5 Things I Love & Hate About Ricoh GRIIIx
In this blog I will cover 5 things I love and hate about the Ricoh GRIIIx. This also applies to the regular Ricoh GRIII. Hate is a very strong word, and while it works for the title, the reality is that I don’t actually hate those features. Instead, they are aspects I am not as happy with. Spoiler alert: overall, the camera is awesome.
Size & Weight
This is the main reason most people buy the Ricoh. It’s lightweight and easily fits in your pocket. The best camera is the one you have with you, and the GRIIIx can always come with me without feeling like a burden. The small size also goes a long way to make it look like a cheap point and shoot. This means less hassle if shooting in areas where a more professional-looking camera might attract unwanted attention.
Top Dial (U1, U2, U3)
The Ricoh has a top dial that allows you to select what photography mode to use. My favourite aspect is the custom section consisting of three memory banks. This allows you to save three separate camera set-ups and change how the camera behaves instantly. I have one for daytime photography, one for low light, and one for slow shutter speed.
Snap Focus
This is a feature I didn’t know existed prior to picking up a Ricoh. Now, I think it should come on every camera out there. Snap focus allows you to enter a specific distance, and when you press an assigned custom button, the camera immediately focuses and locks to that distance. This is amazing for street photographers who like to use the zone technique. I personally have it set to infinity as it allows me to focus on the background, then recompose and populate the foreground without the focus system getting confused.
Macro Mode
This is a feature I didn’t think I’d use much, but found myself often using it for getting little details when I’m travelling.
Image Quality
The image quality is very good. Not just very good for the size, but very good even compared to bigger systems. There is ample dynamic range, great colours, and solid RAW files. Here are some example photos.
No Weather Sealing
The Ricoh does not have any weather sealing. Furthermore, the lens can actually suck dust into the camera when being retracted. Granted, you can buy an accessory that covers the lens element, but that increases the footprint of the camera. I’ve not experienced any issues due to this yet, however long-time users have complained about dust getting in.
Poor Battery Life
The batteries are tiny, thus don’t expect them to last all day. I usually go through two fully charged batteries for an average day of photography.
Poor Low Light Performance
Given the APS-C sensor and f2.8 aperture, this won’t be the best-performing camera in low light situations. Of course, if you’re using a flash, or shooting in bright cities such as Tokyo, this won’t be an issue. However, if most of your photography is in low light, this might be something to think about.
Average AF
The AF is average at best. While it works in good light with ample contrast without issues, as soon as the conditions are not as favourable, the hit rate and time to focus both suffer. For most people and most scenarios this camera is designed for, there won’t be any issues. However, if you think you will rely on AF for moving subjects, then you might want to look elsewhere.
Bad MF
If you like to shoot using manual focus, the experience on the Ricoh will leave a lot to be desired. It’s cumbersome and not intuitive at all. You first need to set a custom button to enable manual focus, then press the macro mode button to enable adjusting the focus, then use the thumb dial to adjust it. It’s pretty bad.
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Minimal
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
What do these presets look like?
These presets 100% reflect my current editing style. Please see examples of work below.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be subtle colour changes due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
15 in the main pack and 20 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits. The extras pack is random test presets, one-off looks, and looks I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
- Short video of me editing using these presets
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work thus allowing me to make more videos / photos / tutorials for you.
Thank you for your support!