Must-Have Accessories Ricoh GR III

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The Ricoh GR III is the purest street photography tool on the market. It’s designed to disappear in your hand, but that pocketable design comes with a few trade-offs—namely, battery life and sensor dust.

My approach to accessorizing the GR series is “Minimalism First.” You don’t want to bulk up a camera meant to be small, but you do need to address its quirks. Below is the refined kit I use to keep my GR III ready for any decisive moment without losing its pocketable soul.

Ricoh GR III Accessories | The Basics

Because the GR III is meant to be tossed into a pocket or a small bag, the LCD is prone to micro-scratches.

• Anti-Glare vs. Crystal Clear: I usually recommend Glass for protection, but the Anti-Glare Expert Shield is a secret weapon for this specific camera. Since there is no EVF, you are 100% dependent on that screen. On a bright afternoon, the anti-glare coating makes the difference between seeing your composition and just seeing your own reflection. If you’re shooting more at night, then you’ll be fine with one of the 9H Glass screen protectors.

Powering the Beast: Why One Battery is Never Enough

Let’s be honest: the Ricoh GR III eats batteries for breakfast. Because the body is so slim, the DB-110 battery is tiny; this is probably the best reason to upgrade to the Ricoh GRIV if you can. If you’re out for a full day of shooting in a city, a single battery won’t last until lunch.

• The “Cyclical” Trick: I’ve found that third-party batteries like Wasabi are excellent value, but they require a “break-in” period. I recommend cycling them (full charge to full depletion) five times before trusting them on a trip.

• Pro Tip: Since the GR III supports USB-C charging, I often skip the wall charger and just top off the camera inside my bag using a small power bank between locations.

Best Ricoh GR III Memory Cards

I’ve tested the most popular memory cards in the GR III, and you can learn everything you need to know in my guide.

Best Ricoh GRIII Memory Cards

GR III Lens & Body Accessories

An interesting feature of the GR III is its support for a wide-angle lens converter. It can also take UV filters.

The GRIII lens does retract, so you might not necessarily need a UV filter. I try not to use UV filters unless necessary. They diminish some of the cool looks you can get from lens flares when you have a curved front element. Regardless of whether you use a Tiffen Black Pro Mist filter or a Moment Cinebloom filter, you’ll want to set up the UV filter adapter.

While the GR III’s lens retracts, some prefer UV filters for added protection. However, they can slightly reduce sharpness and soften lens flares, which can impact creative expression.

For the GR IIIx, there will be a GT-2 Teleconversion lens that gives a 75mm equivalent field of view.

The Sensor Dust Solution: To Filter or Not?

Unlike my Fujifilm X100V, the Ricoh GR III has an extending lens barrel that can act as a vacuum, drawing in dust. Over time, this dust can settle on the sensor—a nightmare for a camera without interchangeable lenses.

• The Stealth Approach: The JJC UV Filter uses a semi-permanent adhesive to seal the lens front. It’s the only way to truly “dust-proof” the camera while keeping it pocketable.

• The Creative Approach: If you want to use a Black Pro Mist or ND filters, the NiSi Filter Adapter is the way to go. It feels more “pro,” though it does sacrifice that legendary pocketability.

Shooting with External Viewfinders: The “Film” Experience

Coming from a film background, I often find that using the LCD screen disconnects me from the scene. Adding an external optical viewfinder (OVF) like the GV-1 or GV-2 transforms the GR III into a miniature rangefinder.

• The Trade-off: Remember that these are “dumb” viewfinders—they don’t show your focus points or exposure. I use them primarily for framing in bright sunlight when the LCD is washed out.

• Pro Tip: If you use the GV-2, it keeps the profile much lower for street photography. It’s perfect for “zone focusing”—set your aperture to f/8, your distance to 2 meters, and just frame through the glass. It’s the fastest way to shoot.

Ricoh GR IIIx Viewfinder

The Ricoh GR IIIx has its own EVF for the 40mm equivalent lens with 1:1 shooting frame marks.

Why Use a Half-Case on the GR III

The Ricoh GR III is almost too small for some hands. While I love the portability, the grip can feel a bit cramped during a long day of shooting.

• The Gariz Experience: I’ve used Gariz cases on several systems, and for the Ricoh, it’s about more than just protection. The aluminum base adds just enough height so my pinky finger has a place to rest, making the camera feel much more secure without adding significant bulk.

• A Note on “Genuine Leather”: You’ll see many cheap cases labeled “Genuine Leather.” In the industry, that often refers to a lower tier of bonded leather. If you want the kit to age with a real patina, look toward the Kaza or Luigi options. It completely changes the tactile experience of the camera.

Street Lighting: The “Off-Camera” Secret

One of the coolest ways to use the GR III is with the FlashQ Q20II. Because the camera is so light, you can hold the camera in your right hand and the flash in your left.

This allows you to create dramatic, angled lighting for street portraits that looks like it came from a studio, not a pocket camera. It’s a technique I’ve used to give my street work a more “filmic” look, leaning into that high-contrast Ricoh aesthetic.

Camera Straps

It’s always tough recommending straps because there are so many now from so many different brands.

There are popular cotton straps, such as the VKO (Amazon) and Peak Design wrist straps (Amazon), which you probably already know about. I will list a few straps you may not have heard of that I like and think are pretty cool.

NOTE: The GRIII requires a strap that is compatible with its strap lugs. Be careful about this. It takes the compact strap types with threaded connections.