The Ricoh GR series HDF cameras offer dreamy vibes

Ricoh has introduced new variations of its GR III and GR IIIx cameras, although should you had 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, many of the authentic options of those compact cameras stay the identical.

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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 fashionable selections for road images as a result of their compact kind, 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 provided 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 accomplished 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 films. The HDF could be immediately switched on or off with a single motion, so photographers can simply swap between appears to be like.

Here is the way it appears to be like in use:

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The above picture on the left was taken with the HDF filter off, whereas the picture on the proper 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 collection fashions and to “symbolize the easy shift of visible categorical,” Ricoh explains. Ricoh additionally modified the default settings of the Perform (Fn) button to manage the HDF setting. The Fn button could be custom-made, after all, however should you’re shopping for the HDF model, you may probably need that characteristic obtainable with the press of a button.

The 2 new fashions additionally characteristic Zone Choose AF, which robotically units the give attention to probably the most applicable space throughout the picture after the photographer chooses the three-by-three desired zone. Sadly, the built-in impartial density (ND) filter isn’t obtainable on the GR III HDF or GR IIIx HDF, so you may need to do with out that.

One characteristic launched on the HDF variations can also 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 steadiness settings as the bottom white steadiness. That characteristic could be paired with the White-Stability Positive Adjustment operate as properly. The up to date firmware will likely be obtainable concurrently the market launch of the HDF fashions.

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However how a lot will they price?

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