It’s always a good idea to format your memory card in the camera, and with most cameras, that’s a pretty straightforward process: just go to settings and choose format. But there are some cameras that do things a bit differently.
The Olympus TG-5 is one of them. It’s still easy to format a memory card in the TG-5, but you have an extra option that does something similar but not exactly the same. That’s the “All Erase” option. So here’s a quick guide to the difference between the TG-5’s Format and All Erase options.
Memory Card Format vs All Erase in the Olympus TG-5
When you go into the TG-5’s menu, you access the memory card functions by going first to the wrench (spanner) icon from the left column and then choosing Card Setup.
You’ll see two options: All Erase and Format.
These sound like two ways of saying the same thing. But there’s an important difference between them.
All Erase deletes everything except images or video clips that you’ve specifically chosen to protect. I have more information below on what that means and how to do it. This is a good option to use on an everyday basis if you plan to use the protect feature.
Format does the more conventional process of formatting the card and getting it ready for use. It wipes everything, deleting all data on the card, including protected images or video clips. When you’re first inserting a new card, this is the one you want to choose.
How to Protect Images and Video Clips on the Olympus TG-5
To make the most of the All Erase feature, you can select photos or video clips for protection. This only makes sense, obviously, if there are specific ones you want to keep amongst others that you don’t. It’s an especially handy way of freeing up space on the memory card if you don’t have a chance to download the images from the memory card to a computer or another device.
The protection feature is something that you access through the playback feature.
Protecting a Single Image or Video Clip
To protect an individual image or video clip, go to that one in playback (ie. using the play button on the back of the camera and then moving through until you find the one you want). Then hit the OK button. You’ll get a drop-down menu that looks like this:
Depending on what kind of image or video clip it is, you might see some other options in that menu, but the one you’re looking for is the icon that looks like a key. Simply go to that and select it. That will then protect that image.
Now, when you view that image on the back of the camera you’ll see a small lock icon at the top of the screen, like this:
Protecting Multiple Images or Video Clips
You can also select multiple to protect at the same time. First you have to select the images you want to work with. To do that, cycle through them as normal using the playback menu. When you’re looking at an image you want to protect, push the video record button on the back of the camera. That’s the button with the red circle at top right. You’ll notice that next to it is a small icon with a box and check mark. That is the “select” icon. When you press that, you’ll see a small checkmark applied to the image on the back screen at the top right.
Once you’ve selected all the images you want to protect, hit the OK button. You’ll get a slightly different menu. Choose the key icon.
How to Recover Images You’ve Accidentally Deleted
If you’ve accidentally deleted the photos from your TG-5’s memory card, all isn’t necessarily lost. Because of the fairly simple way that the tiny computers inside digital cameras delete files and format memory cards, it might still be possible to recover any photos you’ve accidentally deleted.
It’s not something that’s specific to the TG-5, and you can try the options for recovering photos here.
- Protects lens surface from scratches and dirt
- Turn the lens barrier to open and close for instant shooting
- Olympus CLA-T01 Conversion Lens Adapter for Olympus TG-1, TG-2, TG-3, and TG-4 (Red)
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- Perfect for capturing moving subjects up close and for shooting underwater macro
- 【Replaces LB-T01 Lens Cap】:Specially designed for Olympus TG-6 TG-5 TG-4 TG-3 TG-2 and TG-1 Camera
- 【Rotates to Open or Close】:Rotate the lens cap counterclockwise to open the cap for shooting. Rotate...
- This float wrist strap is for use with most of waterproof cameras/underwater cameras/action cameras below...
- The circumference of this float strap is adjustable with a max circumference of 30 cm / 11.8 inches
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Ricoh GR III Accessories & Replacement Parts
Here are the model numbers of some of the core accessories and replacement parts for the Ricoh GR III.
Ring Cap
- Ring Cap: GN-1
The ring cap is the small plastic ring that attaches around the lens. Chances are, it's fallen off. While you do have to remove it to attach the lens adapter, it's a poor design that tends to fall off and get lost far too often. I've lost a couple of them now.
The camera will work just fine without it. But that will leave some contacts exposed around the lens barrel, which isn't ideal.
The official replacement part is overpriced. But you can also pick up much less expensive aftermarket versions. They're also available in different colors, so you can bling up your camera with a personal touch--or make it look like the Street Edition.
- 【Compatibility】: Designed for Ricoh GRIII (only).This decoration ring is made of high quality...
- 【Easy to use & Protector】:Easy installation and removal and Protects lens barrel exterior.
USB Cable
The GR III has a USB Type-C connector port. When you get a cable, you can get them with another USB Type-C connector on the other end or a more traditional USB Type-A connector. Which you choose depends entirely on what you're plugging into. For example, some newer laptops only have USB-C, while most other computers have USB-A.
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Battery & Charger
- Battery: DB-110
It's a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 3.6V 1350mAh 4.9Wh.
There are some other cameras that also use the same battery--notably, some Olympus cameras (the Olympus model number for the same battery is LI-90B). So they're quite widely available. You can get the official Ricoh version. There are also aftermarket versions that can be much better value but work just as well.
- This Wasabi Power kit includes 2 batteries and 1 charger for the Ricoh DB-110
- Each Wasabi Power battery features Premium Grade A cells, 3.7V, 1300mAh
- Charger: BJ-11
You can charge the battery in the camera (using a USB-C cable). There are also external battery chargers available. They're especially useful if you're using spare batteries, so you can charge and shoot simultaneously.
- AC Adapter: K-AC166
This is used to power the camera for longer shoots, such as time-lapse, or if you happen to be using the camera for live streaming as a webcam. It connects via the camera's USB-C port.
Wide-Angle Conversion Lens
- Wide-Angle Lens: GW-4
- Lens Adapter: GA-1
- Wired Shutter Release: CA-3
- Easy to operate, Half-press to focus, Full-press to shoot
- Fits macro photography well, eliminates camera shake
- Standard External Viewfinder: GV-1
- Mini External Viewfinder: GB-2
- ✪LCD Screen Protector perfectly fit for Ricoh GR 3 DSLR Camera . Not for other model. Easy to install...
- ✪9H Hardness - Longer tempering time, which made the screen protector has a higher hardness. Prevents...
- Soft Case: GC-9
- Neck Strap: GS-3
- Hand Strap: GS-2
Ricoh has produced a wide-angle conversion lens that takes the standard 28mm view down to a 21mm (in 35mm equivalent). While it does add some extra bulk to an otherwise small camera, it works well and adds a more dramatic, wider view. I have an [in-depth review of it separately](https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/ricoh-gw-4-wide-angle-conversion-lens/).
Something to be aware of, though, is that you will also need to pick up the lens adapter separately. For reasons I really don't understand, the wide-angle conversion lens doesn't come with the adapter, and both are required to make it work. So make sure you pick up one of those at the same time.
Remote Shutter Releases
This is the official Ricoh remote shutter. It connects to the camera via a USB cable, and it's a simple shutter release (i.e., there's no timer or intervalometer).
You can also find aftermarket shutter releases for the GR III.
External Viewfinders
The Ricoh GR III doesn't have a built-in viewfinder. But they make two versions of an external viewfinder that slides into the camera's hot shoe. It covers both the standard 28mm view as well as the 21mm view if you're using the wide-angle conversion lens. There's also a mini viewfinder; that model seems to be hard to find.
Screen Protector
The back screen of the GR III is quite exposed, and if you lie the camera on its back, the screen comes in contact with the surface. Even if you're putting the camera in your pocket, there's a risk of keys or coins scratching the screen.
There's no official screen protector, but there are good aftermarket versions. The one I use is this one. It's essentially a consumable that protects the screen. If you scratch the protector, you can quickly and easily replace it with another from the pack.
Carrying
You can, of course, use the GR III with just about any camera case or bag. But Ricoh does make a dedicated soft-case that fits snugly around the camera and offers some protection even if you're toting the camera around in your pocket. I've been using one for a couple of years, and it's held up very well, and it keeps my camera safer from bumps and scratches.
Again, there's no particular reason you have to use the official GR neck strap, but there is one. The main part is leather, and it even has a discreet, embossed "GR".
If you do use a different strap, be aware that the strap loops on the camera are very small and won't take thicker (i.e., stronger) attachment loops. So you might need to use some D-rings as well.
There's even an official "GR" leather hand strap! But, again, aside from the branding, there's no special reason to use the official strap. If you do use a different one, you might need D-rings if the thread doesn't go through the camera's small attachment loops.
External Flash
The GR III doesn't have a built-in flash. It supports the Pentax P-TTL flash protocol.
Pentax External Flashes:
Questions & Comments