Why I Prefer the Ricoh GR III Over the GR IIIx

Just follow the light.
What’s poppin people — it’s Dante.

I’m out here starting my morning in the Centennial Arboretum, surrounded by nothing but greenery and beauty. And today, I’m talking about something simple but important: why I prefer the Ricoh GR III over the GR IIIx.

The 28mm Is Just Easier

Let’s get right into it.

I believe the GR III is better than the GR IIIx simply because it’s easier to use. A 28mm lens just works for day-to-day use. Meanwhile, 40mm — it’s tighter, requires more precision, and makes it easier to miss shots.

“It’s easier to shoot loosely. I find it’s easier to kind of haphazardly snapshot my way through the city, through wherever I may be.”

The wider 28mm lets me capture more, shoot faster, and stay in flow. That’s why I say it’s more versatile.

Why I Chose the 28mm After Years of Use

I’ve used both cameras — one year each. And after really living with them, I just find the 28mm to be frankly easier.

“If you’re looking for something that’s easier to use, I would say the Ricoh GR III.”

Tighter focal lengths like the 40mm can feel like a master’s tool. You gotta be precise. You gotta compose tight. It demands more.

But 28mm? You can shoot from the hip, you don’t even gotta look.

28mm = Snapshot Magic

Let’s be real — when you’re photographing life as it happens, you want a tool that lets you move freely. And for me, that’s what the GR III with 28mm does best.

“Treating photography like a visual diary… It’s a very much easy focal length to choose. It’s a safe focal length.”

Distortion on the edges? A little imperfection? That’s life, and that’s what I’m trying to capture.

Versatility on the Streets

If you’re shooting in tight spaces, like Philly corners or packed sidewalks, that wider focal length helps.

“You want to be able to capture maybe their full stride — and being able to easily do that with a wider focal length lends itself well to this kind of photography.”

The 40mm can feel too cropped when you’re in it. You lose that freedom.

Don’t Flip Back and Forth

Here’s another big key — don’t keep switching lenses. Stick to one.

“Consistency and discipline lead to results.”

I stayed locked in with the 40mm for a year. I made good work with it. But flipping back and forth between 28mm and 40mm? That’s just messy workflow.

Macro Mode on the GR III? Underrated

Another win for the GR III: macro mode.

“Check out how close I’m putting the camera to this anthill… It’s picking up the focus from this distance.”

You can get so close. The 28mm just shines when you’re getting those detail shots — texture, form, nature, all of it.

Snap Focus: The Game Changer

Let’s talk about the real MVP feature on this camera: Snap Focus.

Set your focus to 2 meters, and boom — everything from 1 meter to infinity is sharp.

“You can just point and shoot. You don’t even have to adjust your focus.”

Pair that with AV mode, small JPEGs, and high-contrast black and white, and you’ve got one of the fastest workflows possible.

Final Thoughts

I’m not a gear head. I’m just a street photographer trying to simplify.

“I just wanted to make it known: I prefer the 28mm.”

That’s all.

Wider is better. Simpler is better. Life is hard enough — make your photography easy.

Want My Full Setup?

If you’re curious how I set up my Ricoh GR, just hit:

👉 https://dantesisofo.com/start-here

Or just Google:
Dante Sisofo Ricoh GR Ultimate Tutorial

I break everything down. No fluff. All flow.

Stay sharp,
– Dante