GRD IV. Here's one line from the blurb:

This version of the now venerable GR series includes some significant improvements that make the GR IV one of the best small sensor cameras I've tested to date.

It sounds, from what I've heard, that his is a good and worthwhile improvement. If I was buying I would go for the IV even though it costs more.

 

[Paddy C]

I'd have one for sure if it wasn't for the 28mm lens. These things are made for photographers and come with a refreshing lack of whistles and bells!

Me too. If it was a 35, I would have bought one a few years ago. As it is, I still think about it from time-to-time.

I suppose I should really just buy one and give it go knowing I could sell it if I didn't get on with it.

 

[thegf]

now that the grd4 is out, can anyone compare the two? is it a worthy upgrade from a practical level - not just looking at features, etc.?

 

[Pablito]

anyone have experience with off-branded ("Pearstone") batteries?

yeah, they are fine.

 

[jsrockit]

now that the grd4 is out, can anyone compare the two? is it a worthy upgrade from a practical level - not just looking at features, etc.?

Appears to be (and I'll know soon). The AF is supposedly very fast on the IV and IS helps at very low shutter speeds. It makes the IV a good low light camera now.