You can preorder the Ricoh GR IV HDF at BHphoto and Adorama.
Main Features
- Single-action switching to the built-in HDF, to create mellow, soft images
The GR IV HDF incorporates the RICOH-original HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter), which is designed to emphasize highlights and produce mellow, soft images. Developed by taking advantage of the advanced inkjet technology RICOH has cultivated over the years, this special-effect filter diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, making it possible to capture nostalgic images resembling those captured in film photography or movies. Since the HDF can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, it lets the user alternate between two completely different visual expressions — clear, sharply focused images representative of the RICOH GR series, and mellow, soft images captured by the HDF — depending on the subject or create intention.Note: The development process of the HDF is explained in greater detail in the technologies section of the official RICOH website.
- High-speed electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/16,000 second for shooting at extremely bright locations
In addition to a conventional mechanical shutter unit, the GR IV HDF also features an electronically controlled shutter mechanism,* which allows the user to intentionally raise the shutter speed up to 1/16,000 second, making it possible to capture images at extremely bright locations while still setting a larger aperture.* This mechanism can also be installed on the RICOH GR IV using new function expansion firmware (scheduled to be released following the launch of the RICOH GR IV HDF).
- The color of the shutter-release button has been changed from the GR IV’s black to grayish silver, to symbolize the camera’s ability to instantly shift the image’s visual expression. The default setting of the Fn (Function) button is set to the on/off action of the HDF.*
* The default setting of the Fn button can be changed to other functions.