Using a GR camera is odd. Initially a GR feels nonintuitive. It's not quite what you expect. The reverse is true. Returning to a GR camera is like stepping into a broken in pair of boots. The GR III is several generations newer than the GR Digital I owned but at the same time...the same.

I disliked how the GR Digital II handled in 2009. 10+ years later I appreciate it. It' a camera that does not coddle or pander. It's a tool that requires logging the hours but once done the camera is an extension of a photographer's will.

The key to unlocking a GR camera is not to force it to operate as you wish it did but maximize how it was designed to work. In no particular order some things I've learned:

snap focus is the primary focus method
don't be stingy about continuous shooting with snap focus; it's responsive
turn off when not in use; start up time is fast
the lcd is not a great indicator of a photo's quality; lower resolution, not color calibrated
It's digital but in many ways it works best to treat it like a film point and shoot

The GR III is everything photographers say they want. If you bought the GR III in 2018 Ricoh has provided tremendous value in continuing support. No gatekeeping.

Any additional feature a GR III variant (Diary, Urban, Street, HDF, IIIx) got so did the original GR III in a firmware update.

The gripes come with the lack of modern conveniences and options but it's hard to criticize the GR III for IQ.

The lens remains sharp.
The controls are responsive and sure.
The smartphone app is one of the most stable and straightforward of ANY camera manufacturer.

The only legitimate criticism for a successor is a well known sensor dust issue.

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