New Ricoh GR III HDF
Ricoh Imaging has announced two cameras: the Ricoh GR III HDF and the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF . These cameras are largely similar to their predecessors, the GR III with its 28mm lens and the GR IIIx with its 40mm lens. The main distinction lies in the replacement of the built-in ND filters found in the older models with a newly developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF). This filter softens and adds a dreamy quality to your images, and it can be enabled and disabled quickly during operation.
Sample 1 with HDF Filter
The special-effect filter gently softens highlighted areas and creates a blurred border around the image, aiming to recreate the aesthetics reminiscent of film photography or vintage movies according to Ricoh Imaging.
Sample 2 with HDF Filter
Ricoh changed the color of the shutter-release button to dark silver to differentiate the HDF models from other GR series models.
Sample 3 with HDF Filter
Pricing and Availability
The Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras will be available in April 2024 for $1,070 and $1,150 respectively.
Press Release: Ricoh announces GR series cameras featuring built-in highlight diffusion filter
RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF soften light sources and diffuse highlights for more expressive images that create a sense of depth and emotion
PARSIPPANY, NJ, March 27, 2024 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF premium digital compact cameras. These new versions of the acclaimed RICOH GR III and RICOH GR IIIx cameras feature a newly-developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that diffuses highlights for softer light, creating more expressive images with a sense of depth and emotion. The HDF, which can be turned on and off in a single action, allows the user to add a totally different kind of visual expression to captured images.
Developed using RICOH’s advanced inkjet technology cultivated over the years, this special- effect filter diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, making it possible to produce images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies. Since the HDF can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, it lets the user effortlessly alternate between two completely different visual expressions — clear, sharply focused images characteristic of the RICOH GR series, and softer light, more expressive images captured by the HDF — depending on the subject or creative intention.
“The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF inherit the fundamental merits of our GR series – exceptional image quality, flawless point-and-shoot operation and outstanding portability,” said Ken Curry, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “The new GR HDF models give users a new creative option that expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.”
| Pricing and Availability |
The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF will be available in April at www.us.ricoh- imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,069.95 for the RICOH GR III HDF and $1,149.95 for the RICOH GR IIIx HDF.
| Main features of the new RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF |
Single-action switching to the new, built-in HDF to create softer light, more expressive images:
The color of the shutter-release button has been changed to dark silver to subtly differentiate the HDF models from other GR series models and to symbolize the effortless shift of visual expression. The default setting of the Fn (Function) button has also been changed to the ON/OFF switching of the HDF,* allowing the user to quickly engage the HDF with a press of a button.
The user can pre-program up to three white-balance settings as the base white balance.** It is also possible to couple the base white balance with the White-balance Fine Adjustment function.
The new models feature Zone Select AF,*** which automatically sets the focus at the most appropriate point within the image area after the user shifts the 3X3 focus area to the desired zone.
* The user can also select another function as the default setting of the Fn button.
