Ricoh GR cameras have long been celebrated as elite street photography tools, with the latest Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx considered the finest of the bunch. Now both are available with the HDF designation indicating they feature a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter that can be summoned with a single button press. Here’s an image gallery that examines the HDF feature in detail.

Shutterbug’s Ron Leach reviewed the Ricoh GR IIIx on these page recently, so other than the Highlight Diffusion Filter feature, we don’t evaluate other aspects of these cameras in this story. For a deep-dive assessment of the Ricoh GR IIIx, read Ron’s review here. 

The Ricoh GR IIIx HDF and its sister the GR III HDF are identical except the GR III (without the “x” in its name) is equipped with a 28mm f/2.8  lens while the GR IIIx sports a 40mm f/2.8 (equivalent). Note that non-HDF models have a built-in ND (Neutral Density) filter instead of a Highlight Diffusion Filter.

Highlight Diffusion Filter Effects
In Ricoh’s words, the HDF feature “…diffuses highlights for softer light, creating more expressive images with a sense of depth and emotion.” We agree with that appraisal, but the effect is much more complex than that. As you can see in the following images, detail in the midtones and shadow areas is quite sharp. In other words, the effect is not the same as using a soft-focus filter which blurs the entire scene uniformly. Furthermore, the distance from the camera to the subject plays a significant role. When the light source is far away, the highlights become more diffused.

Do You Need HDF?
The answer of course is “maybe.” It’s a cool feature and does create a unique element in compatible images. It comes at the cost of the built-in ND filter,  which likewise may or may not be important to you. In my world, HDF is more useful than ND. Your world may be different. Review the images that follow and decide for yourself.

Pricing & Availability
The Ricoh GR III HDF and Ricoh GR IIIx HDF are available at the MSRPs of $1,069.95 and $1,149.95 respectively. The new models can be ordered directly from Ricoh or purchased from  Ricoh Imaging Authorized Retailers. Click here to find a Ricoh Dealer in your area.

To review and buy other Ricoh products, including printers, portable monitors, scanners and projectors, visit the Ricoh Store on Amazon.

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