LLL 35/2 Replica - One year later, how do you feel about your lens?

[TenEleven]

Yeah seriously what's your hang-up here? The original didn't lose any value because of it, instead it appears to have appreciated. (Which is also why I am holding onto mine still.) Once I sell it it's likely gone for good (not gonna rebuy it at these moon prices!) -- also if I wait I can make a bit more money..

But hey just read into anything whatever because there clearly is no logical reasoning with you and you just want to be right & also mad at China for some reason, period.

Edit: That said I'm this mysterious creature, which is called a "user". I use lenses and cameras. I don't really care if they are collectible or not. I am curious about new lenses, sure - but ultimately I really do not care - the end result (on paper/silver gelatin) is what counts.

 

[Doug]

If you please, let's keep the discussion polite, respectful, even friendly! 🙂

 

[coogee]

Am I angry? Or your are angry?

You didn't answer as to why your account has only ever posted to denigrate LLL?

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (LLL 35mm f2) leica mp

Erik.

 

[nzeeman]

guys dont pay attention to china haters - i already tried to discuss with them earlier whenever i wrote i like using even cheapest risespray or TTartisan lens. always someone appears who will say - ah why you put cheao lens on your camera and so on... i wpuld agree with them if leica really make perfect products. but they made huge mistakes with early digital and everyone was just swallowing their nonsense explanation. when their lens is unsharp - its leica glow. when famous company have more distortion than TTartisan then its either character or "thats why software exist - to correct imperfections" and so on...
its useless to fight with reason against people that like to burn money just to have brand name written on lens. they dont care that their leicas are made in china and just some parts assembled in germany so they can have made in germany written on them.
show me that sensor or electronic factory in germany that makes parts for your precious leicas...

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

To whom it may concern:

Sadly, in a world where everything, even the simplest of things, has been politicized, demonized, messed up and ruined for everyone that has an opposite opinion of whatever the subject is… it seems we in a small niche photography forum can’t escape these undesirable outsider influences.

A guy asks “you got one of these lenses, what do you think of it?” And, the answer is 10 tons of f-you, go to hell, bad company, screw China, my family went to war and died for this…

It’s just a lens, if you have one and you like it or don’t like it based on actual experience this thread is for you. Otherwise, perhaps you should start another thread that is related to your interests and issues.

All the best,
Mike

 

[nzeeman]

fully agree mike!

 

[raid]

I do what I can to stay balanced here. I always open the door for other opinions. It should be this way.

 

[Duofold RF]

Take easy guys, we come to here to have fun, exchange information, get help or help others. Label some the posts as "China hater" is too aggressive, may be just "authoritarian hater"

When LLL/Mr. Zhou`s representative Mr. K promoted this project, there was a gentlemen agreement, whoever signed up to purchase this lens will get the first batch (500 lenses). After the LHSA review article was published, there was demand for this lens, instead of keeping his promise to offer RRF members at the IPO price, LLL started to sell the lens at a higher price to others. Creditability is important in business. Mr. K used this forum to promote LLL products and never paid this site. LLL/Mr. Zhou used the article from LHSA to promote his knock off copy at a higher price. There are plenty new/used knock off copy on Asian market ranged from $700-1000.

For the record, I have autocollimator to check lens

 

[sebastel]

Well, there always is the ignore list. I don't like to use it, but sometimes it might help.

 

[Duofold RF]

gelatin silver print (LLL 35mm f2) leica mp

Erik.

Nice photo, but for you as a capable photographer, a $288 7artisans 35mmf2 will produce excellent images in your hands. If you removed the glory of Leica replica, the LLL lens may only worth $300 dollars. 7artisans and TTartisans used DJ optical as their OME manufacture, the cost is substantially lower.

 

[Duofold RF]

You didn't answer as to why your account has only ever posted to denigrate LLL?

I also posted on other topics too. Are you work for LLL/Mr. Zhou? you sound like a 5 cents army from an authoritarian government. As a free member of RFF, I can post whatever I want, as long as I follow the rule/regulation.

 

[TenEleven]

I like the 7artisans lenses - I had the 35mm and sold it. It does however have a non-insignificant amount of barrel distortion. The LLL lens has none or close to none - like the original Summicron which it copies.

For a 35mm f/2 lens that is not okay for me and I sold it. I sold the 35/2 Hexanon for the same reason. I did however keep the 7a 50/1.1 lens because it's a)a Sonnar design which I personally like and b)the distortion is comparatively lower and I get something besides price as a fair trade off for the distortion namely super speed in relatively small and light package.

 

[Duofold RF]

I like the 7artisans lenses - I had the 35mm and sold it. It does however have a non-insignificant amount of barrel distortion. The LLL lens has none or close to none - like the original Summicron which it copies.

For a 35mm f/2 lens that is not okay for me and I sold it. I sold the 35/2 Hexanon for the same reason. I did however keep the 7a 50/1.1 lens because it's a)a Sonnar design which I personally like and b)the distortion is comparatively lower and I get something besides price as a fair trade off for the distortion namely super speed in relatively small and light package.

I have 7artisans 50mm f1.1, for the used/new price, it is an excellent tools to explore. The background is pleasant.

 

[Duofold RF]

To whom it may concern:

Sadly, in a world where everything, even the simplest of things, has been politicized, demonized, messed up and ruined for everyone that has an opposite opinion of whatever the subject is… it seems we in a small niche photography forum can’t escape these undesirable outsider influences.

A guy asks “you got one of these lenses, what do you think of it?” And, the answer is 10 tons of f-you, go to hell, bad company, screw China, my family went to war and died for this…

It’s just a lens, if you have one and you like it or don’t like it based on actual experience this thread is for you. Otherwise, perhaps you should start another thread that is related to your interests and issues.

All the best,
Mike

Mike you sound like a nice guy... from your prior post, you even do not own this LLL lens, but you do post in here and no one questioned you. If you end up in a forum, the members are replying with F- word, you may need to consider move to somewhere else, at least in here most members are friendly, polite and helpful. All the best

 

[taemo]

I still have the first batch LLL, sold my Voigtlander 35mm ultron f2 v1 to fund it and really happy with the decision.
The Voigtlander 35mm ultron v2 might be better but also cost more than what I paid for the LLL.
Fortunately no QC issue other than it taking a long time before I got my copy.

M10 + LLL 35mm f2 by earl dieta, on Flickr

M10 + LLL 35mm f2 by earl dieta, on Flickr

Unsure if I want to backup the 50mm projects as I have enough 50mm in my inventory but the Elcan is tempting.
I have the 7A 50mm 1.1 as a fun lens but my Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 Nokton v2 blows it out of the water but also 3x the price of the 7A

 

[Erik van Straten]

Nice photo, but for you as a capable photographer, a $288 7artisans 35mmf2 will produce excellent images in your hands. If you removed the glory of Leica replica, the LLL lens may only worth $300 dollars. 7artisans and TTartisans used DJ optical as their OME manufacture, the cost is substantially lower.

Thanks, but I like my copy of the LLL 35mm f2 very much as it is a prototype, actually the first one ever made. I don't think I will ever sell it or exchange it for another lens. It looks quite different than the normal production lenses.

I got it completely as a surprise, so you will understand how happy I am with this lens.

gelatin silver print (LLL 35mm f2) leica mp

Erik.

 

[raid]

Do you expect the prototype to be better than the final production lens?

 

[TenEleven]

Do you expect the prototype to be better than the final production lens?

They changed the leaded glass (which is also in the original 8-elements Summicron) to something else for the later production runs as far as I know.
I do not know if that constitutes "better" as one would have to bench test them against another, but I guess more authentic would be a way to put it.

Mine is a first run one.

 

[Duofold RF]

Thanks, but I like my copy of the LLL 35mm f2 very much as it is a prototype, actually the first one ever made. I don't think I will ever sell it or exchange it for another lens. It looks quite different than the normal production lenses. I got it completely as a surprise, so you will understand how happy I am with this lens.

Arhha, prototype, like my friend Roy Moss who passed away long time ago was interesting in prototype, special serial numbers et al, the mysteries that surrounded Leica.