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

51145139078_b48a914429_z.jpg

51146021645_8e140aacc5_z.jpg

Flickr
M4 LLL FP4+ Ilford Cooltone FB wide open / infinity & close up
 
I received DHL tracking for the return of my copy from servicing at the factory. I'll update once I've had a chance to determine if anything was changed/improved in regards to the field curvature and focus shift I noted previously.
 
I received my lens back from repair Monday evening. It was too late to try outside and instead did a few quick tests on a tripod inside.

As you may recall, my initial experience with my copy was that there was extreme focus shift combined with strong wavy field curvature. The center of the image was unacceptably back focused by f/4-f/5.6, somewhat recovered by f/8 and good across the frame at f/11.

This evening I tried the repaired lens at about 3m subject distance. I'm pleased to report the results were much more consistent across the image with generally very good sharpness. There still was slightly noticeable focus shift in the very center of the image at f/4 and f/5.6 but pretty much within DoF (certainly within DoF for an 8x10" print), which wasn't the case before.

Initial impressions are that the lens will at least be usable without having to give it much thought while in use.

I have to admit I was skeptical that sending it back would result in any improvement. Fortunately, it appears my skepticism was misplaced.

1.5 years and one pandemic later, I look forward to using it for real-world photography. 🙂
 
I also finally received my lens yesterday! I really like the quality of the lens and the first test shots I took looked very nice.

I am glad I switched from brass finish to chrome, it looks beautiful on my M4.
 
I was out today and had a chance to try the LLL some more at farther distances. Focus shift is definitely still there, along with complex wavy field curvature. It seems at nearer distances, such as MFD-2.5m, the effect is less pronounced. At 5m+ it's very easy to see the point of best focus in the center of the frame shift considerably behind the intended focus point. I need to work with it a bit more to determine how intentional front-focusing will affect placement of the plane of focus in the mid and outer zones.

To be fair to LLL, this is fairly consistent with the field curvature documentation they provided with the lens. And at least at nearer distances at which I'll use it for people photos, it appears to be better than the first time around. I'll probably still end up avoiding the f/4-5.6 range though, which is where focus shift remains the worst, and for me, most noticeable.
 
rscheffler said:
I was out today and had a chance to try the LLL some more at farther distances. Focus shift is definitely still there, along with complex wavy field curvature. It seems at nearer distances, such as MFD-2.5m, the effect is less pronounced. At 5m+ it's very easy to see the point of best focus in the center of the frame shift considerably behind the intended focus point. I need to work with it a bit more to determine how intentional front-focusing will affect placement of the plane of focus in the mid and outer zones.

To be fair to LLL, this is fairly consistent with the field curvature documentation they provided with the lens. And at least at nearer distances at which I'll use it for people photos, it appears to be better than the first time around. I'll probably still end up avoiding the f/4-5.6 range though, which is where focus shift remains the worst, and for me, most noticeable.
Click to expand...

Is this behavior comparable to the original?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Article Article
Celebrating the Leica’s 100th Birthday: Here’s how to do it yourself! What an EVF Leica M should look like and why it may not be made now.
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
boojum
boojum
A
A day out with the SL2-S
Replies
7
Views
428
Archiver
A
TenEleven
Lomography x Zenit Mercury-2 Lens 35mm f2
Replies
3
Views
131
TenEleven
TenEleven
Photar
Who has a Leica MP Hammertone?
Replies
1
Views
179
Photar
Photar
J
  • Featured
  • Article Article
What exactly is a point & shoot camera? Glad you asked!The Kodak of 1888 may have been the first, and even Leica got into the act!
Replies
16
Views
434
Jason Schneider
J
Back
Top Bottom