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

It seems that many RFF members here are excited about the replica lenses(es) and the thought of using a replica lens soon.

I hope that it will be straightforward and very organized to place the order for the 35/2. followed by an equally clear process to order the lens hood.
 
I recall from an earlier post that you mentioned that the original IROOA hood might not fit on the chrome version of the replica. Is that still the case?
 
raid said:
It seems that many RFF members here are excited about the replica lenses(es) and the thought of using a replica lens soon.

I hope that it will be straightforward and very organized to place the order for the 35/2. followed by an equally clear process to order the lens hood.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your support Raid! I will make sure everything is straightforward.
 
Is the blackening on the hood durable? If it’s like black chrome, that could be a very good looking finish.

About the customization text, is Japanese katakana a possibility? I had the idea to do スミクロン instead of Summicron. The characters are simpler to engrave.
 
Vincent said:
Hello


I'm following this thread from the start and I'm still amazed by the commitment you have . Making a replica seems in some aspects more difficult than making something that just "look like" . For instance , you seemed to struggle with flare . It reminds me of a discussion with the french Contax importer like 20 years ago explaining to me that Zeiss used up to 14 different anti-reflection black paints to put on the side of lenses , depending on ... a lot of parameters . You'll be outing a screw mount version and I was thinking , why not making this lens like the first original version with removable mount . Or we could just buy the SM version and a Yeenon mount like this one : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yeenon-Lei...835100?hash=item3d86c1875c:g:C4gAAOSwHnFVxW1b
( no link with the seller , never seen the product )
In a previous reply , I was suggesting a black matte finish , and you explained to me it was not possible . Any update or no hope ?
Regarding the coating , my wish would be not particularly SC or MC but the hardest one . Do you have an advice on the toughness of the different coatings ?
I don't remember if it's been asked : 6bit coding option or no hope ?
And regarding your next project , the Noctilux 1.2 , I mean , what a challenge ! Do you use the same frightening method by dismounting old ones or a more theorical approach ? Are you afraid of the coupling that seemed problematic back in the day ? I'm personnaly interested in this lens ( tried it once on TMZ long time ago ) because of the unique concept approach : a ( apparently ) simpler optical formula to achieve max clarity no matter the drawbacks ( astigmatism , fine detail sharpness and distortion ) . Will the fidelity to the original go to the unusual 48mm filter thread ?

Please excuse me for my approximate english and for asking so much questions at a time , but eventually it's all your fault 🙂 .


Vincent
Click to expand...

Hi Vincent,

Making a replica seems in some aspects more difficult than making something that just "look like" . You are right. The maker realized it as the project went further. Because Leica set their standard very high.

Since the dual mount is not an official LTM version and the maker only has the original LTM version in hand. So it will not be possible for them to make the dual mount version you guys mentioned. But he will try his best to make the LTM version has the ability to focus down to 0.7m with the adapter. But I do not promise anything here.

Sorry, matte black will not be available in the first batch as too many paint options will be hard for them to control the cost. They are not mass production, so they cannot provide too much customization.

Since this project's idea is to replicate the original 8-element, so the optical part, as well as coating, will be exactly the same as the original one. Therefore, the hardness of the coating was not considered while they replicate the lens.

Sorry, we cannot provide the 6-bit coding service, as it is still under patent protection.

Regarding the Noctilux 50 1.2 replica, we do have the original lens in like-new condition and never been opened before. But this time, we did not open the lens as we don't want to mess up the lens. It would possibly affect its optical performance after we assemble it back. And you know, the original Noctilux 50 1.2 are asking more than $20,000 now...

But we do have the advanced instruments to analysis the lens. With the instruments we find in the special facility, it is possible to inspect the thickness and air gap of the lenses non-destructively.

The maker told me it would be easier to make the 50mm lens than the 35mm lens. So they don't think the coupling on the 50mm replica will be a challenge for them.

The spec will be exactly the same as the original one.

Kevin
 
punkzter said:
I recall from an earlier post that you mentioned that the original IROOA hood might not fit on the chrome version of the replica. Is that still the case?
Click to expand...


The original IROOA hood will fit perfectly on any of the replica lenses. So no need to worry about it. The replica hood will be exactly the same as the original one.

Kevin
 
aizan said:
Is the blackening on the hood durable? If it’s like black chrome, that could be a very good looking finish.

About the customization text, is Japanese katakana a possibility? I had the idea to do スミクロン instead of Summicron. The characters are simpler to engrave.
Click to expand...


For your reference, the paint on the replica hood will be like the black paint M240.

スミクロン means Summicron, does it used by Leica in Japan?

Japanese katakana is possible. They can engrave it for you, but the maker doesn't recommend it. They don't have it in their font stock, and they need to draw the font by hand first. They also need to correct the edges of the font manually. The task will be complicated. Many labor costs will be involved. So they need to charge $100 for the special engraving.

Kevin
 
KEVIN-XU 愛 forever;2927828 said:
Hi Vincent,
...

Sorry, we cannot provide the 6-bit coding service, as it is still under patent protection.

...
Kevin
Click to expand...

Is there anything that can be done at the factory to make it easier for us digital M users to add the coding later on?
 
Oh well, I thought of an even better idea today!

“REPLICA-M”

The “-M” brings it up to 9 characters and adds a contemporary touch. 😀

DAG or Tamarkin can do the 6-bit coding, but it’s not something that’s allowed for manufacturers. The screws in the mount just can’t interfere with it.
 
aizan said:
Oh well, I thought of an even better idea today!

“REPLICA-M”

The “-M” brings it up to 9 characters and adds a contemporary touch. 😀

DAG or Tamarkin can do the 6-bit coding, but it’s not something that’s allowed for manufacturers. The screws in the mount just can’t interfere with it.
Click to expand...

There is no embedded profile & code for the 8-element. In fact, there isn't one for the 50 f/1.2 either.
 
aizan said:
Oh well, I thought of an even better idea today!

“REPLICA-M”

The “-M” brings it up to 9 characters and adds a contemporary touch. 😀

DAG or Tamarkin can do the 6-bit coding, but it’s not something that’s allowed for manufacturers. The screws in the mount just can’t interfere with it.
Click to expand...


Yeah. I think they can engrave “REPLICA-M” for you. 🙂

Good advice. The maker is not allowed to do anything for the 6-bit. The third-party service might solve the problem.

Kevin
 
For the UK you will pay import duty of about 7% on the cost of the lens and shipping, and then a further 20% VAT on top. Plus courier handling fees. So about £535 before courier handling fees.

This may of course change if we have a no deal Brexit, but hopefully this lens will arrive before or in the transition period.
 
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