Ricoh GR - what a great street camera!

[taemo]

I'm really impressed with the Ricoh GR, as much as I loved using the Fuji X100/s cameras for street/travel, I've found that the GR works better for me. (I still want a FF X100s though).
I kept going back and forth between the 2 camera for weeks, which one to sell and which one to keep. Eventually I decided to settle with the GR for a couple of reason:
-smaller, fits in my jacket, sweater or jeans, just not skinny jeans.
-quiet and discreet, both really are silent but I noticed with the X100/s that you can see the aperture blades closing/opening when shooting.
-crop mode is useful, 35mm 10MP and 50mm 6MP; not like I'm going to make 24x36 prints of my street shots.
-21mm with the GW3 lens. It's my UWA landscape camera now. With the X100/s and the WCL-X100 lens, you only go down to 28mm.
-snap mode is easy to use and there's nothing faster than preset focus.

Here's how mine looks and how I use it.

When street shooting I set my ISO to 1600, Aperture mode and snap focus set to 2m.
I set the aperture according, f/11 in bright locations, f/5.6 in low light and /8 if I'm not sure. (I find f/6.3 the sweet spot in low light because focus is from ~1m to ~9m).
My shutter speed will hover around 1/250-1/1000 most of the time.
I then turn the screen off and concentrate on composing on my cheap 28/35mm viewfinder.

Here's some shots taken with the GR.

Haven't had much chance to shoot landscape with it but here's a few

 

[stompyq]

I love mine also, although I guess my technique is different. I set mine to Tav and auto iso. I try to keep the shutter speed high and adjust the aperture as needed. I generally like to keep the aperture wider than f8. The camera is so small and so non threatening that even when i spend time composing most people don't pay me any attention. I had the X100 also and although a great camera, the Ricoh GR is much better for my purposes.

 

[stompyq]

How is the GW3? is there any degradation because of the extra lens elements?

 

[Arquetipofoto]

Nice pictures, I particularly like #2 a lot.

Congrats!!

 

[taemo]

I've read about Tav and auto ISO, might have to give it a try next.
altough in reality f/8 is more than enough on the street with the GR at 2m (in focus from 1m to 110m)

I'm not a pixel peeper and found the GW3 good enough for my landscape shots.
the canyon shot was taken with the GW3

and here's GR w/ GW3 vs X-Pro1 w/ 14mm 2.8

 

[David_Manning]

I was just shaking my head recently for the fact that I'm getting more enjoyment out of shooting my GR than really any other camera in my home (got lots of them...including an M9).

I shoot mine kinda like a film compact...ISO 400, BW mode, aperture priority. Want some motion blur? Spin the wheel to f16. Want DoF? ND on, spin back to f2.8 and get close.

It's small, quiet, fast in operation, and terrific metering. AND...it has an onboard flash.

Lots to like about this little pocket rocket, including APS-C sensor and plenty of megapixels.

I do all my post in SilverEfex Pro, and like the compact camera film look.

 

[macfiend]

I too find myself enjoying the GR more than any other camera in the house. I recently sold my X100 since I realized that if I wasn't shooting film with the M6, I was reaching for the GR or GRD IV for everything else.

Great photos by the way 😀

Cheers,

John

 

[N.delaRua]

The thing that really attracts me about this camera is its appearance. I mean it looks like a non-descript crap point and shoot.

Except that it isn't. I've gotten asked to leave with film cameras or not allowed in to bars etc. with "professional" cameras like a FM2 and the like.

No one would ever say anything to me if I walked up to the door with GR (likely because its hidden in my pocket).

I can't imagine anyone being suspicious of the GR cause it looks like nothing special. however, I really want a X100/s and plan on buying one, but the financial side and inconspicuous nature of the GR speak to me.

Have you had any experiences like that with the GR vs. X100?

 

[taemo]

David, terrific shots and I know what you mean.
the GR and M9 are the only digital cameras that I have and I'm so close on letting the M9 go if not for it being my tele with the 90mm.
very tempted on selling it and getting a DP3m though, or maybe X-Pro1 w/ 56mm

 

[taemo]

The thing that really attracts me about this camera is its appearance. I mean it looks like a non-descript crap point and shoot.

Except that it isn't. I've gotten asked to leave with film cameras or not allowed in to bars etc. with "professional" cameras like a FM2 and the like.

No one would ever say anything to me if I walked up to the door with GR (likely because its hidden in my pocket).

I can't imagine anyone being suspicious of the GR cause it looks like nothing special. however, I really want a X100/s and plan on buying one, but the financial side and inconspicuous nature of the GR speak to me.

Have you had any experiences like that with the GR vs. X100?

yes, I've owned the X100 and X100s prior to getting the GR.
All 3 terrific cameras on their own way.

What I like on the X100/s are the OVf, size, look, f/2 and fuji colors.
35mm is the perfect focal length while travelling and if you wanted to shoot wider, you could use the conversion lens to bring it down to 28mm but for me it still wasn't wide enough.

When I was at the Grand Canyon/Monument Valley/Vegas in October, I had the X-Pro1, X100s and GR.
I was mostly using the X-Pro1 and GR but in reality I could have just lived with the GR. That's when I realized that the GR de-throned the X100s for me and it was time to let it go.

 

[N.delaRua]

That is what I am thinking. I think I like the 35 mm FOV more, but 28 is not that far off, maybe like two to three physical steps of zoomig with my feet.

The GR is just sooo small, and I feel I hand it to someone while traveling, and they could take my picture without having to explain anything. Point, press button and say thank you.

I'am planning on traveling to europe soon, and I want an X100s, but I just think the GR might be the trick. My gf could use it right away as well without any learning curve.

 

[macfiend]

I noticed that when I would be out shooting with the X100, people noticed me taking their picture. It was a lot harder to be inconspicuous. With the Ricoh, I have yet to be noticed, especially up close and I shoot quite a bit with it. Sometimes I think people perceive it as a toy and never give it a second look.

I also think the GR does a better job with representing color and white balance than the X100 (or at least my X100).

I enjoy shooting B&W with it as much as when I shoot film.

The X100 was a great camera with all it offers but at the end of the day for me, the Ricoh simply fit my needs in ways that the X100 could not.

 

[taemo]

That is what I am thinking. I think I like the 35 mm FOV more, but 28 is not that far off, maybe like two to three physical steps of zoomig with my feet.

The GR is just sooo small, and I feel I hand it to someone while traveling, and they could take my picture without having to explain anything. Point, press button and say thank you.

I'am planning on traveling to europe soon, and I want an X100s, but I just think the GR might be the trick. My gf could use it right away as well without any learning curve.

I configured the Fn1 button on the GR to change AF/snap.
That way I can quickly change it when giving to someone.
But if you like shooting with shallow DoF, the X100/s is better with 35mm and f/2 vs 28mm and f/2.8

If I didn't buy an optical VF on the GR, I don't think I would have liked it as much though.
And the GW3 is one big heavy conversion lens, which is why I don't use it unless for landscape.

I noticed that when I would be out shooting with the X100, people noticed me taking their picture. It was a lot harder to be inconspicuous. With the Ricoh, I have yet to be noticed, especially up close and I shoot quite a bit with it. Sometimes I think people perceive it as a toy and never give it a second look.

I also think the GR does a better job with representing color and white balance than the X100 (or at least my X100).

I enjoy shooting B&W with it as much as when I shoot film.

The X100 was a great camera with all it offers but at the end of the day for me, the Ricoh simply fit my needs in ways that the X100 could not.

yeah, while it doesn't bother me as much I don't like how you see the aperture blade moving on the X100s lens when shooting.
The GR just looks like a P&S

 

[nightfly]

Have to say I think I like the older, smaller sensor GR's for street shooting just because of the grittier look of the output although David Manning does a great job getting that with whatever is in his hand.

As GRD3 user not sure I'd make the leap just yet.

Also you can set the camera up for auto focus on the half push and SNAP mode on the full push which is generally how I use it. No need to toggle between AF/SNAP.

Love using an external finder and having the screen off. Just wish I could get the screen to turn on when I adjust aperture with the wheel on front for confirmation and then go off right away. Not sure if this is possible.

 

[David_Manning]

Thanks everyone.

I've had and shot versions of all those cameras...X-Pro 1, X100, other compacts. The GR takes the cake.

I'm leaving this afternoon for Paris for three days, all I'm taking is the GR. It's like having a Fuji X-Pro 1 with 18mm in your jacket pocket, only faster in operation (and the Ricoh 18mm is a better lens!). Paris streets are great for close photography, so 28mm FoV won't limit me. Oh...and two extra batteries!!!

 

[louisb]

I completely agree with you. Since getting mine in early October I have nothing but good things to say about the camera.

Shot with the GW3 wide-angle adapter.

 

[David_Manning]

I just returned from Paris with the GR, and it was absolutely the right camera...I felt invisible with it. Near the usual tourist areas, a different camera would've been fine, but get two blocks away from Sacre Couer for instance, and the GR would've been Atget's choice for the street!

 

[taemo]

^good to know david!
please feel free to share some of the shots here.
out of curiosity but were there times you wished you had a different camera with you, ie different focal length?
The GR is perfect for 80% of my shots, the only reason I can't let go of the M9 is for those times that I need a longer focal length.. 50mm and 90mm.
Right now though I'm thinking of GR + M3 w/ 90mm or FM2 w/ 135mm combo

 

[Gary Sandhu]

Yes! Had the x100s and sold it and kept the GR. In addition to the size,I prefer the 28 POV and found the GR design (buttons, ergonomics) superior.
I would like the face recognition to work on the PASM modes rather than just auto.
Adding a viewfinder makes me miss the x100s' OVF not so much.
I didn't find the focus speed to be much different.

 

[David_Manning]

I think being at traditional tourist spots, like the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Couer, Trocadero, etc. my M9 and a 35 or even 50 would've been ok, maybe preferable, especially with so many other cameras around. However, once I got on the metro, or just walking the streets, the GR is the way to go. I think the 28 FoV is about right for close/narrow cities, and it's oh so compact and unassuming. And, it just slipped into a jacket pocket. Two little extra batteries in the other pocket, and I was out the door. Very different experience than the usual bag full of gear, even if it's an M body and lenses. Plus, the GR disappears in my hand, so I can carry it and walk with it out all the time, a huge advantage when shooting freely.