Lomopedia: Ricoh GR1

A high-end compact camera still sought by collectors, street photographers, and compact camera fans to this day, the GR1 was the first model in Ricoh’s GR series from the 1990s.

In 1996, Ricoh released the elegant and sleek GR1, a compact 35 mm autofocus camera aimed towards professionals and the higher end of the consumer market. It was the first model for Ricoh’s iconic GR Series of premium compacts. It looks similar to the low/mid-range compact Ricoh R1 but was equipped with more sophisticated features. Among the most noted of these are its 28mm f2.8 lens, multi-subject autofocus, and a top shutter speed of 1/500th, all in a light and compact magnesium body that allows you to effortlessly slip it in and out of your purse or pocket. The GR1 was awarded the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Award for the best 35 mm compact camera the following year.

Technical Specifications:

• Type: 35 mm Autofocus Lens Shutter Camera
• Lens: GR Lens 28 mm f/2.8 (7 elements, 4 groups); multi-coating aspherical glass lenses
• Focusing: Passive type multi-autofocus (with focus lock); automatic auxiliary AF light under low lighting; distance measuring range: 0.35m (1.1 ft.) to infinity; single AF Mode, fixed focus mode
• Shutter: Programmed electronic shutter
• Shutter Speeds: Program Mode: approx. 2 to 1/500 second
• Aperture Priority Mode: Approx. 2 to 1/250 second, 1/500 second
• Viewfinder: Reverse Galilean type with LCD bright frame; in-finder illumination under low lighting
• Viewfinder Field of View Factor: Vertically: 81%; Horizontally: 83%
• Viewfinder Magnification: 0.43
• Viewfinder Diopter: -1 dpt
• Exposure Control: Programmed AE, Aperture-priority AE, Dual SPD photocell
• Coupling Range: EV2 to 17 (ISO 100), automatic flash for backlit subjects up to 3.0 meters
• Exposure Compensation: -2 to +2EV (1/2EV steps)
• Film Speed: ISO 25 to 3200, compatible with DX Code System; ISO 100 for non-DX films
• Film Loading: Ricoh Auto-Load System, film pre-winds to the last frame number when the back cover is closed
• Film Wind/Rewind: Ricoh Auto Prewind System, automatic winding, automatic rewinding, automatic rewinding of a partial roll, film window
• Exposure Counter: Counts down the number of exposures left
• Built-in Flash: Electronic flash that automatically adjusts flash amount to available light levels; Auto Flash for low light and back-lit subjects; Slow Synchro
• Flash Guide Number: 7 (ISO 100)
• Flash Range: ISO 100 reversal film – 0.35 to 2.5 meters (1.1 to 8.2 feet); ISO 400 reversal film – 0.35 to 5.0 meters (1.1 to 16.5 feet); ISO 100 negative film – 0.35 to 3.5 meters (1.1 to 11.5 feet); ISO 400 negative film – 0.35 to 7.0 meters (1.1 to 23.1 feet)
• Flash Charge Time: Approx. 5 seconds
• Battery Life: Approx 300 shots (50% with flash, according to Ricoh test conditions); Low battery indicated by battery mark
• Modes: Self-Timer Mode; Time Mode; Infinity Mode; Single Auto-Focus Mode; Snap Model Fixed Focus Mode; Flash-On Mode; Auto Flash Mode; Flash-Off Mode; Red-Eye Reduction Mode
• Self-Timer: Built-in 10-second digital timer; operation indicated by LED
• Auto Power Off: Approx. 5 minutes after the last operation
• Power Supply: One 3V CR-2 lithium battery
• Data Imprinting Power Supply: Main power supply (GR1 Date only)
• Date Imprint Formats: Year/Month/Day; Month/Day/Year; Day/Hour/Minutes (GR1 Date only)
• Dimensions: 117 (W) x 61 (H) x 26.5 (D) mm, 4.6 (W) x 2.4 (H) x 1.0 (D) inch (not including grip)
• Weight: GR1: 175g (6.1 oz) without a battery; GR1 Date: 177g (6.2 oz) without battery

This article was written by Community member plasticpopsicle.

written by plasticpopsicle on 2014-03-07 #gear #lomopedia #35mm #review #ricoh #compact-camera #gr1 #ricoh-gr1 #lomopedia Share Article