Ricoh GR21

Review Date
July 4, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
rokkorfan , Intermediate

Price Paid
$1100.00 at eBay

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Outdoor

Summary
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.

Strengths
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.

Weaknesses
None

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

Review Date
April 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.14 of 5, 14 votes

Reviewed by
marko van der steenhoven , Expert , from belgium

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Outdoor

Summary
This review of the GR21 supposes you are already familiar with the GR1
series, so I won’t 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’t retract entirely into the body either and
isn’t protected.
Apart from that, it has all the features that make the GR such a great camera:
perfect ergonomics, light, compact… wonderful viewfinder.
The 3.5 lens has a filter thread and –hurrah!- 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’ll fire instantly and quietly. With a 21 focal you get a huge
depth of field so focussing isn’t really an issue. I wondered if 21mm
wouldn’t be overkill, but I sometimes found myself wishing for an even
wider view. Yup, I like the similarity to my eyes’ arc of view.
Instead of the aperture setting knob, I would have preferred a manual
distance setting. I guess it’s a matter of taste…
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

Strengths
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!

Weaknesses
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

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