Joy and pain

My First Ricoh GR: Where the Love Began

In 2013, I bought the Ricoh GR, the first in the series to feature an APS-C sensor. I was instantly hooked. Coming from an Olympus Micro Four Thirds, which I liked well enough, the Ricoh reignited my passion for photography. Small enough to carry everywhere, it became my constant companion. Point, shoot, document life, enjoy the hobby, it was that simple.

The images were razor-sharp and converted beautifully to black and white. For me, it was a no-brainer: this was the camera I wanted by my side.

Dust?

I remember reading plenty of online complaints about dust on the sensor, but I never had that issue. Occasionally, the camera behaved oddly, such as the lens refusing to retract, but most of the time it turned out to be an almost-empty battery. Just a minor quirk, nothing worth worrying about.

The Ricoh GR II

The one Ricoh I skipped was the GR II. It was only a small upgrade from the model I owned, and I didn’t have the money or the motivation to switch. If I remember correctly, the main addition was Wi-Fi, which wasn’t enough to tempt me.

Ricoh GRIII: Love at First Shot… With a Few Quirks

I bought the GRIII in 2022, a major upgrade from the original. More megapixels, a sharper lens, IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilisation), no built-in flash, and an even smaller body. On paper, it was everything I wanted.

I genuinely love this camera, but it hasn’t been without its quirks. Every now and then, the lens refuses to retract or gets stuck. Within the first few months, I spotted dust on the sensor. Occasionally, it shuts down because the battery doesn’t make proper contact with the electronics.

For a camera that costs around €1,000, I expected a smoother experience. Maybe I’m just unlucky and ended up with a finicky unit, but it’s a little disappointing. Still, most of these issues aren’t deal-breakers. Ricoh’s reputation for dust on the sensor doesn’t bother me, it’s easy to remove in post, and most of the time it’s not even noticeable. Battery life? Just okay. Not terrible, not great. Bring at least one spare.

Then there’s the video function. Honestly… why is it even there? It’s not good, I never use it, and I’ve never heard of anyone buying a GR for video. The new GR4 still has it, but for me, the GR series is about still photography.

That said, the GRIII has become my constant companion. The image quality is stunning, and the customization options let me fine-tune the camera to fit my shooting style perfectly. Snap Focus is a joy, lightning-fast, letting me react instantly without waiting for autofocus. And the combination of its ridiculously small size and feather-light weight makes it a true “take anywhere” camera.

It’s not perfect, but for the way I shoot, the Ricoh GRIII is as close as it gets.