Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
p.8 #1Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
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?
Sep 01, 2026 at 09:40 AM
p.8 #2Leica 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.
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.
Sep 01, 2026 at 10:22 AM
p.8 #3Leica 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.
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.
Sep 02, 2026 at 06:45 AM
p.8 #5Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
stgrove wrote:
Just use it and enjoy it.
Oh, wish I'd thought of that
Just use it and enjoy it.
Oh, wish I'd thought of that
Sep 02, 2026 at 08:23 AM
p.8 #6Leica 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.
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.
Sep 02, 2026 at 01:27 PM
p.8 #7Leica 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
Mandler Testing by Roman France, on Flickr
Sep 02, 2026 at 11:06 PM
p.8 #8Leica 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.
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.
Sep 04, 2026 at 06:42 PM
p.8 #9Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
WHERE WERE YOU TWO DAYS AGO?! They're already shipped out 😭
I think I'm spoiled by the close focus abilities of my other M lenses. I'm finding the .7 on here a bit restrictive, but I dig how weird the look is!
Untitled by Roman France, on Flickr
highdesertmesa wrote:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55505327853_dfd4bc7556_h.jpg
Mandler Testing by Roman France, on FlickrIIRC, 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...Show more →
I think I'm spoiled by the close focus abilities of my other M lenses. I'm finding the .7 on here a bit restrictive, but I dig how weird the look is!
Untitled by Roman France, on Flickr
highdesertmesa wrote:
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
Sep 04, 2026 at 07:01 PM
p.8 #10Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
RomanMF wrote:
WHERE WERE YOU TWO DAYS AGO?! They're already shipped out 😭
I think I'm spoiled by the close focus abilities of my other M lenses. I'm finding the .7 on here a bit restrictive, but I dig how weird the look is!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55508647631_4a2e8a3e06_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55507640487_5c652b7764_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55509020765_f62a4532e4_h.jpg
Untitled by Roman France, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55505327853_dfd4bc7556_h.jpg
Mandler Testing by Roman France, on FlickrIIRC, 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.
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.
WHERE WERE YOU TWO DAYS AGO?! They're already shipped out 😭
I think I'm spoiled by the close focus abilities of my other M lenses. I'm finding the .7 on here a bit restrictive, but I dig how weird the look is!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55508647631_4a2e8a3e06_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55507640487_5c652b7764_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55509020765_f62a4532e4_h.jpg
Untitled by Roman France, on Flickr
highdesertmesa wrote
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
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.
Sep 04, 2026 at 07:16 PM
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p.8 #11Leica 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.
Sep 04, 2026 at 07:27 PM
p.8 #12Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I may need to get that Voigt close focus adapter for Nikon Z then.
Sep 04, 2026 at 07:36 PM
p.8 #13Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I did shoot two rols of film on the 35/2, but haven't gotten around to scanning them yet. Printed pictures looked great though! Very happy with that.
In the meantime some more shots on the Sony.
In the meantime some more shots on the Sony.
Sep 11, 2026 at 04:10 AM
p.8 #14Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
It looks like Light Lens Lab will produced one too?
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdsjUeyDtGr/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdsjUeyDtGr/
Sep 26, 2026 at 08:47 AM
p.8 #15Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅
Sep 26, 2026 at 09:11 AM
p.8 #16Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
RomanMF wrote:
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.
Sep 26, 2026 at 09:38 AM
p.8 #17Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Fred Miranda wrote:
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.
Their IG post about their v4/KOB has an ASPH hashtag, so I don't think they're going to copy it exactly. This would be welcome, IMO, since the original KOB was soft in the midframe wide open at close distance with icky sharp corners. Would love to see if they could either make it flatter field or at least make the falloff from center to edge a smooth one. Nothing special about the KOB bokeh to me, so any changes to that would also be welcome.
RomanMF wrote
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅Their IG post about their v4/KOB has an ASPH hashtag, so I don't think they're going to copy it exactly. This would be welcome, IMO, since the original KOB was soft in the midframe wide open at close distance with icky sharp corners. Would love to see if they could either make it flatter field or at least make the falloff from center to edge a smooth one. Nothing special about the KOB bokeh to me, so any changes to that would also be welcome.
Sep 26, 2026 at 11:31 AM
p.8 #18Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
highdesertmesa wrote:
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.Their IG post about their v4/KOB has an ASPH hashtag, so I don't think they're going to copy it exactly. This would be welcome, IMO, since the original KOB was soft in the midframe wide open at close distance with icky sharp corners. Would love to see if they could either make it flatter field or at least make the falloff from center to edge a smooth one. Nothing special about the KOB bokeh to me, so any changes to that would also be welcome.
I see what you're saying, but personally, I prefer when companies reviving vintage optical designs stay completely true to the original...flaws and all. Light Lens Lab did exactly that with their 35/2 8-Element and 50/1.2 1966, going so far as to match the original glass formulations, and aspherical production as closely as possible. Modernizing or 'improving' a beloved optical formula like the 35/2 KOB misses the point for me. Look at their recent 35/1.4 Double Aspherical: while its rendering is pleasant and performance is great, it isn't really a true replica of the original and if you really check, not even close.
Fred Miranda wrote
RomanMF wrote
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅I see what you're saying, but personally, I prefer when companies reviving vintage optical designs stay completely true to the original...flaws and all. Light Lens Lab did exactly that with their 35/2 8-Element and 50/1.2 1966, going so far as to match the original glass formulations, and aspherical production as closely as possible. Modernizing or 'improving' a beloved optical formula like the 35/2 KOB misses the point for me. Look at their recent 35/1.4 Double Aspherical: while its rendering is pleasant and performance is great, it isn't really a true replica of the original and if you really check, not even close.
Sep 26, 2026 at 03:05 PM
p.8 #19Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
Fred Miranda wrote:
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.Their IG post about their v4/KOB has an ASPH hashtag, so I don't think they're going to copy it exactly. This would be welcome, IMO, since the original KOB was soft in the midframe wide open at close distance with icky sharp corners. Would love to see if they could either make it flatter field or at least make the falloff from center to edge a smooth one. Nothing special about the KOB bokeh to me, so any changes to that would also be welcome.I see what you're saying, but personally, I prefer when companies reviving vintage optical designs stay completely true to the original...flaws and all. Light Lens Lab did exactly that with their 35/2 8-Element and 50/1.2 1966, going so far as to match the original glass formulations, and aspherical production as closely as possible. Modernizing or 'improving' a beloved optical formula like the 35/2 KOB misses the point for me. Look at their recent 35/1.4 Double Aspherical: while its rendering is pleasant and performance is great, it isn't really a true replica of the original and if you really check,...Show more →
But the KOB isn't beloved, it's just famous. It would be no more desirable than the v3 if it weren't for the fact one reviewer called it the "King of Bokeh", which they now regret ever having said. The 8-element and 50/1.2 are beloved for sure, so a faithful copy makes sense. Also, I thought LLL did make improvements to the 50/1.2 by making it sharper centrally wide open and making the bokeh slightly more pleasing. You can see the difference from the original 50 f/1.2 to the LLL version here:
https://lightlenslab.com/blogs/upcoming-project/light-lens-lab-50mm-f1-2-asph-in-prototype
Sure, they're minor differences, but it's not as faithful to the original as their 8 Element is. I think this is why the Leica reissue of the 50/1.2 received a lukewarm reception, as it was just too soft centrally wide open (that and the price).
Here's a beloved lens worth making a faithful reproduction of: the 35 f/1.4 pre-ASPH v2, especially the early ones with a brass infinity lock (but do make it focus closer than 1m )
highdesertmesa wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
RomanMF wrote
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅But the KOB isn't beloved, it's just famous. It would be no more desirable than the v3 if it weren't for the fact one reviewer called it the "King of Bokeh", which they now regret ever having said. The 8-element and 50/1.2 are beloved for sure, so a faithful copy makes sense. Also, I thought LLL did make improvements to the 50/1.2 by making it sharper centrally wide open and making the bokeh slightly more pleasing. You can see the difference from the original 50 f/1.2 to the LLL version here:
https://lightlenslab.com/blogs/upcoming-project/light-lens-lab-50mm-f1-2-asph-in-prototype
Sure, they're minor differences, but it's not as faithful to the original as their 8 Element is. I think this is why the Leica reissue of the 50/1.2 received a lukewarm reception, as it was just too soft centrally wide open (that and the price).
Here's a beloved lens worth making a faithful reproduction of: the 35 f/1.4 pre-ASPH v2, especially the early ones with a brass infinity lock (but do make it focus closer than 1m
)Sep 26, 2026 at 07:40 PM
p.8 #20Leica 35mm Summicron KOB copy by ‘Mandler’
I know the hilarious story behind its title, but that’s a lens I have never tried, so I can’t really say much about it. Since you mentioned the 35/1.4 pre-ASPH, though, I’ve always wondered how it compares to the KOB with both lenses shot at f/2.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Perhaps they saw an opportunity to stay truer to the original Leica KOB optics, just like they did with their 35mm f/2 8-Element. In other words, they may have tested the original Mandler lens and felt they could mirror the Leica more closely...not just in barrel aesthetics, but in rendering and optical performance as well.Their IG post about their v4/KOB has an ASPH hashtag, so I don't think they're going to copy it exactly. This would be welcome, IMO, since the original KOB was soft in the midframe wide open at close distance with icky sharp corners. Would love to see if they could either make it flatter field or at least make the falloff from center to edge a smooth one. Nothing special about the KOB bokeh to me, so any changes to that would also be welcome.I see what you're saying, but personally, I prefer when companies reviving vintage optical designs stay completely true to the original...flaws and all. Light Lens Lab did exactly that with their 35/2 8-Element and 50/1.2 1966, going so far as to match the original glass formulations, and aspherical production as closely as possible. Modernizing or 'improving' a beloved optical formula like the 35/2 KOB misses the point for me. Look at their recent 35/1.4 Double Aspherical: while its rendering is pleasant and performance is great, it isn't really a true replica of the original and if you really check, not even close.But the KOB isn't beloved, it's just famous. It would be no more desirable than the v3 if it weren't for the fact one reviewer called it the "King of Bokeh", which they now regret ever having said. The 8-element and 50/1.2 are beloved for sure, so a faithful copy makes sense. Also, I thought LLL did make improvements to the 50/1.2 by making it sharper centrally wide open and making the bokeh slightly more pleasing. You can see the difference from the original 50 f/1.2 to the LLL version here:
https://lightlenslab.com/blogs/upcoming-project/light-lens-lab-50mm-f1-2-asph-in-prototype
Sure, they're minor differences, but it's not as faithful to...Show more →
highdesertmesa wrote:
Fred Miranda wrote
highdesertmesa wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
RomanMF wrote
Another 35mm from LLL. It's gotta be their owners favorite focal length 😅https://lightlenslab.com/blogs/upcoming-project/light-lens-lab-50mm-f1-2-asph-in-prototype
Sure, they're minor differences, but it's not as faithful to...Show more →
Sep 26, 2026 at 10:18 PM