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

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I am no optical scientist, but it seems likely that what I was calling T-stop differences between the lenses (actual light transmission versus the mathematical derivation of the "f/ stop") is what Kevin is referring to also, regardless of the cause. The replica lens simply transmits more light at what ever diaphragm opening, perhaps 1/2 stop more on average.

I might shoot a couple of additional pairs of images, tripod-mounted, between my prototype and the original, but attempting to balance the light reading on the sensor itself rather than just the f/stop. If I can do this, then the images should look really almost identical, I think.

Hi Ed, I am looking forward to see more of your tests. 🙂

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

Well, I decided first to try another camera body with the 2 lenses, here a Sony A7r. There is an outdoor shot at f/4, and an indoor at f/5.6. There are still slight differences in exposure and color temperature, but I don't see much point in going further. I would be happy with the image from either lens, and, in any case, I would likely tweak color balance or whatever anyway if I were to use such images.

replica3 by woodswoman57, on Flickr

original3 by woodswoman57, on Flickr

replica4 by woodswoman57, on Flickr

original4 by woodswoman57, on Flickr

 

[tao_kala]

Wow, look great. Really I have been checking the thread at least hourly now to see when you will give us the good news about shipping date��

 

[Erik van Straten]

In these last two shots I find the original sharper, but with lower contrast. The replica is slightly less sharp (see the foot of the lamp), but has more contrast; the same I see in the landscape. The differences are very, very small, but I see them.


Erik.

 

[raid]

As Eric has said; I mentioned somewhere above that my Cron shows amazing details when viewed with a large monitor. Summicrons in general are high resolution lenses.

 

[froyd]

Very excited about this lens and the process of learning about it. THANK YOU Kevin for all the updates. I'm looking forward to forking over my money 🙂

I'm also glad to hear about the thoughtful approach to the lens design, including the concerns about frankenlenses created from original lenses doctored with new glass elements.

What I also appreciated so far was Ed's reassurance that in-hand the lens feels solid and refined. To me that's key to a pleasant experience with the lens, it's not just about the optical performance.

 

[vincentbihler]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

It is soooo nice! Please let us pay you now, enough waiting 😛

 

[Emile de Leon]

OK...now for the fine print...

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

oo err missus!

Looking spectacular. I can't wait!

 

[raid]

"My brass lens" looks awesome!
As for the Summicron to drop in market value, I really doubt it. There is a demand for genuine Leica lenses. They are not getting more frequent; they are getting replicas.

 

[jshcrlsn]

It looks to me like the replica consistently has significantly warmer color tones, more vignette, and more contrast than the original. Sharpness comparison is up in the air at this point based on the mix of results posted in this thread so far.

Ed or Kevin,
Thank you for taking the time to shoot and post results from this project. It has been very helpful and exciting for us so far.

If you guys feel so inclined I would like to suggest a test as follows:

- M10 or M240 with auto white balance and ISO 400 or less with same lens profile selection or none at all
- timer or cable release for the snap to account for shake
- tripod mount
- bright ideal natural outdoor lighting not too early or late in the day (not too blue or orange) with a mix of shadow and lit areas but only well lit areas in all of the corners.
- at least two different depth of field photos (close range of a static object the size of a cat or a persons head/torso in the center and with a good distance between background and subject in focus and then also an infinity focus shot)
- One set of pics wide open and then another set at mid aperture like 5.6 or f8.

What has been posted so far is great...I just wanted to throw this out in case you guys are feeling extra fun here :] thank you again...very excited and they look beautifully made.

 

[andyturk]

Hmm, original4 by Ed Schwartzreic is definitely sharper all around than replica4. Take a look at the detail in the lamp base and also in the lines of the measuring stick.

Sharpness at the edge of the frame is dramatically better for the original on the face of the wall-mounted clock.

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

I really could not see an easy way of looking at light transmission variables between the two lenses, so I decided to take pictures of a blank off-white wall, at f/8 so that vignetting would be minimal, and then look at brightness values from the EXIF. The wall was not brightly lit, so the BV are both negative.

In my particular shots, the replica (prototype) scored a BV of -1.241, and the original a BV of -1.651. This is in the direction that we all saw in the various test shots. Unless someone here has a better idea, or interprets this data differently, this would show that the light transmission is greater for the replica.

 

[steveyork]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Whow! All three look nice but the brass is stunning. Looks like I'm getting back into M's at just the right time. I think Tom A. up there in heaven is grinning down at us.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Beautiful All 3 the chrome looks particularly authentic

 

[raid]

I may send out my Summicron for a checking and cleaning if needed. I am dying to start using the replica lens, once I get it!

 

[Huss]

All three final retail versions are finished.

Black paint, chrome, brass.

All three Replica 35mm f2 final retail versions by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

So glad I picked brass, the others look humdrum in comparison! Plus I already have boring black and chrome Leica lenses.

It’s going to look fantastic on the Lenny Kravitz Drifter Leica!

 

[raid]

Semi-plagiarism warning!

So glad I picked the brass version. The other versions look "inferior" in comparison! I already have many black and chrome Leica lenses.

It’s going to look fantastic on the M3!

 

[Deleted member 65559]

"I already have boring black and chrome Leica lenses." Huss

.....i'll pay the shipping...😎

adopt Leica