highdesertmesa wrote: endergemini wrote: highdesertmesa wrote: endergemini wrote:
Looks like an update from LLL around production, updating the front ring engraving, adding a magnetic front ring accessory to the titanium version, and some of the availability of the knurled/non-knurled versions. Though I am confused if this update is saying that they will not be making any non-knurled versions aside from a few black paint ones and for those that request to keep their orders that originally were spec'd that way?
I think they meant that moving forward, the smooth ring versions will be by special request only.
From the blog post:
"Customers who would like to keep their order without knurling should contact us directly. All lenses entering shipment after September 30, 2026, will be supplied with the close-focus-knurled configuration."
Combined with: "Updated Shipment Schedule
Black Paint — Without Close-Focus Knurling: September 2026
Titanium Grey Limited Edition — With Close-Focus Knurling: October–November 2026
Black Paint — With Close-Focus Knurling: November–December 2026
Silver Chrome — With Close-Focus Knurling: December 2026–February 2027"
To me the wording sounds like it implies only this first batch of black paint will be without the knurling and ALL orders will be switched to the knurled version unless customers who had originally ordered the non-knurled request that they still want the non-knurled.
I'm going to reach out and see if I can get some clarification. I understand from a cost and operational perspective why this decision would be made, but if this is the route they are going there will be many people who didn't click the email to then be led to the blog post and will receive lenses different from what they ordered.
Wording in the email I got sounded like everyone that ordered a non-knurled black version will get one (showing sold out), and after that production of the non-knurled will be phased out. But something could have been lost in translation since it can be interpreted more than one way.
That seems to be the case for the black versions, but they also offered the other colors without knurling. I personally ordered the titanium without knurling (also showing sold out now) which is not on their shipment schedule in that post and all titanium shipments have been scheduled for shipping after September 30th which is they state as the date past which all lenses shipped will be knurled. I'm sure they will figure it out, this just seems like a slight blind spot in communication.
