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

I am right then. The last digit is not randomly chosen. Maybe this is Group 4 to receive a lens. Maybe, 001-010 were given to some "special people". 011,021,031,041,051, 061, 071, 081, 091 ... including any digit ending with a 1 were given to the first group in China or Japan.
 
Looking closer at the lens release shroud/dot interaction, if the dot was a mm shorter then it would clear it easily. Might just be the nature of the way the dot is made/mounted - anyone with this lens also have an M3?

I did some initial testing vs my UC-Hexanon on my Fuji X-Pro 1, they're very similar lenses in the center but it seems that the 8E Replica is a tad sharper 2/3rds of the way out. Both are sharp wide open with a little glow and very sharp stopped down to f/4. The 8E lens is slightly cooler WB wise compared to the UC Hex which could be down to the difference in coatings. Bokeh is very slightly smoother on the 8E Replica. If you showed me a random image from either I wouldn't be able to definitively say which one is which.
 
I plan to fit mine on my M3. If the lens is incapable of fitting then I think I'll have to cancel.

Perhaps Kevin could ask if this is a flawed example or whether it has been tested on all M cameras.
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
My Summaron 35mms both goggled and un-goggled fit my M3 without issue.The issue of framelines has nothing to do with lens fitting the camera.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of lenses out there that 'should' fit on any M but do not.

Mostly to do with the lens release button collar that Leica has changed a few times in the past. Because of fit issues.
 
Having looked at M3 photos online, it seems that there are various different types of lens release shrouds. Some are in a shallower C shape that are angled at the end, which would definitely mount the 8E replica with ease (see this: https://www.macfilos.com/2016/03/17...model-and-a-stunning-lens-arrive-in-the-mail/). Mine (a later 1966 model) has a fuller C shape and the ends aren't angled, like this: https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m3.htm. Remember that Leica often mixed and matched different parts depending on what they had (same story with Deardorff, some had sans serif nameplates and baseplates, some had stamps), so your M3 may be different to mine.
 
lcpr said:
Looking closer at the lens release shroud/dot interaction, if the dot was a mm shorter then it would clear it easily. Might just be the nature of the way the dot is made/mounted - anyone with this lens also have an M3?

I did some initial testing vs my UC-Hexanon on my Fuji X-Pro 1, they're very similar lenses in the center but it seems that the 8E Replica is a tad sharper 2/3rds of the way out. Both are sharp wide open with a little glow and very sharp stopped down to f/4. The 8E lens is slightly cooler WB wise compared to the UC Hex which could be down to the difference in coatings. Bokeh is very slightly smoother on the 8E Replica. If you showed me a random image from either I wouldn't be able to definitively say which one is which.
Click to expand...

I’ve tried on my M9M, M2 and M3 with no issues. The clearance was the closest on my M3 though.
 
Thanks for sharing, so it looks like I have a bit of a pointy dot on mine. Not a big issue for me since I have the UC-Hexanon for my M3 and it almost always has a 50 on it.
 
lcpr said:
Two things to note though, the little red alignment dot is a pretty close fit for the lens release button on my particular M4 and the lens release guard on my M3 won't let me mount the lens at all.
Click to expand...

That's strange. I thought the specs were identical. Would be interesting to see side-by-side images of the real and imitation to compare.
 
james.liam said:
That's strange. I thought the specs were identical. Would be interesting to see side-by-side images of the real and imitation to compare.
Click to expand...

Seems to be a size/mounting issue with the dot on mine, xmas one's lens works perfectly. I'm guessing that there may be excess adhesive under the dot or it's just a tad too proud of the rim which is making it catch the release guard.
 
My Replica fits my M3 fine guys. My 1957 M3 has a full "C" shape mounting er... shroud with sharp ends. My original M3 35/2 (1965 I think) dot, from memory is very small - perhaps this is the reason, so that it fits all M3's.
 
raid said:
The last several posted replicas had numbers ending with 4. Hm. Is there a system here?
144, 154, 164, ... [mine is 194]?
Click to expand...

Raid, my guess would be that LLL is applying a little bit of cultural filtering to serial number selection and the numbers around those serial numbers have already been assigned to domestic and other buyers in Asia. And if it makes everybody happy, why not!

It's obvious to anyone who lives in these cultures, but the pronunciation of the number "four" in Chinese and Japanese (and possibly other Asian languages) is identical to the pronunciation of "death", so having a 4 in a number is considered bad luck in these cultures. That's why some buildings in Japan (and I'm pretty sure in China as well) don't have 4th floors. Another example for you, I used to live in apartment 405 on the 4th floor of a building in Yokohama. There was no apartment 404 😉

Good thing there is no lens number 666! Then again, maybe someone out there would want it!
 
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