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] Although the R1 was commercially successful, professional photographers requested a camera with more manual controls, and Ricoh responded with the GR1.

[9] With its lightweight body, the GR1 had a weight and volume smaller than many 28 mm lenses for SLRs.

[7] The GR1v adds fixed-focus distance settings (branded SNAP focus) and manual ISO selection.

[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.