The Mandler 35mm f2

[boojum]

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.

I have one on its way from CA to OR. It will be on an M body ASAP. I will try to get some good images to post. No guarantees. I am interested on how this lens works and how it captures life. One of two YT posters I follow, Matt Osborne (Mr. Leica), likes it a lot. That has weight with me.

 

[Archiver]

It produces very pleasant images on the M10-R, courtesy of Keith Wee on flickr:

L2002007 by Keith Wee, on Flickr

From Cheng Jung Chen on the Nikon Zf:

DSC_0998_Mandler 35mm f-2 by Cheng-Jung Chen, on Flickr

DSC_0353_Mandler 35mm f-2 by Cheng-Jung Chen, on Flickr

 

[skahde]

Judged by the pictures I - again - don't see it replace my Ultron 2/35 VM. I do have a slight deja vu of the Summicron v4 I owned from the last picture in this thread, though. The Bokeh is a bit too active and swirly for my taste and as shown on flickr. This seems to be the current trend in lens-design and appreciation but I don't like. In my book good bokeh should mute the surrounding and enhance the main contents and not try to tell its own, chatty story.

 

[Out to Lunch]

From what I've seen online, the lens performs better with film. Perhaps I should buy a Canon P and use it with an LTM Mandler.

 

[Archiver]

From what I've seen online, the lens performs better with film. Perhaps I should buy a Canon P and use it with an LTM Mandler.

Oh dear! Another excuse to acquire more gear? Well, what are we waiting for! 😄

 

[Bingley]

Fingers crossed... I hope to receive my Mandler copy in the next few days. I know it's in transit in the U.S.

 

[Bingley]

From what I've seen online, the lens performs better with film. Perhaps I should buy a Canon P and use it with an LTM Mandler.

If you haven't done so already, check out Matt Osborne's recent posts on Flickr of photos made with the Mandler 35 using both digital and film cameras. The digital images are pretty spectacular.

 

[boojum]

If you haven't done so already, check out Matt Osborne's recent posts on Flickr of photos made with the Mandler 35 using both digital and film cameras. The digital images are pretty spectacular.

Matt is serious and thorough. Yes, it appears to be a nice lens. I am taken with what is coming out of the PRC. I have the Elcan, a Eureka and a Simera 50. All nice lenses who do color well. I have swung to digital mono for the time being and I'll see how they do. Elcan on the M240. Mono is difficult.

 

[Archiver]

Two articles with lots of Mandler photos by a photographer in Taiwan:

The Perfect Lens Choice for Artists | Mandler 35mm F2 - camera forest 相機森林

Inspired by the classic Leica “Seven-Element” design, the Mandler 35mm F2 lens seamlessly blends tradition with modern technology, faithfully recreating the essence of classic optical engineering. Its soft background bokeh and enchanting swirling effect will elevate your creative work to a whole...

camera-forest.com

紐約2025 | 這些在鏡頭之下的人們 - camera forest 相機森林

這是一趟私人旅行，我手上帶著Leica M240與Leica SL3s來到紐約，這個我有點熟悉又懷念的城市。原本帶了三隻鏡頭，裝了Mandler 35mm F2之後卻拿不下來。也許這是個35mm的視野挑戰，用不同的視角來描寫鏡頭之下的人們

camera-forest.com

 

[Freakscene]

The only so-so performance and nervous and not-so-good out of focus rendition wide open is very apparent in the original. The original is also by far the worst constructed M lens I have seen taken apart. The copy may well be an improvement.

 

[boojum]

The only so-so performance and nervous and not-so-good out of focus rendition wide open is very apparent in the original. The original is also by far the worst constructed M lens I have seen taken apart. The copy may well be an improvement.

 

[Archiver]

The only so-so performance and nervous and not-so-good out of focus rendition wide open is very apparent in the original. The original is also by far the worst constructed M lens I have seen taken apart. The copy may well be an improvement.

I'm crossing my fingers for all of this. A lightweight 35/2 at such a good price is very attractive.

 

[Ljós]

I have to say I am intrigued by this lens (the LTM-Version), too. Reason: I don't have M-Leicas currently, and while I am fine with the 1 meter near focus limit of my 50mm LTM lens, I do feel constrained by the 1 meter limit of my Canon 35 2.8. (Once had Leica M2 with 35 2.8 Summaron, sigh ....) The Mandler focuses down to 0,7 meters also as LTM, and while my Canon L2 and L3 apparently conk out at 0.9 (remains to be seen) I have a Canon 7, too, which from what I've read should not have a problem with near focus.

 

[Bingley]

Guess what arrived this morning…!

In this morning’s mail… by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

In this morning’s mail… by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

In this morning’s mail… by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

 

[Bingley]

Mounted on the Leica IIIc:

In this morning’s mail… by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

And on the Leica CL digital, using the LTM-M adapter that came with the lens:

In this morning’s mail… by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

 

[Bingley]

I will be making photos with the lens over the weekend and will post a few samples. I’m also going to take it on a photo trip up to Point Reyes next week. In the meantime, the build quality looks quite good, the focusing ring moves very smoothly, there are click stops every half stop, and it’s certainly tiny and lightweight (this is the aluminum LTM version). Excited to use this on my Barnack Leicas!

 

[Ljós]

I will be making photos with the lens over the weekend and will post a few samples. I’m also going to take it on a photo trip up to Point Reyes next week. In the meantime, the build quality looks quite good, the focusing ring moves very smoothly, there are click stops every half stop, and it’s certainly tiny and lightweight (this is the aluminum LTM version). Excited to use this on my Barnack Leicas!

We'll sure keep our eyes glued – thanks!

 

[boojum]

Mine just arrived. Just the lens, no hood, filter or end cap. I have a nce B&W 39mm IR/UV so that is on for use with M8, M9 and M240. First couple of shots, mono and color, show a nice image. Construction and use are good. The lens opening and focus both work smoothly and with an indication of quality. Fit and finish are fine.

You will be subjected to what I think is interesting so you have been warned. First off will be Cod and Chips at the Ship Out, a local fish and chips joint that always has good fish and always cooks it right. And it is a Lent Friday so fish is a must, believer or not. ;o)

Nice lens.

 

[boojum]

OK, this is a poor indication of what the lens can do. But it is a typical day here in winter NW Oregon: cold and wet. These are just shots taken around town trying to find come color. The lens is sharp and has nice color. I shot a lot at 2.0 which can be seen in the shutter speeds where they are high. These are no great or even good pics but they do show in a shabby fashion what the lens does on a grim day. Don't complain to me, you paid nothing for this and you got your money's worth.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/sandynoyes/fD9775y1e5

 

[Archiver]

@Bingley @boojum Congratulations, guys! Now I'm excited hahaha!

@boojum The fish and chips walk images look decent. The centre is very sharp, confirming their marketing materials, and the bokeh is appropriately vintage. It will be good to see images in better light and colour conditions.

At 138g, the Mandler 35 would feel almost like a body cap, rather than a lens. And at $348 USD, that should be just less than $600 AUD after shipping and currency exchange. More and more intriguing!