Leica Summicron 35/2 Eight Element copy made in China

[Steve M.]

You wonder why this sort of thing w/ the cheap Chinese lenses hasn't happened more than it has. There's a known market for Leica lenses, so if you pop one open and reverse engineer it, voila! Molto bene, you've now got a Leica lens at a fraction of the cost. It won't have that same fantastic build quality, but on paper you should get exactly the same images, or near enough anyway.

 

[retinax]

You wonder why this sort of thing w/ the cheap Chinese lenses hasn't happened more than it has. There's a known market for Leica lenses, so if you pop one open and reverse engineer it, voila! Molto bene, you've now got a Leica lens at a fraction of the cost. It won't have that same fantastic build quality, but on paper you should get exactly the same images, or near enough anyway.

I, too, wonder why this hasn't happened earlier. But it is happening now. My guess is that as computer controlled manufacturing techniques have gotten cheaper and easier to implement for smaller companies, there is a multitude of small optical factories in China who can make high quality products. Perhaps competition among them is getting tougher, so some more are thinking of stuff like this now.

 

[David Hughes]

I seem to remember the USSR did this with some Leitz and CZ lenses in the 30's and 40's...


Regards, David

 

[johannielscom]

Oh gawd please make em in L39 mount, and in brass.
My early Leica II would cry with joy

 

[retinax]

Oh gawd please make em in L39 mount, and in brass.
My early Leica II would cry with joy

Yes! Ltm please. Larger market, simple adapter to M.

 

[analoged]

Oh gawd please make em in L39 mount, and in brass.
My early Leica II would cry with joy

Yes! Ltm please. Larger market, simple adapter to M.

Totally agree!

 

[rlouzan]

50 mm f/1.4 Red Flag 20, a copy of the 35 mm Summilux + 90mm Summicron

 

[mpaniagua]

Totally agree!

Agree as well 🙂 Would really be interested if they make something like this onf LTM.