Ricoh announces the tiny GF-2 flash, with GR III support to follow

The 19g flash uses its own rechargeable battery; dedicated GR III exposure support arrived in October.

By RicohRumors · Published 21 Aug 2025 · 1 min read

RICOH GF-2 compact rechargeable flash — Image credit: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. · Official press/product image; no open license identified. Retain source attribution and follow the rights holder’s terms. · Source and license

Ricoh announced the GF-2 external flash on August 21, 2025, with a September 12 Japanese release planned at ¥16,400 before tax. Weighing approximately 19g, the unit has a guide number of 3 at ISO 100 and an internal lithium-ion battery charged through USB-C.[1]

On the GR IV, ISO AUTO allows the camera to coordinate flash output and sensitivity according to subject distance. At announcement, older GR cameras with different contact layouts operated the GF-2 at full discharge. Ricoh said firmware was being developed to let GR III and GR IIIx cameras adjust exposure according to focusing distance.[1]

The quoted battery endurance was approximately 270 flashes, with a recycling interval of about two seconds. Ricoh excluded the GW-4 wide conversion lens from support because the lens barrel can obstruct the flash.[1]

Update — October 23, 2025: GR III firmware 2.10 and GR IIIx firmware 1.60 added GF-2 Flash Mode. This calculates camera exposure using autofocus distance or a manually set distance. It is an exposure-control addition for those cameras, distinct from the GR IV’s distance-linked flash-output control.[2]

Sources

[1] https://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2025/20250821_041213.html

[2] https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/gr-3/firmup/

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