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

[rbiemer]

I've not really been interested in any more 35mm lenses for my kit, until seeing this.
Thank you, Kevin, for sharing this with us!
If the price ends up close to what was mentioned earlier in this thread, I am definitely wanting one. Don't really have a preference about finish--the raw brass looks pretty and will, I think, look better as the lens ages--but I do have a bit of a preference for an LTM version, thought either would suit me and my current kit.
Going to be saving up some $ and keeping an eye on this!
Rob

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I've not really been interested in any more 35mm lenses for my kit, until seeing this.
Thank you, Kevin, for sharing this with us!
If the price ends up close to what was mentioned earlier in this thread, I am definitely wanting one. Don't really have a preference about finish--the raw brass looks pretty and will, I think, look better as the lens ages--but I do have a bit of a preference for an LTM version, thought either would suit me and my current kit.
Going to be saving up some $ and keeping an eye on this!
Rob

Hi Rob, Thank you for your comment here. Regarding the price, he told me it would be slightly higher than $500. I assume the final price would be still very affordable. I will update this information when he makes the final decision on pricing.

Seems like many people here are interest in the LTM version. Me too. But currently he only has the M-mount prototype. Don't know how he will make the LTM version. We will see. 🙂

 

[raid]

I will favor an ltm Version as I have a summicron in M.

 

[rbiemer]

Hi Rob, Thank you for your comment here. Regarding the price, he told me it would be slightly higher than $500. I assume the final price would be still very affordable. I will update this information when he makes the final decision on pricing.

Seems like many people here are interest in the LTM version. Me too. But currently he only has the M-mount prototype. Don't know how he will make the LTM version. We will see. 🙂

I'm still a very happy Bessa user and I find myself picking the R a bit more often than the R2a. That said, I basically leave the LTM to M adapter on the R2a and effectively turn it into an LTM mount camera.

If I have the choice of this lens in M mount OR LTM, I will opt for LTM. If, however the choice were to be M mount only, I could live with that.

All of which is hoping that this lens does make it to market,that the quality is as good as it appears to be, that I have enough ready $ to jump, and that it is not so limited that it sells out before I have the chance to buy one.

Keeping my fingers crossed!
Rob

 

[B-9]

Same here Rob! Fingers crossed and pennies pinched.

 

[Keith]

Hi Kevin ... not interested the lens so much but I can see why it is generating so much interest. 🙂

Maybe you can refresh my memory but I seem to recall that there was a thread some time ago where you were giving us some fascinating insights into all the various Chinese cameras that you knew about and had seen? I would love to think all that info is still here but I wouldn't have a clue what thread it was in or if was indeed you!

Cheers from down under! 🙂

 

[f.hayek]

That prototype looks expertly machined and love the brass! Hope that's available. Used the 8-element for a trial long ago but the damned thing had permanent haze that killed any contrast wide open. Would definitely go for its twin at $500-700.

Question, though. I'm more of a lurker than a commenter only because most here are far better informed and experienced than me. Really learned a lot from you folks over the years. You guys were razzing someone earlier for being negative about this new development and I thought the same as 'Huss' and others did but when I went reading around on Leica Users Forum, I suddenly stumbled on the same posting and photos by Kevin. Makes me wonder if there's something to that earlier poster's suspicions.
Still like the lens and if I can grab one to complement my Leica 28 Summaron, 7A 50, and Voigtlander 75, me and my M6 will be very happy indeed.

 

[valdas]

You guys were razzing someone earlier for being negative about this new development and I thought the same as 'Huss' and others did but when I went reading around on Leica Users Forum, I suddenly stumbled on the same posting and photos by Kevin. Makes me wonder if there's something to that earlier poster's suspicions.

I guess posting the same info on various forums in order to test the interest of the wide audience is a normal marketing thing. As to suspicions - there weren’t many in that post, it was mostly negativity suggesting in will be bad product, no QC etc. OK, we can be reserved before we see, but it was more than that...

 

[f.hayek]

I guess posting the same info on various forums in order to test the interest of the wide audience is a normal marketing thing. As to suspicions - there weren’t many in that post, it was mostly negativity suggesting in will be bad product, no QC etc. OK, we can be reserved before we see, but it was more than that...

Yeah, a bit presumptuous especially if he hadn't used 7A lenses before. My Nikkors made in China are indistinguishable in quality from my Japanese ones. The original 8 element is so out of reach for most of us, exciting to see an optically identical version with what looks to be improved, modern multi-coating. Just that when I eyed the same post over at Leica Forum, it got me wondering.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The original 8 element is so out of reach for most of us, exciting to see what looks to be an improved version of the same, with modern coatings. Just that when I eyed the same post over at Leica Forum, it got me wondering.

I think that it is rather naïve to expect the same rendering from this copied lens. The original lens is made from rather exotic kinds of glass that are unavailable today because the production is forbidden based on environmental legislation. That is the big problem and that is why the old lenses are so expensive. It is not simply a matter of coating.


Erik.

 

[raid]

I think that it is rather naïve to expect the same rendering from this copied lens. The original lens is made from rather exotic kinds of glass that are unavailable today because the production is forbidden because of environmental legislation. That is the big problem and that is why the old lenses are so expensive. It is not simply a matter of coating.

Erik.

I heard of a similar issue with the SWC models where the old (chrome lens) models have such exotic glass that then was forbidden to be used in later SWC models.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

That prototype looks expertly machined and love the brass! Hope that's available. Used the 8-element for a trial long ago but the damned thing had permanent haze that killed any contrast wide open. Would definitely go for its twin at $500-700.

Question, though. I'm more of a lurker than a commenter only because most here are far better informed and experienced than me. Really learned a lot from you folks over the years. You guys were razzing someone earlier for being negative about this new development and I thought the same as 'Huss' and others did but when I went reading around on Leica Users Forum, I suddenly stumbled on the same posting and photos by Kevin. Makes me wonder if there's something to that earlier poster's suspicions.
Still like the lens and if I can grab one to complement my Leica 28 Summaron, 7A 50, and Voigtlander 75, me and my M6 will be very happy indeed.

Yea I copy and paste the post to the Lecia forum. Actually, it's the maker's idea. He wants me to reach to a wider variety to seek some more thoughts. But I think I will just mainly update the information here. I love the RFF community.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hi Kevin ... not interested the lens so much but I can see why it is generating so much interest. 🙂

Maybe you can refresh my memory but I seem to recall that there was a thread some time ago where you were giving us some fascinating insights into all the various Chinese cameras that you knew about and had seen? I would love to think all that info is still here but I wouldn't have a clue what thread it was in or if was indeed you!

Cheers from down under! 🙂

Hi Keith, sorry I am not the person you mentioned here. To be honest, I have never been a fan of Chinese cameras. I am a big fan of Japanese and Germany made cameras and lenses as you can see them in my collection on Flickr and Instagram. : ) But this time is something different. A Leica 8elemnts replica really interests me, and I want one so badly. That is the reason why I was trying to get in touch with the maker.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Guys, here are some more prototype lens photos. Very interesting to see those details.


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

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

WechatIMG527 by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

WechatIMG529 by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I think that it is rather naïve to expect the same rendering from this copied lens. The original lens is made from rather exotic kinds of glass that are unavailable today because the production is forbidden based on environmental legislation. That is the big problem and that is why the old lenses are so expensive. It is not simply a matter of coating.


Erik.

The maker told me that he breakdown the original Sunmmicron 35/2 to analysis it's material and coating. Leaded glass or so-called flint glass (correct me if I am wrong) has been used in his replica. To make his lens perform as close as possible to the original one.

 

[f.hayek]

I think that it is rather naïve to expect the same rendering from this copied lens. The original lens is made from rather exotic kinds of glass that are unavailable today because the production is forbidden based on environmental legislation. That is the big problem and that is why the old lenses are so expensive. It is not simply a matter of coating.


Erik.

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. I guess better to wait and see.

 

[raid]

Cool! I want one. When can I get the lens? 🙂

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Cool! I want one. When can I get the lens? 🙂

As I mentioned previously, he said approximately in three months it will be available for the public. I really hope he could finally make it to mass production.

 

[raid]

Thank you Kevin.

 

[Freakscene]

I think that it is rather naïve to expect the same rendering from this copied lens.

All you need to do is match the refractive index and colour transmission and the rendering will be the same. Glass to do it is available, particularly in China.

The original lens is made from rather exotic kinds of glass that are unavailable today because the production is forbidden based on environmental legislation.

Manufacturing the right kinds of flint glass is not illegal in China.

That is the big problem and that is why the old lenses are so expensive.

Old lenses are generally expensive due to rarity and high demand once they become ‘classic’.

The 8 element Summicron is a lovely lens and a modern reproduction would be great.

We often see threads here where members plead for someone to remanufacture Neopan 1600 or some other discontinued modern film. Making a copy of a modern film is incredibly complex, impossibly so. Building a reproduction lens isn’t exactly simple, but it is entirely achievable.

Marty