What is firmware? 

The internal software inside the camera.  This can be updated when a new version is released to fix bugs or improve functionality.  Ricoh have released two versions since the GR Digital went to market.  We are now on version 2.1 (14.4.2006).

Why update?  When there is a problem that you want fixed and the firmware release fixes it.  It is best to read the latest information on the Ricoh website and to check your current firmware version before upgrading.

Which version does my camera have?

Unfortunately Ricoh did not do the sensible thing and display the firmware version on the screen at startup or have a setup option to display it. There is a confusing and fiddly process to follow. It involves holding down three small buttons at the same time. 

Refer to the following link for more detail on this procedure.
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/download/firmware/grd/procedure_win.html

In short, the procedure is as follows:-

1. Turn off the camera

2. Turn the camera dial to VIDEO mode

3. Hold the following three buttons down at the same time and wait for the screen to come on.

a) The down arrow button

b) The enlarged view button (zoom button - top of rocker lever control below mode dial)

c) The playback button

The green focus indicator light will flash and the screen will display a table of values. The CPU2 value is the current firmware version.

The latest version of the firmware can be down loaded here:-  http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/download/firmware/grd/win.html

The firmware update process is a little tricky. You have to download and unzip the latest version into a directory on your PC, connect the camera to the USB port and then run an executable file called firmupdate.exe. This copies the new firmware onto the camera. You need a blank (formatted) SD card in the camera and you must have a fully charged battery or be plugged in with the AC adapter.  I imagine battery failure during firmware update to be catastrophic.  The camera must be in USB Mass storage mode ORIGINAL.  When you have the update copied onto the data card you then disconnect the camera and follow some on-screen instructions to update the firmware.  This involves pressing another combination of buttons on the camera until you receive an 'execute YES or NO' menu.  If you choose YES you just wait until the update is complete (about 2 mins).

I suggest you carefully read the instructions on the Ricoh site before you begin.

After the process was complete, when I reset the camera to USB mass storage mode and plugged it into the PC I noticed that the firmware file was still on the data card. Since you cannot delete files on the camera from the PC because the USB mass storage mode is READ-ONLY you must re-format the card from the camera again to get rid of it.  If you always use the Ricoh Gate La software to download your pictures you may never know there's a firmware file on your SD card taking up space.

Wish-List For Future Firmware Versions

These are what  us GR digital owners would like Ricoh to deal with in future versions of the firmware and camera. 

• Separate exposure adjustment for flash (to permit balancing flash with ambient light and to give better control of fill flash).  My experience is that flash exposure is very poor and is sometimes up to two stops overexposed.  I want the option to drop the flash power up to two stops.
• Additional ADJ dial options
• System Info command to see the Firmware version:  Rather than getting you to press combinations of three tiny buttons simultaneously perhaps we might hope for a "system info" command on the menu at some point in the future? 
• RAW file write speeds are far too slow.  JPEG's are slow too. Can this be improved by firmware?
• USB Mass storage is READ-ONLY.  The GRD does not allow you to add or edit files when connected as a USB mass storage device.  IMHO this means it is NOT a USB mass storage device.  Can this be changed?
• An easier firmware update procedure. Again, pressing fiddly button combinations should not be necessary. How about a menu option? After uploading the firmware you browse to the UPDATE FIRMWARE option.
• When shooting is ISO mode AUTO the camera does not display the ISO setting it chose when the picture was taken.  Why not?
• Settings can only be saved as 'SETTINGS1 and 2'.  I want to be able to name the settings something meaningful and have at least five.

Got a suggestion for the Firmware wish-list or other comment?  Send me your feedback.