The most common question I get from followers is around camera choice. “Which camera should I buy for street photography” is a question that resonates with me as it seems to be the one that is most crucial to amateur and pro street photographers alike.
I always take this question seriously and try to answer each person as though it’s the first time I’ve heard it because it’s an important issue to them and in reality, this is a complex question with no straightforward answer.
Since the beginning of the year, I’ve tested out a number of cameras from Fuji and Ricoh in my bid to find a good fit. Companies like Wex offer schemes such as their 30-day money-back guarantee because they know that finding the camera can be a challenging task and want their customers to have the right tools for them. If you haven’t bonded with the camera in 30 days you have to ask is it right for you?
I could recommend a camera that’s perfect for me and given my vertigo inducing high standards, the perfect camera for me is a very tall order, therefore It’s difficult to recommend one for someone else. What’s right for me may not be right for them as it’s a very personal choice with each photographer demanding different aspects from their camera.
I’m writing this blog because a few weeks ago I made the decision to sell my Fuji gear and move to Ricoh full-time, I was so excited to start shooting with the Ricoh GR3 a newer faster GR, better than my GR2 which I love, it was hard to contain the excitement.
The first day out with the camera I’d fallen in love with it, but as the weeks rolled past I’ve been finding that the GR3 wasn’t right for me and I was beginning to feel that this relationship wasn’t going to move past anything more serious than a few stolen shots in the dark. Was this just a holiday romance?
The GR3 is an amazing piece of kit, some of the best photographers I know shoot with it and they love it and this is where it comes down to a personal choice. Spoiler alert! the GR3 was not the right camera for me and we’re going to remain really good friends. On paper the camera should be perfect, why wouldn't it be, I love the GR2 so it should make sense that I’d also love the GR3, or at least that’s what I thought, I was shocked to learn that this wasn’t the case.
Looking at it logically the GR3 is faster, it has better low light compatibility, faster auto focus, the lens is much sharper and the camera is lighting fast, it can be turned on in a fraction of second, ready to capture those all important decisive moments you would otherwise miss, the GR2 requires a little more foreplay to get turned on, but once she is, she’s a beast!
However, we are not completely logical beings and I am also ruled by my heart. The GR2 is my first Ricoh love and as such it loves me back and knows and understands me. Over the course of our relationship, we’ve developed a deep bond and I feel that this comes across in my street photography. The reality is that Ricoh is making progress with their newer model has changed some of the features and ergonomics that are fundamental to the way I shoot. These changes are wholly progressive and should be welcomed and applauded by the photographic community for sure. However, I find change difficult and feel that the GR2 just gets me.
During my brief whirlwind romance, the GR3 swept me off my feet and I had no complaints about any of the features, it’s sexy curves, form factor or shiny buttons. This camera certainly is a head turner. The GR3 kept up with me and delivered on every aspect, but it did force me to change how I shot and interacted with the street.
The GR2 loves me for me and doesn’t try to change me. I’m sure the GR3 will make someone a very happy street photographer as she is sensational and will always occupy a special place in my heart. But for now, it was a holiday romance that drifted off into the sunset and made me appreciate my GR2 a lot more!
Thanks for reading
