Ricoh GR IIIx | FUJI X WEEKLY

New: Ricoh GR III / GR IIIx HDF

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

For those of you with a Ricoh GR camera, a new version of the GR III and GR IIIx, called HDF (or, Highlight Diffusion Filter), was just announced. There’s not much different between the HDF model and the regular one other than the built-in ND filter has been replaced by a built-in diffusion filter. From the sample pictures produced by Ricoh, the effect of their “Highlight Diffusion Filter” is rather weird, and I think it is because they used ink. A CineBloom or Black Pro Mist would be much preferable, but attaching filters to the front of the camera requires an adapter which makes it not-pocketable; being able to slide the GR into my pants pocket is the main reason why I own one, so I don’t use filters with it personally.

I like the concept of the change. The built-in ND filter is nice to have available on a rare occasion, but, generally speaking, I use diffusion filters more often than ND, and having it built-in is pretty cool. Unfortunately, I don’t think the execution was all that impressive. I haven’t tried it personally, so I don’t have any first-hand experience, but just look at the sample pictures here (especially this one), and make of that what you will.

*Ricoh GR III + Vibrant Nostalgia Recipe*

Anyway, with the extreme success of the Fujifilm X100V and now X100VI coupled with the difficulty in actually getting one, Ricoh has seen a big boost in demand for the GR III/GR IIIx cameras, since they’ve been suggested as a top alternative. I think, if anything, it should encourage Fujifilm to make an X80, the long-overdue successor to the X70, which was Fujifilm’s closest competitor to the GR models. I really like my Ricoh GR III when I need something ultra-compact, but I definitely prefer Fujifilm overall. I believe that an X80 would be highly successful if Fujifilm was offering it right now.

Between the non-HDF and HDF versions of the Ricoh GR III/GR IIIx, my recommendation is the non-HDF, not only because the diffusion filter seems to produce odd effects sometimes, but also because the non-HDF version is a little cheaper. But, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; you might have an easier time finding the HDF model, as the regular version has been often out-of-stock, so finding one has been hit-or-miss. A camera like the Ricoh GR is excellent to have just because it can go anywhere with you without ever getting in the way. Is it my favorite camera? No, absolutely not; however, it is my favorite when an ultra-compact pocketable model is needed, as there isn’t really anything else comparable right now by any other camera maker.

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Ricoh GR III: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Ricoh GR IIIx: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Ricoh GR III HDF: B&H, Wex
Ricoh GR IIIx HDF: B&H, Wex

New Ricoh GR III / GR IIIx Recipes!

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

For those of you with a Ricoh GR III or GR IIIx camera, I just published a new collection of Recipes over at Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes, called The Analog Collection. There are six new Recipes, so if you have a GR III or GR IIIx, be sure to check it out now! Also, be sure to download the Ricoh Recipes App if you haven’t yet done so.

Since this is a Fujifilm blog, I don’t want to take up too much of your time with this, so if you are interested in learning more, simply click here. For the rest of you, I hope that you enjoy viewing the handful of example pictures in this short article.

*Ricoh GR III + Reggie’s Color Negative Recipe*

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Ricoh GR III Amazon B&H Moment
Ricoh GR IIIx Amazon B&H Moment

New Ricoh GR III & GR IIIx Recipes!!

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*Captured with a Ricoh GR III using the new “Classic Emulsion” Recipe.*

I just published a new set of Ricoh GR III & GR IIIx Recipes: The Film Collection!

For those of you who (in addition to your Fujifilm X cameras) own a Ricoh GR III and/or GR IIIx, you now have five new Ricoh Recipes to choose from, and if you are a Ricoh Recipes App Patron, you have an additional Recipe available to you on the App. Be sure to check it out! If you haven’t updated the firmware of your GR III or GR IIIx recently, be sure to do so right away to get the new Negative Film Picture Control Effect.

Classic Emulsion

Positive Emulsion

Kodak Print

Film Look

Vintage Film

Nostalgic Print

See also: Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Ricoh GR III Amazon B&H Moment
Ricoh GR IIIx Amazon B&H Moment

Fujifilm Take Notice: Ricoh Just Did What You Won’t

Posted on January 28, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*Captured with the new “Negative Film” Picture Control Effect on my Ricoh GR III*.

Fujifilm, pay close attention: Ricoh just did with their GR III and GR IIIx what you won’t do with your X-series cameras.

Fujifilm has stated that they’re moving away from Kaizen and to expect less of it going forward, but some other camera makers—including Ricoh—are embracing it. In fact, Ricoh just added a new Picture Control Effect, which is their Film Simulations equivalent, to their GR III and IIIx cameras. This new Effect is called Negative Film, and it looks pretty good so far to me. It’s not really like anything on Fujifilm exactly—perhaps it could be described as somewhat similar to a cross between Classic Negative and PRO Neg. Std—but it does produce an aesthetic that’s easy to appreciate.

I want to point out that the GR III was released almost at the same exact time as the Fujifilm X-T30. Since the release of the X-T30, Fujifilm has introduced three new Film Simulations—Classic Negative, Eterna Bleach Bypass, and Nostalgic Neg.—plus some other JPEG options like Color Chrome FX Blue, Clarity, and Grain size. None of it has trickled down to the X-T30 (or X-T3). Even the X-Pro3 and X100V—premium models, supposedly—weren’t given the Kaizen love that they (really, Fujifilm’s customers) deserve. Yet little ol’ Ricoh not only created a new Effect for apparently no reason other than the fun of it, and they gave it to the almost four-year-old GR III just because they wanted to make their customers happy.

I have a ton of advice that I’d give to Fujifilm if they were ever interested in hearing my opinions. I mean, I have a pretty good pulse on a big chunk of their customer base, and I’ve done more than most to bring them new customers, whether directly or indirectly, so you’d think they would be interested in hearing what I have to say. The very first suggestion that I would have for them is to do more Kaizen and not less. I get that it costs time and money, but fostering a happy long-term repeat customer base is priceless, and well worth whatever it takes to do that. A lot of photographers go from brand-to-brand-to-brand, or they begrudgingly put up with a brand for a long time because they don’t want to endure the cost and headache of switching, and there is a surprisingly large amount of disloyalty among customers. Yes, there are the outspoken fanboys—I am one for Fujifilm—but while their voices are loud, their numbers are surprisingly small. So if a brand can actually make more of their customers loyal, which they do by showing them that they matter and are appreciated, it can have a significant long-term impact. Of course, if your customers don’t think you care about them, they’ll be more quick to leave when another brand offers something new and exciting, or if they think that another brand cares more about their customers than the one they’re currently using.

Ricoh just made sure that their customers know that they care. Fujifilm, make sure that your customers know you care!

Below are some examples of photos captured using the new Negative Film Picture Control Effect on my Ricoh GR III.

See also: Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Ricoh GR III Amazon B&H Moment
Ricoh GR IIIx Amazon B&H Moment

New Recipes for Ricoh GR!

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Ritchie Roesch

*Captured with the new* *Vibrant Teal recipe for Ricoh GR III*

Ricoh GR owners rejoice! I just published a new Recipe Collection, called The California Negative Collection, for the Ricoh GR III and Ricoh GR IIIx cameras! Find it at Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes, and on the Ricoh Recipes App!

Also, the Ricoh Recipes App received an update, which fixed some bugs and added the ability to search for recipes by name. If you have the App, be sure to update it manually if your phone didn’t do so automatically.

Have a Ricoh GR camera? Download the Ricoh Recipes App today!

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Ricoh GR III — Amazon — B&H
Ricoh GR IIIx — Amazon — B&H

Ricoh Recipes App Now Available!

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

For those with a Ricoh GR camera, the Ricoh Recipes App is now available! If you have a GR, GR II, GR III, or GR IIIx camera, you’ll want to check this out. Visit Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes to find out all of the details.