sh0ebox
Member
While we're at it, I saw this limited edition titanium version of the LLL posted by Wen at SH Cameras Co Ltd yesterday (from whom I purchased my V2LC):
[New test photos released] Leica Summicron 35/2 Eight Element copy made in China
- Thread starter KEVIN-XU 愛 forever
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Platinum RF
Well-known
I guess the V is for the batches, the batch V1 first 500, V2 additional 1000, then V3 another 1000, plus the special edition. I was told the Titanium version was commissioned by a group people for 100 copies at asking price around $1000 initially, not sure about the current purchase price. I am not sure how many lenses or what batches have the original designed flint glass.
james.liam
Well-known
It’ll look slick with the Platinum paint M6.
sh0ebox
Member
That makes sense. Wen shared that V3LC still has flint glass, so AFAIK there have not been any made without flint glass yet.
james.liam
Well-known
How do you know Wen is telling the truth? Or that Wen was told the truth?
I remember Kevin writing that flint glass was in short supply even in the PRC and it wasn’t clear they’d even have enough for the initial run of 500.
Crazy Leica Fox
Certifiable
Same here, and I completely agree! I'm still waiting because I signed up for the brass version as a unique opportunity. Of course it didn't turn out, but I applaud them for attempting something new and it's not like I lost any money.
I was notified last month by Kevin that I needed to switch to either black or chrome and, after some deliberation, I eventually went with chrome. So now I figure I'll get it sometime this spring. In the meantime, I recently acquired a VM 21/1.4, ZM 25/2.8, Laowa 9/5.6, limited Japanese release Summicron 50 LTM from 1999, Konica 50/2.4 collapsible, and more, so I have plenty to keep me busy!
scautez
Established
I was exactly the same. I had ordered the brass but had to choose black or chrome. I thought I would have gone chrome but went with black to see what the black paint would be like and how it would age, but I do prefer chrome aesthetically. I hope it will come soon but in no rush. I've been using a 50mm rigid summicron and Jupiter 8 on film, so slowly learning the characteristics of each lens.
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Another question would be if we can distinguish the ones with/without flint glass in practical use?
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KEVIN-XU 愛 forever
所謂的攝影,就&
Happy New Year and best wishes to the RFF community!
Here is just a quick update. I've already received the rest of the lenses from the final run of the first batch. Dozens of replica lenses inside three big boxes. It is getting closer to the Chinese New Year now, so I am getting much busier than last month. But I will use most of my rest time to go through every single lens and prepare for the shipping if it looks fine. I will contact you if your lens passes my test.
Thank you very much for everyone's patience.
Best wishes,
Kevin
Here is just a quick update. I've already received the rest of the lenses from the final run of the first batch. Dozens of replica lenses inside three big boxes. It is getting closer to the Chinese New Year now, so I am getting much busier than last month. But I will use most of my rest time to go through every single lens and prepare for the shipping if it looks fine. I will contact you if your lens passes my test.
Thank you very much for everyone's patience.
Best wishes,
Kevin
sweat100
Member
Thanks Kevin for the update. Really appreciate your great effort and time for the whole community in RFF especially in this CNY period!
sh0ebox
Member
If you really want to speculate, you could go further and ask whether any of these lenses truly have flinted lead glass 🙄
Unless someone is out there tearing these down and doing a chemical/spectral analysis of the glass elements to confirm that they are, in fact, made of flinted lead, I don't see any real reason to have this degree of skepticism about whether Wen is being honest or being duped. What reason would there be to be dishonest about something like that? As long as owners of the lenses are happy with the results, and as long as it proves to continue to be a good replica of the original 8-elements on which it is based, then be happy and give no regard to whether you truly have a lens with flinted glass.
james.liam
Well-known
If a known quantity makes a claim, they have a track record to fall back on.
Meyer-Optik Görlitz sold lenses that were rebadged Russian and Chinese optics and not 'Made in Germany' as they claimed. Do you think I trust them now with their latest iterations?
Meyer-Optik Görlitz sold lenses that were rebadged Russian and Chinese optics and not 'Made in Germany' as they claimed. Do you think I trust them now with their latest iterations?
raid
Dad Photographer
KEVIN-XU 愛 forever;3015046 said:
Thanks, Kevin.
I appreciate all the work that you have done for us here.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
Good news Kevin! I've been waiting forever for my lens. I think I'll finally be able to get it. Amongst the last ones. Cheers
scautez
Established
Hi All! I was wondering for those who have had this lens for a while now, what are you real world usage thoughts about it? Obviously there have been comparisons against the original 8 element summicron, but how do you think it compares to other current m-mount 35mm offerings in the $1000 price range?
oldwino
Well-known
I have the same ambivalent feelings I have about most of the Leica lenses of this era - they're good, wonderfully overbuilt, too low in contrast, and have ****ty coatings (although the LLL fixes that). I much prefer the Nikkor LTM lenses from the 50s.
The Zeiss Biogon 35/2.8 blows it away in many ways, except build quality. My opinion.
valdas
Veteran
But that was not a reason to buy this lens in the first place - it’s not a competitor to modern Zeisd or CV lenses. We all know and see it is different.
Ccoppola82
Well-known
Checkup
Checkup
I won't get too into detail about what the "value" of the lens should be. I can say for ME, I place value on portability and ergonomics very high. This lens ticks both boxes for me. How does it compare to my other lenses? I think its build as far as I can tell is among the best I've seen, easily hanging with Leica or CV. I also shoot all BW now, so the low contrast to ME is a benefit as I can have more control in post. That being said, I don't really find the contrast to be as low as old Leica lenses. I enjoy it and I think I could happily travel with just this lens if need be.
Shot from today on 246 @f2.8
Checkup by Chris Coppola, on Flickr
Checkup
I won't get too into detail about what the "value" of the lens should be. I can say for ME, I place value on portability and ergonomics very high. This lens ticks both boxes for me. How does it compare to my other lenses? I think its build as far as I can tell is among the best I've seen, easily hanging with Leica or CV. I also shoot all BW now, so the low contrast to ME is a benefit as I can have more control in post. That being said, I don't really find the contrast to be as low as old Leica lenses. I enjoy it and I think I could happily travel with just this lens if need be.
Shot from today on 246 @f2.8
Checkup by Chris Coppola, on Flickr
scautez
Established
Ccoppola82
Well-known
thank you. I have been quite happy with the lens thus far
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