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

[D&A]

Another thank you to Kevin too. First and foremost he is a camera and lens enthusiast like most of us are and I can fully understand his interest and involvement in this project. So far I have been extremely impressed with the images shown and like others am excited in anticipation of receiving my lens. I also want to thank Kevin for his updates, as it keeps the RFF community informed as things proceed along.

Dave (D&A)

 

[raid]

Thanks for your contributions to make this a viable project at RFF, Kevin.

 

[astrobuoy]

Thanks Kevin, I'm patiently, excitedly awaiting my turn to come up, especially as I see the photos using this lens throughout the thread. I had preordered a multi-coated version, do you have any idea from Mr. Zhou when those will be fulfilled?

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Another Memorial by Steve, on Flickr

SC version, yellow filter, Astrum 100 in Rodinal (1:50)

Very nice photo! Thank you so much for continuously sharing your photos here.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Another thank you to Kevin too. First and foremost he is a camera and lens enthusiast like most of us are and I can fully understand his interest and involvement in this project. So far I have been extremely impressed with the images shown and like others am excited in anticipation of receiving my lens. I also want to thank Kevin for his updates, as it keeps the RFF community informed as things proceed along.

Dave (D&A)

Thanks for your contributions to make this a viable project at RFF, Kevin.

Thanks Kevin, I'm patiently, excitedly awaiting my turn to come up, especially as I see the photos using this lens throughout the thread. I had preordered a multi-coated version, do you have any idea from Mr. Zhou when those will be fulfilled?

Again, thank you so much for your guys' support! It means a lot to me.

Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Thanks Kevin, I'm patiently, excitedly awaiting my turn to come up, especially as I see the photos using this lens throughout the thread. I had preordered a multi-coated version, do you have any idea from Mr. Zhou when those will be fulfilled?

I will inform you whether the MC version is available when your turn comes. You can make your decision at that moment.

Kevin

 

[astrobuoy]

I will inform you whether the MC version is available when your turn comes. You can make your decision at that moment.

That makes sense, I'll look forward to it. I really appreciate all the work you've put in, out of your own passion for this project and the forum. Thanks again.

 

[james.liam]

None of this is inspiring a lot of confidence to me . we'll see what happens. - Yes I do understand it's a very nice project to be part of , and sort of lucky to get actually get a replica like this, via some funding/project on RFF, but we did support it with all the people here in RFF and bought into it.

I do find the lack of transparency in the order/manufacturing process a bit worisome. Also, 10 lenses now to be manufactured, is that 10/week? 10/month? If it's 10 per week, we're probably a year away from getting the lens?

Anyway I'm on the list, not going anywhere, and just sitting it out. (also have not received a reply on my 3 emails to Kevin on where we are with the status)

EDIT: also thinking, v1/v2 front rings could be mixed during production - how would us mere mortals know we actually do have the product with the flint glass? can we smell the difference? or is it noticeable by looking at the glass?

All beginning to sound more "vaporware"-like. If I'm reading this right, after all this time, only 10 of the first 500 run have been fulfilled?
As to whether there's flint glass in all or any of them, you'll have to take them at their word. Like the KN95 masks my hospital ordered and tested, they came with a certificate yet removed anywhere between 13-85% of particulates. We have all been forced to double-mask because we haven't a clue if what we have on is what is claimed. Little transparency, veracity or integrity from "PRC"-made products. No disrespect to Kevin.

If "Mr Zhou" tossed all the V2 in the recycle bin, why are they appearing on flEa-bay being sold by Breguet from Hong Kong (now fully under the CCP boot)?

Just sayin'...

 

[froyd]

I really don't get all the negativity. After backing several Kickckstarter and Indiegogo projects this is a much better experience than those platforms:

1- Kevin did not ask payment in advance. I only sent my payment after Kevin notified me the lens was ready

2- Kevin is an active forum member and a true Leica aficionado who has shared more of his knowledge with the RFF community than many of the naysayers

3- The long timeline for the project was known from the beginning

4- There's a constant stream of communication from Kevin to those on the purchase list on this very thread

5- I consider myself LUCKY to have been given the opportunity by Kevin to get on this project at the ground floor and at the bargain price of $500. The lens and price are so good that even if I had been told in advance I had to wait 9 month to get my lens, I still would have signed up.

Like many I wish Kevin had been able to publish a list of the first 500 orders so we could gauge our place on the queue, but I do understand he has a real full time job and selling the replica is not his primary activity.

There are plenty of ready-to-purchase 35 f2 M-mount lenses. Including directly from the bartender. This is a special project and it follows a special path to market. This is not your typical Cosina/Leica/Zeiss lens launch.

 

[astrobuoy]

All beginning to sound more "vaporware"-like. If I'm reading this right, after all this time, only 10 of the first 500 have been completed?
As to whether there's flint glass in all or any of them, you'll have to take them at their word. Like the KN95 masks my hospital ordered and tested, they came with a certificate yet removed 13-85% of particulates when tested. Little transparency, veracity or integrity from "PRC"-made products.

If "Mr Zhou" tossed all the V2 in the recycle bin, why are they appearing on flEa-bay being sold by Breguet from HK (now fully under the CCP boot)?

Just sayin'...

What are you "just saying" though? I understand that the appearance of a V2 lens raises questions when people here are waiting for V1. That's fair. But I have to point out what feels like a racist undertone to a number of the comments people are making here. My hope is that it's not intentional, but it doesn't reflect well on this community or on this thread all the same. Just because the product comes from a Chinese maker, why does that automatically make it suspect? What does a Chinese-made KN95 mask have to do with a small-batch lens maker who's making a niche product out of passion, and offering it at a reasonable price? I've relied on products and services made in the U.S. before that have turned out to be of less than stellar quality, and yet I don't paint everything made in the U.S. with a broadly suspect brush. I think it's worth asking why Light Lens Lab doesn't seem to get the same consideration, and why it's bizarrely being lumped into other products that happen to be made in China which have nothing at all to do with it.

How is this "vaporware" if you can obviously see that people on this thread have received the lens? And not only that, but that people have across the board been saying that it is clearly of high quality? What exactly is the scam at work here, which you seem to be implying, if you haven't been asked to hand over any money?

I'm not sure you are "reading this right." As jonmanjiro mentioned on this same page above:

The lions share of people on the list for the first 500 lenses are domestic buyers, not RFFers. RFFers are only a small share of the total, of which an even smaller share have already received a lens. Impossible to judge production capacity from what you see posted in this thread alone.

Also, Kevin never said that "all the V2" were tossed in the recycle bin. He said that a number of V1 lens groups were scrapped, and as a result more groups were made to make up for lenses in the V1 and V2 group.

The irony of this is, despite your suspicions you continue to remain on the waiting list for one. So which is it? Do you actually want to purchase one, in which case you have to accept that this is coming from a small-batch lens maker in another country, or do you find this too suspect for you, in which case why not look elsewhere?

 

[splitimageview]

Any updates on the LTM version?

• will it be the same price?
• what will the close focus be (hopefully at least 0.7m; preferably to 0.7m coupled, and uncoupled to 0.5m) 🙂

 

[punkzter]

I'll chime in as well about the amazing job Kevin is doing. He deserves a huge thanks for this work. I know that I feel far better about the quality of the lens I will eventually get because Kevin is personally inspecting each one before final delivery.

 

[shawn]

I do find the lack of transparency in the order/manufacturing process a bit worisome. Also, 10 lenses now to be manufactured, is that 10/week? 10/month? If it's 10 per week, we're probably a year away from getting the lens?

I think you are reading too much into what Kevin said. He said he is getting 10 from the next batch, not that the next batch is only 10.

Kevin isn't the manufacturer of these. He is getting a portion of the next batch.

Shawn

 

[raid]

I do not know any details on MC or finish type, but it is logical to me that such options may result in a delay for the delivery of a lens. I stayed with SC and I took a color that was available.

 

[Emile de Leon]

But I have to point out what feels like a racist undertone to a number of the comments people are making here.

There is nothing "racist" about being cautious..esp in business..esp overseas..

 

[valdas]

Kevin is doing really great job. The only additional info I would like to see is how much out of initial 500 is made/delivered. Just to have a feeling how long is the queue, not that I care about my placement there...

 

[bob338]

For what its worth, I received my lens from the first batch and it is so much nicer than I thought it would be. The craftsmanship is as close to Leica quality as you're going to find, it doesn't feel any different than my original V1 Summicron in terms of quality and handling.

If any on you want to bail on your reservation for a lens, tell Kevin that he can bill me for them and I will buy as many of them as they will sell me. These lenses are going to go up in value when word gets around that they're actually really good.

I'm actually serious about this. If you don't want to wait, or you think it's a scam, pass your reservation along to me.

 

[raid]

I wish that I could order a second lens myself. This time in chrome. I know that many people here are waiting for their lenses. My target next will be a replica Noctilux.

 

[Huss]

I take the view that this discussion started by user "KEVIN-XU 愛 forever" is purely for pre-sales marketing on behalf of a lens manufacturer in China, under the pretense of fulfilling orders to a targeted audience - RFF members - with no intention of fulfilling. As demonstrated with 62 pages of marketing and excuses.

My dealings with Chinese companies such as Chamonix View Camera, Shen Hao have always been ( as one would expect from a proper registered legal business) pleasant, professional.

On another note, does anyone else not see the "Report this post to moderator" on this thread? Or is it just my browser (yes, using chrome)

And this is his first post on RFF!

Umm, welcome?

 

[Huss]

Very nice photo! Thank you so much for continuously sharing your photos here.

Kevin

Kevin I'll be more than happy to share photos once I get my brass lens!

😀😉

Be well

Huss