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

[dourbalistar]

Here's a cynic's view...

First beat the drum through a third party/?investor like Kevin-Xu (with only 28 posts here and probably a few dozen on other sites), then in a year, $99.99 + shipping, hand-made by indentured workers in some far-flung Chinese backwater, possibly infringing on some patent or copyright, made of glass of unclear provenance and no QC?

Cynic all you want, but I'm pretty sure 28 refers to Kevin's (presumed) age. If you want to use number of posts as evidence of credibility, Kevin has 429 posts and counting, compared to your 141. 😉

 

[B-9]

Let’s not shoot the messenger! Especially when he has such cool news to share!

3 months is just in time for the Holidays. Can’t wait to hear when a LTM Mount will be available.

As pointed out. Kevin is 28 and he has more like 450 posts! And has been around here enough he need not explain himself.

Don’t like it? you can take it up with me! A nice guy 😉

 

[dourbalistar]

Let’s not shoot the messenger! Especially when he has such cool news to share!

3 months is just in time for the Holidays. Can’t wait to hear when a LTM Mount will be available.

As pointed out. Kevin is 28 and he has more like 450 posts! And has been around here enough he need not explain himself.

Don’t like it? you can take it up with me! A nice guy 😉

Yeah, shoot the lens, not the messenger! 😀

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thank you dourbalistar and B-9. Appreciated. I think at this point there is no need to spread the negative on this project. It's good to see something like this exist. Isn't it fun? I have nothing to do with his project. And it's not about money. I really wish this project could succeed, and people who interest in this could finally get a real copy in hand to try it out.

What I can do is to try to get one of the pre-production lens to confirm the authenticity. Besides that, I am just a messenger.

By the way, I am a real person. Just check out my Instagram or Flickr if you want.

 

[Huss]

Here's a cynic's view...

First beat the drum through a third party/?investor like Kevin-Xu (with only 28 posts here and probably a few dozen on other sites), then in a year, $99.99 + shipping, hand-made by indentured workers in some far-flung Chinese backwater, possibly infringing on some patent or copyright, made of glass of unclear provenance and no QC?

You must love the 7Artisan lenses then.

😀

Super cheap, made in China and excellent.

I am looking forward to this new 35mm lens.

 

[Huss]

Hey Kevin perhaps you should post a poll so you can see what finish most people want?

 

[james.liam]

You must love the 7Artisan lenses then.

😀

Super cheap, made in China and excellent.

I'm big on disposables!
Who needs a stinkin' CLA when there's decentering, oil on the blades, sticky aperture or focus ring?

Toss it into the trash and get a new one.

😉

Would be interested in knowing if Kevin has a financial interest in the venture, perhaps as a potential importer. Pays to be honest up front.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hey Kevin perhaps you should post a poll so you can see what finish most people want?

Thank you Huss. This is an excellent idea. That's what I was planning to do. But it's just a bit early to do so at this point. I will create a poll one month before the production. To see exactly what people want and how many people want to sign in the waiting list.

And of course, I will try to get a real copy before all these. To make sure this is real.

 

[Huss]

I'm big on disposables!
Who needs a stinkin' CLA when there's decentering, oil on the blades, sticky aperture or focus ring?

Toss it into the trash and get a new one.

😉

Would be interested in knowing if he has a financial interest in the venture, perhaps as a potential importer. Pays to be honest up front.

I have three 7A lenses and they are nothing like what u say. Surprise surprise.

You’ve just jumped into this thread and are trying to cause trouble for whatever weird reason. Who cares if Kevin is associated with the project? Either way it’s very cool and no-one is making anyone do or buy anything.

Be a positive influence.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I'm big on disposables!
Who needs a stinkin' CLA when there's decentering, oil on the blades, sticky aperture or focus ring?

Toss it into the trash and get a new one.

😉

Would be interested in knowing if Kevin has a financial interest in the venture, perhaps as a potential importer. Pays to be honest up front.

As Huss said, I didn't mention anything about selling. But many forum members here want to know the price and when could buy it. As a messenger, I will try my best to answer their questions. Just to be clear, the maker of this lens simply wanted me to post the test photos to see how you guys like it and looking for some advice. That's it.

Basically, I am just a Leica enthusiast, a shooter, also a collector. Just check out my Instagram or Flickr sir.

 

[james.liam]

I have three 7A lenses and they are nothing like what u say. Surprise surprise.

You’ve just jumped into this thread and are trying to cause trouble for whatever weird reason. Who cares if Kevin is associated with the project? Either way it’s very cool and no-one is making anyone do or buy anything.

Be a positive influence.

Enjoy them, the images from them that I've seen look impressive for the price. Only the tincture of time will tell which one of us was right.

Why is it important? While it may very well be "all that", I raise the point because the blog is for discussions and not promoting items without first revealing one's fiduciary interests. The latter would be dishonest.

I'm glad Kevin clarified the matter. :angel:

 

[johannielscom]

Here is an update for the Lens Mount:

The first version will be M-mount. He will produce the LTM version after that.

Better start saving nickels and dimes then, I sure want one in brass or black paint as long as it's LTM! 🙂🙂🙂😀🙂🙂

 

[rcubed]

Bare brass would be a beaut! Thanks Kevin for being the liaison for this project!
I'm definitely going to pick one up once it becomes available.

 

[Dan]

Here's a cynic's view...

First beat the drum through a third party/?investor like Kevin-Xu (with only 28 posts here and probably a few dozen on other sites), then in a year, $99.99 + shipping, hand-made by indentured workers in some far-flung Chinese backwater, possibly infringing on some patent or copyright, made of glass of unclear provenance and no QC?

Wrong. His AGE is 28.

 

[xmas_one]

I’m excited! Test shots look awesome, put me down for M and LTM mounts in brass!

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Bare brass would be a beaut! Thanks Kevin for being the liaison for this project!
I'm definitely going to pick one up once it becomes available.

You are welcome! Please stay tuned.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

UPDATE: More test photos are coming. Guys, please stay tuned!

 

[Montag]

Thanks Kevin. Another interested viewer here.

I'm surprised there is so much desire for a lens unfinished in brass. It looks pretty odd to me. I'd much rather something protected by paint, preferably black. I'm also assuming in all these years of producing items with brass that Leica coated them for reasons other than vanity?

Any images that show the aperture blades and if they too are a copy of the 10 bladed original?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thanks Kevin. Another interested viewer here.

I'm surprised there is so much desire for a lens unfinished in brass. It looks pretty odd to me. I'd much rather something protected by paint, preferably black. I'm also assuming in all these years of producing items with brass that Leica coated them for reasons other than vanity?

Any images that show the aperture blades and if they too are a copy of the 10 bladed original?

Thank you for your interest!

Not gonna lie, I love the lens unfinished in brass too.

Regarding your question, the replica version will have the same amount of aperture blades, which is 10. And it's even better than the original one. The blades in the replica are more curved. Therefore it will look more circular at every stop. The maker paid lots of attention to those details.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Here is a photo of the prototype lens aperture blades. It has 10 blades.

Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype made in China by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr