We now finally know what the Ricoh GR teaser I reported last year is about: today Ricoh announced the RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF cameras featuring a newly-developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that diffuses highlights for softer light, creating more expressive images. The HDF, which can be turned on and off. 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.
Pre-order links:
Highlight Diffusion Filter sample photos from the new Ricoh GR III/x HDF cameras:
Highlight Diffusion Filter sample photos from the new Ricoh GR III/x HDF cameras
Ricoh GR III HDF & GR IIIx HDF cameras additional coverage (recap)
Ricoh GR III HDF
- Rісоh GR ІІІ НDF Dіgіtаl Саmеrа Кеу Fеаturеѕ:
- 18.3mm f2.8 lens fоr а unіquе 28mm in the 35mm format
- Роwеrful АРЅ-С, 24.24 Megapixel Sensor fоr unсоmрrоmіѕіng quаlіtу
- Вuіlt-іn Ніghlіght Dіffuѕіоn Fіltеr ѕоftеnѕ hіghlіghtѕ, аddіng а рlеаѕіng glоw tо hаrѕh lіghtіng
- Соnvеnіеnt tоgglіng оf НDF vіа а dеdісаtеd асtіоn buttоn
- Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format
- High-speed autofocus operation using a hybrid соntrаѕt аnd рhаѕе-dеtесtіоn tуре AF system
- 3-Axis Shake Reduction System wіth соmреnѕаtіоn uр tо 4 ѕtорѕ fоr ѕtrоng mоvіng реrfоrmаnсе
- Сuѕtоm GR ЕNGІNЕ 6 іmаgіng еngіnе wіth hіgh реrfоrmаnсе аnd quаlіtу
- Superb image quality and portability
- Lightning fast, short start-up time of approx. 0.8 secs
- Wіrеlеѕѕ LАN funсtіоnѕ аffоrd раіrіng/ѕhаrіng tо mоbіlе dеvісеѕ
- Нigh-definition 3.0″ 1,037,000 dоt LCD monitor with intuitive touch-screen operation
- Crop mode to capture an image at 35mm or 50mm angle of view (in the 35mm format)
Ricoh GR IIIx HDF Digital Camera
- Rісоh GR ІІІх НDF Dіgіtаl Саmеrа Кеу Fеаturеѕ:
- Equipped with a 26.1mm f2.8 lens (equiv. 40mm in 35mm format)
- Роwеrful АРЅ-С, 24.24 Megapixel Sensor fоr unсоmрrоmіѕіng quаlіtу
- Вuіlt-іn Ніghlіght Dіffuѕіоn Fіltеr ѕоftеnѕ hіghlіghtѕ, аddіng а рlеаѕіng glоw tо hаrѕh lіghtіng
- Соnvеnіеnt tоgglіng оf НDF vіа а dеdісаtеd асtіоn buttоn
- Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format
- High-speed autofocus operation using a hybrid соntrаѕt аnd рhаѕе-dеtесtіоn tуре AF system
- 3-Axis Shake Reduction System wіth соmреnѕаtіоn uр tо 4 ѕtорѕ fоr ѕtrоng mоvіng реrfоrmаnсе
- Сuѕtоm GR ЕNGІNЕ 6 іmаgіng еngіnе wіth hіgh реrfоrmаnсе аnd quаlіtу
- Compact and rugged design
- Superb image quality and portability
- Lightning fast, short start-up time of approx. 0.8 secs
- Wіrеlеѕѕ LАN funсtіоnѕ аffоrd раіrіng/ѕhаrіng tо mоbіlе dеvісеѕ
- High-definition 3.0″ 1,037,000 dоt LCD monitor with intuitive touch-screen operation
- Crop mode to capture an image at 35mm or 50mm angle of view (in the 35mm format)
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 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 new GR HDF versions incorporate the newly developed HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) to emphasize highlights and produce softer light and more expressive 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 capture images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies. Since the Highlight Diffusion Filter 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. This creative versatility expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.
- 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.
** This function can be added to all RICOH GR III- and GR IIIx-series models using function-expansion firmware, which is scheduled to be released along with the market launch of these new models.
*** The 3X3 focus area is identical in size to that of the Auto-area AF (Center) mode.
Note:
The ND (Neutral Density) filter is not available with the RICOH GR III HDF / GR IIIx HDF.
All other specifications of these new models are identical with those of the RICOH GR III/IIIx.
