News GR III - it's coming.

to me (and to varying degrees of "I just don't like it"), loss of the built-in flash, loss of the exposure comp rocker switch, loss of TAV mode (and it looks some other modes got axed, too....but they weren't ones that I use) are the principal beefs.

But if it's true that the only way to move the focus point is via the touch screen....to me, that is just heinous. If they need to add touchscreen stuff to lure people in, it should be an add-on, NOT to replace a button function that established users (CUSTOMERS) enjoy.

I also dislike the spinny wheel instead of a d-pad (sorry for the no-technical terms).

And I understand that most everyone here thinks smaller cameras are somehow better.....for me they're not. I alrerady think the GR II is a little smaller than I would like. Making it slightly smaller does not make it better in any practical way.....it's still bigger than anything I want to put into a pocket, so why bother.

Listen, a few things they added are nice....and appreciated. But none of them were NEEDED.....maybe the dust removal shake thing was needed since the GR is a vacuum. More mega pickles are nice.....but I can still use a 6MP camera and get good shots. So it's nice but not needed. Same for improved AF...nice, but I've never needed it.

But to be clear....it is just a camera. And there'll be a dozen better ones in a couple years anyways. So I won't lose sleep over it. I just had high hopes and expected Ricoh to make sensible upgrades, not strip away functions.
I figured some of this out from the posts, like the rocker and the TAV mode which are specific features of the GR. I go both ways on touchscreens but I like to be able to turn them off and prefer a D pad to move the AF point around. I like the bigger sensor for cropping. I normally like IBIS but it’s not essential for a 28 equivalent. Ultrasonic sensor cleaning can be handy, however, especially when you can’t clean the sensor yourself. I was just curious because this is one of those cameras that have ardent devotees. I think I would like the IQ but actually have an X70 because I really prefer a tilt screen for waist level shooting when there is no EVF.
 
For me it is an emasculation of a camera line that had evolved steadily from 35mm film beginnings and was just about right. It is a desperate, me-too dumbing down of what made the GR line essential. It feels like a clumsy pastiche of what has gone before and is patently a camera that has been designed by bean counters for sheep rather than by photographers for photographers.

My hand will stay firmly in my pocket on this one... Clutching my GRII - the last proper GR...
 
Having now seen the back side and the loss of the exposure comp rocker switch. I probably won't be buying the new GR.

Having read and watched all internet content relating to the new GR.
I've preordered.:dash2:
I still have reservations about the missing rocker switch and the missing ae lock, not to mention the change in look of the menu.
The spinny thing around the 4 way pad I reckon I could live with, and I never use flash anyway.
I will be keeping a close eye on any more info coming to light over the next few months.
 
I don’t think there’s enough detail available for me to decide one way or another. I like the smaller size, and will try to be open minded about the ability of Ricoh designers to create a user interface that works with the new form factor and new technology. I prefer the fixed screen, and the promise of better dust sealing and a sensor cleaning function are certainly welcome. I’m not sure I’ve ever fired the flash on a GR, so that’s not an issue to me.
In retrospect, I was hoping for a more ambitious redesign within the context of the traditional GR philosophy. That may not be realistic, given the number of financial, technical, and optical constraints.
I’m left wondering what a FF Ricoh fixed lens might turn out like...
 
My long departed Ricoh GX100 remains, after all of these years, one the most singularly focused photographic tools I've used. On that alone, I'm willing to give Ricoh the benefit of the doubt on the GR III interface changes. I can't wait until it gets into the hands of real photographers.
 
My long departed Ricoh GX100 remains, after all of these years, one the most singularly focused photographic tools I've used. On that alone, I'm willing to give Ricoh the benefit of the doubt on the GR III interface changes. I can't wait until it gets into the hands of real photographers.
I've thought some more about this. The problem with the GR III is that the GR/GR II were so well received by so many - they were nothing less than dedicated photographic tools, and the problem with the GR III is that it - all too obviously - caters to the zeitgeist and certain interface trends that are less than favourable for straightforward photography; some - like a touchscreen interface - even have the potential to transform an efficient tool into a fiddly mess (it has happened before!).

However, that aspect doesn't do the camera full justice - I think the new sensor and I.B.I.S. (and the dust removal system) are worthwhile improvements in their own right. I'm just afraid that you'll be too dependend on a two-handed, touchscreen-heavy handling paradigm because some decisive control points are no longer there - but on the other hand, there's a new dial (around the d-pad), and being able to configure the toggle control for exposure compensation can be considered a nice touch indeed (it's not even in the menu on the GR - well, it doesn't have to be, what with the dedicated control rocker, but it's quite a natural thing to enable). There's reason for hope, just like @john m flores hinted at.

So, even if there's certainly cause for concern because some rather silly things have happened when proven concepts were modernised too vigorously, it's by no means certain that the interface will be dumped down the way some of us - me included - do fear. In short, I really want to know how this camera actually feels in the hand, how responsive it is and if the new lens design can keep up with the old one - if it turns out to be a slick and satisfying camera in use, I'm more than willing to change my mind about it (which doesn't mean I'm going to buy one - but I may be able to stop shaking my head about the direction Pentax/Ricoh have taken).

It's a Ricoh GR - let's *not* forget that and dismiss their latest effort too quickly. We'll know more in 2019.

M.
 
The IBIS, macro, and dust cleaning are good improvements. Hopefully the lens has good sharpness and faster af.

More on GR III in Spanish: First impressions of the Ricoh GR III - solved the problem of dirt in the sensor?
Ricoh GR III – Primeras impresiones
Google translation:
However, as confirmed by those responsible, the design is already closed and there will be no changes with respect to the final model .
 
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Having read and watched all internet content relating to the new GR.
I've preordered.:dash2:
I still have reservations about the missing rocker switch and the missing ae lock, not to mention the change in look of the menu.
The spinny thing around the 4 way pad I reckon I could live with, and I never use flash anyway.
I will be keeping a close eye on any more info coming to light over the next few months.
I didn’t know they were available for pre-order. Edit: B&H has the case for pre-order. :hmmm:
 
After seeing the handson at DPR, and seeing the size comparison, I've decided I may just get one of these next year. It looks like its about the same length as the GRD series, in which case its an excellent size. I can probably live without Tav and snap focus (has that gone?) for the smaller size.
 
It is same price as a used X100F in US. The other side is I can get a mint XF10 for $378 with current sales. However XF10 doesn't have a hot shoe for the Ricoh optical vf that I have...

Better dust resistance would be most welcome to GR faithful, I'm sure. It's a step up in price, I believe... But still usefully cheaper than the X100F.
 
Agreed. I'm not interested in touch screens. I dont even like using the touch screen on my phone, I prefer to use the Volume button to fire off a shot.

Sue, perhaps I should have mentioned that I do like touch screens. Love the one on the X70 for moving the focus point.
But it really seems unnecessary to me to have on a fixed screen.
 
Sue, perhaps I should have mentioned that I do like touch screens. Love the one on the X70 for moving the focus point.
But it really seems unnecessary to me to have on a fixed screen.
The Lumix M4/3 cameras have very intuitive menus which are fully touch enabled. It's incredibly helpful to have when you need to make quick changes. I don't know why so many other manufacturers have trouble with the menus. I don't even use touch focus, but I rely on touch menus.

Really hope Ricoh manages to figure touch menus out.
 
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