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

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Ideally, the LTM versions should also focus to 0.7m, so they can work to full capability on M bodies as well as LTM bodies. It's the body that is the limitation, not the lens...

There are factory dual mount versions of the 35/2 8 Element Summicron that do this; i.e., focus to 0.7m.

Here is a photo showing the removable bayonet (secured via a set screw.) Note the close focus distance on the lens is 0.7m.

Thank you for providing this information. Sorry for the confusing, I was saying the closest focus is limited by the Barnack camera body. I know the existence of the "hybrid" version. But the replica lens will be made according to the original LTM design.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I own one of the ones with the factory-attached SM—> M adapter, which focuses to 0.7m. I have also held in my hand one of the true SM ones, which only goes down to 1 meter. It is not clear to me why Leitz made both types, but the 0.7m one was sold as an M lens, not a SM one FWIW. Maybe they just had extra SM fittings and decided to use them up. There are also SM 50/2 Rigid Summicrons (very rare) and IIRC, their minimum focus is the same as the M version. While it is clear to me that Leitz was phasing out SM bodies at the time these lenses were issued, why they did what they did with the 25/2 V1 is not clear.

Hi Ed, thank you for your insights! I have a question that always in mind regarding the "hybrid" version 35 2. Can you focus correctly with the "hybrid" 35 2 on your Barnack camera?

 

[raid]

Maybe the people crafting the replica can address this issue of minimum distance for the M mount lens?

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

I have used the "hybrid" 35/2 V1 on SM cameras -- that indeed was the purpose in my finding one to buy long ago. I have no easy way, without film, to check accurately that the focus is correct in the close-up range, but my IIIg's RF focuses similarly with the 35/2 as it does with the SM collapsible 50/2 aiming at the same target. I do not remember any focus problem when I was using it regularly.

FWIW at that time, years ago, I also located one of the 90/2 Summicrons that had had the cemented-on SM--> M adapter (long since removed prior to my buying it) and used that also on SM bodies. That one DID have a focus problem, but it turned out that the RF focus cam on the lens had been pushed to the side, which was easily corrected, re-calibrated, and then everything worked well.

IMO it was only the lenses with non-removable goggles (35mm and 135mm) that did not focus correctly without their goggles.

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

To clarify: on the 35/2 V1 with goggles, one could remove the lens from the rest of the superstructure, and I believe it then had what appeared to be a screw mount. Only, while that SM would fit a camera, it would not focus accurately at all.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I have used the "hybrid" 35/2 V1 on SM cameras -- that indeed was the purpose in my finding one to buy long ago. I have no easy way, without film, to check accurately that the focus is correct in the close-up range, but my IIIg's RF focuses similarly with the 35/2 as it does with the SM collapsible 50/2 aiming at the same target. I do not remember any focus problem when I was using it regularly.

FWIW at that time, years ago, I also located one of the 90/2 Summicrons that had had the cemented-on SM--> M adapter (long since removed prior to my buying it) and used that also on SM bodies. That one DID have a focus problem, but it turned out that the RF focus cam on the lens had been pushed to the side, which was easily corrected, re-calibrated, and then everything worked well.

IMO it was only the lenses with non-removable goggles (35mm and 135mm) that did not focus correctly without their goggles.

Thank you Ed! This is the answer that I was looking for.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Maybe the people crafting the replica can address this issue of minimum distance for the M mount lens?

Yes, I will discuss this with the maker.

 

[raid]

That would be very helpful, Kevin. The clone maker seems to be very skilled and smart, and I expect that he will provide you a logical answer to this question.

 

[splitimageview]

I’ve owned several copies of the dual mounts (both the so-called “M2 type” - non-goggled - 8 element Summicron as well as the 35/2.8 Summaron ) and they focus accurately on screw mount bodies to 1m and bayonet bodies to 0.7m.

The lens will of course rotate all the way to 0.7m on screw mount bodies but the rangefinder is uncoupled once the lens reaches the 1m mark.

 

[Huss]

Thank you for this information, Kevin.
I am struggling with the multicoating versus keeping the clone a real clone.

I'm getting the single coated version to keep it real. I have plenty of multi coated lenses.

Interestingly I once owned a CV 40 1.4 single and multi coated version at the same time. I shot them back to back on a digicam in all sorts of harsh sidelit and backlit conditions to see how they would behave differently. I could not tell any difference!

As for some saying they didn't/don't like the lack of contrast of the original 35mm Cron that we are discussing, I'm wondering if the years haven't been kind to the lens that they were using and it has some internal haze. I have seen this before in 50mm crons, where the owners said they loved the "Leica Glow", only to then have the lens serviced and cleaned. Then realizing that the glow was from haze. And they now like the lens much more clear and contrasty as that was how Leica originally meant it to be!

 

[aizan]

No news on the hood, right?

 

[raid]

I'm getting the single coated version to keep it real. I have plenty of multi coated lenses.

Interestingly I once owned a CV 40 1.4 single and multi coated version at the same time. I shot them back to back on a digicam in all sorts of harsh sidelit and backlit conditions to see how they would behave differently. I could not tell any difference!

As for some saying they didn't/don't like the lack of contrast of the original 35mm Cron that we are discussing, I'm wondering if the years haven't been kind to the lens that they were using and it has some internal haze. I have seen this before in 50mm crons, where the owners said they loved the "Leica Glow", only to then have the lens serviced and cleaned. Then realizing that the glow was from haze. And they now like the lens much more clear and contrasty as that was how Leica originally meant it to be!

I like the resulting images from my Summicron V1 35/2. I will go ahead with single coating too, Huss.

 

[splitimageview]

Maybe the people crafting the replica can address this issue of minimum distance for the M mount lens?

The M needs to be 0.7m, or less, certainly no greater than 0.7m. Anything less than 0.7m would obviously be RF uncoupled

Ideally the LTM should be the same even if rf is uncoupled below 1m.

This gives max flexibility with film and digital.

Focusing down to say 0.5m would be great for those that shoot mirrorless...personally I would use it on bayonet and M39 film bodies and mirrorless digital.

 

[Montag]

Ideally, the LTM versions should also focus to 0.7m, so they can work to full capability on M bodies as well as LTM bodies. It's the body that is the limitation, not the lens...

There are factory dual mount versions of the 35/2 8 Element Summicron that do this; i.e., focus to 0.7m.

Here is a photo showing the removable bayonet (secured via a set screw.) Note the close focus distance on the lens is 0.7m.

I have one like this #1852xxx - also 0.7m MFD - back when I discovered it had a set screw and was a dual mount lens (at the time I thought only the Summaron could be like this), I lost the little set screw - anyone have a spare? 😱

 

[teddy]

Regarding the LTM edition, the maker just told me that it would be released approximately three months later. Currently, they are concentrate on the production of the first batch replica lenses. He also said each of the LTM lenses would come with an LTM - M adapter. And he will make sure their adapter match with Leica quality.

Woowieee!!! THIS is the ONE I want - in LTM!!!😱😛

 

[teddy]

Hi Kevin, when can I expect the order form? Thank you?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

No news on the hood, right?

35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

The hood is on the way. 🙂 All brass.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hi Kevin, when can I expect the order form? Thank you?

I will send a link to all the buyers on the waiting list. Don't worry.

Kevin

 

[raid]

35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


35/2 8-element Replica - Lens Hood by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

The hood is on the way. 🙂 All brass.

This is a beautiful hood, Kevin.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

V1LC 中國製造（made in China) engraving

V1LC 中國製造（made in China) engraving

V1LC 中國製造（made in China) by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr


Here is the final retail version engraving on the lens barrel with traditional Chinese characters "中國製“ on it.

V1LC:
V1 = Version One
L = Flint Lead-Glass
C = Single Coating