Why the Ricoh GRIII is the Best Camera for Street Photography

“The best camera for street photography is the one that can fit in your front right pocket.”

Is There a “Best” Camera for Street Photography?

Some might say there’s no objective answer to what makes the “best” camera for street photography. But after a decade of experience, I feel confident in saying that the Ricoh GRIII is the ideal tool for the job. Its combination of simplicity, portability, and powerful features make it unmatched for the street.

Compact Is the Future

In recent years, the camera industry has taken a strange turn, prioritizing unnecessary upgrades like megapixels and sensor size, features that don’t truly impact street photography. They keep getting bulkier, which is counterproductive on the streets.

Size is the most important consideration when choosing a street photography camera, and the Ricoh’s compact form factor makes it unbeatable. Its ability to fit into a front pocket means it can always be with you, making excuses not to shoot irrelevant. As I often say, “Just throw it in your pocket, and you’re ready to go.”

It’s the Closest Thing to Not Having a Camera

The Ricoh GRIII becomes an extension of your eye and body, exactly what a street photographer looks for. When paired with a wrist strap, it almost disappears, letting you forget it’s even there. The lack of a viewfinder actually enhances creativity and fluidity—you’re free from the restriction of eye-level shots and can play with high, low, and unconventional angles.

“When you have this Ricoh on your wrist, it’s the real extension of your eye, of your hand, of your body. It’s not just a camera—it’s part of you.”

Street Photography as Both Visual and Physical

Using the Ricoh GRIII with a wrist strap adds a physical, visceral layer to street photography. You move differently with a compact camera, exploring angles and compositions more freely than with a bulkier setup. This camera’s light, nimble design allows you to capture candid, authentic moments with ease, which is often difficult with larger, more traditional cameras.

Agility: Small size lets you move with ease.
Freedom of Movement: Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and distances.
Candid Shots: Small and unassuming design keeps you invisible to the crowd.

Easier to Get Close

Street photographers need to be on the front lines of life, blending in, observing, and capturing candid moments. With the Ricoh GRIII, I can get incredibly close without drawing attention. Its compact size and unassuming appearance make it easier to capture people naturally and spontaneously—without confrontation.

“The best camera to get the job done should fit in your front right pocket, and the lens should be built into the camera. It simplifies things—less is more, and simplicity is better when it comes to street photography.”

The Power of a Simple Solution

The Ricoh’s fixed lens removes unnecessary decisions from the equation. Sticking with one camera and one lens builds consistency and improves the way you see and frame scenes. Over time, this simplicity accelerates your growth as a photographer.

Don’t Think, Just Shoot

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. I set my Ricoh to snap focus or use P mode or AV mode with automatic settings. This setup lets me work quickly and eliminates any distractions that could interfere with capturing the moment. High-contrast black-and-white JPEGs at the smallest file size add to the speed, helping me focus solely on the act of seeing and shooting.

Settings I Recommend:
Snap Focus at 2 meters to keep everything sharp and in focus.
P or AV Mode with f/8 aperture and 1/1500s minimum shutter speed.
High Contrast, Black and White for the classic look straight out of the camera.

“I don’t suggest using RAW files. Small JPEGs with high-contrast black and white settings are sufficient and streamline the process. There’s no need for post-processing.”

Highlights and Shadows: Embracing Light with Precision

One of the GRIII’s most practical features is its highlight-weighted metering, which helps expose for the brightest parts of the frame. When you’re on the street, shooting high contrast often brings out beautiful silhouettes and rich shadows without losing the details you want.

Pro Tip: Lock exposure by half-pressing on shaded areas, then frame your shot to get consistent light.

My Story

My first digital camera that I used for street photography was the Ricoh GRII in 2015. As soon as I started to use this camera, everything clicked. I switched from using the Leica M3 and recognized how much more efficient it is to have a compact camera that fits in the pocket. When I started using the Ricoh, it allowed me to explore the world openly without having a camera dangling from my neck. It took the role of being a photographer away and allowed me to explore places where I otherwise would never have entered, such as the streets of Baltimore.

Conclusion: Your Perfect Street Photography Companion

If you’re looking to elevate your street photography, streamline your process, and just have fun, the Ricoh GRIII is the answer. It simplifies your setup, making life easier and allowing you to produce more photographs. For me, it’s the best camera for the streets.

You can find my specific settings and workflow here for further insights.