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Ricoh GR film cameras

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Ricoh GRx (film camera series)
Ricoh GR1, with case
Overview
MakerRicoh
Type35mm compact
ReleasedOctober 1996
Lens
Lens mountfixed
Lens28mm f/2.8 or 21mm f/3.5
Sensor/medium
Sensor typefilm
Sensor size36×24 mm
Film format35mm
General
Body featuresmagnesium or aluminum alloy
Made in Japan
Chronology
SuccessorRicoh GR Digital

The Ricoh GR was a series of point-and-shoot, or compact, 35 mm film cameras made by Ricoh and introduced between 1996 and 2001. Specific camera models include the GR1, GR10, GR1s, GR1v, and GR21. The GR name was later used for Ricoh's GR series of digital cameras, which began production in 2005.

The cameras had a very high quality[1] 1:2.8 28 mm lens. Exposure control could be program automatic or aperture priority semi-automatic. They had a built-in flash and date imprinting versions were also available.

Overview

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Ricoh R1 (1994), automated predecessor with similar form factor

Because the diameter of a 135 film cartridge is 25 mm (0.98 in), most cameras were limited to a minimum thickness of 30 mm (1.2 in). Ricoh released the R1 in 1994, claiming it to be the world's thinnest camera; the camera has a distinctive grip section for the photographer's right hand which accommodates the film cartridge, but the remainder of the body is thinned down to improve portability.[2] The R1 has a 30 mm f/3.5 lens with four elements in four groups and a panorama crop function;[3] the body is made of aluminum, with a plastic rear door.[4]

Ricoh GR1 (rear), signed by Daido Moriyama

Although the R1 was commercially successful, professional photographers requested a camera with more manual controls, and Ricoh responded with the GR1. Compared to the R1, the GR1 uses a similar viewfinder but is fitted with a magnesium alloy body and a 28 mm f/2.8 lens which Ricoh claimed to perform better than equivalent lenses for single lens reflex cameras.[5] The GR1 first was released in late 1996[6] and received the 1997 TIPA award for best 35 mm Compact Camera.[7] As an operational quirk, the GR1 shoots backwards: when the cartridge is loaded initially, the camera winds the film all the way out, which takes approximately 30 seconds;[8] as exposures are taken, the film is wound back into the cartridge.[9] With its lightweight body, the GR1 had a weight and volume smaller than many 28 mm lenses for SLRs. British conflict photographer Philip Jones Griffiths owned and used a GR1.

Ricoh GR1s, top deck

Ricoh released a limited production run of the 28 mm GR lens in 1997, limited to 3000 copies, as a manually-focused lens with a M39 lens mount; the GR lens is nearly symmetric, featuring a concave front surface and seven-element, four-group construction.[10] In 1998, a simplified version (GR10) and update (GR1s) were added to the line. Both shared the same 28 mm lens as GR1. The GR10 was fitted with an aluminum body and the aperture-priority autoexposure mode was removed.[11] The GR1s had improved lens coatings for better flare resistance and other minor feature updates.[12] Ricoh also released a 21 mm GR lens in 1999 as another limited production optic (1700 in total) with M39 mount; this was a nine-element, six-group lens which also had a nearly-symmetric design, and was almost as compact as the 28 mm lens.[10]

Ricoh GR21 (rear), with date imprinting function

The final two models came out in 2001: the GR21, with the wide 21 mm lens, and the GR1v, another incremental improvement on the GR1s. The GR21 won the 2001 TIPA Award for Best 35MM Prestige Camera.[7] The GR1v adds fixed-focus distance settings (branded SNAP focus) and manual ISO selection.[12] Japanese street photographer Daido Moriyama is known to have used the GR1v.[13]

The film GR cameras were discontinued after the introduction of the Ricoh GR Digital in 2005; over time, the most common faults that have developed have affected the status LCD on the top deck, the motor, and the light seals, particularly around the film information window on the rear door.[9][12] In 2014, Ricoh discontinued service for the film GR cameras. The GR21 was made in limited numbers and tends to be more expensive than the others.[12]

Ricoh GR film cameras
Name Image Rel. Lens Dimensions Shutter speed (sec.) Exposure modes
F.L. Max. aperture Constr. W H D D (grip) Wgt.
GR1[14] Ricoh GR1 with case Oct 1996 28 mm f/2.8 7e/4g 117 mm (4.6 in) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26.5 mm (1.0 in) 34 mm (1.3 in) 175–177 g (6.2–6.2 oz) 2–1⁄500 P,A
(ISO 25–3200)
GR10[15] Apr 1998 118 mm (4.6 in) 61 mm (2.4 in) 35 mm (1.4 in) 170 g (6.0 oz) P
(ISO 50–3200)
GR1s[16] 117 mm (4.6 in) 61 mm (2.4 in) 34 mm (1.3 in) 178–180 g (6.3–6.3 oz) P,A
(ISO 25–3200)
GR21[17] Apr 2001 21 mm f/3.5 9e/6g 64 mm (2.5 in) 38.5 mm (1.5 in) 200 g (7.1 oz)
GR1v[18] Sep 2001 28 mm f/2.8 7e/4g 61 mm (2.4 in) 34 mm (1.3 in) 178–180 g (6.3–6.3 oz)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fisher, Jim (20 March 2013). "10 Cool Classic Film Cameras". PC Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2014. Ricoh's GR1 series has its devotees. ... its lens has received nothing but praise in terms of its optical qualities
  2. ^ "世界で一番薄いボディーの35mmカメラ　リコー R1 (1994)" [Ricoh R1 (1994), the world's thinnest 35mm camera] (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Ricoh R1" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Ricoh R1 / R1S / Rollei Prego Micron Compact Film Camera Review". 50mmf2. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  5. ^ "プロの定番機として定着の高性能　リコーGR1 (1996)" [High performance Ricoh GR1 (1996), a camera standard for professionals] (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Hot new stuff: Ricoh's plainclothes luxo-compact is star of the point-and-shoots". Popular Photography. December 1996. p. 44. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "TIPA World Awards Search Results: Best 35MM Compact Camera (1997): Ricoh GR1". Technical Image Press Association. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  8. ^ Beech, Ben (November 1, 2012). "Camera Geekery: Ricoh GR1S Review". Japan Camera Hunter. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  9. ^ a b Rapkerg, Ray (September 15, 2019). "Compact camera mega test: Ricoh GR1s, the 'stealth ninja'". Emulsive. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b "手作り感覚で作る　GR レンズ (1997 / 1999)" [GR lenses made with a handmade feel (1997 / 1999)] (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  11. ^ Grave, Red (November 5, 2019). "The Ricoh GR10: 'piggy in the middle' GR sibling (plus GR1s comparison)". Emulsive. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Bellamy (April 10, 2012). "The Ricoh GR ... a buyer's guide". Japan Camera Hunter. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  13. ^ Tan, Nelson (May 19, 2013). "Return of the Legend: Hands-On with the Ricoh GR". Petapixel. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  14. ^ "Ricoh GR1" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Ricoh GR10" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Ricoh GR1s" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Ricoh GR21" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Ricoh GR1v" (in Japanese). Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
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