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

[Doug]

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...

Yes, a comparison would be interesting. Pricing has obviously gone up a lot over the years, but then so has inflation. I bought my 35 Summicron v.1 new from a retail shop in downtown Seattle on 3 July 1967 for what I assume was then-current list price: $163.50. I still have and use it, also the nice used M2 body I got at the same time for $150...

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Here are some more sample shots on color film

Lens: Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype

Film: Fujifilm RDP III


[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

[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

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Here is an update for the painting of the lens:

He Said it could be black paint (my favorite one), without any painting which is just brass itself like the prototype that been showed above, silver chrome in the future, maybe olive green if you like. Or even gold plated he mentioned. Lots of possibilities. If the project is a success, many more choices will come, I suppose.

Kevin

 

[Noserider]

Yes I think a Black Paint with red engravings would have a very positive response.
This has stimulated many ideas of other lenses to remake/create.
This is already quite an interesting story please keep us updated and thank you for sharing what you are able.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Yes I think a Black Paint with red engravings would have a very positive response.
This has stimulated many ideas of other lenses to remake/create.
This is already quite an interesting story please keep us updated and thank you for sharing what you are able.

Talking about remake other lenses, he is working on a bigger project at the same time. I cannot tell you what that lens is right now. But I am sure you guys will love it.

You are welcome. I am very excited about this amazing project. So I want to be a part of it and working with him. I just can't wait to get this replica and see how good it is.

 

[kiemchacsu]

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.

I thought that the Summaron 35/2.8 is better, as many folks have praised of it? ONly down side that it cant go to f/2 of course.
I have one, 35/2.8 late serial 22xxxx btw.

 

[Huss]

I'll take a brass one. Thank you.

🙂

 

[brbo]

Black for me. In M mount.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I thought that the Summaron 35/2.8 is better, as many folks have praised of it? ONly down side that it cant go to f/2 of course.
I have one, 35/2.8 late serial 22xxxx btw.

Personally I prefer the Summaron 35mm f/3.5. More even performance over the whole image. The Summaron f/2.8 has weak corners.
The Summicron 35mm f/2 (8 elements) is very good, but flares easily in the sun.
My favorite 35mm Leica lens is the Summilux 35mm f/1.4 steel rim, second version, numbers 206XXXX.

(All very personal opinions).

Erik.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Here is an update for the Lens Mount:

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

 

[raid]

Talking about remake other lenses, he is working on a bigger project at the same time. I cannot tell you what that lens is right now. But I am sure you guys will love it.

You are welcome. I am very excited about this amazing project. So I want to be a part of it and working with him. I just can't wait to get this replica and see how good it is.

Maybe it is Summilux pre-asph 50/1.4?
Or, the Nocti!

 

[raid]

Personally I prefer the Summaron 35mm f/3.5. More even performance over the whole image. The Summaron f/2.8 has weak corners.
The Summicron 35mm f/2 is very good, but flares easily in the sun.
My favorite 35mm Leica lens is the Summilux 35mm f/1.4 steel rim, second version, numbers 206XXXX.

(All very personal opinions).

Erik.

My most used 35mm lenses for the Leica:
1. 35/1.4 Lux pre-asph (not the fancy one that Erik discusses)
2. 35/2 Summicron 8-element model
3. Biogon 35/2 ZM


For ltm, I use Canon 35/2, 35/1.8, 35/1.5.


There are many excellent options available to us.

 

[retinax]

I see some vintage character in the images, maybe the boke, but the contrast from modern coatings. Similar the the C-Sonnar and the Elmar-M, in this way. I like it.

 

[oldwino]

Maybe it is Summilux pre-asph 50/1.4?

Yes, the 1st version would be nice.

 

[Fuchs]

Love this project!! I want one LTM in black paint!!

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Maybe it is Summilux pre-asph 50/1.4?
Or, the Nocti!

🙂 Good guess. But I will keep it secret for now. Stay tuned.

Kevin

 

[valdas]

When can we expect it to be available for purchase?

 

[james.liam]

When can we expect it to be available for purchase?

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?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

When can we expect it to be available for purchase?

He told me approximately in three months it will be available for the public. Thank you very much for your interest.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

$99.99 and no QC?

Sir, I am very sure that he is serious about this project. He is a Leica enthusiast. He will make sure the quality of his lens at least on par with the original Leica Summicron.

Kevin