Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jeremy, I have a 28/2,8 Ricoh GR lens and have used it for a month now. The lens is a screwmount version of the point and shoot camera GR-1 lens. It was released earlier this year in Japan in chrome finish and also in a limited edition in black. Optically it is a very good lens, it does not have the " snap" of the latest 28/2,8 Elmarit but it is also only 1/2 the size and 1/2 the price. Due to too much work I have only managed to shoot 10-12 rolls with it, but i did run some Tech-Pan and also some Delta 100 through my M6's with the lens and it is good. I am particularly impressed with the mechanical quality. The hood is strong enough to withstand whatever is launched towards it, the finder could be better, particularly the brightlines in it, but then the latest 24 mm finder from Leica is no great shakes either. One interesting feature of the lens is the aspherical surface on the back element and also the small front element versus the "oversized" rear one. There are several LTM lenses being made in Japan. Hexanon (Konica) makes a 50/2,4 six element, collapsible lens in screwmount and did release a screwmount version of the 35/2 version in limited quantity last year. Once the current backorder situation for my Rapidwinders eases off i will be able to do some serious shooting with the Ricoh and do direct comparisons with the Elmarits. I will be taking the Ricoh lens to the Leica Historical Society's meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend. On a black M2 it really looks strange and will confuse some collectors. Tom A