Today, we come to the finale of my user's impression of the GRD III. I am going to write about for what the camera impresses me the most, who it is for and where the thorns of this rose are. This post features pictures of Tokwuawan, an old area reminiscent of the old way of life in Hong Kong.
The name GRD III conjures up in me an immediate impression of a very enjoyable light camera. The built is absolutely solid and of a high grade. I am especially impressed that the camera has catered for all the unexpected decisive moments for a photographer, thanks to the fast lens and the flexible implementation of the focusing modes. When I took the camera with me in the street, I could comfortably use a fast shutter speed or a higher ISO value. The long-awaited shutter priority mode is the right move. I hope that it will stay on the mode dial in the future Ricoh cameras.
^This is a typical streetscape in the Tokuawan neighbourhood. These tenement buildings have a history of half a decade.
Responses are swift in all aspects. The LCD screen is like the CX’s which is very greasy-finger proof. The resolution is a head and shoulder above all other digital cameras of its class. The functions and features of the camera is smart and sensible, leading me to think that it must be designed by some veteran photographer-designers.
The image quality of the GRD III leaps much higher than its predecessor. For sure, as seen in the comparative shots in the post this Monday, the image lags behind those by a FOVEON X3 or M4/3 sensor in quality. It is understandably so. The question to the perspective buyers remains the takes and gives among the cost, size and ergonomics.
^One of the back streets in the area. The filthy reality of Hong Kong. This should be put into a postcard.
The great ergonomics of the GRD III is indisputable on account of what we have seen in the review. But we are all spoiled photographers in the digital era to settle anything just great, ain't we? The areas to perfect the camera control-wise are to be discussed a couple of paragraphs later. With regard to the cost and size, the Sigma FOVEON, the M4/3 and less so the Leica X1 systems will catch up after a few product generations.
So, the related question to Ricoh is: What is the way forward for it to retain a fair market share to survive in what used its turf until last year? No one looks beyond the prospect of a Ricoh camera with interchangeable lenses. But Ricoh has a history of treading its own path. And at press time, there is nothing circulating about such a prospect.
Until then, why should anyone buy the GRD III with a restrictive prime lens?
^A shop sells traditional Southern China food stored in the cabinet. They are literally known as Oily Deep Fried Ghosts and Cow Tongue Puffs. The story of them should make a separate post.
To the Habitual Photographic Stevedores
Think about this: a speedy F1.9 28mm prime lens of great optical quality, in a stealthy camera body the size of a palm which you can tailor almost all the functions to your photographic style. And it is light.
If you own and normally use a full-fledged camera, be it a SLR or DSLR, especially with a wide-angel prime lens on, try the GRD III. The other day I visited a Sony showroom and played with the A850 in a hope of giving myself a cogent argument to resurrect my pounds of Minolta lenses, flashes, filters, a lightshere and whatnots. I left after holding the A850 for 15 seconds.
^ Such a neighbourhood shoe shop is not to be found in a lot of places in Hong Kong. The shop occupies just a tiny cubicle on a quite street.
I was like on my mind, "It can really break my wrist, shoulder bone or neck carrying it with all the paraphernalia for a full day shooting!" In my head flashed back the compliant of my wedding photographer friend who broke his shoulder joint after carrying around his heavy photographic gear over a long period.
Then I capped the GRD III in my palms and a big question mark hit me, "Do I need to produce photos into oversized prints?"
Otherwise why should I labour myself with the unbearable heaviness of carrying to enjoy the fun of photographing?
Yes, now we have the M4/3 options. But until the differences in size and price become fractional, the GRD III is in a class of its own.
^Customers are killing time with their chats in the shoe shop. This friendly atmosphere is what should be treasured.
To Novice Learners
A zoom lens is for the benefit of two things. Number one, the convenience in doing the composition. Number two, the possibility of shooting a scene for different perspectives. But note that if you shoot a scene with a 35mm equiv. prime lens and with zoom lens at a similar focal length (say, 50mm), the perspectives of the two shots are the same.
Surely, photography necessitates the learners to know about the technical aspects But in operation, the ability to see a scene as a photo is truly fundamental to photography. Fact is, the technicality of photography is pretty intuitive in the digital era.
^The object in the foreground is an old style fire hydrant. The other time I found it was in a faraway countryside.
With this in mind, I would suggest a prime lens to anyone who are learning photography, especially the tyros. The reason is simple: the "restrictive" prime lens forces the user to explore the best distance and angle in doing every shots.
And the known fact is that the closer the photographer is to the scene of action, the higher the chance the picture will be a keeper. Another important quality about any photographer which a prime lens can beef you up is: chutzpah. Well, with a prime lens, you always find yourself with no choice but to go closer to the subjects.
^A roadside public utility control box with handwritten ads is a common sight in the older and poorer neighbourhood. The ads here are for home moving, sofa repairing and van renting. Oh, the printing KCF has nothing to do with the KFC Fried Chicken.
To Intermediate Users
Seriously, when looking for a camera, don't just be dazzled by all the lenses and accessories you can buy. Those stuff are all very well. Put together, the extra lenses and accessories can cost dearer than the body itself and the investment will glue you to a certain brand for quite some time.
So, I’d focus on which one I can grow with it. The GRD III is so customisable that each can be tailored to the taste of its owner. With the extra benefit in size, the GRD III is pretty much the one.
But, please, read the user’s guide to outgrow a camera. The GRD III being so flexible is certainly a case in point.
^ A diecast metal gate at the entrance to an old tenement building. The openings on it serve as the letter boxes which is very common among these buildings.
Features for Thought
Now, this is for the Ricoh designer. Surely also for those who have waited too long to hear me boo the camera.
- Exposure Indicator
When the Manual mode is on, the screen always shows an exposure indicator to guide the photographers in fumbling for a desired exposure combo. But it is as good as it gets. When the exposure mode is otherwise, the indicator only appears when the One-Press-M mode button or the shutter release is pressed.
The photographers definitely need the indicator be there all the time.
- MY Setting
The six slots to store the user's own settings can be recalled interchangeably to the MY modes. But if the setting stored in MY modes without concurrently stored in the slot, the recall from the slot to supersede it will make it gone forever. Ricoh should issue a firmware to warn the users in this case so that the users can save the setting in the slot first.
Also, there should be a short cut or quick access to recall the settings in the six slots. Diving into the menu is contrary to the great ergonomics Ricoh upholds in the GRD III.
^A newer-style fire hydrant, which is sometimes nicknamed the Pig Head. The shop in the background is a real estate agency, with the neon coloured ads on the window displaying apartments to let and sell.
- FN Button
The extra FN button is imposed on the self-timer button. Once it is assigned to another function, the self-timer is gone. There is no way to resurrect it apart from setting it a standard feature in the MY mode. Ricoh should issue a firmware to allow activation of the self-timer in the menu.
- Digital Macro
I have not idea whether the GRD II has the digital macro option. But it is a feature in the GX and CX cameras but not in the GRD III. It is true that the manual focusing of the GRD III works blissfully. Tuning the focus to a focal distance similar to that of the digital macro is not difficult. But a dedicated digital macro option in the menu works faster.
^The famous Cattle Depot Artist Village is a cluster of brick buildings previously used a cattle depot and slaughter house. It is tucked among the old buildings in the inner part of the area.
- Menu System
As a user familiar to the Ricoh menu system, even I found myself fumbling fro the right choice with the now three-tab menus. Bearing in mind that I have repeatedly read the user's instruction booklets of the GX200 and CX1, I am fairly sure that new users will find the menu system long and winding. It has left much to be tided up.
- Focusing Speed
It is much faster. But still not at a class leading speed. The snap mode is of course lightening fast as it actually require no focus adjustments. This is the area Ricoh needs to ponder on.
^Visualise on your mind the taller buildings being the older and shorter structure as the one in the middle ground. Then you know what the busy, unruly old Hong Kong looked like.
- Weather Proof
Ricoh, seal the camera better to make it weather proof and rain proof. They are photographically unrelated features but photographers will be proud to have them. It is an understatement that Ricoh makes smart cameras.
- Bigger Sensor
If the next GRD camera, or any other Ricoh model, is fitted with a APS-C sized sensor without scarifying the ergonomics, the photographers can faint.
But they will be up and about soon enough to buy such a camera. Think about that.
I am going to email these features for thought to Ricoh via Laikok Photographic (HK) Products Limited, the sole Ricoh camera dealers who kindly loan the GRD III to GX GARNERINGS. If you wish me to add your comments, do write them to me.
I hope that this review series is of use to you for your frustration … er …decision.
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