The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is an ideal everyday device that brings excitement to the ordinary.
I love black-and-white photography and compact cameras that you can carry everywhere, making me a fan of the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome. This camera offers a fixed-lens that doesn’t zoom and doesn’t record color, which might make one question its appeal.
I’ve used the GR IV Monochrome for over a month, taking it everywhere, and it’s likely to become one of my favorite cameras despite its price.
Ricoh GRs have always been unassuming, no-frills cameras. In digital times, they remain compact, featuring a large APS-C sensor and a fixed focal length lens. Unlike the Fujifilm X100 line or Leicas, the Ricoh GR isn’t about style but functionality, with a mode dial and customizable presets.
The GR IV Monochrome is a modified GR IV, lacking a color filter and sporting a red filter for contrast adjustments. It has an enhanced ISO range of 160 to 409,600, retaining the GR IV’s improvements like its autofocusing, 26-megapixel sensor, and a large internal storage.
Using the GR IV Monochrome is similar to the standard GR IV. It quickly powers on and features Snap Focus for instant shots at preset distances, which suits street photography. Though it has face and eye detection, manual focusing remains its main strength. A lack of an electronic viewfinder may be a downside, but the size compensates.
The camera’s limitation to black-and-white enhances composition attention. Shooting with no color option advances creativity, focusing on light and tonality. This disciplined shooting might be unnecessary to some, but I find it enriching.
The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome captures images at high ISOs in various lighting, even if its f/2.8 lens isn’t as fast as others. Its pocketable size distinguishes it from other street cameras. It’s perfect for spontaneous photography that might usually rely on a phone.
Though it’s unlikely to create gallery masterpieces, capturing everyday life in black and white is enchanting. It feels genuine amidst today’s AI-driven world. Despite being a rare purchase, at $2,199.95, it’s more feasible than high-end Leicas.
Owning a Leica Monochrom is a dream, but the GR IV Monochrome’s practicality and charm makes it desirable, even considering its higher-than-expected price.
The GR IV Monochrome’s everyday companion status makes it significant. With its quality and capabilities, it inspires one to capture a sense of wonder.
Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge