Ricoh GR21 - Anyone used one before?

[Stu :)]

Looking forward to the future I was planning on buying either a CV 15mm f4.5 Heliar or the rangefinder coupled 21mm f4.
Then I found a used Ricoh GR21 for sale, same price bracket as either new lens. Then I started to think about it...

I was wondering has anyone used a Ricoh GR21? Any good, or should I stick to a seperate lens?

Stu

[iMacfan]

I know that it's not exactly the same, but I have a GR1v, and can say that it is an excellent camera. The 21 is apparantly the same size, but the lens does not retract flush with the front of the camera. As for function, it is easy to use in both auto and apature priority modes. There is no manual exposure option, but there is a dial for exposure compensation, and a bracketing feature. Focusing is only at a few set points, or auto, but with such a wide lens this is unlikely to be a problem, and the preset function does remove nearly all shutter delay. There are also a couple of welcome features, like winding the film to the end on loading. Mine has the ability to take filters, but I'm not sure about the GR21.

Build quality is excellent, I have carried mine round with me for ages, and still looks and functions like new.

The pictures will not dissapoint, either. Easily the best lens I own (but it is the most expensive camera I own). If the 21 is similar to the 28mm, the results will be roughly on a par with CV lenses, possibly beaten slightly by the CV, but not enough to notice, and acceptable when you realise you will be carrying a much smaller camera.

Providing the lens reports for the 21 are not dire, and you 'see' in a super wideangle format, this could be the best compact camera ever made!

David

P.S. Long time reader, first time poster - was this reply suitable for the forum?

[back alley]

david,

welcome to the forum!
friendly opinions are always welcome here and we hope you will stick around and enjoy.

joe

[mothra]

I can tell you that the CV 21 f4 is super cool. I've had one stuck on my R2 for months now.