Ricoh GR IIIx Part 2 – Review (Malacca)
Reviewed by Serene Ong, Edited by Melody Tan
Image: Review Editor Serene Ong in Melaka with the Ricoh GR IIIx.
17th July 2022, Malaysia – Following our Part 1 review of the Ricoh GR IIIx, which was done by our Chief Editor AL, we had promised Ricoh’s Singapore Distributor (APD) that we will return with a Part 2 review that will be done “elsewhere”. As fate has it, Editor AL was down with a serious bout of Covid-19 (He has since recovered) and the editorial team decided to appoint our Review Editor Serene Ong to do the part 2 review for the Ricoh GR IIIx.
For a quick refresh, the GRIIIx comes with a 24MP APS-C sensor and a fixed focal length of 26.1mm (40mm equivalent) with a bright aperture F2.8 lens. Comes standard with in-body image stabilization, a new hybrid autofocus system, built-in neutral density filter and if you wish to read more about the specs, do check out the part 1 review here.
Our Review Editor Serene Ong informed us that she will be taking the Ricoh GR IIIx to Melaka (Malacca) in Malaysia to review this little street monster. Let’s see what she shot in Melaka and what she thinks of the Ricoh GR IIIx.
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Text by Serene Ong
Firstly, I was thrilled to be issued the Ricoh GR IIIx, secondly I had never travelled with a compact camera and so this is going to be really interesting. Before I went Melaka, I was reading AL’s review and find that this is going to challenging as I am used to wide angel shots and using zoom lens during my trips. However, with a fixed focal length of 40mm (35mm equivalent), I was a little worried that I might not be able to capture what I usually shoots.
Image: A view from my hotel room, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
And so, without further hesitation, I packed the Ricoh GR IIIx and an Ulanzi Tripod and went to Melaka. I must say, first time travelling with a compact without my usual gear (Olympus) feels kinda insecure. But the editorial team (Melody & AL) convinced me that I will enjoy this camera.
After I arrived in Melaka, I wasted no time to put the Ricoh GR IIIx to work. I shot mainly in Manual Mode & Program Mode for this trip. First stop, I headed straight to the Christ Church Melaka, one of the tourist icon at Melaka. It was sunny, hot & humid.
Image: Christ Church Melaka, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Colorful Tricycles outside Christ Church Melaka, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
The GR IIIx focusing was super fast and accurate, and the colors & details it captured amazed me. I am still getting used to this compact while feeling strange that I am all the way here at Melaka without my Olympus.
After exploring Christ Church, I crossed the bridge to Jonker Walk – where all tourists will come as this is a bucket list location for many.
Image: Jonker Walk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Jonker walk, also known as Chicken Soup Street in local lingo are a hotspot for tourists looking to immerse in the rich and colorful Peranakan culture. Food, merchandise, local produce and souvenirs are all readily available here.
I went into a restaurant to cool off from the heat and to check out these heritage shop houses.
Image: Inside a Peranakan Restaurant, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Chendol served by the Peranakan Restaurant, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Activated the Macro Mode and did a shot of the famous local Chendol, a shaved ice desert with boiled red beans, jelly, coconut milk and Gula Melaka (coconut sugar). This cooling and sweet desert is a must-try if you visits Melaka. Check out the Bokeh too, amazing for a compact.
Image: Stroll along Jonker Walk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Jonker Walk is indeed colorful and full of flavors. Although the sun and heat is crazy, it is an interesting place to be when You are in Melaka. I am getting comfortable with the Ricoh GR IIIx as it is indeed a very capable little camera. Ricoh has always been “branded” as a street photography brand, and I can finally try it for myself and agree.
I never knew that a tiny compact camera like Ricoh GR IIIx can be used like a regular camera with its (very capable) Manual Mode and the focusing speed can easily beat many entry level or Semi-Pro DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras.
Image: Drink Seller along Jonker Walk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Entrance of Straits Hokkien Clan Association at Jonker Walk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
The colors of the various scenes are captured “as it is” and in fact all the images in this review are mostly untouched and not edited. Only minor straightening and adding of watermarks, the other aspects of the images are left untouched as there is no need for further editing, that is how accurate the colors are rendered from the GR IIIx.
Image: Murals along Jonker Walk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Day 2 in Melaka, I took a walk (with the help of Google’ Map) to several museums (both indoor & outdoor). The Ricoh GR IIIx behaved well and I got my shots pretty easily despite the blazing sun and the occasional overcast (which can darken the whole scene by a whopping 50%).
Image: An old KTM Train, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: An old passenger plane, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Dutch Settlers came in this, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
And how huge is this ship? Use the stone bench in the image as a size comparison. After this I went up the Menara Taming Sari, a rotating viewing platform with a 360 degree panaromic view of Melaka. (Similar to the one we have at Sentosa, Singapore).
Image Courtesy of Klook.com
I got a great overview of Melaka town. And as the viewing platform was constantly rotating (faster than our Sentosa version), I am glad the Ricoh GR IIIx was able to focus and shoot fast. Check out the images below.
Image: During the ascend inside the Taming Sari, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Inside the Taming Sari, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Inside the Taming Sari, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: Inside the Taming Sari, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Next, I pop on the Melaka River Cruise. I was told that the Ricoh GR IIIx has a capable in-built image stabilizer, so I decided to trying shooting on the cruise ferry.
Image: A view from the cruise ferry along the river, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: A view from the cruise ferry along the river, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: A view from the cruise ferry along the river, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: A view from the cruise ferry along the river, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Image: A view from the cruise ferry along the river, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
And how can anyone say they visit Melaka without a visit to the Melaka Straits Mosque (Masjid Selat Melaka)? Armed with GR IIIX & Ulanzi tripod, using a slower shutter and risking sand flies, my parting shot below. Bye Melaka, See You Again Soon@
Image: Masjid Selat Melaka at dusk, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx
Summary:
Well, I never expect that I did travelled with the Ricoh GR IIIx and I survived without my wide angle lenses. The Ricoh GR IIIx is indeed a crazy little monster. The capabilities can easily matched any mirrorless or DSLR while the amount of details captured in every image is pure stunning. Best part, I can easily slip the Ricoh GR IIIx into any bag due to the tiny size and it weights like a mobile phone. I love the colors and how the way the camera behaves and operates. If you are considering to get a super compact, get the Ricoh GR IIIx!
Special Thanks to Ourshutterjourney.com Editorial Team & Audio & Photo Distributors (Singapore Ricoh Distributor) for making this trip & review possible!
See you again soon Melaka!
– Serene Ong, Review Editor.
Image: Review Editor Serene Ong, shot with Ricoh GR IIIx on Ulanzi Tripod.
Buying this Camera
OK people, Buy your Ricoh GR IIIx from our Accredited Merchants to experience this great camera for yourself!
Renting this Camera
For those of you who wish to try out the lens before purchase, we are pleased to share that this camera may be available for rental (do call them to check) at our appointed rental merchant:
Camera Rental Centre is Conveniently Located at:
50 South Bridge Road, CMO Building, (very near to Clarke Quay MRT)
#02-18. Singapore 058682
Website: http://sg.camerarental.biz/
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Contributing Review Editor – Serene Ong
Started photography with a strong affinity in Long Exposure and Macro, Serene has created a following under the name of “Serene Digital Crafts”. She is an experimental photographer who will keep trying until she gets the shots that she had envisioned on her mind. Of a joyful character and friendly personality, Serene had started to contribute to gear review during her free time over the last few years.
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Contributing Editor – Melody Tan
Loves quiet walks along beaches, has a mind of her own and decides everything in life in either black or white with nothing in between. Her priority these days revolves around her 2 lovely kids & teaching them music or photography. A lover of yoga and an avid traveler, Melody aims to visit at least 30 countries before she reach 40 years old – from what we know, she had completed 27 as of 2018.
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