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

[Erik van Straten]

So this is the perfect opportunity 😉

I wrote "50mm f/2", but it must be 35mm f/2, of course.


Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Lens needs to be tested at both aperture ends. Closed aperture, against the brick wall.
This will show if centering is correct.

And into the sun, the see how it handles the flare.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Is this lens RF-coupled down to 0.7m?

Yes, just like the original one, 0.7m.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

As promised, here are the test shots on film.

Lens: Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype

Film: Kodak 400TX

Scanner: Imacon343


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[umcelinho]

quite nice!

 

[Huss]

I think the brass finish is fantastic! Makes it stand out from all the others out there.

 

[JoeV]

On the wide-open shots at the top, the boke looks busy, like it has lines in it. Does the Leica original have this same look?

Also, how many aperture blades, and are they curved?

 

[jsrockit]

Man, I’ve always wanted a gold lens... now’s my chance!

 

[Timmyjoe]

Are they going to be selling them in un-plated/un-painted brass like that? That would be pretty cool.

Best,
-Tim

 

[raid]

Very interesting overall. I want such a lens.

 

[jnalepa]

Love the film photos! Brass, painted or neither, I just want to try one for myself.

 

[Beemermark]

I think a lens in LTM would be more desirable than another M mount 35mm lens. Not many (any?)choices in a modern 35mm/2 LTM lens. It could be sold with the LTM to M adapter for those wanting the M mount. My 2 cents.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is nice that the Japanese Rayquall LTM to M adapters are again available in black.


LTM lenses are always better because they can be used on both the screw mount Leicas and the M.



Erik.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thank you so much for the comments here! I will keep delivering your guys opinion to him. And I will keep updating information here.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Looks good..!
Would like to see it compared to the real Leica 8 element at all apertures for comparison..
I did some quick testing of an 8 element back in the day..
Very nice lens..I actually liked it better than my "King of Bokeh" ver 4..

Should have bought it for $400-..before the prices went..whacko..
But then there is the issue..of..how is it mechanically..

 

[Erik van Straten]

Mechanically the original Leitz lens is excellent. I have two of them, a goggled one and a normal one. It has the same quality as the Summaron-M 35mm f/2.8, maybe even better.

My only complaint is its propensity for flare.

Erik.

 

[B-9]

Oooh. +1 for a LTM version!

We need a new screwmount lens! (Plus the M guys shouldn’t mind using an adapter!)

 

[aizan]

I'm so on board with the idea of making replicas of classic lenses. You're filling in a gap in Leica's "Classics Range" with the original 35/2. Can the next lens be a 50mm collapsible Summicron?

The test photos look good, but as with all bokeh shots, IMO the test isn't complete unless the wide open shots are taken side-by-side with the lens stopped down 2-stops.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Mechanically the original Leitz lens is excellent.

Sorry for the confusion..I meant..how is the China lens mechanically..
This would be paramount in my mind..as well as QC..

 

[Erik van Straten]

Sorry for the confusion..I meant..how is the China lens mechanically..
This would be paramount in my mind..as well as QC..

That is something that we all want to know.

Erik.