Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 L39

Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 L39

The Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 L39 is a limited-production ultra-wide-angle lens made for Leica screw mount cameras. It followed Ricoh’s earlier GR Lens 28mm f/2.8 L-mount project and was developed before the release of the Ricoh GR21 compact film camera. Ricoh’s own archive states that the 21mm f/3.5 L-mount interchangeable lens was released in 1999 in a limited run of 1,700 units and that its strong reception led toward the later GR21 camera [1].

The lens uses a 9 element, 6 group optical formula, a 10-blade diaphragm, a 40.5mm filter thread, and a compact barrel measuring 25.5mm in length and 49.5mm in maximum diameter. It weighs about 200g and focuses to 0.5m, with rangefinder coupling from infinity to 0.7m. It was supplied as a Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw-mount lens and normally used with an external 21mm finder [2].

The GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 should not be merged with the lens built into the Ricoh GR21 compact camera, even though the two are historically related. The L39 version has a manual focusing mount, aperture ring, rangefinder coupling and separate lens barrel. It should also be kept separate from the Ricoh GR Lens 28mm f/2.8 L39, which has a different focal length, optical formula and production history [1] [2].

Optical qualities

Rendering

The GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 is documented as a compact, high-quality ultra-wide lens with a near-symmetrical design approach. Ricoh states that the 21mm design was arranged close to symmetrical form to minimize distortion, with separated front convex groups and individual adjustment of front and rear group barrels for best performance [1].

Sharpness

Modern user reports generally describe strong central resolution, with weaker edges or corners depending on camera, aperture and sensor type. Shige’s review notes a high level of center resolution on film, while also discussing digital differences between film, APS-H, APS-C and smaller sensors [2].

Contrast and color

The lens can give high contrast scenes a pronounced light-and-dark character. Shige’s review notes that exposure must be handled carefully in high contrast scenes to avoid black crush or blown highlights. This should be treated as practical shooting observation rather than laboratory testing [2].

Distortion and vignetting

Low distortion is one of the better documented traits of the design. Ricoh specifically describes the 21mm construction as minimizing image distortion, and Shige’s review also notes minimal distortion in film use. Vignetting and edge color behavior can vary by camera, especially on digital bodies [1] [2].

Digital use

The lens can be used on Leica M bodies with an L39-to-M adapter and on mirrorless cameras with suitable adapters. Shige’s review notes that some cameras may show edge color cast and that aging problems such as haze or balsam separation can affect individual copies. Ricoh’s GXR compatibility list also lists the GR21 21mm f/3.5 Leica L lens as usable with the GXR mount unit when used through an adapter [2] [3].

History

Development and Launch

Ricoh’s GR Lens 28mm f/2.8 L-mount lens was released in 1997 as a limited production lens after the success of the GR1 compact camera. After that project sold out, Ricoh developed the 21mm f/3.5 L-mount interchangeable lens as a step toward a future 21mm GR camera. Ricoh states that the 21mm f/3.5 lens was released in 1999 in a limited run of 1,700 units and was highly regarded, leading toward the GR21 compact camera [1].

Production Evolution

The main documented production distinction is finish. Shige’s review records approximately 1,000 silver-barrel examples and 700 black-barrel examples, for a total of about 1,700 units. The lens was supplied with accessories including a rectangular hood, external 21mm finder and focusing lever, although the focusing lever is often missing from used examples [2].

Special Editions/Variants

No separate commemorative factory special edition is widely documented. The collector-relevant variants are the silver finish and black finish production versions. The black version is generally considered rarer because fewer were produced. Used listings and collector reports sometimes describe numbered black examples, but numbering should be verified from the specific lens and box before being used as a database-level variant [2] [4].

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the finish, serial number, original 21mm finder, rectangular hood, focusing lever, front and rear caps, box and documentation. The focusing lever is often missing, while complete sets are more desirable. Optical checks are important because some examples may show haze, balsam separation or other age-related defects. Rangefinder coupling should also be tested, especially between infinity and 0.7m, and the close-focus 0.5m setting should be understood as outside normal rangefinder coupling [2].

Special editions

No confirmed factory commemorative special edition is currently documented.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 L39, silver finish, approximately 1,000 units.
• Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f/3.5 L39, black finish, approximately 700 units.
• Complete set with 21mm finder, rectangular hood, focusing lever, caps, box and documentation.
• Ricoh GR Lens 28mm f/2.8 L39, related earlier GR L-mount lens, separate database entry.
• Ricoh GR21 compact camera lens, historically related but not the same interchangeable lens.

Sources

• [1] Ricoh Imaging. Handmade-style GR lenses, 1997 / 1999. https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera_lib/library/1997.html
• [2] Shige’s Hobby. RICOH GR 21mm → RICOH GR21 Film camera. https://shige-art.net/en/ricoh-l39-gr21mm/
• [3] Ricoh Imaging. GXR Lens Mount Unit Compatibility List. https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/gxr/unit5.html
• [4] Oldlens.jp. Ricoh GR Lens 21mm f3.5 Review, Leica L39 mount. https://oldlens.jp/gr21mmf35/
• [5] Lens-DB. Ricoh GR 21mm F/3.5 LSM, 1999. https://lens-db.com/ricoh-gr-21mm-f35-lsm-1999/
• [6] Leicasisyphus. Ricoh GR 21mm 1:3.5 LTM, 1999. https://www.leicasisyphus.com/1003