Speaking of the GR3, it’s synonymous with a pocket-sized APS-C sensor camera. Having carried it around constantly for the past month, I’ve noticed a few things.
- Because it’s so small, I’m afraid I might drop it.
- The lens shutter seems fragile and might break.
This time, I bought a few things to improve these issues, so let me introduce them. It’s hard not to want to add various accessories when you buy a camera, right?
Improving the Risk of Dropping Due to Its Small Size
First, to address this issue, I decided to attach a strap. While wearing it crossbody is an option, it gets really inconvenient when playing with kids. So this time, I opted for a small strap.
Since the camera body is compact, I opted for a strap that isn’t unnecessarily long or thick. A simple strap that can just fit over a finger is sufficient. This way, I won’t have to worry about dropping it, and it won’t get caught when pulling it out of a bag. Surprisingly, it came with four straps. While this might be a concern for a slightly larger camera like the X100V, it’s more than enough for this size.
Protecting the Screen
Attaching a strap provides some peace of mind, but having the screen exposed is still a bit worrisome. So, I opted for a glass screen protector.
It doesn’t have to be glass, but glass is easier to clean when it gets dirty or dusty. Since it’s not as prone to cracking as a smartphone screen, I’ve always chosen glass.
Fear of Lens Damage! Custom Upgrades to Protect the Lens!
The GR3, with its retractable lens and non-interchangeable design, owes its compactness to this streamlined approach. However, it makes me worry about dust getting inside or the sliding mechanism breaking. To address this concern, the first thing I added was this filter.
I tried attaching a filter to the lens.
The GR3 doesn’t have a threading section, so the only option is to attach the filter in front of the lens using double-sided tape. It’s a rather primitive method, but it provides excellent peace of mind. While it can be troublesome if the filter itself gets scratched, it’s better than damaging the camera’s lens. However, the thought of removing the filter still makes me a bit uneasy…
Even so, I was still worried about carrying it around, so I decided to add a lens cap.
It might seem like overkill, but just to be sure, I also bought a lens cap. Given how popular this model is, you can find any accessory you need.
It’s made of sturdy metal and well-built. However, opinions might be divided on the “GR” logo. The inside is also well-cushioned, ensuring it stays in place even when inverted.
However, since it does come into contact with the body to some extent, it’s possible that the body might get scratched over time.
Realizing that attaching the lens cap makes it somewhat inconvenient to use.
Having acquired a really good lens cap, I realize something unfortunate—it’s inconvenient to use. Despite the GR3 being quick to start up for immediate shooting, having to remove the lens cap each time is a hassle. Moreover, if I power it on with the cap on, the metal cap makes a loud noise when it falls off. It’s not as simple as just leaving it off!
As I was wandering through the depths of Amazon, searching for something better…
This is it! GARIZ Lens Cap Fix~!
Actually designed for the Fujifilm X100 series, but it fits perfectly on the lens cap I bought this time. Plus, it conveniently covers up the “GR” logo that I personally found a bit underwhelming.
How about this unity? It feels like it was meant to be this way from the start, with a perfect fit. Using double-sided tape for attachment might be a bit crude, but it’s understandable.
By securely attaching the strap part to the camera side with double-sided tape, the cap will naturally come off when you power it on, and the cap won’t fall off. Since the cap isn’t too tight, it comes off just from the lens’s startup action, but I can’t say there’s no risk of damage from this stress. This is where personal responsibility comes in.
Finally,
After all, the GR3 is designed with snap shooting in mind, so it’s the kind of camera you can just slip into your pocket and use. However, I can’t bring myself to use such a pricey camera so casually.
Ideally, I’d want to use a case, but I’ve kept the additional parts to a minimum to maintain its compactness. With this setup, it’s now easier to take it along for commuting or outings with the kids.
