It’s been almost two months since I got my Ricoh GR and I am truly loving the semi-old school feeling of having a “real” camera in my pocket and not just my phone to capture moments. The Ricoh GR looks like a simple point-and-shoot camera, but I does really pack a punch, and with a little practice and preparation, it can be the go-to street and daily camera for anyone who can afford it. (See initial full-review here.)
Here are a few things I wish I knew before getting the Ricoh GR
Get extra batteries. Now, I have extra batteries in my coat and my bags that I use a lot (these batteries are very small). I have gone to parties where I ran out of battery since I blast the flash a lot and I just have this camera on me at all times. Luckily, after-market batteries are very cheap (you can get 2 for $10) so you can get a bunch because these batteries do not last long.
Get a little case for it. I love beating up my gear. The scratches shows that it has been used and it has experience things. The Ricoh GR is very sturdy. I have dropped it on numerous occasions and has survived, but certain parts wear out better than the others. I’d like to preserve this camera for a long time and since it’s in my coat pocket or bag most of the time, a small pouch or a case will make the aesthetics last longer.
Consider version II for the HD video. More and more people are doing video right now and the newer version of the GR does have that capability. If you are fine with an auto-focus and auto-ISO only camera, that might be for you. Had I saved up a little more, I might have gone the newer route, but the deal I had with the first version was just too easy to get. I’m still happy with it though.
Consider version II for the wi-fi. My workaround for this is getting a wi-fi enabled SD card so I can still beam photos to my phone directly from the camera. That tends to get annoying so a more stable connection from the camera will make sharing of those photos faster.
Below are some proper street photos in the NYC subways.
And below are a few more fun party/people shots last weekend.