Ricoh GR IV

Ricoh just Announced a GR IV Monochrome, Fujifilm Should Release a B&W Camera, Too

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Ricoh just announced the GR IV Monochrome, a black-and-white-only version of their recent GR IV release. It seems like a really cool camera, except for the price. Because the menu must be customized and the market for it is extremely niche, a premium is expected. The Ricoh GR IV is already a bit overpriced at $1,500 (seems more like a $1,200-$1,300 camera, even when considering inflation and tariffs), so I was pretty shocked to see the $2,200 MSRP for the Monochrome version. Monochrome-only cameras are pretty rare—Leica is the most renown manufacturer of them—so it’s good to see another option, even with the steep cost.

The benefits of a monochrome-only sensor are more detailed-rich images, higher dynamic range, and better high-ISO performance. Because only half of the “pixels” in a Bayer camera are recording luminosity information (the other half are recording color; for Fujifilm X-Trans, it’s 55% luminosity and 45% color information), the true resolution of the sensor is not achieved. Pictures from black-and-white-only cameras seem sharper, as if they were captured with a higher-resolution camera. Because there is less noise, the cameras are capable of more dynamic range in the shadows, and are notably better at high ISOs. If you are not doing color photography, there is a significant benefit to a monochrome-only camera. You can use traditional color filters for B&W film with these cameras, and really get a film-like experience.

I’ve been advocating for a monochrome-only Fujifilm camera for years now. Most likely it would be an X100-series model, but I would love for it to be an interchangeable-lens camera, like maybe the next X-Pro. There would need to be some modifications to the menu. First, Acros is the only Film Simulation needed. I would like to see the Tone Curve get some new options, like -3 to +6 Highlights and Shadows. Because of the extra dynamic range, DR800 should be added. I think a Push-Process feature would be cool, where contrast and grain are increased (Off, Push 1, Push 2—should be easily accessible via a button or switch). Vignetting might be nice (Off, Weak, Strong). Split toning for Monochromatic Color would be nice, too (basically, choose a color for Highlight and a different color for Shadow). I think a Faded Blacks option would be interesting (Off, Weak, Strong). Increase the top ISO to 25600, and make ISO 51200 and 102400 the extended ISO options. Remove Advanced Filters, White Balance, Color, and Color Chrome Effects. Maybe add light leaks and/or some fun film-strip boarders. Boom, you’re done.

If Fujifilm made such a camera, they would quickly sell every single one. My hope would be that they could do this and keep the premium to no more than $500 more than the regularly version. For example, if Fujifilm made a monochrome-only X100VI, which has an MSRP of $1,800 for the normal version, I would hope that the black-and-white version would be no more than $2,300. People would absolutely pay that price for it—heck, they would probably pay $2,500 or more. Such a camera would certainly be niche, but if Fujifilm made one, it would be awesome, and would make people say wow!

Ricoh GR IV not coming soon …and why that’s good

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Well, apparently Ricoh will not be announcing a GR IV anytime soon, according to Pentax Rumors. Additionally, the supposed GR IV Monochrome camera will likely never happen.

When Fujirumors reported it last week, I suggested that the news should be taken with a grain of salt. It just didn’t make sense to me. Not because these cameras wouldn’t be massively successful or that I wouldn’t be personally interested, but because Pentax Rumors didn’t report it first, and the GR III and GR IIIx are selling very well, so there should be no eagerness from the brand to replace them.

Pentax doesn’t update their lineup as often as other manufacturers. I think that’s good, and that camera companies—including Fujifilm—discontinue models much too quickly. A normal production lifespan should be four-to-five years, then, when the next generation is released, it’s a notable refresh. With quickly advancing digital technology and stiff competition, it can be tough to wait that long, so maybe don’t listen to me; however, I think replacing cameras every two or three years (sometimes less) is just difficult to sustain and seemingly unnecessary.

I don’t believe there is any need for Ricoh to replace the GR III anytime soon, as long as they continue to offer Kaizen firmware updates to keep it fresh. Same for the Fujifilm models in the current lineup that are getting older, such as the X-T30 II, X-H2s, X-H2, and X-T5. There’s been talk within the community recently about successors, but there’s no need for Fujifilm to release them anytime soon. I would suggest 2026, personally, or maybe even 2027. That’s probably an unpopular opinion, but I’d like to see Fujifilm manufacture models for more than just a couple years before discontinuing them. I don’t mind that an X-Pro4 hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s too bad that the X-Pro3 was discontinued. Ditto for the X-E5 and X-E4. The X-E4 should still be being manufactured right now, since it was discontinued with such a large demand and long backorder list.

I think we reached a point awhile ago where we can keep our cameras for many years and they’re still excellent and not obsolete. Obviously that’s a tough position for manufacturers, because perhaps consumers aren’t buying as many copies since they’re waiting longer to upgrade. My opinion is that if camera makers design and release desirable models—maybe unconventional yet intriguing or exciting cameras—it will drive sales. The Ricoh GR III and Fujifilm X100VI are both excellent examples of this. Neither are cameras that you really need, but they’re both ones that a lot of people want. They are desirable because they’re fun, and not just soulless tools packed with the latest technical advances. Fujifilm—perhaps more than any brand—is good at making those types of cameras. It’s really fueled their success, and will continue to do so well into the future.

See also: Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes

Ricoh GR IV in 2025??

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

A big rumor dropped this morning. Apparently, Ricoh is getting ready to release the next generation of GR cameras—a GR IV—in early 2025, and a Monochrome version of it later in the year. Wow!

This comes from Fujirumors, and not Pentax Rumors, so I’m not sure how much salt needs to be taken with it. On the one hand, Fujirumors has a reputation of accuracy; on the other hand, you’d expect it to break on Pentax Rumors first. One the one hand, the GR III series is five-years-old now (approaching six), so it’s pretty old for a still-in-production digital camera and very logical that an update is imminent; on the other hand, Ricoh has done a good job of keeping it fresh with firmware updates, and demand for this camera is still sky high. I don’t think Ricoh “needs” to release a GR IV, but it would sell like hotcakes if they did.

Why am I talking about this on Fuji X Weekly? For starters, I have Recipes for Ricoh GR cameras, so this is an excellent excuse for a shameless plug. If this camera does indeed come, I will buy it. If a B&W-only version comes later, I’ll buy that, too. GR cameras are great because they are so small. They’re more pocketable than Fujifilm, which makes them excellent for travel or everyday carry. I don’t think they’re as fun (or quite as good) as Fujifilm cameras, but for casual photography, they can still be quite fun (and good). Which brings me to this: Fujifilm should fast-track the long-overdue X70 successor, presumably called X80.

The X70 was Fujifilm’s closest competitor to the Ricoh GR. It has traditional tactile manual controls—one aspect of what makes Fujifilm special—and Fujifilm’s excellent Film Simulations. An X80 would be immensely popular, and its exclusion from the X-series lineup is a missed opportunity. I hope that it is in Fujifilm’s plans, and if it’s not, I would encourage them to add it to the plans as quickly as possible. Many of us are eager for an X70 successor. And also for a B&W-only camera (maybe called “Acros Edition”), perhaps in an X100 or X-Pro body.