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

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

when is the delivery date... lol

Thank you for your interest. I will update the information here once I have it. Please stay tuned.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

ah .. shanghai.
nong ho
🙂

i must confess, even though i already have two summicrons in 35mm (asph and ver. 2), i am interested.

Kevin, 谢谢你。

cheers
sebastian

Nong ho sebastian,

You know Shanghainese! I guess you've been to Shanghai before. 🙂 I have two 35mm Summicron Ver. 1 and Pre-Asph. I will receive the prototype replica soon. Can't wait to compare it with my original summicrons. If you don't have the Ver. 1, this replica really worth a try.

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[jnalepa]

Thanks for the film test shots! Everything looks like it's coming together nicely. I know I'm not alone is saying that I'm eagerly awaiting its release. 🙂

 

[ashwinrao1]

My gosh, how awesome is this. Count me in! I want one. I just sold my 35 8 element, so this would be a literally perfect replacement. Loved reading the thread the passion being invested in this project.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

[Test Samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

[Test Samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

Last week I have released some more details about the refined version of the prototype. The maker brought this new prototype to Japan and meet with the Leica fans there. He took a few photos with this lens during the trip. He sent them to me and want me to share with you guys.

Camera: Leica M240

Without any post-editing



[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

By the way, I am still waiting for the first version prototype arrive at my home... It's painful to wait... 🙁

 

[farlymac]

Looks promising.


PF

 

[Ecar]

Thanks - looks great!
Do I see black paint in that 1st picture? 😀

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thanks - looks great!
Do I see black paint in that 1st picture? 😀

That's right! 🙂 It's the second version of the black paint prototype.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

[Test Samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

[Test Samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

Taken with Sony A7 RII + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

JPEG file without any post editing


A7 RII with Replica Prototype Second Version (Brass Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Taken with Leica M240 + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Replica Prototype (Second Version)

JPEG file without any post editing


[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

[test samples] Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Eight Element Replica Prototype (Second Version.) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[Out to Lunch]

Interesting. Since the original was a 35mm film lens, wondering if you could share images taken with a film camera. Cheers, Peter

 

[Erik van Straten]

Interesting. Since the original was a 35mm film lens, wondering if you could share images taken with a film camera. Cheers, Peter

Good idea. They can send the lens to me to try it out on film.


Erik.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Erik would be an excellent tester of this particular lens. He may also convince me to buy it. Cheers, Peter

 

[Vincent]

Hello


I'm following this thread from the start , and I can say I'm fascinated by the dedication it seems to take , the apparent quality of the finish , the price ... I personnaly find the choice of this lens ( instead of others ) interesting for several reasons :
-mechanical quality
-I've always found that one of the better aspect optically is the quite good homogeneity from center to edges , not something often found in old wides
-of course prices of the original
Now there is my question : one weak point of the original is the coating . Why would you want the same ? Would we lose something ( price , rendering , respect of the legend ... ) with a hard modern coating that would free my mind of using my fragile expensive old one anytime ?
Errr ... and for my own taste , did you think of proposing it in black matte finish to go with ... a lot of bodies with matte finish ?
I really hope you will succeed , thank you for your attention .


Vincent

 

[Archlich]

Hello


I'm following this thread from the start , and I can say I'm fascinated by the dedication it seems to take , the apparent quality of the finish , the price ... I personnaly find the choice of this lens ( instead of others ) interesting for several reasons :
-mechanical quality
-I've always found that one of the better aspect optically is the quite good homogeneity from center to edges , not something often found in old wides
-of course prices of the original
Now there is my question : one weak point of the original is the coating . Why would you want the same ? Would we lose something ( price , rendering , respect of the legend ... ) with a hard modern coating that would free my mind of using my fragile expensive old one anytime ?
Errr ... and for my own taste , did you think of proposing it in black matte finish to go with ... a lot of bodies with matte finish ?
I really hope you will succeed , thank you for your attention .


Vincent

I assume that any "improvements" would kinda defeat the purpose for it being a "replica" while bringing in rooms for nitpicking like "the modern coating makes the rendering harsher than the original".

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Good idea. They can send the lens to me to try it out on film.


Erik.

Hi Erik, are you living in the States? I will only receive one prototype lens and will do some test first.

 

[winzenbourg]

Erik would be an excellent tester of this particular lens. He may also convince me to buy it. Cheers, Peter

+1 for this!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hi Erik, are you living in the States? I will only receive one prototype lens and will do some test first.

I'm living in Europe, Amsterdam. I really would like to do some tests with the lens on film. I have the 8 elements Leica lens, so I can make a direct comparison. I can make prints too, if you like, b+w gelatine silver prints, split grade.

Erik.

Like this: Leica MP, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 black paint, 400-2TMY film printed on Adox MCC 110 paper:

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hello


I'm following this thread from the start , and I can say I'm fascinated by the dedication it seems to take , the apparent quality of the finish , the price ... I personnaly find the choice of this lens ( instead of others ) interesting for several reasons :
-mechanical quality
-I've always found that one of the better aspect optically is the quite good homogeneity from center to edges , not something often found in old wides
-of course prices of the original
Now there is my question : one weak point of the original is the coating . Why would you want the same ? Would we lose something ( price , rendering , respect of the legend ... ) with a hard modern coating that would free my mind of using my fragile expensive old one anytime ?
Errr ... and for my own taste , did you think of proposing it in black matte finish to go with ... a lot of bodies with matte finish ?
I really hope you will succeed , thank you for your attention .


Vincent

Hi Vincent,

Thank you very much for writing this comment. Regarding your question, the maker gave me his answer.

This is his first replica project. He wants to make it as close as possible to the original Summicron 35 2. He breaks down two original lenses and has analysis all the coatings on each element. He said the original one used two types of single coating. And they used exactly the same as the original.
But at the same time, they made another sample version with multiple coatings to improve the performance. And they will do the test between the version with original coating and multiple coatings.

About your painting preference, they use the copper surface baked-enamel coating processes instead of the oxidation blackening process on the aluminum alloy surface. So matte black will not be included in the painting option. I am sorry about that.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I'm living in Europe, Amsterdam. I really would like to do some tests with the lens on film. I have the 8 elements Leica lens, so I can make a direct comparison. I can make prints too, if you like, b+w gelatine silver prints.

Erik.

Like this: Leica MP, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 black paint, 400-2TMY film printed on Adox MCC 110 paper:

I've read your post about the black paint 50 1.4. That is one of my dream lenses. Great find! I am quite jealous. 😎

I also have two last year production original 8-elements in mint condition. And will do the comparison test between them on Leica M10 and my film camera.

Leitz Summicron 35mm f/2 First version. Last year production. by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


After I have done some test, I would be happy to send the lens to you for a week or so to test it if you are also living in the States. I will talk to the maker to see what can be done in this case.

By the way, I still haven't received the lens since the China customs and US customs cost more than two weeks to release my package...

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Finally, I received the first version of the prototype. The coating looks very similar to my final year production Ver.1 Summicron 35 2.

I will post my own test pictures later.


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

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

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

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

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

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