Free firmware upgrade for Ricoh GR DIGITAL II digital camera

Ricoh Photographics have announced the release of the second function-enhancing firmware update for its GR DIGITAL II, a high-resolution compact digital camera launched in November 2007.

Successor model to the GR DIGITAL, which proved very popular in the two years following its October 2005 launch, the compact GR DIGITAL II achieves a level of image quality capable of satisfying professional photographers, experienced amateurs, and photo aficionados. Ricoh’s function-enhancing firmware updates are developed in response to opinions and requests received from a large number of customers via GR BLOG, surveys submitted at customer registration time, etc.

They make it possible to update already purchased GR DIGITAL II cameras with the latest functions. This is the second release of function-enhancing firmware for the GR DIGITAL II; the first release took place on March 27, 2008.

The function-enhancing firmware and instructions for using these functions can be downloaded free of charge from the Tasco website (link opens in new window).

The enhanced functions include:

It is now possible to finely adjust white balance colour tones

  • Shooting can be done with the colour tone corrected to green, magenta, blue, or amber.
  • White balance compensation can be set for the ADJ lever or the Function Button.
  • Colour tone correction can also be done in playback mode for previously taken still images.

It is now possible to specify noise reduction based on ISO sensitivity

For image processing with noise reduction priority, the following ISO sensitivity settings can be selected: “ISO401>”,
“ISO801>”, and “ISO1600”.

It is now possible to automatically shift aperture value in aperture priority mode

When the set aperture value will result in overexposure because the light is too bright, the camera will automatically raise the aperture value to enable shooting with the correct exposure.

ISO Sensitivity display

When the ISO sensitivity is set to Auto or Auto-Hi, half-pressing the shutter button will display the ISO sensitivity on the monitor.

Detailed information display in playback mode

The white balance compensation value and the image setting values (contrast, sharpness, etc.) used during shooting are now displayed in playback mode.

Source: Ricoh