Summary
- Ricoh added Solarized Effect to the GR IV Monochrome with firmware 1.10.
- It offers three variations and live preview.
- The GR IV and GR IV HDF move to firmware 1.20.
- Updates also arrived for GR III, GR IIIx and GR WORLD 2.0.
Ricoh is bringing Solarized Effect straight into the GR IV Monochrome: free firmware version 1.10 introduces three different tonal-reversal looks for black-and-white shooting, with a live preview before the shutter is released.
Released on October 21, 2026, the update arrives alongside new firmware for the GR IV, GR IV HDF, GR III and GR IIIx, plus version 2.0 of the GR WORLD app.
Solarized Effect: three ways to reshape light
Solarized Effect is a new Image Control setting exclusive to the GR IV Monochrome. It recreates the partial reversal of light and dark tones associated with photographic solarization without darkroom work or desktop editing. Photographers can preview the result on the rear screen and adjust the rendering with exposure compensation.
Type 1: applies a pronounced reversal to midtones while preserving the overall relationship between highlights and shadows. Type 2: introduces reversals in both bright and dark regions, affecting outlines and fine detail while retaining a recognizable photographic look. Type 3: works mainly within the shadows, leaving highlights uninverted for a subtler, uncanny finish.
You can switch between the three types using the Fn button with Solarized Effect selected. The feature builds on the camera’s monochrome-specific sensor, which records luminance without a color filter. The GR IV Monochrome and its dedicated sensor are particularly relevant to street and documentary photographers.
More information here.
What else changes with the firmware
The GR IV and GR IV HDF now receive firmware 1.20, while the GR IV Monochrome receives 1.10. All three add control over whether the selected AF point is retained after restarting, an option to restore User Mode settings when powering off, and a setting for wireless communication while the camera is switched off. The latter allows remote wake-up through the app but consumes some standby power when enabled.
GR WORLD 2.0 adds Ricoh GR ID, including backup/restore functionality and the ability to share Image Control settings between users of compatible GR IV cameras. Users can also customize the GR IV shutdown screen through the app. For the GR III and GR IIIx, firmware versions 2.20 and 1.70 respectively introduce a special 30th-anniversary end screen. Ricoh says that this anniversary firmware remains available until December 31, 2026, and that the original end screen cannot be restored after updating.
An earlier electronic shutter firmware update for the standard GR IV addressed a key exposure limitation. This round focuses more on custom controls, connected features and creative image rendering in-camera.
Where to get the updates
Ricoh provides model-specific firmware download pages. The GR IV Monochrome can also be updated through GR WORLD. Check the precise camera model and current firmware before installation, and follow Ricoh’s instructions with a sufficiently charged battery.
GR IV Monochrome (1.10): official download. GR IV and GR IV HDF (1.20): official download. GR III (2.20): official download. GR IIIx (1.70): official download.
What we think
For a camera built specifically around black-and-white photography, seeing the intended look while composing makes a lot of sense. Solarized Effect encourages us to respond to light and shadow at the moment of capture, rather than applying another filter back at the computer.
It is useful that Ricoh provides three distinct types rather than a single preset. Different tonal reversals, together with live preview, can influence how we expose and frame a scene. For street photography, where a moment might not repeat itself, that immediate feedback can become part of the process.
It will not suit every frame; the stronger Type 1 treatment can easily overpower the subject. But with bold outlines and pronounced transitions between light and dark, experimenting deliberately could produce striking images. And adding these options to an existing camera at no extra charge is a welcome choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does the standard Ricoh GR IV get Solarized Effect?
No. Solarized Effect is exclusive to the GR IV Monochrome running firmware 1.10. The GR IV and GR IV HDF receive other features with version 1.20.
Do I need editing software to apply the effect?
No. The camera previews the effect live on its rear display, and exposure compensation can be used to adjust the look while shooting.
