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

[Deleted member 65559]

Just received my copy. Thanks Kevin!!! I'm in complete agreement with everything Vincent said above. Build quality is indeed superb. Now to go shoot some test pics!

Edit: I just weighted a few lenses (sans caps, filters and hoods) I have on hand to compare. Weights below.

Replica Summicron 35/2 - 230 grams
M/L Convertible Summaron 35/2.8 - 161 grams
Summicron 35/2 ASPH - 247 grams
Voigtlander Ultron 35/2 ASPH - 171 grams
W-Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM (with adapter) - 198 grams

Beautiful Jon.... just beautiful!

 

[Hari]

So, in 5 years can I order without waiting?

 

[eckhardf]

Happily I am finding it very difficult to tell the difference between the replica and original lenses Zaurus...

My guess is that the original lens took images: 1B 2A 3A 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B and 10B

I based my decision mostly on contrast as I believe the original lens is slightly lower contrast than the replica lens?

(I wonder how wrong I will be?)

 

[james.liam]

Tough call. Shot with 500T so the colors are a bit off, and I don't know how the film's dynamic range compares to digital. Bluish cast even in the interior shots (natural light too?).

If the glass was a copy (in design and glass formula), resolution should be nearly indistinguishable.

Hey, "KEVIN-XU 愛 forever", was the coating chemistry replicated too?

 

[Huss]

The ones with the higher contrast are the new lens.

 

[aizan]

Haha, the Sharaku woodblock tile is a nice touch!

I can't really tell any difference between the original and the replica. There's a tiny difference in contrast, but that's all I can see.

 

[Doug]

I'd say that 5B, 8B, 10B are the new lens, and all the rest are A for the new lens. Slight exposure differences as the new lens is said to be slightly faster at each aperture... 🙂

 

[sreed2006]

zaurus, going strictly off the whiter whites, the replica was used for 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8B, 9A, 10B.

 

[teddy]

Jonmanjiro - your lens is fantastic and I can't wait to get mine. My serial is not far fro yours. The sample comparisons are fantastic also, they are identical in every way.

 

[teddy]

Also, looking at Zaurus photo comparisons - could it be that the Replica has been improved in the corners? If it can be, why not hey? More light transmission would help amplify any improvements I would say.

 

[zaurus]

Also, looking at Zaurus photo comparisons - could it be that the Replica has been improved in the corners? If it can be, why not hey? More light transmission would help amplify any improvements I would say.

You are right, the replica had been improved the corner performance. So you can find corner's performance better then original when F >= 2.8.

 

[zaurus]

Hi all,

The original is 1A, 1A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8A, 9B, 10A.

I am so surprise after scan. The color negative's result is more close than the BW. I will try another film/developer for making more close BW result.😉

Thanks all you guys. 😉

 

[kiemchacsu]

i dont know if these photos are adjusted to match color. i barely can see any differences here; but if yes; we are splitting a hair.
well done, fantastic project.

 

[sreed2006]

Hi all,

The original is 1A, 1A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8A, 9B, 10A.

I am so surprise after scan. The color negative's result is more close than the BW. I will try another film/developer for making more close BW result.😉

Thanks all you guys. 😉

I got 3 out of 10 - oh well. :bang:

 

[astrobuoy]

Although it doesn't diminish my excitement in the replica lens, I am noticing from zaurus' samples that the original has just slightly greater sharpness and microcontrast (3d pop), though as others have mentioned the difference is a hair and otherwise feels like a faithful reproduction

 

[teddy]

Although it doesn't diminish my excitement in the replica lens, I am noticing from zaurus' samples that the original has just slightly greater sharpness and microcontrast (3d pop), though as others have mentioned the difference is a hair and otherwise feels like a faithful reproduction

Mmm, I am not sure about this astrobuoy - it could be as a compromise, the thing is even the Asph Summicron vs the Type 1 have compromises. I can't really tell from the samples. The ASPH has less centre sharpness wide open than the Type 1, this Replica has greater definition in the corners than the Type 1. Essentially the Replica and the Type 1 look and behave the same - but variations, even the slightest exist in all lenses. We will have to have a deeper look as time goes but over all first impressions are first class. An amazing job. Like you say, a faithful reproduction. I've had 4 versions of the Leitz Summaron 35/2.8, 3 with similar amber coatings and one with a Magenta/Cyan coating - and guess which one seemed sharper and slightly more contrasty than the rest - the Magenta/Cyan coated version. I had them all, at the same time and tested them. Coatings make a difference.

 

[zaurus]

i dont know if these photos are adjusted to match color. i barely can see any differences here; but if yes; we are splitting a hair.
well done, fantastic project.

I hadn't adjusted to match color, just only scan the film with same setting to Tiff and then convert to jpeg by LR.

 

[zaurus]

Mmm, I am not sure about this astrobuoy - it could be as a compromise, the thing is even the Asph Summicron vs the Type 1 have compromises. I can't really tell from the samples. The ASPH has less centre sharpness wide open than the Type 1, this Replica has greater definition in the corners than the Type 1. Essentially the Replica and the Type 1 look and behave the same - but variations, even the slightest exist in all lenses. We will have to have a deeper look as time goes but over all first impressions are first class. An amazing job. Like you say, a faithful reproduction. I've had 4 versions of the Leitz Summaron 35/2.8, 3 with similar amber coatings and one with a Magenta/Cyan coating - and guess which one seemed sharper and slightly more contrasty than the rest - the Magenta/Cyan coated version. I had them all, at the same time and tested them. Coatings make a difference.

You are right, you can find replica is slightly warm tone, and original is cool tone in few extreme light situation.
I guess coating make it too.

 

[raid]

I have an original Summicron, and the replica will be a great lens to compliment the original. It could be that the newer coatings results in better flare resistance too.

 

[teddy]

You are right, you can find replica is slightly warm tone, and original is cool tone in few extreme light situation.
I guess coating make it too.

Yep, the Replica is warmer. This is why I like to use a B+W UVa or an 81a with a warmer tone filter on my Leica lenses with more amber coatings even on colour negatives - nothing to do with sharpness, but colour tone.
And I don't like adding "Warming" in Lightroom because it is not the same, it just isn't. Each to their own.

Like Reid says - this will be a great compliment to the original Summicron. Fantastic!