Ricoh GR III?

Have you tried using a 'dumb' OVF? I use the Voigtlander compact 28/35 OVF on the GRD III, GR and Sigma DP1, and it works well for framing as long as you have centre point focus enabled.

Of course I tried (Panasonic DMW-VF1) framing was ok on longer distances, but I shoot quite often < 2m and then its getting critical with the vertical framing. I used it with center AF as there is no other way with AF active, missed a lot of shots where I had to react fast and no time to focus in center and then recompose. Also, I need an OVF at least with diopter correction, not sure if the OVF from Leica or Zeiss have this, never tried because of the price.

As I said, still don't get why Ricoh is not offering an EVF as they did with some other cameras before, it's no longer rocket science in 2018/2019.

Juergen
 
The GRIII looks like a very nice update to me, one that I might even be tempted by. I like what they've done with both features and size.

But in all practicality, I already have my compact camera, the Leica CL, and if I want to be able to slip it into a pocket with a 28mm eqFOV I'll just buy the compact Leica 18mm lens for it. It's a bit bigger than the GRD but has everything I want in a compact camera.

Of course the Ricoh GRDIII will likely cost less than half what the Leica T18mm lens does...! :)
 
But in all practicality, I already have my compact camera, the Leica CL, and if I want to be able to slip it into a pocket with a 28mm eqFOV I'll just buy the compact Leica 18mm lens for it. It's a bit bigger than the GRD but has everything I want in a compact camera.

Don't know you pockets Godfrey, but serious? I tried it with the Fuji X-F10 just for fun, and that was no fun to put it in the jeans pocket. And the CL without lens is even 4mm thicker than the Fuji and 10mm more than the GR. Sounds not dramatic on paper but makes a huge difference in real life. The GR slips easily in any pocket, even my small T3 needs definitely more attention because its thicker than the GR.

Juergen
 
Of course I tried (Panasonic DMW-VF1) framing was ok on longer distances, but I shoot quite often < 2m and then its getting critical with the vertical framing. I used it with center AF as there is no other way with AF active, missed a lot of shots where I had to react fast and no time to focus in center and then recompose. Also, I need an OVF at least with diopter correction, not sure if the OVF from Leica or Zeiss have this, never tried because of the price.

As I said, still don't get why Ricoh is not offering an EVF as they did with some other cameras before, it's no longer rocket science in 2018/2019.

Juergen

Admittedly i am curious as to why they havent designed a hotshoe EVF. If there was anything in the newest model that would have attracted my wallets attention it woukd have been that.
 
Admittedly i am curious as to why they havent designed a hotshoe EVF. If there was anything in the newest model that would have attracted my wallets attention it woukd have been that.

Same here, would buy it in a heartbeat and even pre-order, something I never did before.

Jürgen
 
The hotshoe contacts alone would not be enough for an EVF. It will need an extra data port below or in the shoe. Refer to the cameras with such design and compare it to the GR III to see if the later, in which the space had become so constrained that they had to omit the flash, has the space to accommodate such a port and remain "pocketable". No camera that could equip a external EVF could fit in your jeans' pocket (unless it's a very large one), and it's no coincidence.

People want this, people want that, and what makes it funny is that, they also want it small and cheap. But what's on the designers' mind must had been about shedding off anything that's not mandatory (still want the flash though). I have a feeling that the digital GR/GRD were always built around the idea of framing with a screen, because as a digital camera it will have one anyway. Its interface is excellent because it fully embraces what it is.

So if you want an EVF, buy a camera with an EVF. It's that simple.
 
Panasonic LX7
Olympus XZ-1/2

Pocketable and can sport an EVF

Perhaps folks like the handling and interface of the GR series and other cameras aren't the preferred choice? Maybe not so simple?
 
Panasonic LX7
Olympus XZ-1/2

Pocketable and can sport an EVF

Perhaps folks like the handling and interface of the GR series and other cameras aren't the preferred choice? Maybe not so simple?

GR is APS-C, both these cameras have small sensors.
 
I used to use the accessory finder, the GV-2, with mine that came in a package deal when I bought the GR I think. But in practical use, it just makes it more cumbersome and I got used to using this camera with the screen as viewfinder. The accessory finder mostly stays home.

It does make me feel a little less engaged with the photographic process, but the compromise for a small pocketable camera with a great sensor is a worthwhile tradeoff. The viewfinder on the original GR film camera wasn't that great for anything more than quick framing anyhow.
 
Don't know you pockets Godfrey, but serious? I tried it with the Fuji X-F10 just for fun, and that was no fun to put it in the jeans pocket. And the CL without lens is even 4mm thicker than the Fuji and 10mm more than the GR. Sounds not dramatic on paper but makes a huge difference in real life. The GR slips easily in any pocket, even my small T3 needs definitely more attention because its thicker than the GR.

Juergen

I never put any camera (other than a Minox or an iPhone) into my trousers pocket. Ever. Vest or jacket pocket only, or into a bum bag (or Peak Design Field Pouch).
 
I used to use the accessory finder, the GV-2, with mine that came in a package deal when I bought the GR I think. But in practical use, it just makes it more cumbersome and I got used to using this camera with the screen as viewfinder. The accessory finder mostly stays home.

It does make me feel a little less engaged with the photographic process, but the compromise for a small pocketable camera with a great sensor is a worthwhile tradeoff. The viewfinder on the original GR film camera wasn't that great for anything more than quick framing anyhow.


Im not in the 'must have a viewfinder or no deal' camp. In fact, i find using a screen quite liberating and in some circumstances, safer. I can keep an eye on what's going on around me.

There are occasions though, where i wouldn't mind the EVF.
 
Since we've kinda floated off course a bit, I'll ask if anyone here uses the GR 21mm (equiv.) conversion lens? I have one, it's actually very good optically, but I haven't used it in a year or more. It makes the GR too bulky for pocketing.
 
Since we've kinda floated off course a bit, I'll ask if anyone here uses the GR 21mm (equiv.) conversion lens? I have one, it's actually very good optically, but I haven't used it in a year or more. It makes the GR too bulky for pocketing.

I've used an wide-adapter accessory lens like that with the Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm on the Olympus E-PL7. Yes, it does make the camera a bit bulky ... but eh? It's a lot less bulky than some of my other ultra-wide cameras, like the Hasselblad SWC... :)
 
I can't believe it actually arrived... about a year or so too late really. Still cool to see a new one and looks like a great little camera.
 
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