28mm f2.8 "Nine Element". Warning: not for Leica fanboys

[kiemchacsu]

This all seems to line up with what seems to be LLL's usual approach.
For what it's worth I have two of their 35mm f2 "Eight Elements" - one is the "Early RFF Backer" limited version with 100% original (leaded) glass and the other is the much later LTM collapsible lens. I also have an original "Germany" 35mm f/2 V1 Summicron in LTM/M mount.

From my (limited - I prefer to shoot real world stuff) testing it's a similar story as outlined above. The early version is pretty much a faithful 1:1 copy with the only differences being a cooler color rendition and slightly elevated contrast due to the employment of more modern coatings.

However my favorite of the three is the collapsible version though, they pushed it a bit further for that one - it reins in (but does not fully correct) the spherical aberration and coma of the original while still retaining its "flavor". It retains the slightly cooler rendition and higher contrast, as expected. Also the lens collapses and works flawlessly on my LTM cameras while being lot cheaper - so I have no issues taking it out in the rain or to the beach etc.

I got my lens through RFF campain, with customized engraved text,
reading your comments here, I feel lucky to be able to buy that lens with decent price.

 

[ymc226]

This review seems favorable. I did pre order from Popflash earlier this month and hope to get it in the next few weeks.

 

[Duofold RF]

So what do you gain to use this lens compare to the modern Leica and VM from Cosina?

 

[panatomic]

This review seems favorable. I did pre order from Popflash earlier this month and hope to get it in the next few weeks.

I had to fix a strangely written paragraph in that review. 🙄

Postwar, in 1955, Leitz introduced its 28/5.6 Summaron, a lens with fine performance despite its modest aperture; and of course now we have a re-introduced version of the Summaron which works admirably with the extended ISO of modern digital cameras. Nikon introduced a 28/3.5 in 1952, and it was available in LSM; its optical diagram looks a lot like the Summaron, and it was a decent performer. Canon had a 28/3.5 Serenar from 1951, and a 28/2.8 Canon Lens from 1956. I have never tried either, unlike with the Nikkor.

Revised:

Postwar, in 1952, Nikon introduced a 28/3.5. It was available in LSM, and it was a decent performer. Canon had a 28/3.5 Serenar from 1951, and a 28/2.8 Canon Lens from 1956. I have never tried either, unlike with the Nikkor. Leitz introduced its 28/5.6 Summaron in 1955, a lens with fine performance despite its modest aperture; its optical diagram looks a lot like the Nikkor. Of course now we have a re-introduced version of the Summaron which works admirably with the extended ISO of modern digital cameras.

 

[Godfrey]

Jeez. So much controversy in this thread.

I have had several different 28mm lenses in Leica M mount. In recent memory: I've had the Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm f/3.5 for a long time, about 10 years or so; it has always been a reliable performer but best on film or APS-C digital. A couple of years ago, I acquired a Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH (?) ... one back from the most recent model ... and it was a very good performer. But for some reason, it didn't send me. A friend loaned me his 'new issue' Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 for a week or so: I liked its rendering a lot, to the extent that I traded the Summicron I had for a new-ish Summaron 28 (and then fought the idiotic battle of finding 34mm threaded filters for it .. dumb choice of filter mount, should have had 39mm .. so I could use a filter AND the fancy lens hood supplied with it); and I think it's the first 28mm lens that I will prefer over other focal lengths a good bit of the time. But the Color-Skopar 28mm is truly excellent on film and is a perfect match for the Leica IIIc body I acquired recently.

This "Light Lens Lab" 28mm f/2.8 "Nine Element" is interesting, but it's mostly of academic interest for me as with two perfectly good 28mm lenses to choose from at any time already. Why post about it with an aggressive title like "28mm f2.8 "Nine Element". Warning: not for Leica fanboys" is beyond me. Such a title on a thread just says, 'let's have an irritating "mine is better than yours" or "i know more than you do" nonsensical discussion'.

Carry on as seems fit whatever your intent. 🙄

G

 

[yossi]

I added the “Warning” bit in the title, as I suspected otherwise fanboys would immediately jump in to talk about Aliexpress. But I was obviously wrong. My apology.

(Btw my initial impression of this lens being a copycat has since changed as I heard more about the company’s design goals. Good effort I must admit. )

Mod please delete this thread if deemed fit. Thx.

 

[splitimageview]

Early this morning I cleaned up the thread. Some posts that were themselves not problematic (but responses to other negative posts) were also removed; if they were left in place they would not have made any sense.

For those that like to create controversy here, stop. Or you'll end up on full moderation, or removed altogether.

Carry on!

 

[rulnacco]

I don’t think that company size is the main factor for Leica lenses beeing expensive.

Hell, that plastic red dot they glue on the lens will contribute well over $1K to the price. Yes, Leica stuff ain't cheap to produce, labor costs and all--but they've very astutely realized that certain people with lots of money or a mania for imitating them will uncritically pay out the wazoo simply for a bit of red-dyed polycarbonate and some engraving on a lens they'll probably never take out and use in a situation where actually amazing photos might be made.

Leica is a luxury brand and jewellery company nowadays, catering to snobbos who "have to have *the* very best" even if you can't actually see the difference between the products of a nearly $10K Leica lens and a talented 22-year-old with a kit lens. And that kid's photos will be waaaaaay better than *anyone's* who forked up for a 50mm APO-Summicron ASPH, because he's actually shooting for passion and is taking himself and his gear to places no Leicaman™ would ever tread with his baubles.

There are several people snarking on Chinese companies for no discernible reason in this thread--although I'm thinking they also tell jokes in private that would get them righteously told off if they uttered them in public. Personally, I don't care if LLL and others are making copies of lenses from the days when pterodactyls filled the skies. I don't *need* any more Leica lenses; but if I did and wanted to shoot a 28mm with a classic feel and what seems to be a pretty damn good build quality, I'd be happy as hell I could get one for well less than a grand. I'm sure the fact that it causes wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst a certain element on RFF would make my photos even better, and their tears would render the experience of using the lens even sweeter and more satisfying.

(And, santino, I wasn't going off on you; your comment, particularly the bit about Leica being an intentionally boutique brand catering to people who HAVE to have the latest Lenny Kravitz Commemorative Edition just, to me, pointed out the ridiculousness of some of the self-important and sententious pooh-poohing of certain things that sometimes goes on in Leicaverse. Which others were engaging in, and which is entirely ludicrous. For instance, my 35mm Summicron is the "shabby" and derided 2nd Version that some people turn their noses up at, which I'm quite happy with regardless and have put loads of wear on using it, but the fact that it has "Made in Germany" engraved on it would probably make it about $300-$400 more "valuable" than a Canadian version, even though it takes precisely the same photos. Which is entirely silly, and symptomatic of the male bovine excrement that too many Leicaphiliacs get caught up in.)

 

[splitimageview]

Sigh. For every so-called "Leicaman™" there are hundreds more that seem particularly compelled to compose petty posts about them. 😂

 

[rulnacco]

Sigh. For every so-called "Leicaman™" there are hundreds more that seem particularly compelled to compose petty posts about them.😂

Well, I do like my Leica kit myself. But it's all been bought second-hand at prices that I could afford--which ain't much, relatively. And I do take it out in all kinds of weather and to places where you might actually get mugged. I'm sure I've worn hundreds or even thousands of dollars off the value of my Leica stuff by treating it all like, gasp...actual camera gear meant to be used, just like I do all my other, less prestigious, gear.

The old gentleman in London who sold me all my gear over the many years it took to acquire it had several wealthy customers who would buy really expensive stuff--and then all we'd ever see from them to demonstrate how fantastic their gear was, was...photos of brick walls. Which they would regularly treat us to. It was thrilling and awe-inspring, I tell you.

They were harmless, but silly. I don't see any problem in having a bit of harmless and silly fun with wealthy older gentlemen who debate how many angels will dance on the front element of a 35mm ASPH Summilux, but only fondle it and point it at unchallenging things.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I'm enjoying this thread for its high rant quotient (RQ). Quite apart from the content (which is the usual Leica tempest-in-a-teapot stuff), rulnacco seems to have scored the highest RQ rating so far. My hat is off to him!

 

[rulnacco]

I'm enjoying this thread for its high rant quotient (RQ). Quite apart from the content (which is the usual Leica tempest-in-a-teapot stuff), rulnacco seems to have scored the highest RQ rating so far. My hat is off to him!

Thank you! It was fun, hurt no one (except maybe some exceptionally tender feelings), was a good way to let off steam, and hopefully maybe caused some people to pause and check themselves for a bit of xenophobia.

But...probably not.

 

[dreamsandart]

Thank you! It was fun, hurt no one (except maybe some exceptionally tender feelings), was a good way to let off steam, and hopefully maybe caused some people to pause and check themselves for a bit of xenophobia.

But...probably not.

 

[dreamsandart]

LLL is doing fascinating ‘reproductions’ of classic Leitz and Cooke lenses. Of course, my heartstrings are with the originals, but these older classic lenses that are no longer made, are high priced on the used market, and with age can have mount and glass problems. The LLL 28mm 9-element adapts one of the most beautiful lens mount designs, with a slightly different approach not trying to copy the original glass, keeping the 9 elements [idea] but with the intention of improvement in overall optical rendition. I've had both the Leitz v1 and v2 Elmarits and used them over many many years. Just sold my early locking focus tab v2 and missing it, and I'm thinking of picking up this LLL 28mm at ⅓ the price I sold that lens for. I have no problem with the lens being made in China, their lens seem to be of very high quality. The example photos I've seen are impressive, still retaining a more classic look (not asphical perfection), nice color, and improved wide open edge and overall contrast. And, for me the muscle memory use (physical design) is an added advantage. So many 3rd party companies, it’s not the ‘old days,’ and great to have options.