p.8 #2 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
raizans wrote:
The KOB’s aperture blades aren’t circular at f/2. The circular mask on the Mandler solves that problem. Are you sure you want to remove it?
The issue I see with the mask is it’s limiting the maximum function of the aperture ring to f/2.4. If the mask were just slightly larger, it would still give circular bokeh but also let in more light at f/2. Maybe the circular opening can’t be any larger for another reason, IDK. Either way — mask enlarged or mask removed would be nice to have for one of my copies since I have two.
p.8 #3 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
From Mandler:
Thank you for your thoughtful follow-up question.
The circular mask is an integral part of the Mandler 35mm f/2’s internal aperture design. It helps maintain the round aperture shape and contributes to the lens’s distinctive rendering characteristics.
As this mask is part of the lens’s original design, it is not intended to be removed or modified. To help ensure the lens continues to perform as designed, we kindly ask customers not to disassemble or alter this component. Please also be aware that any unauthorized modification or disassembly of the lens would unfortunately void our one-year warranty coverage.
We understand that you may be more interested in maximizing light transmission than in maintaining a perfectly round bokeh. However, changing the internal aperture structure could affect the lens’s intended optical characteristics and overall performance. For this reason, we strongly recommend using the lens in its original configuration.
Thank you again for your careful observations and continued interest in the Mandler lens.
p.8 #6 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
TNBDM wrote:
Short update to the above. Thypoch responded to my email with a video of the issues with the lens indicating that they will replace it for me at no charge, and that because of international shipping costs I do not need to return the broken copy. Because this lens is presently out of stock, it will likely be the end of the month before the new one arrives. I'll update accordingly once it does.
Though I'm disappointed with the issues with my first copy of this lens, I can't fault Thypoch customer service one bit at this point.
Update as promised: a brand new 35mm Ksana showed up at the house yesterday. I haven't had time even to attach it to a body yet, but I can report both that Thypoch made good on their promise of a timely replacement and that at least the aperture on this one feels much more clicky and less mushy than the old one did. Fingers crossed it stays that way this time.
p.8 #7 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Just got the brass one of these, but don't have the hood (oof!). It's so tiny and light. My aperture dial seems to go a teeny bit past 2 (with a click) and the focus tab goes beyond .7 meters as well. Little strange on the aperture front but I'm sure the focus is expected. I wish it had a soft stop at .7 though. Pretty sharp dead center. Will take it to work tomorrow and see what I get. Mandler Testing by Roman France, on Flickr
p.8 #8 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
RomanMF wrote:
Just got the brass one of these, but don't have the hood (oof!). It's so tiny and light. My aperture dial seems to go a teeny bit past 2 (with a click) and the focus tab goes beyond .7 meters as well. Little strange on the aperture front but I'm sure the focus is expected. I wish it had a soft stop at .7 though. Pretty sharp dead center. Will take it to work tomorrow and see what I get. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55505327853_dfd4bc7556_h.jpg Mandler Testing by Roman France, on Flickr
IIRC, the original KOB aperture moves a wee bit left of f/2 as well. A lot of M lenses focus to 0.6m and still retain use of the rangefinder. I’ve not tried this one on an M body to see if the rangefinder stays with it all the way. Note that the original Mandler silver chrome on brass circular hood is no longer sold, and the silver square one they do sell is aluminum and does not match the finish of the brass silver lens. What does look good on the silver brass lens is either the Mandler black aluminum hood or any Leica or knockoff 12504 circular hood in black. Worth noting that an aluminum silver UV/clear filter like the current Leica ones also doesn’t match. I’m using an older Leica silver UV filter, which is silver chrome on brass, and it comes close to matching (photos earlier in the thread). Any black filter will be fine if you use the black aluminum hood, but it is cool to see a silver filter ring inside the hood.
highdesertmesa wrote:
IIRC, the original KOB aperture moves a wee bit left of f/2 as well. A lot of M lenses focus to 0.6m and still retain use of the rangefinder. I’ve not tried this one on an M body to see if the rangefinder stays with it all the way. Note that the original Mandler silver chrome on brass circular hood is no longer sold, and the silver square one they do sell is aluminum and does not match the finish of the brass silver lens. What does look good on the silver brass lens is either the Mandler black aluminum hood or any Leica or knockoff 12504 circular hood in black. Worth noting that an aluminum silver UV/clear filter like the current Leica ones also doesn’t match. I’m using an older Leica silver UV filter, which is silver chrome on brass, and it comes close to matching (photos earlier in the thread). Any black filter will be fine if you use the black aluminum hood, but it is cool to see a silver filter ring inside the hood....Show more →
Don’t feel bad, I have the non-matching silver hood, too. Just means I need to buy the aluminum silver version and have a trifecta! I really really like this Mandler lens, probably right up there with another favorite, the Leica 35 f/1.4 pre-ASPH v2. Mandler really did make this lens more quirky than the original KOB, and to me, it makes it a much more fun lens to use and experiment with. I’m using mine on the SL3 with a macro adapter, and close focus retains central sharpness wide open all the way to the macro MFD.
p.8 #11 · Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Oh, and the Leica plastic square hood for the original KOB also works on this lens and would be the truest look to the original KOB. But it’s also a cheaper feeling product than the Mandler aluminum square hoods and fairly expensive by comparison.
