The Ricoh GR IV compact camera is so popular that finding one in stock can be a challenge – but the GR series is turning 30 this year, and new details on Ricoh’s promised special edition have finally emerged.
Earlier this summer, Ricoh teased that a GR IV anniversary edition was coming, with subtle design changes that reflect how little the compact camera series has changed over the last 30 years. Now, Ricoh has announced just when that special edition is coming – October 21 – and how current GR shooters can deck out their current camera with special edition accessories.
The Ricoh GR IV Anniversary Edition feels almost like playing a spot-the-difference game. The design changes are meant to be subtle in honor of how loyal the GR series has remained to a compact, classic design over the last 30 years.
The shutter release and the buttons on the back of the special edition have been recolored in a gray inspired by the original GR1. The compact camera will also use a ring cap – a removable protective ring around the lens barrel – that has a diamond-cut texture to it. When the camera powers off, the special edition will also display the GR 30th anniversary logo.
But, the special edition camera will also be paired with several new accessories – and most of those accessories will also be available separately. That will allow photographers using standard editions of the popular camera to refresh their camera with a 30th anniversary look, without buying a completely new camera.
Those accessories include a finger strap made from real leather with the anniversary engraved into the side. A new steel gray hot shoe cover with a 30th anniversary logo engraved into the top will also be available.
Ricoh will also be launching a limited edition set of pins, with a special badge set that honors the different cameras across the 30-year history. 14 of those badges look like retro compact cameras, while there’s also a pin for the GR logo and the 30th anniversary logo.
The special edition camera – which will only have 6,000 available worldwide – will ship with all those accessories, including the strap, hot shoe cover, and complete pin set. But Ricoh says the hot shoe cover and strap will also be available separately.
The set of retro camera pins will also be available on its own, with one catch – only those who buy the camera will get the GR logo and the 30th anniversary logo, the separate pin set only includes the 14 pins shaped after each retro camera. Individual camera pins will also be sold as single badges.
While the September 16th announcement feels much more complete than the company’s teaser from July, Ricoh still has yet to reveal one detail: The price. With the limited edition restricted to 6,000 cameras, fans can expect the price to sit above the standard GR IV cost.
The special edition camera is expected to be available beginning on October 21.
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The 30th anniversary edition isn't the only camera Ricoh is working on right now – read about the upcoming Ricoh GR IVx, or compare the different Ricoh GR options.
