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

[raid]

The second batch of lenses may have been necessary to keep the company afloat financially since the first batch of lenses may have been sold at cost price. This is what I think is happening. In order to complete the first batch they need to sell the second batch.

I am guessing here.

The lens is unique in that it may be the first replica of a Leica lens, with copying the design and material.
The real price is around $1000 for Batch 2 if you include shipping with DHL, a lens hood, a filter, PayPal fees ... etc. It is similar to the cost of a new top model CV lens.

If you can afford Leica lenses, you don't really need to wait for a replica lens. If you want to support a unique company and product, you may have to be extra patient.

 

[shawn]

Long hike today so some more....

The dark corners were from a screw in lens hood that obviously wasn't quite wide enough when put on top of the filter on the lens.

Shawn

 

[raid]

Well done, Shawn. The details are very clear.

 

[Dyfa]

Pictures with the leaning tree are beautiful and crisp. nice

 

[Dyfa]

First try uploading pictures to RFF hope it works.

Just some photos of my dog in the backyard. Chinacron is nice is sharp wide open. Shot on M9P

How are others uploading pictures? I'm resizing before uploading to Flickr then copying the BBCode. Seems a bit complex but I read there's no way around the hassle.

 

[Dan]

I already wrote the lens off..as not being deliverable within a reasonable amount of time..
But if it actually comes someday..great!
No pills needed..

No one did..and no one asked..
There is abundant evidence..that the 500 flints will take months more..to..years to finally deliver..if ever..
We are already into 8 months waiting from Dec when I ordered...
Personally I couldn't care less if I waited years for this though..if I knew it would actually be coming eventually..

But it really was a stunner..that they would be selling the 2nd batch..and selling out of those to dealers for a much higher price....before the 1st batch was completed..
Not exactly a confidence booster..w/LLL...

You have privy to info that we don't eh?

The serial #'s dont show the true story..as they are random as stated by Kevin..
And I can see why they do this..to keep things up in the air..
But..I dont bemoan LLL for doing business the way they do..
They have to do what they have to do to meet their business obligations..
But as a buyer and supporter..its just a bit sketchy imo.
Basically it means..that there is no real queue list and there is no exact order to shipping this..its all random..
The guys who want it quicker..and are willing pay a few hundred more..will get it right away..from dealers with the pull to get stock....
And wont have to deal with any...limited edition order... "lists"..

The guys on the original flint list..well...they dont get their lenses so fast..lol..
Not as important I guess..

Your perspective seems, to me, to be the most realistic considering all the murky characteristics of this whole order // delivery process. I did not order the lens but I've kept up-to-date on the thread for the shear suspense of it all and I do hope your lens's eventual delivery surprises you (in a positive way!).

 

[raid]

It is possible to upload very small image files directly to RFF.

 

[shawn]

How are others uploading pictures? I'm resizing before uploading to Flickr then copying the BBCode. Seems a bit complex but I read there's no way around the hassle.

I do it the same way, Flickr and then copy the BBCode. You can post pictures as attachments directly but they have to be no more than 500 pixels on the long edge and something like under 160k.

Shawn

 

[D&A]

Really nice Shawn! You've shown the diversity and various characteristics of the lens. Thanks for posting!

Dave (D&A)

 

[kiemchacsu]

So a 4 is not a bad sign then?

Is it only the last digit that counts?

his lens serial 2-4-6 is in even step forward sequence, which is desirable (at least for me)

 

[D&A]

Dyfa….adorable dog and good to see the lens mounted on a M9-P, a camera I often use.

Dave (D&A)

 

[raid]

There is a company with number 4444444.
Is this a bad number?

 

[jonmanjiro]

To reiterate what I posted some weeks ago, RFFers are only a small share of the total in the first batch, of which an even smaller share have already received a lens.

You have privy to info that we don't eh?

Yes, I suppose I do. I confirmed the above with Kevin directly some weeks ago via WeChat. I'm also following Mr. Zhou's personal blog on Weibo. Most of the first batch went to people reserving the lens on Chinese social media. I don't know the exact numbers, but I would estimate that about 90% of the first batch is for the domestic market and 10% is for RFF. That's why there was a lot of xx4 serial numbers in the first lenses to RFFers > the serial numbers around them were already given to domestic buyers and the foreigners got the 4s 😉

The serial #'s dont show the true story..as they are random as stated by Kevin..

What Kevin means is he doesn't have any say in the serial numbers he receives. He's just one guy acting, on his own initiative, as a go-between between Mr. Zhou and us here at RFF to give us access to these lenses. If Kevin didn't do this, Mr. Zhou would have sold all the lenses in the first batch to the domestic market. Easily.

The guys on the original flint list..

The original lead flint list, of which RFF makes up maybe 10% 🙂

There seems to be some confusion about the lead flint glass, especially this idea that "flint glass will be used only in the first batch".

That's a misunderstanding that has perpetuated in this thread. The first batch is guaranteed to get lead flint glass. But that doesn't rule out subsequent batches getting lead flint glass, glass supply permitting. And with the V2 lenses also getting lead flint glass, its clear now that the supply of lead flint glass is greater than initially anticipated.

Quote below taken from an article on this lens in LHSA Viewfinder 52-3 by Ed Schwartzreic (full article is on Kevin's flickr at the links below).

https://flic.kr/p/2irx99p

https://flic.kr/p/2iru9ct

https://flic.kr/p/2iru8ra

https://flic.kr/p/2irxVz5

 

[fdarnell]

There is a company with number 4444444.
Is this a bad number?

In Japanese culture this would be very bad, since my understanding is that "4" is close to sound like Japanese word for "death".

In Filipino culture is is unlucky since "4" is a "going down" number. The last stroke of the "4" hand written your hand moves "down" on the page. They like the numbers "3", "5" and "8" since they are "going up" numbers. Your hand is "going up" when you write those numbers. The exception is that house entrances should never have three steps. They follow the "ora, platta, matta" sequence: gold, silver, death. A house with one step into the dwelling with the address ending in "8" is the best.

Just my two cents and understanding.:bang:

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, Grandma came to the house and counted all the steps. I learned the hard way though...

 

[Emile de Leon]

I'll take the lens #444 flint please..and thank you!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Number 204 is now out for delivery, as is a film shipment from Fotoimpex (some Adox CHS100 - yea!) and some Tmax400 at a really good price via another courier. Good thing I'm in all day watching the rain fall!

 

[valdas]

Number 204 is now out for delivery, as is a film shipment from Fotoimpex (some Adox CHS100 - yea!) and some Tmax400 at a really good price via another courier. Good thing I'm in all day watching the rain fall!

Ah you, lucky b****** 🙂 And I am not referring to the rain...

 

[James24]

So my copy is Version 2 (V2) Lead and Coated. It has an amber coating.

Like Dyfa, I have received a V2LC from Wen in Hong Kong. I missed Kevin's first list so would have had to wait for a later lens in any event.

Really pleased with it!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Ah you, lucky b****** 🙂 And I am not referring to the rain...

Me, I love peak holiday season rain in a seaside city, the misanthrope inside me (just the one dear?) revelling in the poor tourists with nowhere to go inside, watching the rain fall in bucket and shovel* loads...

However, as DHL doesn't have one of those map things to tell me that only 458 deliveries remain before mine, I shall spend the day on tenterhooks, like a little child on Christmas Eve, but without the bedwetting (just give me a few more years...).

* sad isn't it that an innocent garden implement now has such horrible other meanings that it must, sadly, be starred out

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Just as the rain ends and the sun comes out, so does the 8 element LLL arrive (and the film at the same time). From the packaging, the superb metal lens box, the attention to detail is stunning. The lens itself, in mechanical form, is exquisite in its work and mechanical perfection. It's smooth to operate, the infinity lock clicks in place with a sound as near to that of my Summaron as you can get. Focus is precise and exceptionally good to use. The machining of the helicoid is superlative, the chrome and engravings flawless.

So, this is the real deal, just beautiful. I can well imagine lenses like this coming out of Wetzlar in the 50s and 60s, to this standard.

Thanks Kevin for the shepherding and the ever patient way you've dealt with this - I am so glad you gave us an opportunity to get in on the ground floor, and thanks also to Mr Zhou for making this happen!

Now to get out with some film in it!