[New test photos released] Leica Summicron 35/2 Eight Element copy made in China

I'd be more than happy with a Made in China lens on my M2 especially if it's as tempting as this lens. For the record I'd prefer a black finish but ultimately price and performance are more likely to be determinants for purchase.
 
Didn't intend to offend anyone.

To me, Leica M cameras are the pinnacle of German precision engineering. As such, a combination of an expensive mechanical masterpiece with a blatant copy of a lens designed by Leica is inconsistent. But apparently, that's just me.

I am aware that Leica has teamed up with the Chinese company Huawei and is helping design lenses for their phones. That is a mistake, in my opinion, in the context of Huawei's documented ties to the Chinese government and military.

I am not anti-Chinese, frequently purchase Chinese-made products, and I have been in China on wonderful trips where I appreciated China's amazing culture and people. Yes, Huss, my iPhone is made in China but this is only a consumer device that I'll only keep for 3 years and than get another one, and I am not emotionally attached to this device at all. That is the difference between my Chinese-made phone and a Leica, which I experience on an emotional level more than on an intellectual level. I'm just having a hard time appreciating a blatant copy of lens designed by Leica. But again, that's just me.
 
giganova said:
Didn't intend to offend anyone.

To me, Leica M cameras are the pinnacle of German precision engineering. As such, a combination of an expensive mechanical masterpiece with a blatant copy of a lens designed by Leica is inconsistent. But apparently, that's just me.

I am aware that Leica has teamed up with the Chinese company Huawei and is helping design lenses for their phones. That is a mistake, in my opinion, in the context of Huawei's documented ties to the Chinese government and military, and Huawei's efforts to build North Korea's wireless cell phone network, thereby supporting a brutal dictator regime.

I am not anti-Chinese, frequently purchase Chinese-made products, and I have been in China on wonderful trips where I appreciated China's amazing culture and people. Yes, Huss, my iPhone is made in China but this is only a consumer device that I'll only keep for 3 years and than get another one, and I am not emotionally attached to this device at all. That is the difference between my Chinese-made phone and a Leica, which I experience on an emotional level more than on an intellectual level. I'm just having a hard time appreciating a blatant copy of lens designed by Leica. But again, that's just me.
Click to expand...

When I first got into Leicas I also thought that I had to use only Leica lenses. Then I tried a whole bunch of other lenses in all price ranges and found I really enjoyed using those too, and also was very happy with those results.
I'm glad I don't limit my M usage to only Leica lenses.
 
giganova said:
Didn't intend to offend anyone.

To me, Leica M cameras are the pinnacle of German precision engineering. As such, a combination of an expensive mechanical masterpiece with a blatant copy of a lens designed by Leica is inconsistent. But apparently, that's just me.

I am aware that Leica has teamed up with the Chinese company Huawei and is helping design lenses for their phones. That is a mistake, in my opinion, in the context of Huawei's documented ties to the Chinese government and military, and Huawei's efforts to build North Korea's wireless cell phone network, thereby supporting a brutal dictator regime.

I am not anti-Chinese, frequently purchase Chinese-made products, and I have been in China on wonderful trips where I appreciated China's amazing culture and people. Yes, Huss, my iPhone is made in China but this is only a consumer device that I'll only keep for 3 years and than get another one, and I am not emotionally attached to this device at all. That is the difference between my Chinese-made phone and a Leica, which I experience on an emotional level more than on an intellectual level. I'm just having a hard time appreciating a blatant copy of lens designed by Leica. But again, that's just me.
Click to expand...

"Copying is the highest form of flattery".

Copying (aka reverse engineering) is a actually a form of learning. After the war, the Japanese started producing cameras and lenses which were basically copies of German designs.

Even Leica's famous lens - Elmar 5cm, can trace its root in Zeiss's Tessar design.

I'm sure when the Chinese try to copy this 8-E summicron, they do it with respect and good intention. If it is a good thing for the photography community fans without hurting Leica, shall we support it cheerfully instead of getting so sour about it.
 
yossi said:
"Copying is the highest form of flattery".

Copying (aka reverse engineering) is a actually a form of learning. After the war, the Japanese started producing cameras and lenses which were basically copies of German designs.

Even Leica's famous lens - Elmar 5cm, can trace its root in Zeiss's Tessar design.

I'm sure when the Chinese try to copy this 8-E summicron, they do it with respect and good intention. If it is a good thing for the photography community fans without hurting Leica, shall we support it cheerfully instead of getting so sour about it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your support. The maker is a Leica enthusiast, which he does treating this project sincerely and doing it with respect and good intention. It took him two years to get to this point.

Regards,
Kevin
 
 
Patent system is set up as a quid pro quo (exchange) between an inventor and the government. A disclosure to the public by the inventor in exchange for a limited time (~20years) monopoly granted by the government. Not perpetual protection over this technical knowledge. The remaking of the 8 element is precisely what the patent system is designed for - allowing public use of one or a group of patents past expiry (assuming Leica had patents covering the 8 element back in the 50s/60s).

Trademarks/passing off actions are typically related to the brand(s) or associated goodwill of the company or product. In this case - the trademark "Leica", "Summicron", "8 element", etc. It has no coverage over the way the lens elements are configured, the infinity lock, the materials used, etc.

EDIT: Sign me up for a black paint version pls!
 
I think it's wonderful that someone should try to recreate an original lens, long out of patent, with such evident attention to detail and obviously superb results and at a sensible price.

Keep at it and good luck (just re-register my interest in a black one!)
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
I think it's wonderful that someone should try to recreate an original lens, long out of patent, with such evident attention to detail and obviously superb results and at a sensible price.

Keep at it and good luck (just re-register my interest in a black one!)
Click to expand...

A big +1 to all of those sentiments, great stuff!
 
KEVIN-XU 愛 forever;2904433 said:
Thank you for your support. The maker is a Leica enthusiast, which he does treating this project sincerely and doing it with respect and good intention. It took him two years to get to this point.

Regards,
Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin ni hao.

I really like those wide-open test images. Count me in for a black paint 8E clone. xie xie!
 
This looks like a replica "done right" i.e. with a lot of care and attention to detail. Respect to the maker.

I am highly interested in a black paint M-mount and even more interested in a black paint LTM mount.

The only thing he worried is the flint glass that been used in this replica lens. He wants to make this lens at least 99% the same as the original one, so he has to use the flint glass. But flint glass is banned by Europe.
Click to expand...

A quick question about the flint glass - is it very soft and on the front element?... I understand that many early Leitz lenses where prone to scratching the front lens.

Regards.
 
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