What’s the go-to lens unit for the Ricoh GXR if I’m mostly doing travel and street photography? I’ve been looking at the A12 28mm and the 50mm, but I’m torn. I read on a few old forums that the 28mm is sharper for landscapes, while others swear by the 50mm for that 'classic' look—but neither really explains how they handle in low light or moving crowds. I’m an intermediate shooter and don't want to carry a bag full of lenses. My budget is around $400 for a used unit. Oh, and does the autofocus speed differ much between those two? Basically, which one is more versatile for a one-lens setup?
^ This. Also, stop overthinking the glass and look at the real numbers. Listen, I’ve spent twenty-five years turning wrenches—you don’t buy the most expensive tool if it doesn’t fit the bolt. You want street photography? You need to move fast. If you’re trying to catch people in a crowd, the 50mm is just too tight unless you’re standing across the street like a creep.
- Forget the fancy talk, look at the Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5. It’s the closest you’ll get to a standard street setup that actually works for travel.
- Check out the forums over at RicohForum or the DPReview archives; guys have been documenting the sensor performance for years. Don't pay retail. Search sites like Buyee or ZenMarket for gear coming out of Japan. You’ll save a ton on the Ricoh GXR A12 50mm f/2.5 Macro if you wait for a listing with a slight cosmetic scratch that doesn't affect the optics.
- AF speed? It’s a GXR, not a modern mirrorless. Don't expect to snap shots like a sports camera. It’s about anticipation. Look, if you're on a $400 budget, grab the 28mm unit. It’s more versatile for landscapes and tight city alleys. If it doesn't work, resell it—the market is steady. Just make sure the pins on the back are clean; I’ve seen enough gummed-up connections to know that’s where the real trouble starts.
> Basically, which one is more versatile for a one-lens setup? Late to the party, but man, I’ve spent way too many nights obsessing over this exact dilemma. If you’re truly sticking to a one-lens setup for travel, the Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5 is the clear winner. The 50mm is just too tight for narrow streets—you end up doing the 'shuffle' to get the shot, which ruins the candid vibe. Quick tips: 1. Use zone focusing. Set your aperture to f/8 and pre-focus at 2 meters; it bypasses the sluggish AF entirely. 2. Bring a tiny LED panel if you're shooting night markets, as high ISO noise on these old sensors gets messy fast. Anyway, bottom line is, get the 28mm—it's way more forgiving for street work where you don't have space to move.
Honestly, everyone and their dog will tell you to grab the Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5 because it's 'classic' street, but that lens is honestly a bit overrated given the prices people are asking these days. If you want a one-lens setup that doesn't break the bank—and keep in mind that the AF on both these units is pretty sluggish by modern standards, so don't expect miracles—you should focus on these points:
- Forget the hype; the Ricoh GXR A12 50mm f/2.5 Macro is actually the sharper tool, even if it's tighter for street.
- The 28mm unit is wider, sure, but you're paying a premium for the focal length rather than better glass.
- You can usually find the 50mm cheaper if you hunt around on Japanese auction sites, which saves you cash for a decent strap. Save your money and go with the 50mm—you'll get way more utility out of it.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I fully agree that hunting for deals is the way to go — I snagged my Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5 for $250 by patiently waiting on a Japanese listing, whereas a local dealer wanted $450. It’s all about the cost per use for me.
- Use a wrist strap to save on bulk.
- Set focus to snap mode for crowds. Don't overpay; you can fix the strap lugs yourself for cents!
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Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.
Same here!
Re: "Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now."
- Honestly people get way too caught up in the hype surrounding the Ricoh GXR A12 50mm f/2.5 Macro and the 28mm unit. Everyone acts like these are the holy grail but real world usage tells a different story. If you want versatility for street, neither is perfect because the AF on both is kinda S-L-O-W compared to anything modern.
- The 28mm is way better for tight alleys or quick shots where you cant back up.
- The 50mm is sharper for portraits but low light performance is mid at best. Dont pay the inflated prices for these. If you can find the Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5 for under $400, go for it, but expect to manual focus if things get moving fast. The hype is mostly nostalgia talking tbh...
TIL! Thanks for sharing
Honestly, the whole GXR ecosystem is a total headache these days because the market for these units is completely inflated and it drives me crazy. It is such a scam how people are still charging premium prices for tech that was barely adequate when it launched. Youre basically paying for nostalgia while dealing with abysmal autofocus and sensors that get noisy just by looking at them wrong.
- Used prices are insulting
- Reliability is always a gamble
- Spare parts are basically non-existent It is honestly ridiculous that we are still obsessing over these proprietary modules when companies have clearly moved on and stopped caring about maintaining this stuff. The whole experience just leaves you feeling annoyed that you spent good money on gear that struggles to keep up with basic street photography demands. It is just frustrating to deal with...