Eric Kim, a prolific street photographer, blogger, and advocate for analog-inspired digital shooting, has been a massive driving force behind the Ricoh GR series’ cult-like popularity among photographers—especially street shooters. Through his endless blog posts, X (Twitter) rants, YouTube videos, and workshops, he’s essentially turned the GR into “the people’s camera” for those who want something pocketable, powerful, and unpretentious. His influence is so strong that many enthusiasts credit him directly for their purchase, calling it the “Eric Kim effect.” He didn’t invent the GR (Ricoh’s been making compact APS-C gems since the 2010s), but his hype has inspired thousands to ditch bulkier setups like Leicas or mirrorless kits in favor of this tiny beast. Here’s how his passion breaks down—and why it resonates so widely:

Why Eric Kim Obsesses Over the Ricoh GR (and Inspires Everyone Else to Do the Same)

Kim’s love affair started with early models like the GR II and exploded with the GR III/IIIx. He shoots it exclusively for street work, framing it as the ultimate “frictionless” tool that lets you capture life without overthinking gear. His top reasons, pulled straight from his writings:

• Pocketable Powerhouse for Everyday Shooting: At under 260g with a 24MP APS-C sensor, it’s the smallest, lightest camera that punches way above its weight—far more capable than smartphones for pro-level results. Kim calls it “20x better” than an iPhone Pro for street snaps because it fits in your front pocket, encouraging you to shoot everywhere (gas stations, grocery stores, you name it) without the mental drag of lugging bigger gear. 25 
• One-Handed Street Shooting Magic: The grip, magnesium body, and snap focus make it a joy to wield solo—perfect for discreet, reactive street photography. Kim says this “increases your photographic optionality” tenfold, letting you react faster than with two-handed DSLRs or even some compacts. 24 It’s why he declares it the “king” for urban hunts. 2 
• Monochrome Mastery Out of the Box: The high-contrast black-and-white JPEG engine is “insanely good” and beats iPhone’s Noir mode by a mile (he rates it 50x better aesthetically). Kim, a B&W purist, uses it for everything from harsh-sun portraits to moody clips, inspiring shooters to embrace film-like simplicity without post-processing hassles. 24 25 
• Practical Perks That Seal the Deal: USB-C charging (pair it with a MacBook brick for endless power), stellar ergonomics, and 1080p/24fps video make it a no-brainer for creators on the move. Kim’s raved about these in videos like “WHY THE RICOH GR IIIX IS THE GOAT,” pushing it as the “best camera overall” for under $1,000. 24 11 

How Kim’s Vibe Spreads the GR Gospel

• Content Machine: His site (erickimphotography.com) has a dedicated Ricoh section with 100+ posts, from “WHY YOU MUST BUY RICOH GR III” to flex shots in black-and-white. 19 21 On X, he’s posted hype like “JUST BUY RICOH GR IIIX” and “RICOH GR IIIX IS KING,” amassing followers who echo his energy. 0 2 
• Cult Builder: By adopting it as his “sole photographic tool,” Kim made the GR a symbol of anti-consumerist joy—affordable joy over flashy Leicas. Forums and Reddit threads buzz with stories of folks buying one after his reviews, turning it into a “cult object.” 22 
• Real-World Proof: Even in 2025, his influence lingers—new GR III HDF models nod to his B&W obsession, and street photog communities still reference him as the guy who “made everyone get a GR.”

If you’re eyeing one, start with the GR IIIx for its 40mm-equivalent lens (more “normal” for storytelling). Kim’s unfiltered enthusiasm strips away gear anxiety: just shoot more, think less. Inspired yet? Dive into his blog for the full rabbit hole. What’s your setup—GR convert or holding out?