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

[jonmanjiro]

Here we go, another guessing game! Here's four photos taken with the four lenses below at f/2 and 1/125 with a Leica MP on a tripod. Which lens took which photo?

Replica Summicron 35/2
Voigtlander Ultron 35/2 ASPH
Leica Summicron 35/2 ASPH
W-Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM

These photos are exactly as they came out of my Coolscan 5000 scanner, and other than cropping the borders I haven't adjusted them in any way.

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

[gavinlg]

Right, this is my (non) educated guess:

1. Summicron 8 element copy
2. Summicron ASPH
3. Ultron 35mm f2
4. W-nikkor 35mm f1.8

 

[jonmanjiro]

Right, this is my (non) educated guess:

1. Summicron 8 element copy
2. Summicron ASPH
3. Ultron 35mm f2
4. W-nikkor 35mm f1.8

Dammit, nailed it in one Gavin!

Here's the shots I took at f4 for comparison. As you'd expect, vignetting is reduced considerably, and contrast and sharpness are increased. Very nice performance from the replica Summicron IMO. More pics coming when I have time to edit them.

 

[gavinlg]

Dammit, nailed it in one Gavin!

:angel: Probably only because I've run through about 10 or so rolls with the 35mm ultron which I bought based on your recommendations in the ultron thread. The ASPH is an easy one with the slight pincushion distortion too.

That chinacron truly looks excellent next to these other world class 35's - and a relative bargain for the first batch price!

 

[pyeh]

Thanks for the comparisons, Jon. Very informative.

 

[taffy]

:angel: Probably only because I've run through about 10 or so rolls with the 35mm ultron which I bought based on your recommendations in the ultron thread. The ASPH is an easy one with the slight pincushion distortion too.

That chinacron truly looks excellent next to these other world class 35's - and a relative bargain for the first batch price!

My takeway is that the Ultron is pretty nice!

 

[kiemchacsu]

tough game; indeed jonmanjiro
I currently do not own any lenses you posted;
no idea which lens is used to take which photo.

 

[xmas_one]

Wanted to say thanks to Kevin again for putting this together and the early users for posting pics! Can’t hardly wait to put my chrome 8 element on my M2 and buzz through a roll!

 

[james.liam]

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.

Your comparison shots will be greatly anticipated.

(Remember to expose both the box and lens to UV-C...)

 

[jonmanjiro]

Right, this is my (non) educated guess:

1. Summicron 8 element copy
2. Summicron ASPH
3. Ultron 35mm f2
4. W-nikkor 35mm f1.8

Another series @ f2 in this order.

And another series @ f2 in the same order.

 

[Emile de Leon]

For this subject..

 

[Huss]

You should try to include the 7Artisans 35mm f2 in the mix...
(I know, you're using what you have)

 

[james.liam]

For this subject..the Foo Dog..
I think the 8E is dead last for punch and sharpness.

Erwin Puts seemed to prefer the 35 Summaron ƒ/2.8; I recall him writing that the Summaron resolved higher @ 2.8 than the Summicron at the same aperture. It renders with a little more contrast too.

 

[jonmanjiro]

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

Not sure if its replicated (or if replicating it would even be possible), but the replica Summicron looks like it has single coating to me (assuming my eyes aren't tricking me, of course). So in that sense, it is closer to the original than even the reissue Nikon lenses, which are multicoated.

For this subject..the Foo Dog..
I think the 8E is dead last for punch and sharpness.

As I mentioned above, these photos are exactly as they came out of my Coolscan 5000 scanner, and other than cropping the borders I haven't adjusted them in any way. Some minor tweaks would change the impression of sharpness considerably. My impression from the images is that the replica performs pretty much as I'd expect a quality lens from the 1950s to perform. IMO the W-Nikkor and the replica Summicron are surprisingly similar in their rendering. A true replica lens.

 

[teddy]

This is a hard one. I don't know either the Nikkor or the Ultron but I've seen lots of photos from them...

Ok, here's my go: 1st image (Japanese murial)
1. Replica Summicron 35/2
2. Voigtlander Ultron 35/2 ASPH
3. Leica Summicron 35/2 ASPH
4. W-Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM

 

[Bob]

Thanks Jon, great comparison. Much appreciated

The Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/2 Aspherical Lens is looking GOOD in comparison to the others displayed.

 

[teddy]

Not sure if its replicated (or if replicating it would even be possible), but the replica Summicron looks like it has single coating to me (assuming my eyes aren't tricking me, of course). So in that sense, it is closer to the original than even the reissue Nikon lenses, which are multicoated.

As I mentioned above, these photos are exactly as they came out of my Coolscan 5000 scanner, and other than cropping the borders I haven't adjusted them in any way. Some minor tweaks would change the impression of sharpness considerably. My impression from the images is that the replica performs pretty much as I'd expect a quality lens from the 1950s to perform. IMO the W-Nikkor and the replica Summicron are surprisingly similar in their rendering. A true replica lens.

The Replica is a well balanced lens in the contrast department, there is more details in the shadows. The Summaron is magic here because it renders the centre with high contrast and then falls out on the edges which produces Caffee Latte Magic.

If one wants more punch, adjust the Curves and Contrast in Lightroom and that should be fine also - but yes, the modern optics here have more contrast and more "mid-range" compression.

This Replica will be a beautiful compliment on my M2. Images are wonderful. I'm surprised about the rendering in the corners!

 

[teddy]

Erwin Puts seemed to prefer the 35 Summaron ƒ/2.8; I recall him writing that the Summaron resolved higher @ 2.8 than the Summicron at the same aperture. It renders with a little more contrast too.

The Summaron 2.8 - Caffe Latte Magic. All time CLASSIC.

 

[Emile de Leon]

The replica..

 

[pyeh]

Jon, was that train station actually so empty that you could set up a tripod? Or you have an uncanny eye to be able to duplicate (quadruplicate) the view!
Your test show what a capable lens the new Ultron is.