The Mandler 35mm f2

[Bingley]

After reading Matt Osborne's review of the Mandler 35/2.0, I placed an order for an LTM version in black. Having an apparently good copy of the v. 4 'chron that I can mount on a Barnack Leica was the clincher for me. And it would be a nice 50mm effective focal length on my CL digital. And for $388 USD brand new. If I don't like it, I will sell it. So what's not to like?

 

[boojum]

After reading Matt Osborne's review of the Mandler 35/2.0, I placed an order for an LTM version in black. Having an apparently good copy of the v. 4 'chron that I can mount on a Barnack Leica was the clincher for me. And it would be a nice 50mm effective focal length on my CL digital. And for $388 USD brand new. If I don't like it, I will sell it. So what's not to like?

All good arguments. Keep us posted, include images.

 

[Archiver]

Mandler has made a number of social media posts to say they have stock again. 250 items up for grabs. To be honest, I am giving this lens some serious thought, as a tiny 35/2 that looks and hopefully renders like a classic Leica lens for a fraction of the price is very attractive.

Edit: well, they just sold out again. Looks like there is considerable demand for this lens!

 

[pyeh]

I ordered an LTM one a couple of weeks ago, pretty much with the same reasoning as Bingley: I have the Leica Summicron 35 v4 and love it, so one in LTM for my LTM cameras will be just peachy, at least I hope so. Plus I'm a sucker for any new LTM lens anyway.
A word or warning to those in Australia, Mandler use a very suss courier service, SpeedX or something, who are pretty hopeless.

 

[Archiver]

A word or warning to those in Australia, Mandler use a very suss courier service, SpeedX or something, who are pretty hopeless.

Who the f are SpeedX? I've never even heard of them until now. Maybe I'll wait until someone buys one, then unloads it on the used market here.

 

[Freakscene]

I ordered an LTM one a couple of weeks ago, pretty much with the same reasoning as Bingley: I have the Leica Summicron 35 v4 and love it, so one in LTM for my LTM cameras will be just peachy, at least I hope so. Plus I'm a sucker for any new LTM lens anyway.
A word or warning to those in Australia, Mandler use a very suss courier service, SpeedX or something, who are pretty hopeless.

Sorry, edit: Tech-Enabled Last Mile Delivery | SpeedX

They are, in my experience, not good.

 

[aw614]

I guess that service is similar to speedpak and off shipping couriers? I know a few packages I've gotten from China would come from a guy in his own car delivering the items. It catches me off guard when Im outside and see them delivering packages

 

[Bingley]

Mandler has made a number of social media posts to say they have stock again. 250 items up for grabs. To be honest, I am giving this lens some serious thought, as a tiny 35/2 that looks and hopefully renders like a classic Leica lens for a fraction of the price is very attractive.

Edit: well, they just sold out again. Looks like there is considerable demand for this lens!

See my response below…

 

[Bingley]

When I placed my order for the LTM version of this lens yesterday, the Mandler website indicated that LTM lenses were still in stock, although the M-mount versions were out of stock. I received an Order Confirmation and my credit card was charged.

This morning, I received an email from Mandler apologizing that the lenses and accessories were again out of stock. This email, however, appears to be a generic message and did not specifically mention my order. So I don’t know where things stand. Mandler says it hopes to restock in a week and that they will prioritize the M-mount versions of the lens as demand for those has been highest.

FWIW, this is the second time an order for new photo gear from China has been delayed due to production issues. I waited over 6 months to receive my Rollei 35AF from MINT in Hong Kong. I hope the backlog at SP Mandler is not nearly so long.

 

[Deklari]

When I placed my order for the LTM version of this lens yesterday, the Mandler website indicated that LTM lenses were still in stock, although the M-mount versions were out of stock. I received an Order Confirmation and my credit card was charged.

This morning, I received an email from Mandler apologizing that the lenses and accessories were again out of stock. This email, however, appears to be a generic message and did not specifically mention my order. So I don’t know where things stand. Mandler says it hopes to restock in a week and that they will prioritize the M-mount versions of the lens as demand for those has been highest.

FWIW, this is the second time an order for new photo gear from China has been delayed due to production issues. I waited over 6 months to receive my Rollei 35AF from MINT in Hong Kong. I hope the backlog at SP Mandler is not nearly so long.

Everybody got the same message. They also sent a discount coupon for the accessory to those who were unable to order it yesterday. However, additional shipping charges are required.

P.S. The coupon code email was sent only to those who ordered the lens. If you did not receive it, your order may not have been processed yet.

 

[pyeh]

I was lucky in that I placed my order when I read upthread (I think, unless it was on FB/IG) that they were running out of their first run. I must have just snuck in. I received an order confirmation quite quickly. Having said that I have yet to receive it, 2 weeks later, although it's apparently landed in Sydney.
As I mentioned above, Mandler's 'last mile' courier, SpeedX are completely nuts - poorly tracked and uncontactable. The primary delivery service they use from China seems to be 4PX, who then delegate to SpeedX in Sydney.
Freakscene, I'm not sure if Speedex are the same as SpeedX, but certainly SpeedX are a two-bit organisation and operate exactly as aw614 describes above.

 

[Freakscene]

Freakscene, I'm not sure if Speedex are the same as SpeedX, but certainly SpeedX are a two-bit organisation and operate exactly as aw614 describes above.

Sorry, wrong url. In my experience with them, the ‘last mile’ is longer than a mile and very slow.

 

[Archiver]

'SpeedX' sounds like something Wile E. Coyote would invent to try to catch Road Runner, with predictably disastrous effects.

 

[boojum]

'SpeedX' sounds like something Wile E. Coyote would invent to try to catch Road Runner, with predictably disastrous effects.

That's what it is.

 

[Bingley]

My lens has shipped. I received an email this morning (Mar. 5) from Mandler SP advising that the lens i ordered last Monday has shipped (this was a black paint aluminum body 35/2.0 in LTM). I also see from the website that the accessory kits are back in stock (I ordered one of those, too). I received a tracking number; this order was placed via the Shop App, and they’re usually pretty good at giving updates on progress as the parcel wends its way to me in California.

 

[pyeh]

I finally received my Mandler 35/2 lens today, or rather last night after I had left the office. Thankfully they managed to get someone to buzz them into the lobby. No signature on receipt obviously. That's about 2 weeks since it arrived in Sydney.
I ordered the silver aluminium LTM version, because that's all they had in LTM at the time I ordered, but that's OK. I prefer the lighter weight of aluminium these days. In fact the lens feels pretty solid and weighty for aluminium. It's quite a faithful copy of the Leica original, externally, although the silver finish is very slightly brighter than the chrome on brass of the Leica.
The lens is engraved 7-ELEMENT E39 MANDLER BARNACK-L1:2/35, in case you were in doubt, and came with an aluminium LTM to M adapter marked SPECIALLY FOR MANDLER 1:2/35 L39 PROTOTYPE 35/135 M.
It came in a mad crystal case where they glued an M back cap off-centre onto the base. At first I thought this was sloppy workmanship but I figure it's because it allows clearance for the focus tab if you insert the lens in a particular orientation. If you insert the lens willy-nilly you won't be able to screw on the case. The case has a small red circular badge with Mandler in Leica cursive script. Nice touch.
The next step is to use the lens.

 

[Freakscene]

I finally received my Mandler 35/2 lens today, or rather last night after I had left the office. Thankfully they managed to get someone to buzz them into the lobby. No signature on receipt obviously. That's about 2 weeks since it arrived in Sydney.
I ordered the silver aluminium LTM version, because that's all they had in LTM at the time I ordered, but that's OK. I prefer the lighter weight of aluminium these days. In fact the lens feels pretty solid and weighty for aluminium. It's quite a faithful copy of the Leica original, externally, although the silver finish is very slightly brighter than the chrome on brass of the Leica.
The lens is engraved 7-ELEMENT E39 MANDLER BARNACK-L1:2/35, in case you were in doubt, and came with an aluminium LTM to M adapter marked SPECIALLY FOR MANDLER 1:2/35 L39 PROTOTYPE 35/135 M.
It came in a mad crystal case where they glued an M back cap off-centre onto the base. At first I thought this was sloppy workmanship but I figure it's because it allows clearance for the focus tab if you insert the lens in a particular orientation. If you insert the lens willy-nilly you won't be able to screw on the case. The case has a small red circular badge with Mandler in Leica cursive script. Nice touch.
The next step is to use the lens.

Does the ltm version focus to 0.7m or to 1m?

 

[pyeh]

The markings indicate it focuses a bit closer than 0.7m. I'll check it out on a camera in a few days. I must say I'm pleased to have a newly made LTM lens.
In other news, I also ordered another newly made LTM lens, the Chroma Camera 24mm F11 and external viewfinder. I think it's fixed focus and fixed aperture. Pretty basic, but still... Cheap.

 

[boojum]

I have read all through the discussions on the ethics of clone and replica lenses. On whether one should buy from PRC. There are other questions. I have only one question: what does the image look like? They can make the lens out of beer cans and Coke bottle bottoms, I do not care. I just want something that will give me a good image.

 

[Archiver]

I have read all through the discussions on the ethics of clone and replica lenses. On whether one should buy from PRC. There are other questions. I have only one question: what does the image look like? They can make the lens out of beer cans and Coke bottle bottoms, I do not care. I just want something that will give me a good image.

Agreed, the real questions are whether the lenses are of good build quality, value for money, and produce good images. It would be different if these lenses were branded and sold as if they were the real thing.

If anyone has more Mandler image to share, it would be great to see them. There seem to be very few users online who have posted images.

Edit: I spoke too soon. flickr has quite a few Mandler users, and many of their images can be seen through tags. I quite like how this lens renders, and it appears very sharp.

mandler35mmf2 photos on Flickr

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