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

[oldwino]

Wondering if anyone can comment on the original vs new 28 Summaron and whether differences/improvements appeared there.

I'd be interested in this, too, but it really should be a new thread/topic. It's just going to get lost in this one...

 

[oldwino]

To respond to both rscheffler's and Yossi's most recent comments.....yes, I too believe the replica lens does retain most of the 8E characteristics with some of the differences anomalies shown by rscheffler, Yossi, myself and others. For myself, those abnormally sharp corners at infinity of objects clearly out of the depth of field sometimes is quite noticeable and is clearly different than the 8E I shot with previously. I didn't seee evindence of thois in Yossi's test image. My copy (and from what I've seen of Yossi's and many others posted test images) displays little focus shift (except for what rscheffler has shown in his copy), so that generally hasn't been an overall issue. I haven't encountered the hot spots in the bokeh balls but then again I haven't shot anything that would have provoked it yet. As for wavy field curvature, that too seems from what I understand the providence of rscheffler's sample unless we are attributing the abnormally sharp "out of the depth" of field corners as an indicator of this. Also depth of field drop off is far more gradual than the 8E, lending OOF areas to appear sharper with more definition. That can be a plus or minus, depending on subject matter and individual preference. On at least the Leica M9, there is very noticeable cyan cast to images, especially on overcast days.

Obviously there seems to be differences in individual copies of the replica and it might come down to whether a individual notices these anomalies. shoots film or digital, the calibration of their camera and most of all..something we haven't discussed in length, but the consistency that each lens during construction and subsequent bench testing, is calibrated and adjusted within a set of fixed tolerances.

It would be unfair of me not to also say there are improvements in the replica compared to the 8E. Contrast is better, resolution seems to be higher as does definition of certain objects...and of course having new glass and mechanics. The replica as stated may not be a 100 percent faithful replica of the original 8E, but even if the lens becomes somewhat more expensive than its initial price point, it an exceptional lens in my opinion, when every aspect of the replica from construction, to performance is taken into account. Tweaks to the replica may eventually bring it even closer to the 8E. Even now, the lens has lots of character, a close representation to the original 8E and notable performance overall,,,and that's aside from the faithful construction to the original 8E.

The maker/manufacture should be proud of what he's achieved so far as well like Kevin and others who have been involved in getting this lens off the ground at such a reasonable cost and into our hands.

Dave (D&A)

Just to be clear - do you all have the newer, tweaked, version with the constant aperture?

 

[oldwino]

What is the status of the replica hoods? Are they available?
I really don't want to search through 100 pages to figure it out!
Thanks!

 

[raid]

Lens hoods have not been sold to RFF members here. They can be bought from some countries.

 

[rscheffler]

Just to be clear - do you all have the newer, tweaked, version with the constant aperture?

I do.

What is the status of the replica hoods? Are they available?
I really don't want to search through 100 pages to figure it out!
Thanks!

Lens hoods have not been sold to RFF members here. They can be bought from some countries.

Actually, I bought the replica hood from Kevin. He didn't advertise it, but I asked when my lens was ready for shipment and he said he had a few. I only asked about the black paint version.

I seem to recall the discussion in this thread many months ago placed the price around $25, but it ended up being $75. This was still less than some other sources of knockoffs, so I somewhat grudgingly got it anyway. Can't really complain about functionality and build quality. It seems to be very much like the original. The little claws that hold the hood on the lens have already started to chip away the lens's paint, too...

My only complaint about the hood is that it makes adjusting the aperture a bit fiddly and does result in some viewfinder blockage, but I guess this is true to the original, too. Most of my tests have been without it and results didn't seem to suffer, but so far I've mostly used the lens on overcast days with little likelihood of lens flare.

 

[oldwino]

I do.

Actually, I bought the replica hood from Kevin. He didn't advertise it, but I asked when my lens was ready for shipment and he said he had a few. I only asked about the black paint version.

I seem to recall the discussion in this thread many months ago placed the price around $25, but it ended up being $75. This was still less than some other sources of knockoffs, so I somewhat grudgingly got it anyway. Can't really complain about functionality and build quality. It seems to be very much like the original. The little claws that hold the hood on the lens have already started to chip away the lens's paint, too...

My only complaint about the hood is that it makes adjusting the aperture a bit fiddly and does result in some viewfinder blockage, but I guess this is true to the original, too. Most of my tests have been without it and results didn't seem to suffer, but so far I've mostly used the lens on overcast days with little likelihood of lens flare.

Ah, then like the original hood that I had open my Summaron 35. Was very fiddly with the aperture ring, and I always felt I would knock it off one day and lose it.

I'll stick with my current screw-in hood then.

 

[Platinum RF]

T
the lens has lots of character, a close representation to the original 8E and notable performance overall,,,and that's aside from the faithful construction to the original 8E.
Dave (D&A)

The replica is little different from my 8E V1. the focus helical is different, the replica is coarse like the current Leica production the 8E V1 has a finer focus helical. My copy wobble like the Cosina made early production Zeiss ZM lens.

 

[raid]

Actually, I bought the replica hood from Kevin. He didn't advertise it, but I asked when my lens was ready for shipment and he said he had a few. I only asked about the black paint version.

When I was contacted by Kevin I asked him about the hood, but it was not available then. It is not an issue for me. I have many lens hoods that fit the replica lens.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The replica is little different from my 8E V1. the focus helical is different, the replica is coarse like the current Leica production the 8E V1 has a finer focus helical. My copy wobble like the Cosina made early production Zeiss ZM lens.

Yes, this is right, it is also more coarse than a Summaron 35mm f/2.8. But my copy does not wobble, maybe a very, very little bit.


Erik.

 

[oldwino]

Yes, this is right, it is also more coarse than a Summaron 35mm f/2.8. But my copy does not wobble, maybe a very, very little bit.


Erik.

Well, the break-in period of these lenses was about 30-40 years, right? 😁

 

[Erik van Straten]

My copy of the Summaron f/2.8 is sixty years now, still like new. But it is an aluminium lens, very light weight, 133 gms. Great on a heavy camera like the M5. The LLL8 is 243 gms., including third party shade.


Erik.

 

[james.liam]

My copy of the Summaron f/2.8 is sixty years now, still like new. But it is an aluminium lens, very light weight, 133 gms. Great on a heavy camera like the M5. The LLL8 is 243 gms., including third party shade.


Erik.

I believe you are mistaken, Erik. It shares the brass barrel of the Summicron 8-element.

According to the Leica lens Wiki:

"Materials - Chrome plated brass and black paint; Weight - 210 g / 7.41 oz"

 

[rscheffler]

The replica is little different from my 8E V1. the focus helical is different, the replica is coarse like the current Leica production the 8E V1 has a finer focus helical. My copy wobble like the Cosina made early production Zeiss ZM lens.

I probably had later production versions of Zeiss ZM lenses and never noticed problems with them.

I noticed the feel of my replica's helicoid is somewhat uneven as it's racked end to end at a normal speed. While doing the live view sets of my tests, I noticed the magnified image shifted slightly whenever I refocused the lens. It caught my attention because I don't recall seeing this with any of my current production Leica lenses. Would this be a characteristic of 'wobble?'

 

[Erik van Straten]

I believe you are mistaken, Erik. It shares the brass barrel of the Summicron 8-element.

According to the Leica lens Wiki:

"Materials - Chrome plated brass and black paint; Weight - 210 g / 7.41 oz"

No, I am really not mistaken. It is an early example:1627820. I know that later examples are heavier. My scales are very accurate.

I think that the people at wiki do not know this version.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I probably had later production versions of Zeiss ZM lenses and never noticed problems with them.

I noticed the feel of my replica's helicoid is somewhat uneven as it's racked end to end at a normal speed. While doing the live view sets of my tests, I noticed the magnified image shifted slightly whenever I refocused the lens. It caught my attention because I don't recall seeing this with any of my current production Leica lenses. Would this be a characteristic of 'wobble?'

Hmm. My example does not wobble, it is extremely smooth.

Maybe the grease of yours is not yet completely evenly distributed over the whole screw thread. This usually takes a while. If needed, you can try another type of grease.

Erik.

 

[yossi]

No, I am really not mistaken. It is an early example:1627820. I know that later examples are heavier. My scales are very accurate.

I think that the people at wiki do not know this version.

Erik.

Erik is certainly right. My Summaron 35/2.8 has No. 1615390.
My scale is quite accurate also 🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

Great Yossi! Thanks! The lens is recognizable by the red dot, wich is not on the rear flange, but on the dept of feet scale ring.

Usually on this lenses the rear flange can be taken off (after removing a set screw) and then you can use the lens on an LTM-camera. A strange sight, a red dot on a LTM camera.

Erik.

 

[james.liam]

I was just referring to the previously-accurate Leica Users Forum database. The scale doesn't lie. Wondering if the higher weight refers to the goggled version or is altogether wrong.

Do still like your candles, Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I was just referring to the previously-accurate Leica Users Forum database. The scale doesn't lie. Wondering if the higher weight refers to the goggled version or is altogether wrong.

Do still like your candles, Erik.

They are horrible!

There are two versions of the same lens. The early lenses (like mine) are built on a LTM-chassis. The later ones are conform the Summicron.

Many 8 el. Summicrons are built in Canada. They are different from the Wetzlar ones. AFAIK, there are no Canadian Summarons, but there are many versions of almost all the early M-lenses.

Erik.

 

[D&A]

Just to be clear - do you all have the newer, tweaked, version with the constant aperture?

I have the originally released lens.

Dave (D&A)