Is Ricoh's GRIII Dreamy HDF Filter Worth It?

Рет қаралды 17,491

2 ай бұрын

#Ricoh #RicohGRIIIHDF #RicohGRIIIX
Is the Ricoh GR III HDF a photography revolution or a gimmick? This unique camera features a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that promises a distinct "vintage film" aesthetic. But does it live up to the hype?
In this video,I compare the Ricoh GR III HDF vs the standard version exploring its features, image quality, and real-world performance. We'll answer the burning question: Is this camera worth the investment, or is it just another expensive toy?
**10% off Oberwerth Bags, Straps and Accessories: oberwerth.com/?sca_ref=5731989.kX7pwQns6w&sca_source=KZfaq
My Gear:
Camera: Nikon Z8 bhpho.to/4b3WNYj
Ricoh GRIII HDF bhpho.to/3UBxHcH
Nikkor S 105 f2.8 Micro bhpho.to/3UnmD3I
Sennheiser AVX bhpho.to/4aFR0Z4
Zoom F6 bhpho.to/4aY29nK
Mac Studio M2 MAX bhpho.to/3xFXk4a
Apple Studio Display bhpho.to/3W0g60h
Lights:
Aputure 300X bhpho.to/4cXwXqJ
Amaran T2c bhpho.to/3W4oGei
Amaran F21c bhpho.to/3TZqXoy
Amaran COB 60X bhpho.to/4d4UYff
Amaran P60c bhpho.to/3Q8KIJi
Bag: 10% off Oberwerth Bags, Straps and Accessories:
oberwerth.com/?sca_ref=5731989.kX7pwQns6w&sca_source=KZfaq
Display Cabinet: Terravault
Chair and Desk: SecretLab

Пікірлер: 82

@junosensis Ай бұрын

I got a GR III for 2 years. it was 'lost' at the airport last summer. now i've buy the HDF. Got it since 2 weeks now. The HDF is GREAT ! i'm a logn time photographier ( +30y ) and i've used black mist on all my DSLR for specific shooting.. ( dreamy weedings shoot, and so ) . The OPTICAL effect of a high diffufson filter is WAY more gorgeous than any photoshop filter... ( and trust me, i'm a heavy photoshop user... ) . so, if you want the HDF, the new GRIIIHDF is reaaaaaaaaly a beast. The ND missing is not a issue for me. As always, there is no good or bad choice, it's juste depend on YOUR style of photography... don't trust the other people advice on this choice. It's completely personal. ( Sorry for my bad english. ^^ )

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Agree very personal. Glad you are enjoying it!

@Nedumgottil 2 ай бұрын

I just picked up an HDF version recently, I don't use the HDF mode for color shots too much but it really makes some pleasing BW shots straight out of the camera

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Yes it has its moments. Sometimes the images look great, others not so

@TungstenOvergaard 2 ай бұрын

I bought the GR III HDF (my first GR) and I love it. But you nailed it: GRIV with Flash and EVF. At least with Flash. Love your honesty, dont lose it!

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes we need a flash back for the GR4

@TungstenOvergaard 2 ай бұрын

@@btonelli You gave them the marketing catchy word for the next version (“Flashback”) 😉

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

@@TungstenOvergaard lol!

@rockyBalboa6699 Ай бұрын

I really don't understand the reason behind Ricoh releasing new versions of old GR iii with very minimal features! Obviously someone with an original GR iii will never buy any variations until the release of GR IV! It's really annoying for Ricoh to disrespect their customers with products that has no advantage owning variations of old cameras! At least they could make a pure monochrome version by removing the colour mosaic filter like Pentax & Leica which can be a popular choice! Come on Ricoh, Don't play with us!

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Agree. Not sure why they are prolonging the IV. Be good idea on the monochrome, that would be awesome

@Stop-All-War 28 күн бұрын

@btonelli A 'HDF' with true monochrome sensor.....YES please - 2025

@Geert890 Күн бұрын

How is that disrespecting 😂 it's disrespectful if I buy something this year and have to buy something new next year! It lasts 5 years! How is that disrespect?

@petermendelson5839 2 ай бұрын

As always I find your contest refreshingly honest - too many reviewers these days just hype the latest gear to keep the goodies and company partnerships going and it's getting tiresome. Anyway, I have the original GRIII, and when the HDF version came out, I decided to pick up a Polar Pro Shortstache mist filter instead which seems to achieve a similar effect. Nice option to have, but I realized I will use it less often than I thought. Keep the great content coming!

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! That’s the goal is to always be honest. I think the Polar Pro Shortstache is the way to go

@SummersSnaps 2 ай бұрын

Honestly I applaud Ricoh for this. Ok ok... I know they do a lot of silly cosmetic variety versions etc (street, diary etc), but name me ONE company that has thought to do this?! And then look at Tiffen special effect filter sales! Actually I will name one... STC Optics, they produce a clip (behind lens/in front of sensor) HDF (and honestly I am seriously contemplating just getting a couple for my XH2S's). But indeed, the strength of the effect is key, but how good is it that you can turn it on or off and on at a touch of a button! Much better than screwing/unscrewing filters (or even dealing with a magnetic filter system. It would be nice if there was a drive mode that took one shot with (HDF) and one without. I think this is a nice addition to the range and something at least creatively interesting as we wait for the GR4.

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

There are times I liked it but I wish it wasn’t so heavy and other times I wish it was more pronounced. It’s cool but I feel I can replicate it quite easily in Lightroom. I applaud the move, but as I said having a choice, the ND has more use cases for me

@pouchboy1 2 ай бұрын

Excellent vid and explanation. Great voice, by the way. Love the GR series.

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Thank you and thanks! 🙏

@alanpayne7656 Ай бұрын

Yes great voice. Wish I had one like it !

@btonelli Ай бұрын

@@alanpayne7656 thanks. Very kind

@hsbutoy 28 күн бұрын

Great review! Covered all the key points and answered my questions. Will be interesting to see if Ricoh develop a built in hdf where you can adjust the diffusion % in future that would be something special

@btonelli 28 күн бұрын

Thanks!!

@stevemphoto 2 ай бұрын

Just wanted to drop a compliment. I don't want either of these but love your content! ✌

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Thanks much appreciated

@davidzhorvath 2 ай бұрын

I think you have to live here in Japan, especially in big cities to understand how this makes absolute sense. This is a local snap shooters device which just happens to be doing insanely well internationally.

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Understand. Here in Singapore the same but it’s not so much the camera as the HDF filter version

@LIGHTHUNTER.D 2 ай бұрын

Did a couple videos on this with an easy edit trick in PS. People are surprisingly offended that the original is already better. This is a refresh with a lateral move or downgrade to justify charging more for 5 year old hardware.

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Yeah it’s easy to replicate and feels like a delay to the GR 4

@ArifKhan. Ай бұрын

Caputing dreamy water falls, rivers and streams require an ND. You can always 'soften' in post, but you can't slow down the shutter in post. As with everything, depends on your individual usecase and needs.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Agree

@Jerry-hv5qj Ай бұрын

I always use the fn as AF button, can I still designate the fn button to AF?

@btonelli Ай бұрын

All the same as before

@dezfoto7534 2 ай бұрын

I think it’s cool that they made this camera, but personally I’d rather the ND version. What keeps me from buying a GR is the lack of viewfinder, so I’m with you there.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Yeah I would love to see a viewfinder on it as well

@donald5378 2 ай бұрын

The reaction to the special model would have been so different if only they had made a monochrom sensor GRIII

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

Agree

@k.andres28 Ай бұрын

Dude, I really like your videos. No negativity of any kind, just pleasant soulful videos, and as many pictures as possible. At the same time, you are probably the only English speaker that I liked. I can't stand Russian and English pronunciation and accent, it just annoys me wildly. But your voice, pronunciation and accent are probably very pleasant to the ear.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Thank you really appreciate the kind words

@k.andres28 Ай бұрын

@@btonelli Thank you for excellent content

@Kids11111 Ай бұрын

The problem isn’t that it has a diffusion filter, the problem is that it’s not a good one. It overdoes it instead of being subtle.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

That’s how I feel too.

@chris-li6om Ай бұрын

What’s the deal with this hdf mode? Does it have all the presets like the nd version? What else does it have please?

@btonelli Ай бұрын

It’s the same camera minus the ND filter. No other differences

@chris-li6om Ай бұрын

@@btonelli what u prefer best? The nd version seems you can get anymore now? Do u think 🤔 they will bring out the 4 this year? Thanks for your quick reply

@btonelli Ай бұрын

@@chris-li6om in the video I say I prefer the ND filter as the HDF you can’t control how much diffusion you get. Can always add it in post. I hope the GRIV comes this year but will see

@Purplefoxdl Ай бұрын

It would be interesting to compare the HDF effect with the effects enabled by Dehancer. I'm looking for this information before buying one or the other.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Software can reproduce the look for the most part. I don’t have Dehancer but was able to replicate in photoshop and Lightroom

@theunsunghero9 Ай бұрын

I think the HDF version tells us that the GR IV is some way off. It is a way Ricoh can stay in the "news" without releasing a new camera.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Perhaps but I feel like we may see something before years end

@frankartale1026 Ай бұрын

I have the griiix standard with the nd. I have 3k indoor test shots and it always sits in a case. I never take it out. I've tried every flash and the only one that comes close is my lumecube light panel. Except, Its a bit bright for people shots. So i kinda don't use this camera. It was so close to a perfect camera. I'm gonna have to stick with my X100 & XE1 because i can bounce the flash. Dam you Ricoh !! u were right there !

@btonelli Ай бұрын

I hope they come out with one with a flash for the GRIV

@kicyiu 6 күн бұрын

Agree with you. This is the reason why no manufacturer integrate a HDF filter in a camera body. No matter how good is the filter. It’s just a bad idea. You can just buy a filter and you will not miss anything. Ricoh tried to be innovative but they just screwed it up.

@btonelli 6 күн бұрын

It’s a choice to have in the market and to their credit they didn’t discontinue the original version. Asked the distributor here how are the sales he said, currently a long wait list

@Sylvester414 Ай бұрын

I would love a gr with a flash and even just a analog glass viewfinder, built in (not a hot shoe) like the film version. I miss my grii.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

True. I would take at least a flash

@alanpayne7656 Ай бұрын

Do you have the griii now?

@btonelli Ай бұрын

@@alanpayne7656 GRIIIX

@annekedebruyn7797 Ай бұрын

I'd go with the ND Filter and add the filter option so I can pick my own HDF filter so I can choose intensiveness. The HDF they added is pretty severe to me. It reminds me more of a cheap effect added in post than something vintage.

@MatthewMorse Ай бұрын

I came here to say this exact thing. 100% agree.

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Yep same

@davidhunternyc1 29 күн бұрын

I'd rather have a polarizer filter.

@stanedithisla Ай бұрын

is it worth to buy gr3 at this moment?

@btonelli Ай бұрын

Hmm that’s a good question. If you don’t need it then wait. If you need it then buy haha

@williamchan8866 18 күн бұрын

If I got the HDF I would just leave it turn off and use it only at night for moodier feel that’s it.

@btonelli 17 күн бұрын

Sounds good too

@Thraxounet 2 күн бұрын

This is designed to follow the fujifilm trend of straight out of cam jpegs

@btonelli 2 күн бұрын

Yes But Ricoh has had this for a while now

@SamWon 28 күн бұрын

is that Yoshihiro Akiyama aka Choo Sung-hoon at 4:44?

@btonelli 28 күн бұрын

Yes it is :)

@photomorti 2 ай бұрын

I was so hyped for a possible ricoh GR 4 but we got a HDF haha. Not gonna lie i do think the effect looks really good

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

We all are waiting for the GR 4 haha

@photomorti 2 ай бұрын

@@btonelli True haha. I love my GR iii but i mean its been out for a while i need the next upgrade i dont actually need but want ;)

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

@@photomorti haha likewise

@reaganhicks7318 27 күн бұрын

i just wish it had both

@btonelli 27 күн бұрын

True

@mikeygrey9855 Ай бұрын

Stay safe?

@user-tx1yl9xw3l Ай бұрын

Strange, I thought the main benifit of HDF was to make spot highlights 'glow', like night street photography. You didn't show this at all & missed out on it's main benefit? I don't think you'd buy the HDF version to soften people skin personally?

@btonelli Ай бұрын

It’s a diffusion lens that while makes highlights glow, it also softens skin and the entire image, giving a look similar to a vintage lens so to speak.

@mauricerijnders3507 2 ай бұрын

Chefs kiss 😅👍🏼

@btonelli 2 ай бұрын

😊😊

@Kids11111 7 күн бұрын

OMG, enough with the nitpicking about adding filters on top of the lens already. If you're gonna bulk it up, then get a different camera already. The point of the GR is the compactness and pocketability. Deal with the HDF or not. It's simple. You sound so indecisive.

@btonelli 7 күн бұрын

@@Kids11111 I’m presenting two sides of the argument to help viewers who are also deciding. I already made my decision quickly.