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

[Erik van Straten]

My RF Nikkors also have uneven spacing. Doesn't bother me at all.

No click-stops like the MS Optics lenses would be annoying though. Would have been a deal breaker for me if the replica didn't have click-stops.

Agreed of course.

But this is a replica. The Summicron 35mm f/2 with 8 elements has even steps. Rather strange that if one makes a replica to deviate from the original on this point, not only seen from the point of usefulness, but also from the point of looks. Allmost all Leica M lenses have evenly spaced f-stops. In my opinion this is a very important design factor.

Perhaps the makers of this replica found it very difficult to copy the original at this point.

Erik.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Addressed by Kevin in a post which seems like years ago - to exactly the same observation made by jomanjiro about MS Optics too!

Why the difference in aperture spacing

 

[pyeh]

The discussion about round bokeh, curved aperture blades and uneven aperture spacing is getting rather circular.

 

[Ong]

My RF Nikkors also have uneven spacing. Doesn't bother me at all.

No click-stops like the MS Optics lenses would be annoying though. Would have been a deal breaker for me if the replica didn't have click-stops.

That's my love hate relationship with my nikon 50/2 ltm.

But with the replica, if it's as close as possible to the original but making some conscious design decisions that doesn't detract from the original intention, then so be it.

I don't think it would have been anything but a lose lose situation with the aperture. If it had been straight blades "true" to the original people would have said something about not having perfectly round bokeh balls
If it was what Mr Zhou went down to curve the blades and with uneven aperture, some would have been questioning about wanting even spaced stops.

In the end, it's just the interpretation and design choices in this day and age for the target price point and available materials whilst replicating the original lens design with available scarce materials. To try to argue it has to be a 1:1 replica over something as trivial as aperture spacing getting pedantic and non-realistic to what the spirit of the project was.

(Now if it was only 1:1 of the original weight of the lens so my M5 isn't as front heavy that would be another question 😀 )

 

[Erik van Straten]

I must say I missed huge parts of the discussion about this project in the beginning. The thread is too long to read it all.

My opinion on the whole project is VERY positive, that must be clear.

...


The most interesting publication on the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 (apart from pictures taken with it) is this article by Cavina. I've used the Google-translator to read it.

http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Leica_Noctilux_M__50_1,2/00_pag.htm

If LLL really wants to make this lens, they have a tough nut to crack. I wish them the best of luck.

Erik.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I wouldn't worry Erik, it's a monster thread that has a life of its own, beyond the control of any of us!

 

[giulio stucchi]

I am enjoying this thread very much even if I am not planning to get the lens there's plenty of interesting points and knowledge shared in these 80 pages.

That's why RFF is the best photography related forum.

@ Erik,
Marco Cavina's articles are indeed a nice read, I go back to his webpage from time to time, lately to read about 21mm lenses.
Easy for me as I don't need google-translation 🙂

all the best
Giulio

 

[jmilkins]

I got the request for payment last week too (Sep 30), after filling the Google Form on December 9, same day as Punkzter. My order is for a black paint lens. I'm in Sydney, Australia.
With payment I confirmed my custom inscription. Not, I might add, 8Element or variation thereof.

Kevin is great to deal with. It must be such a tough job keeping on top of people's orders and factory production.

Thanks for this info. My order (Black) was placed on the same date, but no payment request yet. I admit to a certain degree of nerves that my email system might decide not to play nice when this is an email I really don’t want to miss!

 

[steveyork]

Onto my 4th roll. Had to take a break, because other cameras getting jealous. Ha, ha, SLRs feel so heavy in comparison.

Good to hear the positive comments regarding the lens, and nice to see everyone's testing.

Zone focused, just sticking the camera down by my feet. So the focus is a bit off; I like to think of it as perfectly imperfect. Didn't even have to straighten the horizon ---> luck!

Lil' Puddle by Steve, on Flickr

SC vision, with yellow filter, on Foma 100 in Rodinal.

 

[shawn]

Shawn

 

[jja]

Looking great, Shawn! M240?

 

[raid]

Beautiful images. Thanks for posting.

 

[teddy]

Onto my 4th roll. Had to take a break, because other cameras getting jealous.

Awesome shot Steve. Yes, important not to jinx the other cameras or let any jealousy come in to a relationship.

 

[anson0408]

I must say I missed huge parts of the discussion about this project in the beginning. The thread is too long to read it all.

My opinion on the whole project is VERY positive, that must be clear.

...


The most interesting publication on the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 (apart from pictures taken with it) is this article by Cavina. I've used the Google-translator to read it.

http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Leica_Noctilux_M__50_1,2/00_pag.htm

If LLL really wants to make this lens, they have a tough nut to crack. I wish them the best of luck.

Erik.

Interesting article, thanks Erik for sharing. Not sure if my Noctilux f1 has that 900/1 glass as it is the 845th unit produced in the first batch.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Interesting article, thanks Erik for sharing. Not sure if my Noctilux f1 has that 900/1 glass as it is the 845th unit produced in the first batch.

O, yes, it sure has, they all have it:

In this article Cavina provides information on all the 50mm lenses from Leitz:

http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/50mm_Leica_a_telemetro/00_pag.htm


This is the diagram of the Nokton 50mm f/1.1, a great lens in my opinion. This lens is much sharper than the Noctilux 50mm f/1.0. Many tests prove this.

Erik.

 

[steveyork]

Wires in the Air by Steve, on Flickr

SC version, w/ yellow filter, on Foma 100 in Rodinal

 

[steveyork]

Walk this Way by Steve, on Flickr

SC version, yellow filter, Fomapan 100/Rodinal/Vuescan

 

[D&A]

That's my love hate relationship with my nikon 50/2 ltm.

But with the replica, if it's as close as possible to the original but making some conscious design decisions that doesn't detract from the original intention, then so be it.

I don't think it would have been anything but a lose lose situation with the aperture. If it had been straight blades "true" to the original people would have said something about not having perfectly round bokeh balls
If it was what Mr Zhou went down to curve the blades and with uneven aperture, some would have been questioning about wanting even spaced stops.

In the end, it's just the interpretation and design choices in this day and age for the target price point and available materials whilst replicating the original lens design with available scarce materials. To try to argue it has to be a 1:1 replica over something as trivial as aperture spacing getting pedantic and non-realistic to what the spirit of the project was.

(Now if it was only 1:1 of the original weight of the lens so my M5 isn't as front heavy that would be another question 😀 )

That's exactly what I tried expressing in a previous post. There's going to be some differences between the replica and original 8 element in small design choices for the replica and you and others aptly pointed out one of these and the possibilities why. Everyone may not agree but it would be impossible to get a unanimous consensus even if asked.

Dave (D&A)

 

[D&A]

Steve, doesn't look like sunny Florida to me 🙂...but really like the low perspective of the image as well as the composition. Nice!

Shawn, Love image if the sail boat...much prefer the color one. I too am interested if taken with the M240?

(Dave D&A)

 

[shawn]

Thanks, I think I prefer the color one more too. That is with the M240 with the Epson preset in LR which made it a bit more moody.

Shawn