The Ricoh GR sequence HDF cameras supply dreamy vibes

Ricoh has introduced new variations of its GR III and GR IIIx cameras, although in the event you have been anticipating a drastic change, you are out of luck. The brand new variations add a particular built-in Spotlight Diffusion Filter for softer highlights. However past that, a lot of the unique options of those compact cameras stay the identical.

Associated

Ricoh GR III initial review: Tugging on those high-end heartstrings

The GR III is coming to Europe, priced £800/€900. We acquired to play with the high-end, fixed-lens, APS-C sensor compact to see if it nonetheless appeals.

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The GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are official

However what’s new?

The GR III and GR IIIx, each in style decisions for road pictures as a result of their compact type, share many options, together with point-and-shoot performance, a 24.2-megapixel sensor, three-axis sensor-shift stabilization, face and eye detection, and in-camera enhancing. Nonetheless, they differ of their lens specs: the GR III is supplied with a 28mm lens (35mm equal), whereas the GR IIIx incorporates a barely tighter 40mm lens (35mm equal).

All these stats keep the identical on the brand new GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras. What Ricoh has executed is add a Spotlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that it developed utilizing its superior inkjet expertise. The special-effect filter diffuses highlights and “creates a blurred impact alongside the picture’s edges,” says Ricoh. These results produce a softer picture, very similar to these captured by movie or in classic motion pictures. The HDF may be immediately switched on or off with a single motion, so photographers can simply swap between seems to be.

This is the way it seems to be in use:

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The above picture on the left was taken with the HDF filter off, whereas the picture on the fitting is with the HDF filter on. You’ll be able to see how comfortable the highlights get with the HDF filter.

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Different refined enhancements

Past the HDF filter, Ricoh additionally modified the colour of the shutter-release button to darkish silver to distinguish it from different GR sequence fashions and to “symbolize the easy shift of visible categorical,” Ricoh explains. Ricoh additionally modified the default settings of the Operate (Fn) button to manage the HDF setting. The Fn button may be custom-made, after all, however in the event you’re shopping for the HDF model, you will seemingly need that function accessible with the press of a button.

The 2 new fashions additionally function Zone Choose AF, which mechanically units the concentrate on essentially the most applicable space inside the picture after the photographer chooses the three-by-three desired zone. Sadly, the built-in impartial density (ND) filter will not be accessible on the GR III HDF or GR IIIx HDF, so you will must do with out that.

One function launched on the HDF variations can be carried over to the present fashions with the assistance of function-expansion firmware. It is possible for you to to pre-program as much as three white stability settings as the bottom white stability. That function may be paired with the White-Stability Positive Adjustment operate as nicely. The up to date firmware will likely be accessible concurrently the market launch of the HDF fashions.

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However how a lot will they value?

Each the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF will likely be accessible in April for $1,070 and $1,150, respectively.