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

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

i would say that first are the replicas and then the original Leica...but I'd like to test it by myself ;-)
when will you start to ship for confirmed people in UE ?

I will update that information very soon. I am still waiting for the next instruction. The maker is fulfilling the domestic order now.

Kevin

 

[Dralowid]

I look forward to the LTM version. Will I have to wait long?

 

[xmas_one]

I look forward to the LTM version. Will I have to wait long?

I think Kevin said the estimated release of the LTM will be about 3 months after the M mount.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version (Black Paint)

Original Leica 8-element was mounted on Leica m7, and the replica 8-element was mounted on Leica MP. Same shutter speed setting for every comparison shoots.

Film: Kodak TMAX400
Two films have been developed in the same batch to keep this a fair test.


@f/8

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


@f/5.6

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


@f/5.6

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


@f/8

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


@f/4

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


@f/4

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

original Leica 35/2 8-element VS. replica 35/2 8-element final retail version by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Sorry for the late update! Here is the answer.

The first picture was taken by the original Leica 35mm f2 8-element, the second picture was taken by the Replica 8-element 35mm f2.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I think Kevin said the estimated release of the LTM will be about 3 months after the M mount.

Thank you for helping me answer the question.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

The differences between each pair of pictures are very small. All of them are far better than I can get with any of my three Summaron 35/3.5 lenses, which all suffer from haze and veiling flare. I anxiously await using the lens myself.

In detective mode, trying to determine which pictures were taken with which lens, I believe the first is the Summicron and the second in each set is the replica. In the first picture of the young lady, you can tell she is not impressed by having her picture taken with an old lens, but in the second she is smiling that the photographer is using a new lens. (Can you tell I am not a professional detective.) 🙂

Haha! You got it! Your detective mode is very accurate.

 

[rudobra]

It’s getting hard to wait ! The results are impressives. Will the hood going to be available soon too ?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

It’s getting hard to wait ! The results are impressives. Will the hood going to be available soon too ?

I will ask the maker about this. I am sorry for the delay.

Best,
Kevin

 

[sreed2006]

Haha! You got it! Your detective mode is very accurate.

These replica lenses are sure to put smiles on many faces. 🙂

 

[punkzter]

Can anyone clue me in on some of the qualities they are comparing when they look at the two sets of sample images?

To my untrained eye, the images from the original lens look better. I mentioned earlier that, of the two images shown by Raid, the first had a clear shadow while the second didn't. And it seemed like all of the original images had more contrast and more detail.

But nobody seems terribly concerned by this...and people whose opinion I've come to trust state that both lenses look great.

(Note, I've put in an order for this lens, and don't intend to cancel it. So I'm just trying to learn how to evaluate these pictures and this lens)

 

[aizan]

i was looking mostly at macro contrast, distortion, and sharpness. these shots didn't really have much bokeh or flare to look at.

so far, the results are almost identical, which is very exciting!

kevin explained that the different appearance of shadows on that pair of photos you were concerned about is due to clouds moving around that day.

 

[froyd]

I was looking particularly for the rendering of the shadow areas. I like lenses that can "draw light from the dark". In that respect the new lens comes close to the Summicron, though the Summicron seemed better. Of course, web-sized Jpegs only get you so far. It's not clear to me if the difference in the brightness of the midtones is due to slight differences in aperture, scanning, or something else.

 

[raid]

The replica may result in images which have slightly higher contrast. No big deal really. I want my replica!

 

[teddy]

Sorry for the late update! Here is the answer.

The first picture was taken by the original Leica 35mm f2 8-element, the second picture was taken by the Replica 8-element 35mm f2.

Kevin

DING DING!!! I win! Thanks for the info Kevin, can't wait for mine!

 

[kiemchacsu]

hat off to raid and teddy;
very sharp eyes, which distinguished precisely which lens was used.

 

[Huss]

The replica may result in images which have slightly higher contrast. No big deal really. I want my replica!

Could be just because it is a new lens vs decades old.

 

[raid]

Could be just because it is a new lens vs decades old.

New materials may have caused the changes slightly.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I have handled many first version Summicron 35 2 before. All of them have different levels of haze issues. My guess is the haze inside old Summicron causes a low contrast effect.

Kevin

 

[raid]

I have handled many first version Summicron 35 2 before. All of them have different levels of haze issues. My guess is the haze inside old Summicron causes a low contrast effect.

Kevin

Yes, this is true. I see the capabilities of the Summicron when viewing an image on a large monitor. I can see very fine details.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Yes, this is true. I see the capabilities of the Summicron when viewing an image on a large monitor. I can see very fine details.

I am now preparing to upload the color film test. Please stay tuned.

Kevin