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

[froyd]

Aside from the TMAX, how do you get your scans so grainless, Erik?

Here are my fist two test shots of the LLL 8elements, both at 4-5.6. Not happy with Foma400, my first time using it, but pleased that the contrast was indeed as moderate as I had hoped (actually had to bump it up a tad with LR).

The negatives are VERY sharp, but I toned down the sharpness to diffuse the grain a bit.

 

[Ong]

Curious, is anyone coding it on the M8/M9, if so which code are you using for this lens?

 

[pyeh]

I use the the one called "35 f/2 11310/11311" (code for Version 4) when I have my Summicron 35 v1 on my M9. The markings are w-w-w-b-b-w. Seems to work for lens corrections, and gives the exif fields the focal length and max aperture at least. It's the closest at any rate.
There is another code built in, but not listed in the menu, for the Summarit-M 35/2.4 or 2.5, which is recommended for the Color Skopar 35/2.5. This has b-w-b-w-b-b markings.

 

[Doug]

Curious, is anyone coding it on the M8/M9, if so which code are you using for this lens?

I had DAG code my original v.1 the same as Pyeh says... 000110

Set this way, it has very slight cyan/blue edges with the UV/IR Cut filter, neutral without, plus a bit of corner illumination fall-off. I always use the filter, not just on an M8, but even then no need for CornerFix for most purposes.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Aside from the TMAX, how do you get your scans so grainless, Erik?

I do not scan the film, I scan the prints.

Erik.

 

[D&A]

Anything that fills the frame with details works. I shoot the trees in my back yard. Some people shoot brick walls. Use something that is easily repeatable for you. Edit: Detail the same distance away from the camera makes it easier to evaluate so you can more easily tell if it is DOF vs an optical problem.

Decentering will typically give uneven performance, like 2 corners are great and 2 are awful. Or one side is much better than the other or you can see the DOF shifting to near focused on one side and rear focused on the other. I bought a Rokinon 15 (new B&H) and it was badly decentered. I must have trashed the test shots but it was obviously not right, B&H swapped it out no problem and the replacement was fine.

With the Voigtlander 15mm III mine was very good across the whole frame, even on my Sony.

Any time you try a new way of testing make sure you try it with several lenses so you get a better feel for what is good or bad. Tests like this can show a lens gets softer to the edges wide open (whicih is pretty typical) but that looks different than a decentered lens or a lens that smears on digital cameras.

Shawn

Raid, the only thing I'd add to Shawn's outline to test for corner smearing optical mis-alignment is to repeat the test at three distances, such as a brick wall close up, a mid-distant shot with detail in all four corners and perhaps the most important test is at infinity, where decentering and especially corner smearing often is most evident. If it's an ultra wide angle lens (where these issues are often most prevalent), its a matter of finding a good sample. No all decentering /smearing issues can be easily fixed by a competent tech. It depends on whats causing it.

Dave (D&A)

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Went out on a day of exquisite skies. Shot a roll or two of colour and two of Fomapan 200 at 125 in PMK Pyro. We'll see what colour film is like when I get the scans back from developing, but this lens is a joy on black and white film! (used the Leica orange filter for this one)

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Went out on a day of exquisite skies. Shot a roll or two of colour and two of Fomapan 200 at 125 in PMK Pyro. We'll see what colour film is like when I get the scans back from developing, but this lens is a joy on black and white film! (used the Leica orange filter for this one)

Very nice results Charles!

 

[Erik van Straten]

I agree, great results, Charles! I love the use of the orange filter here.


Erik

 

[raid]

Went out on a day of exquisite skies. Shot a roll or two of colour and two of Fomapan 200 at 125 in PMK Pyro. We'll see what colour film is like when I get the scans back from developing, but this lens is a joy on black and white film! (used the Leica orange filter for this one)

Just beautiful, Charles.

 

[raid]

Aside from the TMAX, how do you get your scans so grainless, Erik?

Here are my fist two test shots of the LLL 8elements, both at 4-5.6. Not happy with Foma400, my first time using it, but pleased that the contrast was indeed as moderate as I had hoped (actually had to bump it up a tad with LR).


The negatives are VERY sharp, but I toned down the sharpness to diffuse the grain a bit.

Nicely done, Froyd.

 

[raid]

LeicaM2/LLL8/TMY400-2/IlfordMGFB

Erik.

Just beautiful, Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Raid!


Erik.

 

[raid]

It seems to be the consensus that the replica lens is very sharp and that it is very similar to the first version Summicron. Dave raised some questions on some strange looking effects, but it seems to have been "OK" overall.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Thank you Erik, Greg and Raid.

Apart from the results from colour film (I have no doubt it will be excellent) I have done enough testing to confirm it is a brilliant lens which is also a joy to use. I look forward very much to other people getting theirs to enjoy in similar fashion.

 

[punkzter]

I paid for mine last week. I'm looking forward to receiving it!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I paid for mine last week. I'm looking forward to receiving it!

Excellent - so the next batch (I'm assuming black?) is in production. Believe me, the wait feels long, but when it arrives every single second will be repaid with something beautiful!

 

[astrobuoy]

I paid for mine last week. I'm looking forward to receiving it!

Did you order a black lens? What day did you submit your google form?

 

[jja]

Did you order a black lens? What day did you submit your google form?

I would love to know this information too! It would be great to hear from all of you who have received the lens when you placed your order.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It seems to be the consensus that the replica lens is very sharp and that it is very similar to the first version Summicron. Dave raised some questions on some strange looking effects, but it seems to have been "OK" overall.

Yes, as far as I am concerned. It is a stunningly beautiful lens, also mechanical. I hope it is also a commercial success for the makers. I am already curious about their next project.


Erik.