8 Elements Leica Summicron 35mm f2 replika

[Huss]

My replika lens just showed up. Made by Light Lens Lab in China.
Craftsmanship is just superb. Focus ring and focus lock silky smooth. Snicks onto the camera perfectly. No play in the aperture ring. Even the hood is a piece of art.

The lens is offered in black (boooorrrrinnnngggg), chrome (zzzzzzzz), or bad boy blingy brass! Whooo mama!

 

[AgX]

I did not even know such existed and did not know of this lens manufacturer either. (Living under a rock on some matters...) I shall look that up.

 

[Horatio]

Sweet. Now post some great images!

 

[AgX]

Of course the images will be replicas too.

 

[Huss]

Of course the images will be replicas too.

All images are!

 

[Lachlan Young]

@Huss What route did you go about getting that lens through? I'd seen a bit about it a while ago, but wasn't sure if it was being made in production batches or just a small one-off batch.

 

[darkosaric]

I really like this new model from Chinese companies - to make affordable new Leica M mount lenses. I was complaining about lack of Fisheye in M mount - now it it there, and with very nice price. Also if you like some special design, and you can buy a new copy - it is often better than 50+ years old fogged original. Something similar like Petzval lenses from Lomography. More choices is always good.

 

[Huss]

@Huss What route did you go about getting that lens through? I'd seen a bit about it a while ago, but wasn't sure if it was being made in production batches or just a small one-off batch.

Through the thread on rangefinderforum.com. I put my name down the first chance I got, and so luckily was able to get on the list for the first batch.

 

[Huss]

M7, Light Lens Lab 35mm f2, Tri-X, DF96 Monobath

 

[Dan Fromm]

Hussh, why do you use "k" in place of "c?" You're posting in English.

 

[Huss]

Hussh, why do you use "k" in place of "c?" You're posting in English.

First off, it's Huss...

Replika is my combination of the English replica, with the German replik. Thus I have created replika.
Just like how Light Lens Lab has made their combination of a traditional German lens with Chinese craftsmanship.

I wouldn't overthink it.

 

[alter ego 6x9]

Golden brown, texture like sun...
Never a frown with golden brown...

 

[Huss]

 

[darkosaric]

In any case - pictures are clearly showing that this is indeed a good purchase.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I was following that thread over at RFF but ended up losing interest. Did they ever plan on making it in LTM do you know? Definitely think the brass is the way to go.

 

[Dan Fromm]

How did the lens' manufacturer obtain the Summicron prescription? Are the original glasses still available? Or is the lens just a similar design?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I have had excellent results from a Voigtlander 25mm f/4 lens on my M2. It shows that excellent optics can be made and sold at a lower price than genuine Leica. I'd love to see what other designs come from this Chinese company. Their reissue of the tiny 28mm Summaron would be tempting.

 

[Huss]

I have had excellent results from a Voigtlander 25mm f/4 lens on my M2. It shows that excellent optics cam be made and sold at a lower price than genuine Leica. I'd love to see what other designs come from this Chinese company. Their reissue of the tiny 28mm Summaron would be tempting.

That Voigtlander is a superb little lens, as is their 21mm version. If you are thinking about the 28mm Summaron, I cannot recommend the Orion 15 more. It is a fantastic lens and I like it better than the Leica. You can get the Orion for $200-$300.

Orion 15 on M7, Silberra Orta film:

 

[madNbad]

Huss, did the Light Lens Lab lens need any fine tuning like the 7Artisans?

 

[Lachlan Young]

How did the lens' manufacturer obtain the Summicron prescription? Are the original glasses still available? Or is the lens just a similar design?

From what I recall, the originators of the project had got hold of a quantity of suitable leaded flint glass - and between them had several examples of the relevant lens - the rest is likely comfortably within the capabilities of a competent lens manufacturer.

 

[Huss]

Huss, did the Light Lens Lab lens need any fine tuning like the 7Artisans?

It was bang on right out of the box. Perfect focus. Which is good as unlike 7A lenses you can't adjust it.

FYI Kevin, who is their intermediary, checks each one to make sure it is perfect before he sends them on to their buyer.

 

[Huss]

M7, 8 Elements Replika, Tri-X

 

[BradS]

Results look pretty good. I’ve little use for that focal length but would be very interested in a remake of the 50mm Summicron rigid - especially LTM.

Do they give any hints as to future plans?

 

[Huss]

Results look pretty good. I’ve little use for that focal length but would be very interested in a remake of the 50mm Summicron rigid - especially LTM.

Do they give any hints as to future plans?

Apparently the next one will be Noctilux 1.2 or 1.0 (I forget which but I'm guessing 1.2)

 

[BradS]

Apparently the next one will be Noctilux 1.2 or 1.0 (I forget which but I'm guessing 1.2)

Thanks.
Seems like a strange choice to me. The 35mm Summicron is at least fairly mainstream and useful. I suppose they’re going after the (assumed?) low volume, high margin portion of the market.
Thanks again for sharing your experience and photos.