Ricoh GR IIIx Camera Gains Cult Following Among Watch Enthusiasts
Since its launch in 2021, the Ricoh GR IIIx, a compact digital camera, has gained unexpected traction among watch collectors and industry professionals. GQ watch editor Cam Wolf highlighted this trend after he purchased the camera based on a suggestion from Cameron Barr, the founder of Craft + Tailored. Wolf found that peers from Rime & Reason, Hodinkee, and Unpolished had also acquired the GR IIIx around the same period. Tony Traina from Unpolished referred to it as "the official camera of the watch influencer." Its 40mm f/2.8 equivalent lens excels in watch photography, outperforming the standard GR III's 28mm lens. The trend seems to have started with James Kong, a lawyer turned watch photographer, who was introduced to the camera by Ming Thein, former Chief of Strategy at Hasselblad. Despite the popularity of the Ricoh GR IV series, an "X" version with a longer lens has yet to be released, making the GR IIIx the top choice for watch photographers.
Key facts
- The Ricoh GR IIIx is a compact digital camera released in 2021.
- GQ watch editor Cam Wolf documented the camera's popularity among watch enthusiasts.
- Wolf bought the camera on recommendation from Craft + Tailored founder Cameron Barr.
- Colleagues from Rime & Reason, Hodinkee, and Unpolished also purchased the GR IIIx.
- Tony Traina of Unpolished called it 'the official camera of the watch influencer.'
- The 40mm lens is better for close-up watch photography than the 28mm lens on the GR III.
- Stephen Pulvirent of Rime & Reason said the X is 'the only real option' for watch stuff.
- The trend may have started with James Kong, introduced by photographer Ming Thein.
- Ming Thein was Hasselblad's Chief of Strategy in 2017 and has used Ricoh GR cameras for 20 years.
- Ricoh has not yet released a GR IVx with a longer lens.
Entities
Artists
- Cam Wolf
- Cameron Barr
- Tony Traina
- Stephen Pulvirent
- James Kong
- Ming Thein
- Ted Kritsonis
Institutions
- GQ
- Craft + Tailored
- Rime & Reason
- Hodinkee
- Unpolished
- Ricoh
- Hasselblad
- PetaPixel
- Fleming