How the Ricoh GRIIIx Changed my Photography

It’s a point and shoot. It fits in my pocket. It’s hardly noticeable. I never thought I’d use something like it to the capacity that I currently am. As a photographer I’m guilty of falling into the mindset of “expensive gear equals quality work”. I remember convincing myself that good images required high megapixel counts, extreme low light capabilities, sharpness, and any other random excuse that I’d hear on the internet. In fact, for much of my career I primarily shot with Canon, most recently the Eos R, and a range of L series lenses that cost a fortune. That all changed when I began noticing how little I was using the Canon gear in comparison to the Ricoh and the FujiFilm XT-3 (my lightweight mirrorless camera of choice) due to the weight and size difference. There was something so convenient about a fixed lens camera that really grabbed my attention. I either spent my time recomposing or I spent it changing lenses. The simplicity and minimalist approach made the desire to bring a camera with me so much stronger, which in turn resulted in more photos.

Having something that is so inconspicuous has made it much easier to bring my camera with me everywhere I go. Yes, I know, I know, we’re all tired of hearing it… “the best camera is the one you have on you”, but…it’s true. It took me years of carrying big DSLR’s around to make this realization. It took years of battling myself about what lens to pack and how to save on weight to realize that getting the shot and working on proper composure will always be more important than the quality and sharpness of the shot for me. Even if that means using a point and shoot or using an iPhone.

Here are some images i’ve captured over the last year in which composure was the primary goal:

I loved how these images came out and when compared to images from my Canon there isn’t much to note in terms of big differences. The color science is how I can usually tell what camera I used, but in terms of image quality…well it’s hard to distinguish (unless I pixel peep or I’m shooting moving subjects).

I’d be lying if I said that I no longer felt the desire to buy new camera’s. I’d also be lying if I said that I’ll never use Canon cameras again. The truth is that each one of these cameras has strengths and weaknesses, but after using the Ricoh for the last year or so i’ve realized that the camera itself is just a small portion of the process, if not the smallest.

These days, there is no such thing as a bad camera, which is why it really comes down to the experience you’re wanting to have. The experience of using a Leica, a Canon, a Fuji, a Ricoh or any other camera is what should be at the forefront of a camera purchase. What feels good to you? What is going to make you want to go out and shoot? What is most accessible? For me it’s boiled down to the Ricoh and my XT-3 when I need just a little more power. These cameras make me want to use them. I love how they feel and I love interacting with them. The fixed lens means I can’t zoom in and out. Instead, I have to move around to get my shot. The lack of buttons means I have to trust the camera and myself to make quick decisions on exposure. While for some this might be a negative it works great for someone like myself who prefers to give the camera more control so I can focus on taking the photo.

I think the biggest drawback of the Ricoh is that the autofocus doesn’t work as well as a mirrorless/DSLR, and it won’t rapid fire shots at a sporting event, but its capabilities are more than solid for 90% of photographers. This little thing even has IBIS (in-body image stabilization) which means I can take good quality photo’s at night or at a concert and no one will even notice.

Here are some photos from a Sylvan Esso concert I went to this past summer:

Using the Ricoh one handed in a crowd of people proved to be quite an easy endeavor, and something that would not have been possible with a bigger camera.

For me, the compromises this camera asks for are nothing in comparison to its portability and ease of use. At the end of the day this camera has made me realize that quality doesn’t come from gear, but from your vision and your ability to see things that others might miss or to capture moments that may never happen again. Camera’s, regardless of which one you choose to use, are simply tools made for you to utilize in whatever way feels good to you. Are there times when I need a Canon R5? Sure, but those moments are so few and far between. At the end of the day, I’m learning to cherish the process, the moment, and the feeling rather than getting too caught up in the gear I’m using. I’m leaning more and more towards a minimalist mindset so that I can just focus on my craft.