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

[teddy]

I already have 2 35mm lense
the summaron and v4 Summicron
haha

I used to have 4 Summaron 35/2.8. Never parted with my Summicron 35/2 Type 1. And I have a Voigtlander 35/2.5...

 

[teddy]

Yes, at least for some of the people who commit to ordering it at the early stage. Don't worry. I have words from the maker. I will make sure everyone who is on the buying list will get their copies.

Fantastic, I hope to enjoy mine on my M2 when the time arrives! 😎

 

[harryjiang]

I might be the first one here to receive the retail version (I am based in China). Here it is. It produces great image, just like the old Summicron.

Rangefinder coupling is perfect, handling is Leica level.

A word to people who are anxiously waiting: Mr.Zhou (the leader of the project) is really an entrepreneur who pursues perfection. This project is worthy of the wait.

I am happy to answer questions about the copy I received, but Kevin has been an awesome and conscientious spokesperson.🙂🙂🙂

 

[aizan]

Lucky!

It's good to hear a second opinion about the lens's precision and handling.

 

[teddy]

Rangefinder coupling is perfect, handling is Leica level.

A word to people who are anxiously waiting: Mr.Zhou (the leader of the project) is really an entrepreneur who pursues perfection. This project is worthy of the wait.

Fantastic, thanks for sharing harryjiang!
What ever other lenses come out if this project, I'm in. I'm happy to support a project full of passion, craftsmanship and quality. Anything that has this level of quality and I'm in. And I love the look of the classic Leica glass. Can't go wrong.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Good news!

 

[harryjiang]

Some shots taken with reproduced 8 element and M9, processed in LR.

Didn't get chance to go outside today, Shanghai is freezing.

 

[D&A]

Love the feedback about the replica lens you received and sounds wonderful. Even the adorable cat in the 1st pic looks inquisitive as if thinking..."Wow, is that the new 8 element replica lens?" 🙂. In the 3rd picture, he's walking over to have a closer look at it!

Keep those pics and impressions coming as I'm sure we all appreciate it. Thanks!

Dave (D&A)

 

[Crazy Leica Fox]

A unique opportunity

A unique opportunity

I'm probably near the end of the list for this first batch of lenses, so I've set aside $500 from my lens budget and it will just be collecting interest until you're ready to take it from me 🙂.

The replica seems to have very similar rendering to the original 8 Element, though with a yellower coloring to its images. This could, of course, be due to the age of the original, which perhaps has actually gained a bluer coloring over time. Regardless, the way this replica lens was manufactured, using rare, flint lead glass, makes it entirely unique among new lenses available today.

 

[Halka]

As more and more people are sending messages to me expressing their interest in buying the replica 8-element after we stopped receiving orders, I have asked the maker about his plan on future batches. Like I said before, the flint lead glass becomes very hard to find in China nowadays as the new Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China been released in 2015. The law restricted the manufacturing of the lead glass. But some facilities are still manufacturing flint lead glass for particular purposes. The maker is able to source this glass from those facilities, but the cost will be higher. So I got confirmation that the future batches will have a higher price due to this reason.

In fact, regardless of the increase in manufacturing costs, the maker initially planned to sell the lens at the lowest possible price to thank the first group of the customers who are willing to support them. And then, return to the regular price after the first batch is sold.
Kevin

I thought the maker intended to switch to a harder, more "modern" optical glass after running out of flint-lead? Or am I misremembering things?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I might be the first one here to receive the retail version (I am based in China). Here it is. It produces great image, just like the old Summicron.

Rangefinder coupling is perfect, handling is Leica level.

A word to people who are anxiously waiting: Mr.Zhou (the leader of the project) is really an entrepreneur who pursues perfection. This project is worthy of the wait.

I am happy to answer questions about the copy I received, but Kevin has been an awesome and conscientious spokesperson.🙂🙂🙂

Thank you very much for sharing this exciting news here! Harry, you are the first person to share this project on RFF, and now you are the first forum member that receives the final product — looking great.

Kevin

 

[kiemchacsu]

Hi Harry,

Just curious, since you mentioned Mr. Zhou as the leader of this fantastic project, I wonder if he's the same person who made Mr. Zhou case for Leica?

I might be the first one here to receive the retail version (I am based in China). Here it is. It produces great image, just like the old Summicron.

Rangefinder coupling is perfect, handling is Leica level.

A word to people who are anxiously waiting: Mr.Zhou (the leader of the project) is really an entrepreneur who pursues perfection. This project is worthy of the wait.

I am happy to answer questions about the copy I received, but Kevin has been an awesome and conscientious spokesperson.🙂🙂🙂

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I thought the maker intended to switch to a harder, more "modern" optical glass after running out of flint-lead? Or am I misremembering things?

Yes, the maker was only able to get a small amount of flint lead glass from old stock. So initially, this glass will only exist in the first batch. And then the glass will be replaced by environmentally friendly glass which does not include lead. But with the increasing number of people who want that flint lead glass version of the replica, the maker spends a lot of effort to find this particular glass, and finally, he is able to acquire some from the special optical plant. But due to this reason, the cost of the future batch that uses flint lead glass will be much higher eventually.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hi Harry,

Just curious, since you mentioned Mr. Zhou as the leader of this fantastic project, I wonder if he's the same person who made Mr. Zhou case for Leica?

They are not the same person. 🙂 It's just a coincidence.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I just realize that I've received many emails in the past two weeks. I was extremely busy after the new year. I will do my best to reply to each of the emails.

Kevin

 

[harryjiang]

The maker of the lens is not the same guy who made those leather cases.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Does the list start when

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Does the list start when the 1st e-mail interest inquiry was sent..
Or when actual order was placed?

At the very beginning, there are forum members left comments stating they want to purchase the lens, and people sending me private messages, they will receive the lens first. Then later, people who sending emails to me will be put in queue. I will do my best to be fair for all the people.

Kevin

 

[Emile de Leon]

Thx Kevin!

 

[maartenmoerman]

I like that 🙂