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

[fbf]

different material of the lenses.
https://i50mm.com/gear器材/八枚玉有多少个版本？咱说的是国产周制八枚玉/

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Hi guys! Thank you everyone for your warm concern, everything is fine here. Due to the Coronavirus, everything is pausing in China for a month now. The good news is Mr. Zhou's colleagues are coming back for work. Production will gradually resume in the following weeks.

I wish everyone good health.

Best,
Kevin

 

[gramorris]

Thanks for the update Kevin.

All the best.

 

[valdas]

It’s good to hear. I hope everybody is safe.

 

[D&A]

Hi Kevin,

That everyone stays safe and keeps well is the most overriding concern. Appreciate your letting us know.

Dave (D&A)

 

[froyd]

Appreciate you touching base and glad to hear you are OK.

I've been very impressed by the resilience of Chinese manufacturers and their willingness to support US-business despite the difficult workforce situation.

 

[eckhardf]

It's good news that things appear to be stabalising in China.

Thanks for the update Kevin.

Rest assured that I am still good for my 8 element replica order no matter how long it takes to be fulfilled. No pressure here as I can't begin to imagine the difficulties industy in China is facing at the moment.

Cheers.

 

[Crazy Leica Fox]

Hi guys! Thank you everyone for your warm concern, everything is fine here. Due to the Coronavirus, everything is pausing in China for a month now. The good news is Mr. Zhou's colleagues are coming back for work. Production will gradually resume in the following weeks.

I wish everyone good health.

Best,
Kevin

That's wonderful news! Thank you for the update, Kevin.

 

[jmilkins]

Thanks Kevin. The (near) pandemic puts many things in perspective. Thoughts with those impacted beyond mere delays.

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

Thank you Kevin. As an old fellow with some chronic health problems, I have felt all along that we are all in this together. Wishing the best to you, Mr. Zhou, and the co-workers is part and parcel of preparing ourselves here at home, not only trying to stay safe, but trying not to spread this horrible illness to others.

RFF is a community. In tough times like these, sharing news and maintaining our ties to others over RFF and the internet in general is what is the most important socially and to keep our spirits up.

 

[Huss]

No offence, but perhaps start a seperate Coronavirus thread if that’s what you want to discuss? I think there’s already a few going...

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

Exactly! Looking forward to my brass, whenever it shows up.

 

[raid]

I also will one day get the brass version. I am waiting for things to calm down and then I expect to get an email with a form for sending payment.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Some updates. 🙂

Some updates. 🙂

Dear RF members,

First of all, I am very sorry that I cannot get back to everyone's emails from all over the world in the past two months. We had Chinese New year back then, and after that, the Coronavirus was coming. I completely stopped working on this project until now. I hope everything is fine in your area. Stay home and stay healthy. Spend time with the people you love. God bless.

Here is a little update on the replica projects and news about the coming new project. Mr. Zhou collected much feedback from the first batch's early owners in China and came up with a solution to further improve the 8-element replica. Include the rangefinder coupling accuracy, optical performance, lens handling, etc. The factory is slowly returning to production. Most of the technicians are back to work. Everyone completes the 14days isolation before they return.

New projects are also underway. I have sent my Elcan 50mm f2 to Mr. Zhou to let him analyze the lens. This is not my idea to replicate the Military special order lens Elcan 50mm f2 though. But I wish I could provide some help to make it happen. This will be another fun project for sure.

The legendary Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2 Double Aspherical replica project is making some slow progress. Mr. Zhou told me it's difficult to make those two aspherical elements. The technicians are working on it. Fingers crossed.

Best wishes,
Kevin

 

[Ecar]

Thanks Kevin. Hope all is well.
Could you share more details regarding the improvements made? Will these improvements make it to all future batches?
Thanks again & best wishes.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thanks Kevin. Hope all is well.
Could you share more details regarding the improvements made? Will these improvements make it to all future batches?
Thanks again & best wishes.

You are very welcome.

I am sorry that currently, I don't have the details about further improvements. Those specialized terms and technical explanations are difficult to convey through words. I am not professional after all. But I am very sure that these improvements will be applied to all the foreign market products. And that's the whole point about it. Mr. Zhou wants to collect as much feedback as possible before he sells the lens to the foreign market.

Best,
Kevin

 

[raid]

Thank you, Kevin, for the update. To you and your loved ones, stay safe and healthy.

 

[D&A]

I echo Raid's thoughts. Stay safe and be well and all the best to those close to you.

Dave (D&A)

 

[Ecar]

You are very welcome.

I am sorry that currently, I don't have the details about further improvements. Those specialized terms and technical explanations are difficult to convey through words. I am not professional after all. But I am very sure that these improvements will be applied to all the foreign market products. And that's the whole point about it. Mr. Zhou wants to collect as much feedback as possible before he sells the lens to the foreign market.

Best,
Kevin

Understood. Many thanks, Kevin.
Keep safe & best wishes.

 

[Crazy Leica Fox]

Mr. Zhou wants to collect as much feedback as possible before he sells the lens to the foreign market.

I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. 🙂 Thank you for the update!

 

[jmilkins]

Thanks Kevin and Mr Zhou and team - it is great to have something to look forward to. best wishes to all