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

[lemalk]

I hopefully will have 10 years of sobriety on 12/3/20...

Thank you for sharing - and congratulations. I was born on December 3rd, so your custom engraving caught my eye. I’ll make sure to celebrate your anniversary and send good energy your way in just a few weeks!

 

[kiemchacsu]

I really want to get one of these lenses after seeing this thread day in and day out. How the hell do I get my hands on one of these bad boys?

Off to eBay. A shop in Hong Kong sells them.

 

[mteresko]

Thank you for sharing - and congratulations. I was born on December 3rd, so your custom engraving caught my eye. I’ll make sure to celebrate your anniversary and send good energy your way in just a few weeks!

Thank you! A happy early birthday to you...

 

[eckhardf]

To those who have already received their black paint lenses: Does the paint appear to be an enamel or a powder coat finish?

I'm hoping it's the type of paint that will brass up with use.

 

[xasthur]

Yes, lens caps are not useful.

I'm surprised to hear someone say that for a M user. I'm always paranoid of the sun burning a hole through the curtain so I always have a cap on. Unless you're using digital.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I guess if a person lived in a dust free, no humidity, non-smoking, no pets allowed, 100% nitrogen atmosphere… lens caps would be a waste of space. However, in my world lens caps are practical and necessary.

All the best,
Mike

 

[teddy]

Kangaroo Corpse - What The Wind Left Behind, Cuddlee Creek Fires 2020
Leica M2, Light Lens Lab 35/2 Summicron Replica (164/500), Leitz UVa Filter, Adox CMS 20ii, Rodinal 1:200 @ 60 mins

Grass Tree damaged by the Cuddle Creek Fires - March 2020
Leica M2, Light Lens Lab 35/2 Summicron Replica (164/500), Leitz UVa Filter, Adox CMS 20ii, Rodinal 1:200 @ 60 mins

Soot and Two Sticks - Cuddle Creek Fires 2020
Leica M2, Light Lens Lab 35/2 Summicron Replica (164/500), Leitz UVa Filter, Adox CMS 20ii, Rodinal 1:200 @ 60 mins

Exposed Steps - What The Wind Left Behind - Cuddlee Creek Fires 2020
Leica M2, Light Lens Lab 35/2 Summicron Replica (164/500), Leitz UVa Filter, Adox CMS 20ii, Rodinal 1:200 @ 60 mins

 

[D&A]

Another really nice set of images Teddy!

Dave (D&A)

 

[raid]

I'm surprised to hear someone say that for a M user. I'm always paranoid of the sun burning a hole through the curtain so I always have a cap on. Unless you're using digital.

I point the lens down with a film Leica, and use a lens hood. I do same with digital.

 

[valdas]

To those who have already received their black paint lenses: Does the paint appear to be an enamel or a powder coat finish?

I'm hoping it's the type of paint that will brass up with use.

Is there an easy way to tell it?

 

[raid]

Nicely done, Teddy. The lens is sharp.

 

[wpb]

I'm almost certain, in keeping with the original Summicron, it is enamel paint over the brass.

 

[rscheffler]

Back on page one, Kevin's description is black paint... but that was a long time ago and things may have changed. You'll probably have to search the full thread for a more certain answer. Or wait for someone with the lens to chime in (as you originally stated).

Based on recent photos of the black production version, the finish looks more like paint than anodization. Slightly glossy and 'thicker' than the chrome finish around engraved characters.

 

[raid]

I have a black lens. Is it then paint over brass? Will brass show with use? I hope so.

 

[astrobuoy]

Does anyone who's received the 8-element replica also own the 35mm Summicron V4? And if so, how do you find they compare?

I owned a V3 years ago and sold it in favor of the ASPH, but ultimately found the rendering too clinical for my taste and sold it as well. The V4 was the lens I was searching for all along, and it's long been the 35mm lens I have wanted to get. Well, long story short, I came across one recently for a decent price and after selling off a few things I finally bit the bullet. I was thinking I might use it for color film primarily, and when I one day get the replica lens, use that for black & white. But I'm curious whether anyone's done a comparison of the two lenses, on both types of film? (I've seen a comparison of the original 8-element lens to the V4, but I believe the replica--even with the amber coating like the original––still has slightly more contrast, possibly a touch more resolution, and perhaps a different color cast.)

 

[Erik van Straten]

My version certainly shows brass through the black finish, above all on the f-stop ring, but mine is a prototype so maybe this is not relevant.

"Anodized" black is as far as I know always on aluminium. Black paint does not hold on aluminium. The Chinese lenses are heavy, so certainly made from brass that is most certainly painted black. Brass can be blackened with acid, but then the brass will almost immediatly show through the finish.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I'm almost certain, in keeping with the original Summicron, it is enamel paint over the brass.

The original Summicron 35mm with 8 elements is not painted black but only available in anodized aluminium (silver) or chemically blackend aluminium.

Erik.

 

[valdas]

Does anyone who's received the 8-element replica also own the 35mm Summicron V4? And if so, how do you find they compare?

I used to have v4 (silver, made in Germany), it became too expensive to keep (considering how little I used it), I sold it. I cannot do side by side comparison anymore, but from what I remember V4 had more contrast, it was definitely sharper wide open. This one, at f2.0 has this "glow", but bokeh is beautiful. This one is shot on orwo N75, developed in xtol stock:

 

[raid]

M9 with the replica, unmodified in any way. This is before Hurricane Sally by one day. Pensacola.

 

[raid]

In B&W

I like how this lens delivers nice looking images.