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

The pandemic delays and hassle is the price to be paid for getting something at less than half fair market value. People complained even before they forked over any monies. I'm sure they'll complain even after they get their lenses.

Kevin, if anyone wants to drop out of line, I'll take their spot.
 
Kevin didn't ask me to post for him, Robert. I was simply sharing what he told me. I suggested that he reply here, but it's up to him whether he does or not. The ball's in Kevin's court now.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that he asked you to do so.

To get this far down the road, and this close to completing the orders (as he claims), but finding it too much effort to make a post here, or even reply to customer emails, is NOT a good look.
 
The pandemic delays and hassle is the price to be paid for getting something at less than half fair market value. People complained even before they forked over any monies. I'm sure they'll complain even after they get their lenses.

Kevin, if anyone wants to drop out of line, I'll take their spot.

At least he had the courtesy to answer customer concerns at the time, but that appears to no longer be the case.
 
FWIW I contacted Kevin to ask about progress with the last batch of lenses for RFFers and got a reply very quickly. He said he's been having a tough time over the last few months and that is the cause of the delay. He also mentioned that he's responded to many emails over the last few days, and is getting some lenses ready to ship asap.

Part of Kevin's reply copied below:

"Too much pressure in life that caused a delay with the project. I really don't have the energy and time to respond to every email I receive or explain anything on the forum. People will get their lens eventually I can promise."


I also received a reply from Kevin about 10 minutes ago with basically the same information and more, in regards to the specific status of my lens, which is back at LLL for evaluation/repair.

I don't know what the personal issues are that Kevin is facing, but he was apparently busy running his own business in addition to the LLL lens orders. This could all be compounding to prevent him from communicating as he usually did.

Time will tell. At the moment at least, based on the specific information he provided, I at least feel somewhat more confident that my lens will return, eventually.

Although I had tested two prototypes of the 8-element replica back in 2019 for LHSA, the one that I was able to own had RF-coupling problems. It was o/w OK. The other one, which was the basis for my comparison with the original 8-element, seemed fine in all particulars. To make a long story much shorter, I sent my lens back to Kevin sometime near the end of 2020, and in January after the factory had worked on it, it was ready to send back to me. Only now it had other focusing difficulties after Kevin tested it, and was re-sent to the factory.

If Kevin had had to do such work on the quality control of the lenses of others here, no doubt he had his work cut out for him. I still wait hearing from Kevin specifically about my lens, but I am not worried much about this issue. Kevin and I have been often in communication about other things, and while there are times where weeks or even months go by without my hearing from him, I feel strongly that he is a reliable and trustworthy person.

Ed

Hi Ed, thanks for the update. Please let us know how it goes with the repair. I'm kind of in the same position with my lens...
 
I personally do not like Mr. Zhou’s practice. Since there was no contract or deposit involved at the beginning, I guess, we can not complain too much. However, keep your word, is important for future successful business.
 
I got a shipment notice from DHL some days ago and the lens is scheduled to arrive very soon. Kevin also emailed to tell me that he had inspected the lens and everything checked out perfectly. I'll post photos when I receive the lens.
 
Defective aperture...stiff and rough at F2..and not something that would work itself out over time..
Mechanical flaw..

Glad Kevin tested it before shipping..and caught it..

But defects like this..and a plethora of others... is not new news for LLL lenses..

The defect rate on these lenses is very high..
imo..anyone payin the $1K and up prices for these from an unknown seller..is out of their mind..
Unless you have a good relationship with a dealer you can trust..well...
Buyer beware..
It's probably not a good time to buy an LLL lens right now..as QC really isnt up to par..
Maybe in the future..they will get their act together..but not at the moment..

I've must've been lucky to have gotten a perfect lens, far better built than any modern Leica optic which according to repair techs have a lot of plastic inside.
 
I have received an email from Kevin. He is sorting out the lenses and replying emails. Hope to see the lens in person soon. Thanks Kevin for helping the RFF community to do the QC,
 
I've must've been lucky to have gotten a perfect lens, far better built than any modern Leica optic which according to repair techs have a lot of plastic inside.
If you got your lens awhile ago..maybe a year or so..the QC was better back then..
 
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