Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
p.1 #1Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Sorry if this has already been covered. If so, please delete thread!
https://youtu.be/sqtZIWhLplE?si=J7W_x7FAtnRZr5Uj
https://youtu.be/sqtZIWhLplE?si=J7W_x7FAtnRZr5Uj
Nov 06, 2025 at 06:28 PM
p.1 #2Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I was about to make a thread on it also.
I've had mine for just over a week now, and I'm smitten.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uyJXVJo2EFLdSstM9
Coatings kinda suck, has loads of "vintage" flare. But other than that, I'm very pleased. It was really cheap here in Thailand.
I've had mine for just over a week now, and I'm smitten.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uyJXVJo2EFLdSstM9
Coatings kinda suck, has loads of "vintage" flare. But other than that, I'm very pleased. It was really cheap here in Thailand.
Nov 06, 2025 at 07:22 PM
p.1 #3Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
Nov 07, 2025 at 01:49 AM
p.1 #4Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I find it very interesting that 'Mandler' is another company basically doing the same thing as LLL... and for less.
Nov 07, 2025 at 02:14 AM
p.1 #5Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote:
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote:
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
Nov 07, 2025 at 06:48 AM
p.1 #6Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I don't know how happy I would be with the lens at the prices it would demand in the states due to tariffs. At <$400 it's a steal. Over 500 there's other options. Still, it gives the look and feel of the KOB for the most part, at a fraction of the cost.
Nov 07, 2025 at 08:24 AM
p.1 #7Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Just amazing to see how good these Chinese replica vintage M lenses are - not perfect - this one seems to have more blurred corners than the original Leica lens and comes with more flaring - but improved avoiding coma and center sharpness. And for a price tag below $500! If someone wants to take more artsy looking vintage like portraits for example, this lens would be a great 35 mm fit with great price/quality ratio. I am not getting this Mandler lens since I already own the original Leica 35/2.0 Vers. IV lens. But if I didn't have it, I would certainly consider!
Nov 07, 2025 at 08:48 AM
p.1 #8Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I haven't tried this one yet...there are so many Leica copies out there now. When a Leica-clone lens improves image quality significantly (less coma, higher contrast, and so on), I tend to lose interest since modern lenses already outperform these "replicas". But when a company like LLL aims to faithfully recreate both the look and optical character of Leica's vintage lenses, that's when it gets my attention. That approach feels more special to me.
For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica version.
For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica version.
Nov 07, 2025 at 10:07 AM
p.1 #9Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Fred Miranda wrote:
I haven't tried this one yet...there are so many Leica copies out there now. When a Leica-clone lens improves image quality significantly (less coma, higher contrast, and so on), I tend to lose interest since modern lenses already outperform these "replicas". But when a company like LLL aims to faithfully recreate both the look and optical character of Leica's vintage lenses, that's when it gets my attention. That approach feels more special to me.
For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica...Show more →
LLL is a bit the outlier of the Chinese rebrand lens companies. LLL's lenses are very similar to the original but tend to copy also the much higher price tag a bit hard to justify for this lens brand IMO.
I haven't tried this one yet...there are so many Leica copies out there now. When a Leica-clone lens improves image quality significantly (less coma, higher contrast, and so on), I tend to lose interest since modern lenses already outperform these "replicas". But when a company like LLL aims to faithfully recreate both the look and optical character of Leica's vintage lenses, that's when it gets my attention. That approach feels more special to me.
For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica...Show more →
LLL is a bit the outlier of the Chinese rebrand lens companies. LLL's lenses are very similar to the original but tend to copy also the much higher price tag a bit hard to justify for this lens brand IMO.
Nov 07, 2025 at 10:11 AM
p.1 #10Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
retrofocus wrote:
For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica version.LLL is a bit the outlier of the Chinese rebrand lens companies. LLL's lenses are very similar to the original but tend to copy also the much higher price tag a bit hard to justify for this lens brand IMO.
Yeah.
LLL used to be able to justify their price tags because they were the only player in town.
But now that others have jumped on their bandwagon, the prices seem too high.
I agree with Mr. Miranda - I don’t want these lenses to be ‘better’ than the original version. We already have much ‘better’ lenses! The whole point is to be the same but affordable.
Fred Miranda wrote
I haven't tried this one yet...there are so many Leica copies out there now. When a Leica-clone lens improves image quality significantly (less coma, higher contrast, and so on), I tend to lose interest since modern lenses already outperform these "replicas". But when a company like LLL aims to faithfully recreate both the look and optical character of Leica's vintage lenses, that's when it gets my attention. That approach feels more special to me.For example, the LLL 35/2 Cron 8-element doesn't just look like the original, it also performs and renders almost exactly like shooting with the real Leica version.
Yeah.
LLL used to be able to justify their price tags because they were the only player in town.
But now that others have jumped on their bandwagon, the prices seem too high.
I agree with Mr. Miranda - I don’t want these lenses to be ‘better’ than the original version. We already have much ‘better’ lenses! The whole point is to be the same but affordable.
Nov 07, 2025 at 11:15 AM
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p.1 #11Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
ISO1600 wrote:
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
I am sure people would appreciate a link to that shop.
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
I am sure people would appreciate a link to that shop.
Nov 07, 2025 at 11:17 AM
p.1 #12Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
ISO1600 wrote:
I was about to make a thread on it also.
I've had mine for just over a week now, and I'm smitten.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uyJXVJo2EFLdSstM9
Coatings kinda suck, has loads of "vintage" flare. But other than that, I'm very pleased. It was really cheap here in Thailand.
Forgot to mention - nice shots in that link!
I was about to make a thread on it also.
I've had mine for just over a week now, and I'm smitten.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uyJXVJo2EFLdSstM9
Coatings kinda suck, has loads of "vintage" flare. But other than that, I'm very pleased. It was really cheap here in Thailand.
Forgot to mention - nice shots in that link!
Nov 07, 2025 at 11:17 AM
p.1 #13Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Desmolicious wrote:
The whole point is to be the same but affordable.
This sums it up perfectly! Brings me back to hope for a Chinese branded EV-1 look-alike camera
The whole point is to be the same but affordable.
This sums it up perfectly! Brings me back to hope for a Chinese branded EV-1 look-alike camera
Nov 07, 2025 at 11:18 AM
p.1 #14Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
retrofocus wrote:
This sums it up perfectly! Brings me back to hope for a Chinese branded EV-1 look-alike camera
Xpeng is going to release its humanoid robots next year. Way ahead of Tesla’s.
You don’t think ‘they’ can make a much better EV-1 that feels just like a real Leica for a fraction of the cost?
China has already shown they can do that with the lenses and I would say making an EVF camera would be much easier.
They already have all the tech, the only thing they need to do is crank out some brass bodies.
Desmolicious wrote
The whole point is to be the same but affordable.Xpeng is going to release its humanoid robots next year. Way ahead of Tesla’s.
You don’t think ‘they’ can make a much better EV-1 that feels just like a real Leica for a fraction of the cost?
China has already shown they can do that with the lenses and I would say making an EVF camera would be much easier.
They already have all the tech, the only thing they need to do is crank out some brass bodies.
Nov 07, 2025 at 11:24 AM
p.1 #15Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Desmolicious wrote:
This sums it up perfectly! Brings me back to hope for a Chinese branded EV-1 look-alike camera Xpeng is going to release its humanoid robots next year. Way ahead of Tesla’s.
You don’t think ‘they’ can make a much better EV-1 that feels just like a real Leica for a fraction of the cost?
China has already shown they can do that with the lenses and I would say making an EVF camera would be much easier.
They already have all the tech, the only thing they need to do is crank out some brass bodies.
+1. Voigtlander Bessa bodies were also made partially of plastic and alloy - they work fine to this day. If some company in China makes such camera for a fraction of the EV-1 cost even just with 24 MP FF sensor, I am convinced they will have a winner.
retrofocus wrote
Desmolicious wrote
The whole point is to be the same but affordable.You don’t think ‘they’ can make a much better EV-1 that feels just like a real Leica for a fraction of the cost?
China has already shown they can do that with the lenses and I would say making an EVF camera would be much easier.
They already have all the tech, the only thing they need to do is crank out some brass bodies.
+1. Voigtlander Bessa bodies were also made partially of plastic and alloy - they work fine to this day. If some company in China makes such camera for a fraction of the EV-1 cost even just with 24 MP FF sensor, I am convinced they will have a winner.
Nov 07, 2025 at 01:59 PM
p.1 #16Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Between the lens design, packaging, and branding, they really couldn't smash that nostalgia button any harder.
Nov 07, 2025 at 05:38 PM
p.1 #17Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
https://www.instagram.com/naitounoi?igsh=cWtsZ3d5eHBzNnJ5
That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
Desmolicious wrote:
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.I am sure people would appreciate a link to that shop.
That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
Desmolicious wrote:
ISO1600 wrote
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
Nov 07, 2025 at 06:01 PM
p.1 #18Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Thanks for the IG link, I am in thailand quite often, will check them out !
Nov 07, 2025 at 06:44 PM
p.1 #19Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
ISO1600 wrote:
https://www.instagram.com/naitounoi?igsh=cWtsZ3d5eHBzNnJ5
That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.I am sure people would appreciate a link to that shop.
Thanks! The black one from their shop is $370 before shipping/tariffs etc.
https://www.instagram.com/naitounoi?igsh=cWtsZ3d5eHBzNnJ5
That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
Desmolicious wrote
ISO1600 wrote
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
Thanks! The black one from their shop is $370 before shipping/tariffs etc.
Nov 07, 2025 at 07:10 PM
p.1 #20Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Desmolicious wrote:
That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.I am sure people would appreciate a link to that shop.
Thanks! The black one from their shop is $370 before shipping/tariffs etc.
At least it's only 19% from Thailand. You'd be at $440.30, so still not quite the $500 they want for it on eBay.
ISO1600 wrote
https://www.instagram.com/naitounoi?igsh=cWtsZ3d5eHBzNnJ5That's who I got the lens from.
They do ship worldwide.
Desmolicious wrote
ISO1600 wrote
I bought it from a shop in Bangkok that I found on Instagram. Was about $365 after card fees. Had them send it to my hotel in chiang Mai while here on vacation.I've read they're as low as 200 bucks in China.
Also found a guy on Instagram (in China) making LEICA SUMMICRON front rings for it, to further improve the carbon copy look.
Desmolicious wrote
I see it at $499 on ebay from Thailand.Problem is importing it to the US will result in a whole bunch of extra charges due to tariffs.
At least it's only 19% from Thailand. You'd be at $440.30, so still not quite the $500 they want for it on eBay.
Nov 07, 2025 at 07:16 PM