Ricoh GR21

This is a truly oustanding camera. The 21mm lens is not only unique in range but also capable of high quality pictures. The strength of the lens is not really about sharpness, which is very good but not great. The lens shines in the colors, which are very deep, saturated. I especially like the darker corners in the pictures. They actually make pictures more dramatic.

I also use a Minolta TC-1, which boasts the best 28mm lens ever made by Minolta. What makes it stands out is the color, which is more saturated and vibrant than regular SLR lenses. However, I think the Ricoh GR21 produces even better colors.

The 21mm lens also preserves details very well in the shadow areas, the best that I have ever seen.

I have used a variety of lens in the range, such as the Nikon 17-35mm, 20-35mm, Nikon 20mm F3.5, Minolta 20mm, and the excellent Tamron 20-40mm. None can compare with Ricoh's lens in terms of producing dramatic colors. The Ricoh's are in a different league.

Deep and vibrant colors! The darker corners also make pictures more dramatic. Great details in shadow areas.

The camera is an absolute gem. I have used a wide variety of super wide angle lenses and none can produce pictuers as appealing as the GR21. As a result, I sold all my SLR stuff and now only carry the GR21 and Minolta TC-1.

None

Minolta TC-1, Fuji Klasse, Leica C3 (which is also capable of producing rich colors)

This review of the GR21 supposes you are already familiar with the GR1 series, so I won‚Äôt go into things that are similar, but explain the differences. The first surprise is that the GR21 is bigger than the GR1, being half a centimetre higher. The lens doesn‚Äôt retract entirely into the body either and isn‚Äôt protected. Apart from that, it has all the features that make the GR such a great camera: perfect ergonomics, light, compact‚Ķ wonderful viewfinder. The 3.5 lens has a filter thread and ‚Äìhurrah!- the filters from my Rollei 35 fit. The sun hood bayonets over the lens barrel. This camera is clearly for semi-professional use as it includes a flash socket (no shoe) and electrical remote release socket. It also features a day/date function which to me seems completely useless and out of line for a camera with professional ambitions. A flash socket might come in handy, although with 21mm focal, this is definitely not a portrait or studio camera. However, the exterior flash is not taken into account by the metering system, so watch out for overexposure! As I was travelling through Marokko and Marrakech where people will not allow themselves to be photographed, I appreciated some features specially: The camera is very discreet and quiet. Put it on SNAP or INFINITY (5 metres) and it‚Äôll fire instantly and quietly. With a 21 focal you get a huge depth of field so focussing isn‚Äôt really an issue. I wondered if 21mm wouldn‚Äôt be overkill, but I sometimes found myself wishing for an even wider view. Yup, I like the similarity to my eyes‚Äô arc of view. Instead of the aperture setting knob, I would have preferred a manual distance setting. I guess it‚Äôs a matter of taste‚Ķ Great is also that the lens remains extended when the camera switches off automatically. Usually with P&S cameras, after a few minutes, everything retracts and shuts down completely. Here, you only need to lightly touch the shutter release button to switch on again after autoshutoff. And yes, at long last the on /off switch is now a little better protected by a raised edge around it. A nice touch is that spot focussing is always combined with centre metering (all GR-1's and Micron's have this). The camera is made in Japan as opposed to Taiwan for the GR-1's. Maybe because of the more demanding lens construction. Lens definition seemed to be okay-ish, but not sensational. Under the microscope slides are sharp, but certainly not better at the centre than 24 mm position of the ($200) Rollei Micron Schneider. Much better on the edges though! ù

Very light and compact Perfect ergonomics, even for big hands Built like a tank, as opposed to the fragile Rollei Micron I love the looks, like a small Leica!

Price Lens can be moved 1 mm from left to right. Tolerances are too high! Selectors too easy to move accidentally. The auto or neutral position should be VERY stiff, all the rest very soft. Not as easy to slip in pocket as Rollei Micron Slower shutter speeds would be a bonus Viewfinder a bit crowded

Rollei prego micron, Yashica T5, Rollei 35S, Leica CL, Ricoh GR-1, Ricoh GR-1V, Olympus XA and many more....