A friend is offering a new LTM Ricoh 28mm/2.8 GR lens for USD600. (complete with hood, and viewfinder). I have examined the lens and feel that it is of very high made quality. Has anyone used this lens before? What is the performance of this lens like? I was told that it is of the same optical design as the Ricoh GR1 P&S camera which has a good reputation. Any truth? TIA.

Yossi

-- Yossi (yosslee@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002

Answers

Yes, it's the same lens as on the GR1. It's a very nice lens, especially for $600. It was my favourite feature of that little p&s. It's sharp, reasonably distortion-free, and flares only if the sun is right in the frame. If I could have gotten the lens without it being attached to the rest of that camera I'd have been a happy camper. I say go for it.

Erwin Puts has a review of it at Erwin's review

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), April 20, 2002.

Good built ,so strong metallic feeling best viewfinder... about the lens I don't know how to compare coz I didn't have much experience but I quite satisfied and I think it's the best one for 28mm lens

-- Puchong Lau (doctorpuchong@hotmail.com), April 20, 2002.

I love my GR1 - couldn't be happier with it.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 21, 2002.

Very small, high quality build, superb lense,inexpensive...got to be the best carry all times camera of them all.I love mine maybe to much.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 21, 2002.

I believe you could get a GR1v/GR1s PLUS pocketibility and built-in flash, for less than US$600.

-- Andrew (mazurka@rocketmail.com), April 21, 2002.

I think the 28 GR lens is expensive esp if it is the same lens used on the GR1 series, given the fact that the whole camera is half the price of the lens. I bought my GR1 2nd hand for 150UKP, and have been extremely pleased with it.

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), April 22, 2002.