New Ricoh GRIV / Ricoh GR4

[dirk]

This is what I use all the time. The advantage is, that I get the GR even with the case into a bigger pocket. But mostly I have it within the case in my hand or on my belt. Cheap ebay China stuff. No real leather I think.

 

[JAGR]

Ultralightworks it is, very good it's been.

 

[mhsu]

I would not recommend to put any kind of camera in a pocket without a camera protection. There is so much dust etc. in a pocket that you will harm the camera sooner or later. No matter which brand. No matter which pocket.

It is the same like taking a camera to the beach without camera protection. Even the slightest wind will put really fine sand into your camera, which you can not see, but feel.

I always carry my GRs with a leathercase. As small as the camera. See another thread about accessories for this. I never had dust issues or other issues.

I got a small edc dyneemabag from a german guy on etsy.(ultralightbags or such?), fits the gr's just fine, even with the filterattachment and a spare battery. Works winter and summer everywhere.
The new version has properties that i do value and depending on the price, I'll most likely switch it later in the fall when it has arrived to stores.

You're right about the threat of dust. I used to have a GC-11 leather case, but it was just too big to fit in a pants pocket, even though it's only a few millimeters larger than the camera itself, and makes the camera that much slower to deploy, so I often just risk it. But it's a fair point and a much more careful approach to use a case. I'll have to look into the Dyneema bag, which at least solves the size issue.

Either way, though, it's well documented that the rocker switch and rotary dial can have issues, so I'm glad to see that the GR IV prototype design appears to abandon them in favor or something that is hopefully more reliable.

 

[Wiener]

I've had problems with the wheel on my GRIII, now on its third one. And the focus mechanism was repaired under warranty on both my GRIII and GRIIIx. Can't help feeling that their designs are less robust than previous GX's and GR's, the ones that I owned having no mechanical breakdowns whatsoever.

Always wear my small cameras on my belt in a Ricoh-branded pouch, with a jacket or jumper pulled over them for additional protection. Seems to work well for me.

 

[Patrick]

Today, the first price leaks for the upcoming Fuji X-E5 have surfaced – and if they're accurate, it’s supposedly going to cost around $1800 (body only!). That would be a massive price increase compared to the X-E4, which launched at $850.

I get it – inflation, new tech, development costs, etc. – but more than double the price? That’s quite a bold move. Especially for a camera that's aimed more at the compact, style-conscious street photography crowd, where not everyone is ready (or able) to drop nearly 2 grand.

I really hope Ricoh doesn’t go the same route with the upcoming GR IV. Sure, a modest price bump for a meaningful upgrade is fair – but not on this level.

What do you all think? Is the leak credible? And how do you feel about the general price trend in the compact/APS-C segment?

Best regards,
Patrick

 

[dirk]

Fuji lives on a different planet regarding prices, since they had so much success with the X100V and now VI.

Their prices do not make sense anymore compared to fullframe alternatives. This is why I am selling my whole Fuji system. Fuji is overpromising and underdelivering in my view. Too expensive, too big and too heavy with the newer lenses, which were optimized for 40MP. I do not see an APS-C advantage anymore as it used to be with Fuji.

I rather take MFT or fullframe - or Ricoh GR.

Ricoh is different. I do not think that the Ricoh GR4 will be that expensive. It is not a system, therefore it is more difficult to ask for more money. People buy a Ricoh GR very often additionally to their system, not as a replacement.

But I can tell you that if you have the GR3 and GR3x, it could easily replace a system, depending on your use case.

For every vacation I debate with myself each time why I should take more than these two GRs with me at all. My main use cases are travel and family. Focal ranges between 28mm and 90mm.

The Ricoh GRs are a curse and blessing at the same time.

 

[Svens_Fotos]

Prices for the GR IV are there. 1.499 $/1.349 €. My order is out, because I am new to the GR and wanted to have one. As the IV was announced I decided to go for the newest one. As an upgrade for the III I would not have ordered the new one.
Delivery times are increasing so Ricoh seems to have a point and a lot of people go for it.
My shop states that deliveries start mid september. I am very curious when I get mine.

 

[o2mpx]

Be great if camera is shipping in Sep. Preordered with B&H. Upgrading from GR III. Many might say the upgrade isn't significant but realizing the camera's technology is over 5 years old, plus there are improvements enhancing the shooting experience, seemed worthwhile given results the GR III provided.

 

[dirk]

Prices for the GR IV are there. 1.499 $/1.349 €.

This was to be expected. Every company raised prices. At least we get also a value for it which is in line with the price increase. Last but not least every GR has a long life cycle

Many might say the upgrade isn't significant but realizing the camera's technology is over 5 years old,

Exactly. I am eager to hear first results from the users. Especially for the new lens, brighter screen and high ISO up to 6.400 compared to the GR3. The AF will be faster for sure, but I do not need that for my kind of shooting. The GR3 AF was fast enough for me.

 

[chrileu]

The GR IIIx fully meets my requirements.
So far, I can rely completely on the "little big one".
I take a lot of photographs, even in dusty environments. If it continues to prove itself over the next three years, the future GRIVx could be an option, despite the high price. I suspect this is due to the America First policy...

 

[Svens_Fotos]

It‘s also quite expensive in europe. It may be Ricoh first policy ;-) .

 

[chrileu]

When I convert the current lowest retail price of GRIV in Switzerland into US dollars, the price in the US is no higher than in Switzerland. This surprises me, given that Japan pays massive customs duties on goods imported into the US.
Perhaps the retail price is not higher because the customs duties on imported goods from Vietnam are "only" 20 per cent. I assume that the new GR is also produced in Vietnam...

 

[chrileu]

In the last section, deppL did not translate as requested... I originally wrote: Import duties on goods from Vietnam have been 20% higher (and not 20%) for exports to the United States since this summer.
Please excuse this error.

 

[Genster]

I just placed a pre-order for a GR IV. Now I just have to be patient...