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

[CharlesDAMorgan]

The other thing of course is that unless the exposure of each camera is exactly the same (ie precise amount of light let in by aperture, precisely the same shutter speed etc) there will always be slight differences, let alone allowing for light levels changing.

But it looks so good!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Great quality of the pictures, both with the original lens and the copy.


Erik.

 

[rudobra]

i would say that first are the replicas and then the original leica...but i'd like to test it by myself ;-)
when will you start to ship for confirmed people in UE ?

 

[shawn]

Just looking at the first two images but when viewed side by side the darker image is sharper. At first I thought it was just a slightly different focus point but the characters on the post and on the sign are both sharper.

Shawn

 

[raid]

Which lens was used for the darker images?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Kevin,

Can you say what f/ stops were used? Were any of these wide open?

Ed

Hi Ed,

I have edited my original posts and add aperture settings to each of the comparison shots. Please take a look. The fourth from the bottom comparison shots were using @/2.0.

Happy new year,
Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Which lens was used for the darker images?

Hi Raid, I will reveal the answer later. 🙂

Happy new year,
Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Great quality of the pictures, both with the original lens and the copy.


Erik.

Thank you, Erik. Glad you like them.

Kevin

 

[tao_kala]

Love both set of pictures, can’t wait to do the experiment on my own. Happy New Year guys.❤️

 

[eckhardf]

I'm not an analytical person when it comes to 'liking' a photograph or not.

So putting aside issues such as contrast, resolution, sharpness etc. : as a whole I consistently prefer the top images...in a subtle but substantial way! There seems to be more life to them.

.... because of my preference; I hope that the top images were made by the replica 🙂

 

[teddy]

The second image (the replica) of the first three series of photos seem "dis-centred", but hopefully this is because hand holding the camera, or camera shake. It seems that the continuous series of photos after that are very close to each other in IQ. Other than that, I think the second of each image is the Replica. The coatings are newer perhaps. Other than these things, my take is that the Replica renders practically the same as the original.

 

[teddy]

I first thought that maybe the sun rays have changed, but the top right part of each of these two images shows shadows.

I think the density variation is the sun light that has changed. Look at the diffraction on the shadows of the right stick plant thing. The stronger the sun light, the sharper shadow diffraction fall off. The dark and light aspect I think is of no consequence. The quality of both lenses is practically identical, but one of them is slightly, just SO slightly sharper. Just my take on it.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Great quality of the pictures, both with the original lens and the copy.


Erik.

Yes! Can't wait to use it

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

The second image (the replica) of the first three series of photos seem "dis-centred", but hopefully this is because hand holding the camera, or camera shake. It seems that the continuous series of photos after that are very close to each other in IQ. Other than that, I think the second of each image is the Replica. The coatings are newer perhaps. Other than these things, my take is that the Replica renders practically the same as the original.

Yes, the lens owner was hand holding the camera to take these test photos, no tripod involved. He did try his best to keep every comparison shots in the same position and angle. But the focus might be slightly different in each shot. And while he was switching cameras, the lighting might also be changed somewhat.

Kevin

 

[sreed2006]

The differences between each pair of pictures are very small. All of them are far better than I can get with any of my three Summaron 35/3.5 lenses, which all suffer from haze and veiling flare. I anxiously await using the lens myself.

In detective mode, trying to determine which pictures were taken with which lens, I believe the first is the Summicron and the second in each set is the replica. In the first picture of the young lady, you can tell she is not impressed by having her picture taken with an old lens, but in the second she is smiling that the photographer is using a new lens. (Can you tell I am not a professional detective.) 🙂

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

Thank you Kevin for supplying the f/ stops. And Happy New Year to you too!

In my tests with the prototype versus the original lens, I found the images so similar that only such extraneous variables as slight differences in focus via the rangefinder, or camera shake, could reliably be used to differentiate between them.

I have continued to use the prototype fairly extensively up to the present, and find the only downside is my user errors — too slow a speed for here up north in the winter, or focus issues doing grab shots with my elderly eyes. The lens has performed admirably for me.

 

[raid]

I would not have placed an order for the replica if I was not convinced of the identical optical qualities of the two lenses. I have a Summicron so I know what I will be getting in brass finish!

 

[AusDLK]

I would like to be on the next purchase list for a chrome version of the lens + lens hood

 

[vincentbihler]

Now I think we are all impatient for paying it and getting it. Really, can’t wait �� great quality shown there !

 

[djnato10]

I am currently in the market for a lens. This has been on my mind since I first saw this thread. I noticed we are waiting for a another production run, you certainly have my money when they are available.