K | Tokyo-based photographer

GR III Custom Settings

Here are my custom settings for the Ricoh GR III, optimized specifically for street photography.

Each setting is designed with one purpose in mind: to shoot instantly and without hesitation, no matter the environment. To achieve this, I’ve assigned custom modes based on lighting conditions.

U1 is for bright daylight, U2 for indoors or evening-to-night transitions, and U3 for extremely dark environments or nighttime. These modes allow me to stay fully focused on the moment and never miss a shot.

 

U1: DAY (Bright daylight street snap)

Clear, sunny conditions in open streets where depth of field and sharpness are key. Ideal for high-contrast daytime street photography.

Setting Value
Exposure Mode Manual (M)
Aperture F8
Shutter Speed 1/250 sec
ISO Setting Auto (Max 1600)
Focus Mode Snap Focus only
Full Press Snap On
ND Filter Off
Exposure Comp. ±0
Shake Reduction On
Image Control Standard
Snap Distance 2.0m (adjustable via ADJ lever)

 

U2: NIGHT (Evening & low light snap)

Evening streets, low-light interiors, or dimly lit outdoor spaces. Offers a balance between noise control and exposure reliability.

Setting Value
Exposure Mode Manual (M)
Aperture F5.6
Shutter Speed 1/60 sec (or 1/30 sec if needed)
ISO Setting Auto (Max 12800)
Focus Mode Snap Focus only
Full Press Snap On
ND Filter Off
Exposure Comp. ±0
Shake Reduction On
Image Control Standard
Snap Distance 2.0m (adjustable via ADJ lever)

 

U3: DARK (Extreme low light)

Night streets, alleys, or unlit interiors where light is minimal. Prioritizes getting the shot over technical perfection in low-light conditions.

Setting Value
Exposure Mode Manual (M)
Aperture F4
Shutter Speed 1/30 sec (or 1/15 sec if needed)
ISO Setting Auto (Max 25600)
Focus Mode Snap Focus only
Full Press Snap On
ND Filter Off
Exposure Comp. ±0
Shake Reduction On
Image Control Standard
Snap Distance 2.0m (adjustable via ADJ lever)

I believe photography is about responding to the moment, not waiting for the perfect conditions.

These settings are designed to remove all hesitation and allow me to shoot by instinct, with full attention on the streets, not the screen.

If you have your own favorite GR III settings, feel free to share them in a reply on X below. I’d love to hear how you set yours up!