Fred Miranda wrote:
It looks like there was some commotion behind the scenes. I will talk to Tony and find out.
That will be an interesting conversation!
There are no rumors regarding LLL since LLL publishes exactly what they plan to do in the future right on their own blog. I'd imagine early on, small manufacturers are eager to pay for rumors-as-advertising and/or referral links, then later it's hard to end the arrangement. Saying something like Photorumors did likely got them a stern email from LLL or maybe even a cease and desist letter.
"In the past 12 months I have been trying to provide information to potential buyers LLL lens buyers. Since I have not been able to get any updates, I can no longer be the liaison for LLL. At that point, I am no longer confident that Light Lens Lab (LLL) lenses out of China will be able to deliver on their promised lenses. I have attempted on multiple occasions to contact them and get updates on their progress and I was unsuccessful. If you have placed a monetary order with LLL, I would strongly suggest you ask for a refund or cancel the order."
Here are some background: When photorumors.com first reported the news of the LLL 50/2 (Elcan) lens almost three years ago, the person, "Peter" from Canada was acting as a go-between person for LLL and potential buyers in North America. Prior to that time, there was only a young graduate student, "Kevin" who helped arranged the first batch of 500 copies of the LLL 35/2 8-element in rangefinder.com (I believe Ron, @rscheffler and Huss, @Desmolicious are among the initial buyers from the first batch). But shortly after that, LLL 35/2 and 50/2 became available at the auction site with much lower prices. And of course since last year, Popflash became LLL's dealer in the US and the rest is history. I believe Peter was sending email to those who contacted him few years ago and stating he is no longer as a go-between person anymore. Maybe he was receiving many email inquiry about availability of the new LLL 50/1.2 lens since the initial batch is sold out.
That is fascinating. I would have never guessed that they were going to recreate the original glass (from scratch no less) and hand-grind the ASPH elements just as Leica did. I'm impressed.
highdesertmesa wrote:
That is fascinating. I would have never guessed that they were going to recreate the original glass (from scratch no less) and hand-grind the ASPH elements just as Leica did. I'm impressed.
When LLL first started the project of their 35mm 8-element, they stated that they had the ability to make the glass as close as those in the Leica Summicron 35 v1-8e. In early 70s, Leica had to change or update the design of the Summicron 35 v1-8e because some of the rare-earth glass materials were either not available or no longer allowed to be used.
While LLL claimed that they used same material-glass as the Leica 35 Summicrion v1-8e, their initial production was problematic and not consistent, which was fully reported in the rangefinder.com. It tool them a while, after several batches, to get some of IQ performance issues resolved. I have a V6LC version of the LLL 35 8e in BP and its IQ is pretty close to my Leica Summicrion 35 v1-8e. I suspect that it took sometimes for LLL to get the glass materials right, although they never mentioned that. Fast forward to now, it's interesting to see how consistent the LLL 50/1.2 will be. I am certainly interested in getting a copy. So far all three of the LLL lenses that I got are all excellent in both IQs and workmanships.
43.3 mm Angle of View
Full Frame Diagonal: 47°
Super 35 Diagonal: 34°
Focus Scales: Metric, Imperial
Filter Thread: 58 mm x 0.75
Minimum Focus Distance: From Front of Lens: 15.5" / 394 mm
Diaphragm Blades 9
Gear Standard 0.8 MOD
Gear Rotation Focus: 160°
Iris: 78°
Coatings: Multi-Coating
Diameter 2.5" / 64 mm
Length: 3.7" / 94 mm
Weight: 1.1 lb / 500 g
43.3 mm Angle of View
Full Frame Diagonal: 47°
Super 35 Diagonal: 34°
Focus Scales: Metric, Imperial
Filter Thread: 58 mm x 0.75
Minimum Focus Distance: From Front of Lens: 15.5" / 394 mm
Diaphragm Blades 9
Gear Standard 0.8 MOD
Gear Rotation Focus: 160°
Iris: 78°
Coatings: Multi-Coating
Diameter 2.5" / 64 mm
Length: 3.7" / 94 mm
Weight: 1.1 lb / 500 g...Show more →
We are expecting you to test it and compare it to your SPII.
Desmolicious wrote:
We are expecting you to test it and compare it to your SPII.
Make it so.
It's based on the Cooke iClassic design, which is a modern update of the original Speed Panchro line. I think the LLL is based on the original design. I'm not sure if they have significant differences, but I'd like to know if they have distinct flaring characteristics.
They mention that the RF-mount will become available shortly after the E-mount launch.
It's based on the Cooke iClassic design, which is a modern update of the original Speed Panchro line. I think the LLL is based on the original design. I'm not sure if they have significant differences, but I'd like to know if they have distinct flaring characteristics.
They mentioned that the RF-mount will become available shortly after the E-mount launch.
Do we think this brand is up to the level to command this kind of price tag? I know they have some pretty cool replica's but getting up into the 5K range seems a bit high for this brand IMO.
RustyRus wrote:
Do we think this brand is up to the level to command this kind of price tag? I know they have some pretty cool replica's but getting up into the 5K range seems a bit high for this brand IMO.
Am I way off base here?
Cooke has been selling these iClassic Prime lenses with a PL mount for a while. They are quite expensive.
What's unique about these new lenses is that they've been made smaller and more compatible with mirrorless cameras like Sony E-mount and Canon RF mounts.
What's unique about these new lenses is that they've been made smaller and more compatible with mirrorless cameras like Sony E-mount and Canon RF mounts.
Wow--
I thought they where LLL releasing these! I missed the massive Cooke label on it. Carry on
"The Cooke SP3 lenses are compatible with a variety of full-frame mirrorless cameras and include user-changeable lens mounts. The lenses will be available in E-mount, RF-mount, L-mount and M-mount. Lenses will ship with E-mount flanges preinstalled. RF-mount will be available soon after launch, and buyers can redeem a set of RF mounts free of charge via instructions included in the packaging. L-mount and M-mount flanges will be available separately, with M-mount versions, in particular, scheduled to become available in early 2024. Pricing for the L-mount and M-mount equipment has yet to be announced.
Notably, the company stated that EF-mount will not be supported. The longer flange focal distance of the EF-mount is different from how these mirrorless-centric lenses were designed. Cooke noted that they are open to additional mounts, such as the Nikon Z-mount, but there are no plans for Z-mount at the moment. They will continue to assess the market and determine demand for other mounts."
The LLL version seems like a bargain in comparison, and although it can be used for video, it's barrel is designed for stills.
"The Cooke SP3 lenses are compatible with a variety of full-frame mirrorless cameras and include user-changeable lens mounts. The lenses will be available in E-mount, RF-mount, L-mount and M-mount. Lenses will ship with E-mount flanges preinstalled. RF-mount will be available soon after launch, and buyers can redeem a set of RF mounts free of charge via instructions included in the packaging. L-mount and M-mount flanges will be available separately, with M-mount versions, in particular, scheduled to become available in early 2024. Pricing for the L-mount and M-mount equipment has yet to be announced.
Notably, the company stated that EF-mount will not be supported. The longer flange focal distance of the EF-mount is different from how these mirrorless-centric lenses were designed. Cooke noted that they are open to additional mounts, such as the Nikon Z-mount, but there are no plans for Z-mount at the moment. They will continue to assess the market and determine demand for other mounts."
The LLL version seems like a bargain in comparison, and although it can be used for video, it's barrel is designed for stills....Show more →
I wonder then if the interchangeable M mount flange will include rangefinder coupling. If not, then I’d assume its main purpose is to accommodate Nikon Z, Fujifilm X and GFX, etc.
highdesertmesa wrote:
I wonder then if the interchangeable M mount flange will include rangefinder coupling. If not, then I’d assume its main purpose is to accommodate Nikon Z, Fujifilm X and GFX, etc.
Good point. The M-mount version may not include RF coupling just like the newer meyer-optik-goerlitz lenses.
Leica M5, Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 8-Element (both at f/2), Cinestill 800T (converted to b&w...NLP really struggled with the color conversion on the first image).
A link to a Youtube video that showcase a few traits of the Panchro, I didn’t understand which 50mm the author compares the Panchro to but still there are a few feats of the character of the lens that appear like the bokeh or the warmer tones.
Sonnar-7 wrote:
A link to a Youtube video that showcase a few traits of the Panchro, I didn’t understand which 50mm the author compares the Panchro to but still there are a few feats of the character of the lens that appear like the bokeh or the warmer tones.
Thanks for posting this video. I saw it once and never found it again on Youtube!
