Ricoh GR IV returns to major retailers as Monochrome and HDF join the standard model

Shoppers who have been waiting for a compact high-end Ricoh point-and-shoot may finally get a shot: “B&H has restocked the camera,” and Adorama is also listing the models. After months of scarce supply, both retailers are showing inventory again for the GR IV family.

Gear Patrol’s James Tirado noted he’d been watching the product pages closely, and the two stores now “have the three different versions in stock.” That trio refers to the standard GR IV, the Monochrome model for dedicated black-and-white shooters, and the HDF edition that alters the camera’s internal diffusion characteristics.

The HDF model replaces Ricoh’s standard internal neutral-density arrangement with a different internal treatment that “switches out an internal ND filter for a high diffusion one,” producing a soft glow around highlights for portraits and highlight-heavy scenes. If you wanted an instant, camera-level diffusion effect without postprocessing, that’s the variant Ricoh designed for that look.

If you’ve been waiting for a GR IV and were limited by empty retailer pages, this is the most straightforward chance in months to buy via those two large U.S. outlets. That said, stock levels for compact, enthusiast-targeted cameras can move quickly. Retail availability has been patchy in the run-up to Ricoh’s various special releases, and observers recommend moving quickly if you’re set on a particular version.

Ricoh has signalled two reasons buyers might hesitate before committing. First, the company is preparing a limited-run anniversary special that will arrive this month; Ricoh says, “There will only be 6000 available.” Second, the firm has confirmed an “an “x” variant” is due later in the year; that model swaps the GR IV’s 28mm-equivalent field of view for a 40mm-equivalent lens, giving a different take on the compact street-camera formula.

Those two planned launches complicate the decision for buyers who want a GR IV now but might prefer a collector’s or alternative-focal-length option. The previous GR IIIx — the model that used a longer-equivalent focal length in the GR line — also proved hard to find after launch, and Ricoh’s limited and variant runs have tended to tighten availability in the weeks around those releases.

If you want to evaluate the cameras before buying, our site runs hands-on reviews of the standard GR IV and the Monochrome variant, both of which were available at the time of the reports. Reading those reviews can help you decide whether to buy a current-stock piece now or wait for the anniversary or the 40mm “x” model.

One more concrete tidbit to note: Amazon currently lists a price of $1599.95 for a GR IV listing shown in market price tracking. That figure is taken from retailer listings and may differ from what B&H or Adorama charge at any given moment.

For photographers who prize compact cameras with a large-sensor, rapid-access design, the GR IV line remains one of the few pocketable options aimed at serious stills shooters. Whether you want a straight-color GR IV, the contrast-and-tone-focused Monochrome, or the soft-highlight HDF, B&H and Adorama are the two most visible U.S. outlets showing stock right now. If you prefer a special edition or a different focal length, Ricoh’s anniversary edition and the forthcoming 40mm-equipped “x” model provide alternatives to consider.

We’ll update coverage as Ricoh confirms shipping windows for the anniversary edition and the “x” variant, and as retailers refresh their listings, but for now the immediate news is simple: the GR IV family is back on shelves at two major U.S. retailers, and there are a couple of forthcoming releases that could influence demand.