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

[valdas]

The first batch of 500 lenses has been ordered by people several months ago.
Wait for the announcement for the second batch of lenses.
People are watching this thread on a regular basis, even if it is time consuming.
Nobody wants to miss the chance to get a lens.

I wonder (out of simple curiosity) what percentage of those from the first batch have received (or paid) for the lens vs still waiting number...

 

[raid]

I wonder (out of simple curiosity) what percentage of those from the first batch have received (or paid) for the lens vs still waiting number...

There has been no such information posted here. A new poll could be started? 😱

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, Your photo is a benchmark for me. Although I began to get an inkling of the possibilities of the lens with several of Steve York's photos. When I saw your print I finally know what the real possibilities for silver gelatin work can be. This may very well become my standard everyday 35mm on the Leica.

Yes, it is a great "everyday" or "walk about" lens as Tom Abrahamsson called it.

It is a pity that he is no longer with us, he would enjoy this very much.

Erik.

 

[f.hayek]

I wonder (out of simple curiosity) what percentage of those from the first batch have received (or paid) for the lens vs still waiting number...

Ask “Kevin Forever”. He’s acting as Mr Zhou’s shipping agent.

 

[raid]

Yes, it is a great "everyday" or "walk about" lens as Tom Abrahamsson called it.

It is a pity that he is no longer with us, he would enjoy this very much.

Erik.

May TOM R.I.P.
He was always so respectful towards other people here at RFF in his postings. A true gentleman.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

May TOM R.I.P.
He was always so respectful towards other people here at RFF in his postings. A true gentleman.

Tom was definitely a gentleman. I had some nice conversations with him in the pre-internet days, when he had just started producing the Rapidwinder and I was trying to buy one.

 

[shawn]

Shawn, no reflection on fairness in my comment at all. Yes we all put our hands up for a chance to order the lens. & it's great to see them reaching people and hear about the production lens quality, which is astonishing.

Yup, didn't mean to imply that you had. Just really pointing out for new readers interested in the lens that we didn't pay 6 months ago.

Shawn

 

[maartenmoerman]

Maarten, I submitted my order 5 or 6 days after Raid (in Dec), so I have not yet received notice that my lens is in production.

Ok, that reduces my worries of not being on the list - i ordered on the 11th.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica MP/Summicron 35mm f/2 8EL replica/TMY2-400/Ilford MGFB

Erik.

 

[raid]

This is a beautiful image.

At which f stop, Erik?
Looks fine.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, raid! I guess around f/8 or f/11, bright sunlight at 1/250 sec. I used the lightmeter of the MP. There are no halos around bright spots. Extremely sharp.


Erik.

 

[teddy]

Leica MP/Summicron 35mm f/2 8EL replica/TMY2-400/Ilford MGFB

Erik.

Great work Erik. The lens is extremely sharp. I've got two more frames in my M2 with Portra. Also I will develop a roll of Adox CMS 20 ii in Rodinal.

 

[xmas_one]

I’m going to echo the general sentiment on the high sharpness of this lens. Pixel peeping images from the M9M definitely shows the sensor is the weak link. Can’t wait to see what it will do with a roll of delta 100.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks, Teddy!


When you see the print on gelatin paper ... The image on a digital screen lacks all the subtleties. But it is all we have now. Yes the lens is sharp, but not harsh, as an aspherical lens. The image is very nuanced.


Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is the 8-elements lens of Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Erik.

 

[raid]

Do you own this lens, Erik?

 

[Erik van Straten]

No, that one is sold for about EUR 50.000,00 a few years ago. It is a quite famous object.

Cartier-Bresson did not like the focusing tab as it was, so it was adapted. The infinity lock was changed by an instrumentmaker so it was easier for the photographer to "feel" it. That is how I understand it.

The lens was obtained by the dealer Netopil who sold it or had it auctioned.

The lens was, like the original 8-elements Summicron, made from aluminium. This example was anodized black, not painted. These black lenses are very rare, but they do exist.

Erik.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

What a fascinating bit of history, thank you Erik!

 

[raid]

No, that one is sold for about EUR 50.000,00 a few years ago. It is a quite famous object.

Cartier-Bresson did not like the focusing tab as it was, so it was adapted. The infinity lock was changed by an instrument maker so it was easier for the photographer to "feel" it. That is how I understand it.

The lens was obtained by the dealer Netopil who sold it or had it auctioned.

The lens was, like the original 8-elements Summicron, made from aluminium. This example was anodized black, not painted. These black lenses are very rare, but they do exist.

Erik.

I expected this, Erik, but you never know!
Thanks for the explanations.

 

[froyd]

Does anybody among the first users have first hand experience with the Summaron 2.8?

I love the barrel design of the Summaron (which I used to own) and it's one of the main reasons I bought the replica. However, I also would like to know if there are similarities in terms of rendering. From the samples I've seen on this thread, it would seem the replica does not have quite the same ability to pull out detail from shadow areas and open up the mid tones, but that could also be due to the web compression and some post-processing. Both lenses seem sharp but maybe the Summaron is sharper.
I no longer have the Summaron, and the replica is still on its was so I am unable to answer the question for myself.

Also, does anyone know if back in the early 60's the Summaron was just seen as a way to trade speed for a more affordable price point or were there other reason for having the Summaron vs Summicron?