NewsGR IV Monochrome is real. Who's actually buying one?

Ricoh launched the GR IV Monochrome yesterday, in stock from February. I shoot 90% black and white on my GR III anyway, so on paper this is my camera. Every file goes through the same conversion, I haven't posted a color street shot in about three years.

In practice I'm not sure I want a sensor that can't do color for the 10% of the time I need it. Neon at night, the odd sunset my wife wants a picture of. And I'd be selling the III to pay for it, so it'd be the only GR in my pocket.

The people who shot the old dedicated monochrome sensors swear the files are a different thing entirely, cleaner and sharper than any conversion. I believe them. I just don't know if I believe them enough.

Talk me in or out.

streetsofjon said:

I shoot 90% black and white on my GR III anyway

in. if you shoot b&w anyway.

Out. You'll miss colour at exactly the wrong moment. Convert the GR III files and keep the money.

Split decision. Great. I'll go hold one in Feb and report back.