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

[andyturk]

If you got your lens awhile ago..maybe a year or so..the QC was better back then..

Sorry to hear that "your" lens failed testing. My guess is that QC is the same now as it was at the beginning, but that the way the factory dealt with bad units was to swap parts with another in the hopes of creating a good one.

Unfortunately, most of the good parts have already been shipped, so it's increasingly difficult to find replacement parts. They may have re-tooled the factory at this point, so it's not practical to build more of the first lens designs.

I wasn't early on the list, but I did get a working lens and I'm very happy with it. If I were in your shoes now, I'd ask for a refund.

 

[Emile de Leon]

My guess is that QC is the same now as it was at the beginning,

No..its much worse now than a year ago..

 

[keytarjunkie]

If I were in the market for a new 35mm..I would just go Voightlander or Leica.. and call it a day.

Emile, if you want out, you know could easily sell your reservation to one of us and buy the Voigtlander instead. But I don't think you really want that, just hold on a little longer and wait for it to get resolved. While you're waiting, just think about the guy who waited ten years to get his black M3 back from Shintaro 🙄

 

[Emile de Leon]

Emile, if you want out, you know could easily sell your reservation to one of us and buy the Voigtlander instead.

I still want the lens...

 

[raid]

In my lens's case, Kevin identified "cosmetic issues", so he mailed it back to LLL. I like the lens. It is very well built and it is very sharp. I also use the V1 Summicron 35mm and the Nikkor 35mm/1.8 ltm and the Canon 35mm lenses.

 

[kram]

ZM 35mm lens always an option.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

ZM 35mm lens always an option.

Kram a group of us are still waiting on lenses we paid for in December and have not yet received....(as opposed to looking for other lens options).

 

[raid]

ZM 35mm lens always an option.

Yes, the 35/2 or 35/2.8 are both excellent lenses.

 

[andyturk]

I still want the lens...and like I said..we are workin it out.

You're doing the right thing. It's a great lens that's worth the wait.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Nice shots!
I'm looking forward to it.

 

[kiemchacsu]

I've must've been lucky to have gotten a perfect lens, far better built than any modern Leica optic which according to repair techs have a lot of plastic inside.

reading through recent posts; i also feel so lucky to get the first batch, back to August 2020.
my lens is perfect.

 

[steveyork]

A fine lens. Echo the comment about well worth the wait.

w/ yellow filter on Fomapan 100 in Clayton F76

Closed by Steve, on Flickr

 

[steveyork]

w/ yellow filter on Foma 100 in Clayton F76

Spare Tire by Steve, on Flickr

 

[froyd]

Very happy with mine as well. I stopped following this thread but surprised to see that a few people were asked to pay in advance of receiving the lens, which was not the case for me and many others, I believe.

I always saw this project as something akin to a Kickstarter item, with the added benefit of not having to lay out money upfront. My dealing with Kevin was very much positive.

Sorry to see that this has morphed into something else, with money collected, items not delivered, and radio silence from the seller. I hope things will work out because the lens is really a pleasure to use.

 

[teddy]

It's a fine lens - well worth the wait... The pelican says "Hi..."

Hot Chips Thieve
Leica M2, Light Lens Lab 35/2 Summicron Replica (164/500), Leitz UVa Filter, Adox CMS 20ii

 

[Crazy Leica Fox]

I am in the group who requested a brass lens and stuck with it until the bitter end. When the brass option was retracted in December, I opted for silver and then never heard back from Kevin; I still haven't been asked to pay. Are there any others here who had to switch from brass in December? Have you paid yet?

 

[Emile de Leon]

My lens is in transit from China right now.

 

[Leica0Series]

I also switched from brass in December (to black) and paid on Dec. 14, and have heard nothing at all since. Hoping to hear from Kevin soon. Am keeping an eye on that 180-day PayPal refund clock, though (I did not use a gift payment, thank goodness).

I am in the group who requested a brass lens and stuck with it until the bitter end. When the brass option was retracted in December, I opted for silver and then never heard back from Kevin; I still haven't been asked to pay. Are there any others here who had to switch from brass in December? Have you paid yet?

 

[Leica0Series]

Congrats! I would accept such a change as well.

My lens is in transit from China right now.
Kevin just sent all the tracking info via DHL.
Should be here in a week.
Since my original ver 1 lens had a sticky aperture we worked it out that I would receive a ver 2 lens instead w/amber coating and uneven aperture scale which has lower contrast (better shadow detail) & warmer color.
I'm happy w/this and looking forward to using it!

 

[Platinum RF]

My lens is in transit from China right now.
Kevin just sent all the tracking info via DHL.
Should be here in a week.
Since my original ver 1 lens had a sticky aperture we worked it out that I would receive a ver 2 lens instead w/amber coating and uneven aperture scale which has lower contrast (better shadow detail) & warmer color.
I'm happy w/this and looking forward to using it!

What is the difference between V1 and V2 other than uneven vs even spaced aperture ring? coating? glass type?

I believe Kevin is not an authorized dealer rather a volunteer at the beginning, when the margin is thin like the V1 price, How is Kevin paid for the work involved for QA/QC, handling/shipping all these orders?