p.3 #1 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
ISO1600 wrote:
I would be first in line for a DJI full frame interchangeable lens camera. Well as long as it was at super competitive DJI prices to shake up the market.
Back to the topic of the thread, I did some side-by-side not super scientific testing at my house between the mandler and my 7A 35 1.4...
I prefer the 7A in almost every way.
A local buddy has first dibs on my mandler, but if passes it'll be going on the buy and sell.
p.3 #4 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
From one of the ads it seems the actual results are not like the real thing:
While it definitely does not accurately imitate the image or handling of the original Summicron v4, it's a nifty and affordable little 35mm that I used as a walk around lens on my M3. I purchased this lens through an Asian website and unfortunately had to pay a steep price for the tariffs. Selling at a reduced rate since I'm selling off my entire Leica M system.
So basically it is an expensive Chinese lens that physically outwardly looks like a Leica lens, but does not recreate the image ‘quality’ of one.
I bought from this IG account and I sprung the extra for the brass version. I haven't had a chance to take it out for photos yet but just wanted to give my experience with this seller. Purchasing was super easy and communication was stellar even with the language barrier. When I received the lens there appeared to be a decent sized fiber or scratch in the lens itself which was a bit of a bummer. I reached out to their IG and they asked if I could bring it in to a shop to check if it was a scratch or a fiber and if it was a fiber they would pay for the cleaning and if it was a scratch I could return/exchange. Took it in and got the lens cleaned (was a fiber) and true to their word they refunded the cleaning fee and were super awesome through the hassle. The linked IG profile is having some issues and they are working to get it back online but I was able to pick up my conversation with their other profile.
As far as the fit and finish (other than the fiber), the lens feels premium. The brass has a nice heft to it, aperture ring has decent clicks with a very slight roughness to it, and the focusing feels very slightly rough but is nicely dampened and feels nice in normal use. Hoping to get out and take some pics this weekend weather permitting.
p.3 #7 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
endergemini wrote:
I bought from this IG account and I sprung the extra for the brass version. I haven't had a chance to take it out for photos yet but just wanted to give my experience with this seller. Purchasing was super easy and communication was stellar even with the language barrier. When I received the lens there appeared to be a decent sized fiber or scratch in the lens itself which was a bit of a bummer. I reached out to their IG and they asked if I could bring it in to a shop to check if it was a scratch or a fiber and if it was a fiber they would pay for the cleaning and if it was a scratch I could return/exchange. Took it in and got the lens cleaned (was a fiber) and true to their word they refunded the cleaning fee and were super awesome through the hassle. The linked IG profile is having some issues and they are working to get it back online but I was able to pick up my conversation with their other profile.
As far as the fit and finish (other than the fiber), the lens feels premium. The brass has a nice heft to it, aperture ring has decent clicks with a very slight roughness to it, and the focusing feels very slightly rough but is nicely dampened and feels nice in normal use. Hoping to get out and take some pics this weekend weather permitting....Show more →
Please do share some photos here. How do you contact them instead of IG? Thanks.
p.3 #8 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
endergemini wrote:
I bought from this IG account and I sprung the extra for the brass version. I haven't had a chance to take it out for photos yet but just wanted to give my experience with this seller. Purchasing was super easy and communication was stellar even with the language barrier. When I received the lens there appeared to be a decent sized fiber or scratch in the lens itself which was a bit of a bummer. I reached out to their IG and they asked if I could bring it in to a shop to check if it was a scratch or a fiber and if it was a fiber they would pay for the cleaning and if it was a scratch I could return/exchange. Took it in and got the lens cleaned (was a fiber) and true to their word they refunded the cleaning fee and were super awesome through the hassle. The linked IG profile is having some issues and they are working to get it back online but I was able to pick up my conversation with their other profile.
As far as the fit and finish (other than the fiber), the lens feels premium. The brass has a nice heft to it, aperture ring has decent clicks with a very slight roughness to it, and the focusing feels very slightly rough but is nicely dampened and feels nice in normal use. Hoping to get out and take some pics this weekend weather permitting....Show more →
Slightly off topic - which shop cleaned your lens?
p.3 #9 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Desmolicious wrote:
Slightly off topic - which shop cleaned your lens?
Seawood Photo in San Rafael, CA. They have a good reputation and this being my first time working with them I can see why it is deserved. I also left them with an early silver version of the Helios 44 for a full CLA and am looking forward to getting that back.
p.3 #10 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
endergemini wrote:
Seawood Photo in San Rafael, CA. They have a good reputation and this being my first time working with them I can see why it is deserved. I also left them with an early silver version of the Helios 44 for a full CLA and am looking forward to getting that back.
p.3 #15 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I was able to take some pics this last weekend using the lens on my M11-P Safari. All the pics should be at f2 focused using live view with Auto ISO/Shutter Speed and imported into LR then exported into JPG Large. I wish I had a polarizer with me for car pics but this is more accurate as to what the bare lens could do. Also I hope I upload/post these right; it's my first time posting pics to the forum so apologies if anything gets bungled. Overall I like the lens but not sure how often I will use it vs the LLL 8E, Leica FLE II, or even the Peace Lens 1.4 (which I need to shoot more with to see how much I really like it). Will continue to try it out in different situations to truly asses how I feel since one of the days I was shooting midday and lighting was harsh.
p.3 #17 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Can anyone confirm whether the tab on the brass and aluminum versions is brass, aluminum, or plastic? I'm considering getting this lens just to swap it onto my 35/1.4 Lux (v2) to replace the plastic tab.
p.3 #18 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Fred Miranda wrote:
Can anyone confirm whether the tab on the brass and aluminum versions is brass, aluminum, or plastic? I'm considering getting this lens just to swap it onto my 35/1.4 Lux (v2) to replace the plastic tab.
Is there a way to tell the material without scraping the paint off? I have the brass version of this lens and the focusing tab feels like metal but I'm not sure if it is painted aluminum or brass.
The brass version being $538-618 (depending on accessories) with duties included is a lot more reasonable than the ~$800 I paid which did NOT include duties. I do like the lens and the build quality of mine feels solid, I just have six 35's and have choice paralysis when deciding which to bring with me. I'll try to bring this out with me this weekend so I can hopefully capture some more examples to help potential buyers now that Mandler seems to be interested in selling direct to more customers.
p.3 #19 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
No clue about the tab material, but I'm pretty sure I've seen another Chinese company selling replacement brass tabs, might have been Mr Ding.
Coming back to this thread reminds me how much I really did enjoy the photos from this lens. If only adapting M was more pleasant, but I simply prefer a native lens that focuses <.7m.
