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

I used the local lab Spectrum once. I have never ever had such shocking negatives returned - one in four bore the marks of where the chemicals didn't cover the film, each had huge dust issues and one required over 200 spots removed. It is lucky I don't print from negatives as those were some of the best shots I've taken in colour.

This lovely batch are from the excellent FilmDev in Stockton on Tees. At £6 a roll including a medium resolution scan I have yet to find anyone as good at close to that price (I feel mean choosing the £4 low resolution option). These were sent last Thursday, so very rapid turnaround normally.

Hmmmm, I used them once - the negs were, well... 'Ok'... i.e. not awful, but certainly not great. FilmDev sound good. I know someone who uses them, and speaks highly of them too. They might be my next port of call. 🙂
 
Very nice representation on these color photos, Charles.


Erik.

Thanks Erik, I don't shoot much colour but these are faithful to the colours of the day (if a little saturated in the Superia - but that's consumer grade colour film for you) and remind me of those my Summaron produces. In short, this is a very effective lens for film of all types, I leave digital to others!
 
Just a final one - again Fuji Pro400H, no colour adjustments. This has a hint of flare from the glass in the picture. Nothing that bothers me, but the price of the single coating that gives such lovely images.

lll8testcolourlucky-1-of-1.jpg
 
Just got my colour film scans back from the developer - the first Superia 400 at 200 and the second Fujicolor Pro400h at 200. Exactly as I wanted, nothing washed out or vintage but nothing overdone either. No adjustments to colour levels, sharpness (no sharpening at all in scanning) or saturation.

Nicely done, Charles.
 
Thanks Raid. I'm now out of this thread to leave it to the expectant, but I can vouch for the sheer beauty of this lens - I appreciate nobody wants to wait more than they have to, but it is genuinely worth the wait!
 
Thanks Raid. I'm now out of this thread to leave it to the expectant, but I can vouch for the sheer beauty of this lens - I appreciate nobody wants to wait more than they have to, but it is genuinely worth the wait!

Charles, the color tonality of the image along with the subject matter, almost has it looking like a photograph from the 60's. The flare on the right side adds to this perception. Very nice and a lovely image visually.

Dave (D&A)
 
"Welcome Respite". Charles City, Virginia.

Leica M9; LLL (Amber SC) 35mm f2 (replica Lens). (Image taken at f4)

Background: The Nance-Major Store (as shown) was built by Julia Nance-Major and Edward Major in 1872. The house and store face south across Courthouse Road toward the circa 1750 Civil War era historal Charles City Courthouse which is presently being restored. Their general store provided dry goods, sundries, agricultural supplies, and tools that were necessary to support the local agricultural economy in the Charles City area, which is located between Richmond Virginia and Jamestown Virginia. Next to the Nance-Major building are other homes dating back to these eras. 10 years ago the Nance-Major store was converted to Cul's Courthouse Grill, which is directly on the Capital to Capital bike trail. The road in front of this eatery and Route 5 just behind it, carried Civil War troops from both the Union (North) and Confederacy (South) and their march and skirmishes through this small town is well documented a few yards away.

It appears to be the only eatery in the middle of nowhere but oh what an eatery for superb freshly made casual food for weary hikers, cyclists and folks near and far who generally are navigating the history of this lengthy trail steeped in historical events. Inside Cul's is a world map with push pins denoting where visitors come from and every continent and most countries big, small and remote, are well represented.

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Dave (D&A)
 
Having said I'd leave the thread, I remembered I did a couple of shots with my newly refurbished DR Summicron 50mm as a comparison with the LLL8. Same film (Fuji Pro400H), same camera, same exposure, same light. The two are obvious, but it does seem to me that the LLL8 is just that bit more saturated, yet entirely in keeping with the vintage lens. The 35mm had a hood on, the 50mm didn't!

summicrondr-1-of-1.jpg


8-element-1-of-1.jpg
 
Having said I'd leave the thread, I remembered I did a couple of shots with my newly refurbished DR Summicron 50mm as a comparison with the LLL8. Same film (Fuji Pro400H), same camera, same exposure, same light. The two are obvious, but it does seem to me that the LLL8 is just that bit more saturated, yet entirely in keeping with the vintage lens. The 35mm had a hood on, the 50mm didn't!

Also my favorite pairing but I'm partial to high resolution low contrast lenses. Wish I could find modern lenses with that same draw
 
Yes - I just find they work so well for me in both monochrome and colour. I can add contrast later if I want, but I'd rather not have too much to start with.

Raid - indeed, and I had a collapsible Elmar 90mm f4 with me too, if that was a knife, it would be used by Japanese sushi chefs!
 
Charles, those two lenses are also one of my favorite pairings. In my B&W image posted a few posts above (post #3210) taken with the LLL 35mm f2 replica, I forgot to bring along the rigid cron for comparison. It seems in your two images, the replica is the sharper of the two but what aperture did you use on each for these images? Thanks.

Dave
 
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