Ricoh Releases Two New Fixed Lens Cameras With Impressive Filters

Ricoh Imaging has introduced two new cameras to the market in the form of the Ricoh GR III HDF and the GR IIIx HDF.

Both of the two compact shooters include an interesting new highlight diffusion filter (HDF) technology that lets you use them to instantly capture softer-toned, almost dreamlike photos.

This HDF filter can be enabled or disabled with a single control function so if you don’t need it or like the results, it’s not in the way. Nonetheless, when the situation calls for it, the filter might be just the thing for certain types of photos.

Ricoh explains that they’ve developed the filter in these cameras with the company’s inkjet technology over many years and promises that it can “produce images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies.”

The filters do this by diffusing highlight areas and creating blur along the edges of images in a way that looks vintage instead of over-edited according to Ricoh.

This same company is also working on a new Pentax film camera for the summer, so its investment in analog-style images is definitely part of a trend. It’s of course also worth noting that analog is in style among many photographers and amateurs anyhow.

According to Ken Curry, president of Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation, “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,”

He also adds, “The new GR HDF models give users a new creative option that expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.”

Here are some sample images by Ricoh:

Without HDF

With HDF

Without HDF

With HDF

HDF filters aside, the two cameras, the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF, promise high photographic performance.

Their specs are essentially the same as those of existing GR III from Ricoh and include 24.2MP images and a 28mm f/2.8 fixed lens for the GR III HDF and a 40mm f/2.8equivalent lens for the IIIx HDF.

The only other differences between these cameras (aside from their HDF filter) and existing GR III models is that the new models’ shutter release buttons have a different color and that their Fn or function button controls the HDF.

Because of their HDF filter setting, the Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras also lack a neutral density (ND) filter.

Ricoh will start shipping the two new GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras as of April for respective prices of $1,070 and $1,150.