I love the GR….it is absolutely the best camera for Street Photography. I am on forums and I read about other cameras, including my Leica’s but in practicality, the Ricoh GR just wins hands down. Yes, one has to get used to the 28mm (equivalent in 35mm mode), but hey, that fits my shooting style. See some of my previous blogs if you are interested in my shooting style.
But the GR is just a beautiful camera that fits the streets well. It is small, quiet…..in fact it almost looks like I am on my phone, which many people now accept as common practice, so it isn’t standing out. While any camera can produce excellent results, it is important to know your camera, regardless of what it is.
This brings me to my posting here….GR11 or GR111. But for months now I have been learning the minor differences between the two versions. For instance, the GR111 has a better and sharper lens so sometimes when I want more of an easy ‘film look’, I will grab the GR11. Since I never use a ‘flash’….the absence of a flash on the GR111 doesn’t bother me. There are also minor differences between function button placement or the approach on how to adjust exposure. Additionally there are a few inner work things that separate the quality of images in some instances. But those are things I am learning.
Each day I go out, I make a decision to either grab the 11 or the 111 or the Leica M6 film. It just depends on the purpose I have for that day. Sometimes I just want to get more analog so my option is the M6. But when shooting digital,….. the 11 or 111? Well, it is a toss-up as I go back and forth. Today I shot with the GR111 and loved the feel and the photos that came from my shoots. Yesterday was a GR11 day with a sprinkling of Lecia M6 towards evening.
The point, I guess……is to simply know your cameras. The photos you capture are a result of your creativity in the field, but also knowing the limits of your gear. The latter is not nearly as important as your ‘creativity in the field’ but it does become icing on the cake when you are not fumbling with buttons and menu issues (doesn’t occur with the Leica).
Anyhow…..I will add to this post or create a new one when things crop up on the differences…..
Oh….listen to this and you will go film too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi3KQ8pmR48