New: Ricoh GR IV

Posted byRitchie RoeschPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , , , ,

Ricoh just released the brand-new GR IV. As far as I understand, it’s pretty much exactly the same as the GR III, and yet completely different. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but it’s been revamped inside and out—new sensor, new processor, new IBIS, new lens, new build construction—yet it’s still very similar to the “old” model. At a cursory glance, it’s almost identical, which is expected. I’m not sure if it’s worth upgrading from the GR III—especially with the $1,500 MSRP—but I’m sure there are improvements across the board that might make you consider. I haven’t used one or seen it in person, so I can’t give my opinions at this time, but I did preorder the Ricoh GR IV. I have no idea if the GR III and IIIx Recipes will be compatible with the new camera (my assumption is yes)—that’s something I plan to find out once it arrives in the mail.

Preorder the Ricoh GR IV at B&H

Published by Ritchie Roesch

I'm a freelance photographer in the Phoenix, Arizona, metro area. I create straight-out-of-camera looks for Fujifilm, Ricoh GR, Nikon, and iPhone cameras.

7 thoughts on “New: Ricoh GR IV”

  1. I used 2 GRii and never wanted GRiii..I don’t know what is the meaning of the improvement you’re talking about. In the image quality the GRii already was amazing.The regular problems of all the digital Ricoh GR series is the dust, no water resistance and the fragile internal parts of the lens construction and an electrical communication with the main board .If these problems still exist, i have no idea why to pay this high price for the amazing but very problematic camera.

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    1. I’ve never experienced dust issues personally, but I know it’s a problem that some have experienced. Supposedly Ricoh made improvements in regards to that, and time will tell if they did.

      As far as the improvements: updated sensor, updated processor, updated IBIS, updated lens. There have been improvements across the board. Whether those improvements mean something to the photographer is up to photographer to decide.

      My Ricoh GR (GR I) stopped working recently. It’s dead. It’s a 12-year-old digital camera, so I’m not surprised that it no longer functions, but also a bit disappointed that it “only” lasted 12 years. I would hope for a longer lifespan, but that’s the trouble with modern technology in-general; an analog camera might work for many, many decades, but a digital camera is much less likely to. Overall, I’m not really aware of the GR cameras being “problematic”—only the dust problem that some have experienced, and my old GR dying after 12 years.

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  2. Hey Ritchie! Is there an approximate ETA on whether you’ll test backwards compatibility with Ricoh recipes on the Ricoh recipe app? That is, will the current recipes on the app work with GR4? Ontop of that, what do you think is the closest to Fujifilms reala ace (on the x100vi) at the moment? I understand it’s not a direct 1:1 but was curious since I’m swapping from an x100vi to RicohGR4.

    thanks in advance!

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    1. I preordered the GR IV, but the only word I got back was that it’s backordered. It could be weeks, it could be months. I have no idea. I assume that there is backwards compatibility, but that’s merely a guess.

      As far as what’s somewhat similar to Reala Ace on the GR, I’d look at a Recipe like Nostalgic Print as the closest. Maybe Reggie’s Color Negative and Film Look are a couple other Recipes to consider.

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  3. Hi Ritchie,

    I’m really enjoying your app (android user)!

    Is there any plans to add new recipes for GR III?

    Thanks a lot!

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