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

[Erik van Straten]

My lens is clearly a preproduction product, there is no beauty ring and the engraving is not for 100% well positioned.

However, it looks extremely cool on my MP.

The f/stop ring was stuck, there was no lubrication on the f/stop blade pins, the diaphragm was very stiff, so I had to open the lens. Very well made interior. Now the f/stop is smooth like heaven.

Erik.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Great shots, Raid! Fine lens.

Leica MP/Chinese Summicron 35mm 8EL BP

Erik.

Beautiful Erik

 

[kiemchacsu]

from this photo, i think that the customizable 9 characters is too much for the front ring of the lens. i might need to change it once Kevin send me confirmation email.

 

[james.liam]

My lens is clearly a preproduction product, there is no beauty ring and the engraving in not for 100% well positioned.

However, it looks extremely cool on my MP.

The f/stop ring was stuck, there was no lubrication on the f/stop blade pins, the diaphragm was very stiff, so I had to open the lens. Very well made interior. Now the f/stop is smooth like heaven.

Erik.

What's a 'beauty ring'?

(Gorgeous MP, by the way)

 

[Erik van Straten]

What's a 'beauty ring'?

(Gorgeous MP, by the way)

"beauty ring" is the name often used for the ring on the front of a lens, with engravings on it such as the name of the lens, the focal length, serial number etc.

Erik.

 

[maartenmoerman]

My lens is clearly a preproduction product, there is no beauty ring and the engraving is not for 100% well positioned.

However, it looks extremely cool on my MP.

The f/stop ring was stuck, there was no lubrication on the f/stop blade pins, the diaphragm was very stiff, so I had to open the lens. Very well made interior. Now the f/stop is smooth like heaven.

Erik.

Were you supposed to get a pre-production unit? Or is this a mistake/QA issue?

 

[Erik van Straten]

Were you supposed to get a pre-production unit? Or is this a mistake/QA issue?

Just read the whole thread.

Erik.

 

[maartenmoerman]

Just read the whole thread.

Erik.

Ah - I see, I missed one little word (test), I was under the impression that you were just on the normal list to get a proper lens. I've been following the thread quite closely 🙂

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Ah - I see, I missed one little word (test), I was under the impression that you were just on the normal list to get a proper lens. I've been following the thread quite closely 🙂

Last year I had made a promise to Erik to let him try the test lens. I have to keep my promise.

The main idea is to send a test lens to Europe to let more people see it and try it.

Kevin

 

[maartenmoerman]

The main idea is to send a test lens to Europe to let more people see it and try it.

Kevin

I'm waiting and in Europe 🙂

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

I should perhaps post a reminder that Kevin gave two prototypes of the lens to the LHSA for testing, and I used these for my review article which Kevin had posted here previously. They were not the final product AFAIK, but close to it.

Ed

 

[Erik van Straten]

Pictures made with the lens can be posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/14737871@N23/

Erik.

 

[D&A]

Pictures posted taken with the replica lens look absolutely wonderful (as does the lens on the cameras they are mounted to). The diversity of subject matter and lighting will continue to reveal the unique charater of this lens. Thanks to everyone for both posting and your personal thoughts.

Dave (D&A)

 

[jmilkins]

Raid, you mentioned the M9 listed the aperture used. By which you mean that is the camera’s estimate rather than you own recording?

And I’ve missed this if it has been mentioned, but is it coded?

 

[raid]

Raid, you mentioned the M9 listed the aperture used. By which you mean that is the camera’s estimate rather than you own recording?

And I’ve missed this if it has been mentioned, but is it coded?

Jim: I just posted here what each image shows as "properties". The images at smugmug (I posted here the link) show the speed when you click on "details" with each image shown. I never set the lens to 2.4, say. It may have been 2.0 but the lens/camera used 2.4. The M9 was set to "A" auto exposure.

 

[raid]

Pictures posted taken with the replica lens look absolutely wonderful (as does the lens on the cameras they are mounted to). The diversity of subject matter and lighting will continue to reveal the unique charater of this lens. Thanks to everyone for both posting and your personal thoughts.

Dave (D&A)

It was pouring rain, while I was in the middle of grading exam papers at home. I stepped outside our home and took some photos with the replica lens, just ti get a feeling for it all.

 

[raid]

I think that so many people will post images from the replica lenses, and that this may be the "most documented" lens after a while.
I have placed my Summicron v1 in my camera bag, hoping that I can take some photos with it and the replica. I do not want to replace lenses after each photo taken. Dust will enter the M9 in such a cse. I may take photos with one lens at one location and with all aperture settings, followed by same thing done with the second lens.

Weather: unbelievable, but true: sand from the Sahara came to the USA from the western part of Africa! This reminds me of what happened many years ago in the Philippines when a volcano erupted and we saw amazing sunsets then. They predict for the coming days "pretty sunrise; pretty sunset".

 

[raid]

A few photos taken today. The weather is overcast. I used each lens at aperture 2.0~16 with ISO 160 and aperture priority on the M9. The Summicron has goggles.

f/2.4 replica

f/2.4 Cron

f/2.8 replica

f/2.8 Cron

f/4 replica

f4/Cron

f/5.7 replica

f/5.7 Cron

f/8 replica

f/8 Cron

f/11 replica

f/11 Cron

f/16 replica

f/16 Cron

 

[Erik van Straten]

I only see a slight difference in color and slightly more light fall off towards the corners at the big apertures with the replica.

Sharpness and (the lack of) distortion are the same, maybe the replica looks a tad sharper.

Great test, Raid, thanks!

Erik.

 

[raid]

The old Summicron may have some haze in it, but maybe not. The replica may have some extra contrast, so images look sharper. Just a little bit. Both lenses do well, and they are obviously similar.