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

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Kevin, those results look very encouraging. And I really think a natural brass finish would be excellent because:
1. It looks great
b. It celebrates this lens as something unique standing out in the field full of black and silver lenses
iii. Not that it matters, but those out there claiming it's a knock off or counterfeit would have even less to grouch about because the original never looked like this.

Thank you, Huss!

Good point! I will deliver your opinion to the maker. I believe the final product will be the same as the prototype, all brass.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Ok, sign me up! Put me on the list! WANT!

Thank you for your interest. I will inform you when it's available. But so far I have no idea how he gonna sell his lens.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Short Clip of Leica 8element Replica Prototype Infinity Lock Testing Sound

Short Clip of Leica 8element Replica Prototype Infinity Lock Testing Sound

Youtube Link:

https://youtu.be/gMyNsqGDq4g



Short Clip of Leica 8element Replica Prototype Infinity Lock Testing Sound by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

You are welcome, Erik.

The maker shared some thoughts regard the softness of the original lens performance. When they were setting up the comparison, they decided to use a Summicron 35/2 that is 100% in its original condition, which means never been opened before and in near new condition. But still, the original lens is almost 60 years old. Haze issue is regularly in the Leica old lens. And we now compare it with a brand new replica. And he said that the replica has slightly higher contrast.

Yes, and it difficult to remove the haze. Inside the lenses Leitz often used a soft coating.


Erik.

 

[DKimg]

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

Wonderful!
Oh how I miss being in China! Gives me memories when I was working in Ningbo! 😀

 

[Montag]

Thank you for your interest!

Not gonna lie, I love the lens unfinished in brass too.

Regarding your question, the replica version will have the same amount of aperture blades, which is 10. And it's even better than the original one. The blades in the replica are more curved. Therefore it will look more circular at every stop. The maker paid lots of attention to those details.

Kevin

Thank you for the reply and the follow up images of the aperture blades Kevin. They and the sample images look very good.

I didn't expect such a high level of interest in brass lenses.

The other hot topic with this particular lens might be the infinity lock, which I personally love but others might not.

One thing I would hope for with this lens is something included, something more than the removable name plate, that makes it abundantly and permanently clear that it isn't an original.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for a 50mm Summicron Rigid LTM replica next.

 

[aizan]

Youtube Link:

https://youtu.be/gMyNsqGDq4g

Short Clip of Leica 8element Replica Prototype Infinity Lock Testing Sound by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

I love how they're sweating the details like the sound of the infinity lock. 😀

The typography nerd wants the engraving font to be exactly the same as the original, too. The words can be different, of course.

 

[Huss]

The typography nerd wants the engraving font to be exactly the same as the original, too. The words can be different, of course.

Agreed.
I like Leika Summikron.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the great comparison! Surprisingly similar-looking. I'd say the new lens has slightly more contrast than the original. And the noted ring bokeh on bright lights would suggest over-corrected spherical aberration I think... and about the same for both.

 

[teddy]

Looks great! Very promising! Bring it on!!!

 

[lawrence]

I didn't expect such a high level of interest in brass lenses.

The other hot topic with this particular lens might be the infinity lock, which I personally love but others might not.

One thing I would hope for with this lens is something included, something more than the removable name plate, that makes it abundantly and permanently clear that it isn't an original.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for a 50mm Summicron Rigid LTM replica next.

As per my previous comment, it would be great to have a black paint over brass version as well. Hopefully this and the option of no infinity lock would be possible.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I'd prefer black paint too.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

This is the handmade component that been used in the replica Summicron 35/2 infinity lock. No factory was willing to make this component because the order is too small.


handmade spring inside infinity lock by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Youtube Link:

https://youtu.be/voQ-Em8o_QM


Replica 8elment handmade spring has been used in the original infinity lock. Working properly by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr



The replica handmade spring has been used in the original infinity lock. As you can see, the original lock still working properly.

 

[Gadfly21]

I think the infinity lock is nice if done well, which the video seems to demonstrate.



Overall, this is an exciting project. I will start saving for when it is released! Thanks for sharing the updates! This is often dangerous because everyone wants to chime in with their own recommendations, even if negative, but your friend clearly understands what he is doing. Best of luck!

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I think the infinity lock is nice if done well, which the video seems to demonstrate.



Overall, this is an exciting project. I will start saving for when it is released! Thanks for sharing the updates! This is often dangerous because everyone wants to chime in with their own recommendations, even if negative, but your friend clearly understands what he is doing. Best of luck!

Thank you for your comment! 🙂 Please stay tuned.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

[Test photos]

Leica M9 + Lens: Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype

All photos were shots wide open at f/2.0


[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


Note: The replica prototype has been shipping around to let different people test it and give feedback. The test photos that I shared are not taken by the same person every time.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

An impressive looking prototype, both in appearance and images.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Incredible! Beautiful performance.


Erik.

 

[Keith (M)]

Interesting project. As to the infinity lock, my 1967 Summaron f2.8 has it - and I rather like it.