GRIII doesn't show up as a USB device on a MacBook

RiversideRich · 05-30-2019, 10:04 AM

Hi

When I connect my (beautiful) new GRIII to my MacBook via the USB cable it doesn't show up as a device allowing me to access the images on the SD card. I've tried various combinations of with camera on/off etc.

I contacted my great local camera dealer (who sold me the camera) and he also finds the same problem with a new one in the shop. It works on a PC but not on a Mac!

Are Ricoh aware of this problem?

I believe a work around is to use "Android File Transfer" which is not really a great solution.

Kind regards

RiversideRich

Not a Number · 05-30-2019, 11:43 AM

Have you tried changing the USB Transfer Mode in the Setup Menu?

jup · 05-30-2019, 01:58 PM

Have you tried the latest firmware, 1.11? They mentioned some (cryptic) fix related to Mac: Latest GR III Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING.

disconnekt · 05-30-2019, 03:05 PM

Update to the latest firmware update 1.11, they just released it a day or 2 ago.

jayscue · 05-31-2019, 05:37 AM

I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however.

**acoufap** · 05-31-2019, 08:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jayscue

I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however.

Interesting. If Photos works I'd try the App Image Capture (German: Digitale Bilder). I use it to import photographs into a specified directory on my MacOS systems where I start a script that applies some Exiftool commands. Also works with iOS devices. I can recommend it strongly.

**clackers** · 05-31-2019, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by jayscue

I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however.

Then you've got the camera in the wrong USB mode.

Last edited by clackers; 05-31-2019 at 01:51 PM.

jayscue · 06-01-2019, 03:59 AM

I did a search of the manual on 'USB' and couldn't find anything on USB mode. How do you change that?

**clackers** · 06-01-2019, 04:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jayscue

I did a search of the manual on 'USB' and couldn't find anything on USB mode. How do you change that?

Ah, the Mac OS itself (or rather, the Finder) doesn't support the MTP protocol.

You might give this a go from Google:

https://www.android.com/filetransfer/

Or pull out the card and put it into a reader.

RiversideRich · 06-02-2019, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by RiversideRich

Hi

When I connect my (beautiful) new GRIII to my MacBook via the USB cable it doesn't show up as a device allowing me to access the images on the SD card. I've tried various combinations of with camera on/off etc.

I contacted my great local camera dealer (who sold me the camera) and he also finds the same problem with a new one in the shop. It works on a PC but not on a Mac!

Are Ricoh aware of this problem?

I believe a work around is to use "Android File Transfer" which is not really a great solution.

Kind regards

RiversideRich

Thanks all for the comments. I have also tried firmware 1.11 and its the same. Its a problem Ricoh need to address. Can we all log this as a support issue with Ricoh please. There are not any settings needed in the menus! You should be able to simply plug it into a Mac and it be accessible as a drive, JUST as it works on a PC!

Thanks all!!

Rich

Not a Number · 06-02-2019, 10:16 AM

It's doesn't look like a Rioch problem to me. Rather MTP (an Android IOS protocol) not being natively supported by Apple/Mac OS. Probably a licensing issue, Android IOS being a rival of Apple/Mac OS.

Just do a Web search on "MTP transfer Mac" and you'll see there is no native support in the Mac OS. Apps like IPhoto will support MTP though. The most common solution is to use Android file transfer app that @clackers linked above.

Eyewanders · 06-03-2019, 09:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by clackers

Or pull out the card and put it into a reader.

Yop. This.
This would be my solution no matter the camera. If one doesn't need tethering or anything else but data transfer, no need fussing over drivers and specific camera support.
USB3 card readers are bought for peanuts these days.

**TedH42** · 06-15-2019, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

It's doesn't look like a Rioch problem to me. Rather MTP (an Android IOS protocol) not being natively supported by Apple/Mac OS. Probably a licensing issue, Android IOS being a rival of Apple/Mac OS.

Just do a Web search on "MTP transfer Mac" and you'll see there is no native support in the Mac OS. Apps like IPhoto will support MTP though. The most common solution is to use Android file transfer app that @clackers linked above.

There IS a Ricoh problem here. Page 110 of the GR3 manual makes NO mention that the camera may not be recognized by a Mac. The memo at the bottom of the page refers to the system requirements on page 152, which indicate that the last 5 Mac OS versions, starting with the current (Mojave, 10.14), can make a USB connection with the camera. No mention is made that MTP transfer protocol must be supported.

I found this confusing for far too long, and this thread got it straightened out for me. I got the Android file transfer app to get the transfer to work, but Ricoh should have this information in their GR3 manual.

So, at the least, this is a documentation error - a lack of required information.

Personally, I would prefer that the GR3 support the same USB protocol that all my Pentax cameras support, even if a USB protocol selection must be done in the GR3 menus.

By the way, the GR3 is a terrific walkaround camera. So many times, a DSLR is just not needed, and the GR3 fits in my pocket. Lousy battery life though, if you want to shoot everything in sight. A few lightweight batteries fix that problem, though. Still fits in my pocket.

**clackers** · 06-15-2019, 09:22 PM

?

The specifications clearly say MTP for USB, Ted.

Note that Mac Photos and similar apps work by USB, this has already been said in the thread.

The issue is getting it to appear as a *mounted disk*, and this is an Apple problem, their Finder does not support this industry standard. Other OSes do.

Glad you're enjoying the GR3, I really like my GR2.

**TedH42** · 06-15-2019, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by clackers

?

The specifications clearly say MTP for USB, Ted.

Note that Mac Photos and similar apps work by USB, this has already been said in the thread.

The issue is getting it to appear as a *mounted disk*, and this is an Apple problem, their Finder does not support this industry standard. Other OSes do!

But the manual says nothing at the USEFUL pages (110, 152) that I pointed out. I use the "mounted disk" method of access, so using an extra "app" is a foreign thing to me. Copy to computer, then process in Photoshop. Finder should be able to pick up all "disks". Ricoh does not inform me that Macs may be defective, and their camera may require workarounds (none of the "Pentax" cameras do) to work with a standard Mac, so I think maybe my camera is broken, and have to go online to discover that information is lacking for my performing the transfer.

A confusing part is that plugging in the camera via USB puts it in playback mode, as expected, so the camera knows about the computer connection, then it just sits there with NO indication that anything is wrong. The Mac also just sits there, not knowing anything is happening. Looks like something is wrong, maybe broken. Try several cables, several Macs - all the same result. So I come here to find the missing information.

The specs using the term "MTP" conveyed no meaning to me, and I was not aware that other standards might be in use for accessing files on cameras. I have not been following the phone-based additions to standards (retired from a career in data communications), so having the camera-computer transfer mechanism that has been working for me for years be broken by Ricoh selecting a standard that is not compatible with what has worked with Macs for all those years was quite a confusing surprise. I'm sure that you see my point.

That's all.

05-30-2019, 10:04 AM	#1
RiversideRich New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 2	GRIII doesn't show up as a USB device on a MacBook Hi When I connect my (beautiful) new GRIII to my MacBook via the USB cable it doesn't show up as a device allowing me to access the images on the SD card. I've tried various combinations of with camera on/off etc. I contacted my great local camera dealer (who sold me the camera) and he also finds the same problem with a new one in the shop. It works on a PC but not on a Mac! Are Ricoh aware of this problem? I believe a work around is to use "Android File Transfer" which is not really a great solution. Kind regards RiversideRich

05-31-2019, 05:37 AM	#5
jayscue New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 2	Updated to 1.11 and still doesn't work I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however.

06-15-2019, 09:22 PM	#14
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,395	? The specifications clearly say MTP for USB, Ted. Note that Mac Photos and similar apps work by USB, this has already been said in the thread. The issue is getting it to appear as a mounted disk, and this is an Apple problem, their Finder does not support this industry standard. Other OSes do. Glad you're enjoying the GR3, I really like my GR2. Last edited by clackers; 06-15-2019 at 10:32 PM.

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05-30-2019, 11:43 AM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	Have you tried changing the USB Transfer Mode in the Setup Menu?

05-30-2019, 01:58 PM	#3
jup Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 103	Have you tried the latest firmware, 1.11? They mentioned some (cryptic) fix related to Mac: Latest GR III Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING.

05-30-2019, 03:05 PM	#4
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Update to the latest firmware update 1.11, they just released it a day or 2 ago.

05-31-2019, 08:00 AM - 1 Like	#6
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,184	Originally posted by jayscue I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however. Interesting. If Photos works I'd try the App Image Capture (German: Digitale Bilder). I use it to import photographs into a specified directory on my MacOS systems where I start a script that applies some Exiftool commands. Also works with iOS devices. I can recommend it strongly.

05-31-2019, 10:36 AM	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,395	Originally posted by jayscue I updated the camera to 1.11 and my Mac still doesn't show the SD card. Mac Photos, which is not an editor that I use, does see the camera however. Then you've got the camera in the wrong USB mode. Last edited by clackers; 05-31-2019 at 01:51 PM.

06-01-2019, 03:59 AM	#8
jayscue New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 2	I did a search of the manual on 'USB' and couldn't find anything on USB mode. How do you change that?

06-01-2019, 04:50 AM - 1 Like	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,395	Originally posted by jayscue I did a search of the manual on 'USB' and couldn't find anything on USB mode. How do you change that? Ah, the Mac OS itself (or rather, the Finder) doesn't support the MTP protocol. You might give this a go from Google: https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ Or pull out the card and put it into a reader.

06-02-2019, 02:36 AM	#10
RiversideRich New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by RiversideRich Hi When I connect my (beautiful) new GRIII to my MacBook via the USB cable it doesn't show up as a device allowing me to access the images on the SD card. I've tried various combinations of with camera on/off etc. I contacted my great local camera dealer (who sold me the camera) and he also finds the same problem with a new one in the shop. It works on a PC but not on a Mac! Are Ricoh aware of this problem? I believe a work around is to use "Android File Transfer" which is not really a great solution. Kind regards RiversideRich Thanks all for the comments. I have also tried firmware 1.11 and its the same. Its a problem Ricoh need to address. Can we all log this as a support issue with Ricoh please. There are not any settings needed in the menus! You should be able to simply plug it into a Mac and it be accessible as a drive, JUST as it works on a PC! Thanks all!! Rich

06-02-2019, 10:16 AM	#11
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	It's doesn't look like a Rioch problem to me. Rather MTP (an Android IOS protocol) not being natively supported by Apple/Mac OS. Probably a licensing issue, Android IOS being a rival of Apple/Mac OS. Just do a Web search on "MTP transfer Mac" and you'll see there is no native support in the Mac OS. Apps like IPhoto will support MTP though. The most common solution is to use Android file transfer app that @clackers linked above.

06-03-2019, 09:56 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by clackers Or pull out the card and put it into a reader. Yop. This. This would be my solution no matter the camera. If one doesn't need tethering or anything else but data transfer, no need fussing over drivers and specific camera support. USB3 card readers are bought for peanuts these days.

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06-15-2019, 08:58 PM	#13
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Originally posted by Not a Number It's doesn't look like a Rioch problem to me. Rather MTP (an Android IOS protocol) not being natively supported by Apple/Mac OS. Probably a licensing issue, Android IOS being a rival of Apple/Mac OS. Just do a Web search on "MTP transfer Mac" and you'll see there is no native support in the Mac OS. Apps like IPhoto will support MTP though. The most common solution is to use Android file transfer app that @clackers linked above. There IS a Ricoh problem here. Page 110 of the GR3 manual makes NO mention that the camera may not be recognized by a Mac. The memo at the bottom of the page refers to the system requirements on page 152, which indicate that the last 5 Mac OS versions, starting with the current (Mojave, 10.14), can make a USB connection with the camera. No mention is made that MTP transfer protocol must be supported. I found this confusing for far too long, and this thread got it straightened out for me. I got the Android file transfer app to get the transfer to work, but Ricoh should have this information in their GR3 manual. So, at the least, this is a documentation error - a lack of required information. Personally, I would prefer that the GR3 support the same USB protocol that all my Pentax cameras support, even if a USB protocol selection must be done in the GR3 menus. By the way, the GR3 is a terrific walkaround camera. So many times, a DSLR is just not needed, and the GR3 fits in my pocket. Lousy battery life though, if you want to shoot everything in sight. A few lightweight batteries fix that problem, though. Still fits in my pocket.

06-15-2019, 10:55 PM	#15
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Originally posted by clackers ? The specifications clearly say MTP for USB, Ted. Note that Mac Photos and similar apps work by USB, this has already been said in the thread. The issue is getting it to appear as a mounted disk, and this is an Apple problem, their Finder does not support this industry standard. Other OSes do! But the manual says nothing at the USEFUL pages (110, 152) that I pointed out. I use the "mounted disk" method of access, so using an extra "app" is a foreign thing to me. Copy to computer, then process in Photoshop. Finder should be able to pick up all "disks". Ricoh does not inform me that Macs may be defective, and their camera may require workarounds (none of the "Pentax" cameras do) to work with a standard Mac, so I think maybe my camera is broken, and have to go online to discover that information is lacking for my performing the transfer. A confusing part is that plugging in the camera via USB puts it in playback mode, as expected, so the camera knows about the computer connection, then it just sits there with NO indication that anything is wrong. The Mac also just sits there, not knowing anything is happening. Looks like something is wrong, maybe broken. Try several cables, several Macs - all the same result. So I come here to find the missing information. The specs using the term "MTP" conveyed no meaning to me, and I was not aware that other standards might be in use for accessing files on cameras. I have not been following the phone-based additions to standards (retired from a career in data communications), so having the camera-computer transfer mechanism that has been working for me for years be broken by Ricoh selecting a standard that is not compatible with what has worked with Macs for all those years was quite a confusing surprise. I'm sure that you see my point. That's all.