I've always been intrigued by the GR series for its amazing IQ and tiny size, but I wasn't a 28mm fan. I recently found out the GR IIIx was a 40mm equiv. and, along with the option of a 75mm tele converter, my interest was piqued again. Looking around at images on the net, Insta, etc., including this amazing thread, I was blown away by the images I saw and got the bug to try a GR x.
Found a nice GR IIIx Urban on eBay and went for it. After acquainting myself with all the setup and simulation options, I took it out on its maiden voyage today.
I have to say I am blown away. I recently had a Fuji X100V, but sold it because I wasn't loving the IQ. The GR images are much sharper and more detailed. More like FF images. And the in-camera recipes are better (for me) than the X100 offerings. Very happy so far.
A few from Brooklyn Heights, NYC. Color shots are using a "Leica look" setting I found on YouTube, and the B/W shots are Ritchie's Recipies / Black & White Negative.
Brooklyn Federal Courts Building
Lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Vive Ukraine!
A few from Brooklyn Heights, NYC. Color shots are using a "Leica look" setting I found on YouTube, and the B/W shots are Ritchie's Recipies / Black & White Negative.
Nice shots!
A few questions:
1. How were these shot? Handheld? Tripod? f-stop? SS? I'm curious how you achieved such fine detail in the images.
***** Disregard camera setting data--I downloaded one image and got that from the EXIF data, thanks for leaving it in :-) *****
2. Post Processing. LR? C1? Other? AFAIK the in camera settings are applied to the JPEG files. Are your posted images from the JPEGS? Or did you shoot RAW(DNG) and post process to the IQ styles mentioned?
***** update #2, I did a deep dive in the EXIF data, see that you used LR, but did you do any processing before/after LR? *****
3. That LEICA look color simulation--I love it. I searched the net and found more than one "Leica look" simulation on YouTube, which one did you use?
Thanks! Shots were all single-hand held. One thing that intrigued me about the GR series is that everyone seems to just hold it up with one hand, point, and shoot!
It was a bright day, so I guess the shutter speeds were high (except the pool photo). I honestly don't KNOW why they are so sharp and detailed!! I was astounded when I opened the images on my Mac. Add the fact that I was shooting at f2.8 and it is truly amazing. If I had shot the same with an X100V, I think there would be a noticeable difference. I am MORE than pleasantly surprised by the GR IQ. I was fully prepared for disappointment, but I feel the exact opposite.
Post processing... well, this was fun. I shot RAW only, and when I brought the DNGs into LR, there were no recipes applied. I searched and found out that LR won't import RAW images with the recipes applied! LR has 5 GR recipes in the Develop/Profile Browser, but they sure don't look the same as when they are used in camera.
Weirdly, on a Mac, images quick viewed in the Finder have the correct recipe applied. It must be embedded somehow, so why won't LR find that same info? Frustrating. Anyway, I eventually went back to the GR and processed the RAWs to JPEG in camera, then imported the JPEGS into LR. I A/B'ed the RAW and JPEGS in the Mac Finder at full size on a 4k monitor, and saw NO difference in IQ. Nothing. Both are identical at 100%. I even had to check to make sure I was actually looking at 2 different files! I may eventually go with JPEG only, but it's always nice to have the RAW tucked away just in case...
I did VERY minimal extra PP work in LR. Maybe a teeny bit of added clarity to cut the Brooklyn smog? Smoothed out the histogram a bit. But hardly anything. There was no need!! I have the protect highlights option turned on in the GR (I forget what that's actually called), which I think was what kept the images nice and punchy without blowing out the skies.
The "Leica Look" YouTube video is here:
Go to 5:00 where he shows his setting changes from the basic Standard setting. It is a really nice profile... rich and warm and very natural. I love it. I also love the Ritchie's B&W Negative recipe. Perfect amount of punch without closing up the shadows.
Anyway, thanks for the thumbs up on my photos! I have been very active in the Sony FE images thread for many years, but a couple of years ago my business suddenly got super busy, and I just didn't have the time to get out and shoot. Work has calmed down a bit, so I decided to treat myself to the GR and jump start my photo juices again! :-)
Thanks! Shots were all single-hand held. One thing that intrigued me about the GR series is that everyone seems to just hold it up with one hand, point, and shoot!
I fully expected you to say the camera was tripod mounted, and some PP was done with Affinity or some such product. :-)
It was a bright day, so I guess the shutter speeds were high (except the pool photo). I honestly don't KNOW why they are so sharp and detailed!! I was astounded when I opened the images on my Mac. Add the fact that I was shooting at f2.8 and it is
Most likely the SS played a big role and, quite frankly, the GR has a reputation for having sharp optics.
Post processing... well, this was fun. I shot RAW only, and when I brought the DNGs into LR, there were no recipes applied. I searched and found out that LR won't import RAW images with the recipes applied!
LR has 5 GR recipes in the Develop/Profile Browser, but they sure don't look the same as when they are used in camera.
Do you have LR setup to honor camera settings on import? That is how I have LR set up. I never really bothered comparing the camera version setting to LR. I probably should do that.
Weirdly, on a Mac, images quick viewed in the Finder have the correct recipe applied.
My guess is the Mac is presenting an imbedded JPG.
Activatedfx wrote:
I may eventually go with JPEG only, but it's always nice to have the RAW tucked away just in case...
Hi John, welcome aboard! I shoot both jpg & RAW, but find I often just go with the jpg. I too considered going to just shooting jpg, but I have a hard time making the commitment as it is nice having the raw tucked away 'just in case'! Let us know how things progress for you.
Just curious, for some reason the images in your first post aren't loading for me. Am I the only one that can't see them?
In the meantime, here's another mountain shot with the GR IIIx
