The DJ Optical version has been up on Shoten and AliExpress for a little bit now but I also saw that LAILENS version added to eBay yesterday. I ordered it to try it out since I have liked my LAILENS 50 1.1 other than some focus adjustment issues. At 3.5 it is a little slower than some of the other pancake options that have come out (though in 28mm) but also looks like it has more of a unique rendering.
endergemini wrote:
The DJ Optical version has been up on Shoten and AliExpress for a little bit now but I also saw that LAILENS version added to eBay yesterday. I ordered it to try it out since I have liked my LAILENS 50 1.1 other than some focus adjustment issues. At 3.5 it is a little slower than some of the other pancake options that have come out (though in 28mm) but also looks like it has more of a unique rendering.
The DJ-Optical one on AliExpress is listed as "white paint" which alludes to the Ilford inspiration as well which is why I was wondering of both the DJ-Optical branded lens and the DJ-Optical made but LAILENS branded one might share the same optical design.
It also looks like that eBay seller added more stock to the listing as I am now seeing 2 in stock using that link after it showing sold out earlier.
Regarding price it may seem a bit high but tariffs on Chinese lenses are ~35% right now and the eBay listing includes import/duties with free shipping so there is that.
Sorry for the double post but I remember that LAILENS had their first website taken down due to copyright/naming as it was "leicalens.com" but it looks like they have relaunched it at "laicalens.com".
Interestingly they have a post acknowledging the first site being taken down in their community tab and under their products they show both the LAILENS 50 1.1 KP and the Shoten TRIBUTE 50/1.1 alongside the new 35/3.5 and an upcoming 50/1.5.
I find it curious they are showing the 50/1.1 Zunow replica as non Shoten/TRIBUTE branded but have links to Shoten that accidentally redirect to the eBay page that is selling the 35/3.5 and there doesn't seem to be any mention of DJ-Optical that I can find so far. They also refer to themselves as "Mirror Forge/Foundry".
Just thought you guys might enjoy a little bit of a rabbit hole of new info as it looks like they have launched a lot of pages within the last few days.
A response from the company asking whether or not their new 35/3.5 lens is the same as the DJ-Optical currently up on Shoten and AliExpress as well as whether the KP and TRIBUTE are the same:
"The TRIBUTE 50/1.1 and KP 50/1.1 do not share the exact same optical formula; the difference lies in just two glass elements. This (their new 35/3.5) does not share the same optical design as the DJ-Optical 35mm f/3.5 sold on AliExpress and Shoten."
My lens is already in LA as of today so hopefully I should have it to me sometime this next week, though eBay tracking is still showing the 30th to the 6th for delivery window.
endergemini wrote:
A response from the company asking whether or not their new 35/3.5 lens is the same as the DJ-Optical currently up on Shoten and AliExpress as well as whether the KP and TRIBUTE are the same:
"The TRIBUTE 50/1.1 and KP 50/1.1 do not share the exact same optical formula; the difference lies in just two glass elements. This (their new 35/3.5) does not share the same optical design as the DJ-Optical 35mm f/3.5 sold on AliExpress and Shoten."
My lens is already in LA as of today so hopefully I should have it to me sometime this next week, though eBay tracking is still showing the 30th to the 6th for delivery window....Show more →
They definitely don't look like the same optical design at all, but it's good to have that confirmation.
The Lailens 35/3.5 looks cool, but at that price point, I'd personally look into the original Leitz Elmar 35mm f/3.5 LTM. I have one, and it collapses down to a tiny footprint on the body. The rendering has classic character, and the resolution is surprisingly sharp for a vintage lens.
