Overview

The Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f/2 is a vintage lens often called the “poor man’s Summicron”. Optically, it delivers pleasing images wide open with nice bokeh and sufficient sharpness, though it exhibits significant barrel distortion. Build quality varies: early Tomioka-made versions have metal construction, while later ones use more plastic. The plastic aperture ring is smooth and full-stop clicks aid handling. It is very light (~135g) and compact. Minimum focus is 0.6m for most versions, but early models focus to 0.45m. It suits budget-conscious photographers seeking a compact 50mm with character, especially on mirrorless cameras.