Duofold RF
Well-known
I would say LLL succeed in this small niche market. The business model is like kickstarter, in social media or forums get partial fund, which I believe enough to cover the cost. As to replica , LLL does not have the blue print from Leica , what they did is reversed engineering by analyzing material, documents , try and fail……the issues are the copied lenses are rare, not many people have the real one to compare other than the shape look like. The QC is an issue, wobble, play et al have been complained. After all this is mentality yah, I have the expensive, collector’s look like
The 35/2.8
The 35/2.8 and 35/2 dual mount (both M39 and bayonet) lenses will focus to 0.7m.
The 35/2.8 and 35/2 dual mount (both M39 and bayonet) lenses will focus to 0.7m.
Deardorff38
Mentor
The 35/2.8 Summaron is 6 elements and the LTM version focused to 1m.....
Erik van Straten
Mentor
gelatin silver print (LLL 35mm f2 v1 prototype) leica m2
Amsterdam, 2020
Amsterdam, 2020
Duofold RF
Well-known
The LLL 28mm f2.8 knockoff MTF. They are different, not replica......
correct, the dedicated M39 version focused to 1m.
Many people aren’t aware that what they assume to be an M mount lens is actually a dual mount with removable bayonet. Not all have dual mount. Look for the set screw!
yossi
Well-known
This is true only when the serial number is below 2xxxxxx. Otherwise, no set screw to be found
Deardorff38
Mentor
They're also fairly pricey.... currently $1600-2000 USD on Ebay....for the LTM versionThis is true only when the serial number is below 2xxxxxx. Otherwise, no set screw to be found
Below 2xxxxxx applies to the 35/2 as well as the 35/2.8? Have never seen this mentioned in any lens reference.
froyd
Mentor
Having had both, I prefer the rendering of the Summaron 2.8. I felt the Summaron 2.8 could pratically see in the dark judging from the way it would pull detail from shadow areas. I was hoping the LLL Summicron copy could compete, but it is a little more contrasty and not as sharp.
Ironically, I still have the LLL lens (mostly because it was such a good deal and it has the customized front ring) and not the Summaron (sold because 2.8 seemed too slow for everyday use). I since bough a cheap Nokton for a fast 35 and wish I had kept the Summaron... oh well!
Ironically, I still have the LLL lens (mostly because it was such a good deal and it has the customized front ring) and not the Summaron (sold because 2.8 seemed too slow for everyday use). I since bough a cheap Nokton for a fast 35 and wish I had kept the Summaron... oh well!
Duofold RF
Well-known
I saw you on the ferry…
Attachments
raid
Dad Photographer
I agree with you, coogee. I also have the original Summicron and the LLL version, and I took photos with these two lenses side by side. I posted them here. Nobody could identify "blatant differences". RFF mebers got a good deal then, even though the serial numbers included "unfortunate numbers" such as a 4 or more than one 4.
raid
Dad Photographer
Many years ago I sold my Summaron 35/2.8 because I got the 8 element Summicron instead in a package deal with someone local here. I was new to Leica. I did not know how good the 35/2.8 Summaron is. I liked the idea of having Summicron 35mm-50mm-90mm lenses. I still have them and use them.
Deardorff38
Mentor
I'm not a collector & I sold my Summaron LTM for more than 2x the price of the LLL & I was lusting after a black paint 35mm. I have been pleased with the LLL and i find its character very pleasing, not as contrasty and modern as the Voigtlander lenses.....& i haven't had any issues with lack of detail in shadow areas.
Raid you said "I did not know how good the 35/2.8 Summaron is"...... IMO all the Leica lenses i've used have been remarkable. The collapsible Elmar 50mm 3.5 is a terrific lens. The most astonishing lens to me has been the tiny '34 Elmar 3.5cm f3.5 wide angle I bought for $75. The results were stunning....(& I've owned a Noctilux and a 75 Summilux....)
Raid you said "I did not know how good the 35/2.8 Summaron is"...... IMO all the Leica lenses i've used have been remarkable. The collapsible Elmar 50mm 3.5 is a terrific lens. The most astonishing lens to me has been the tiny '34 Elmar 3.5cm f3.5 wide angle I bought for $75. The results were stunning....(& I've owned a Noctilux and a 75 Summilux....)
Last edited:
raid
Dad Photographer
Your Elmar 35/3.5 was most likely the ancestor of the Summaron 35/3.5, but made for B&W film.
Deardorff38
Mentor
M4 original with knock-off LLL black paint 35mm 8 element
Tears
Newbie
Leica applied a patent for the Summicron 8-element version, US3006249, including chemical compound percentage of glass. That's why LLL can almost 100% copy it. But other LLL replica lenses such as Elcan, are quite different to original.
Duofold RF
Well-known
Let put it this way
cook a dish according master chef’s recipe may close to the master’s dish but maybe difference, design and make a lens is arts, even in this computer aid software era.
yossi
Well-known
Ya, the magic chants that the lens designer said was not part of that patent 😉
Duofold RF
Well-known
The TTartisans and 7 artisans can access many lens design patents, the computer design softwares are readily available as well as glasses, Can they make the same quality lens as Leica?
Last edited: