Camera Geekery: Light Lens Lab 35mm f2
The late Leica pundit Tom Abrahamsson has said that the first version 35mm Summicron is the greatest lens ever made, so leave it the Chinese to make an affordable competent copy in the Light Lens Lab 35mm f2. Since its arrival earlier this year, Leica aficionados on the internet have been abuzz with the news. It was even featured by the International Leica Society.
The original 8-element Leitz 35 f/2 Summicron from 1958 is now a legendary, classic lens still coveted for that “Leica glow” and its lack of distortion. As such it now commands exorbitant collector prices. Enter Light Lens Lab with this faithful replica coming in at a much more affordable $499. We at JCH were eager to get our sticky little fingers on a sample to see what the hype is all about.
Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 Background
The initial batch of lenses were made exclusively available to Rangefinder Forum members and orders appear to be fulfilled at a trickle pace.
The official model name of the lens is “V2LC”, where V2 is the lot number of the glass material, L is the abbreviation for Lead, and C is the abbreviation for single layer coating. Apparently, flint lead glass is used for the lens just like the original that started production in 1958. Supply of the flint lead glass is limited since the raw material is getting scarcer even in China so once supplies are depleted they will be forced to switch to a more eco-friendly glass.
The Japanese-only Hatena blog reported when he dissected it, each lens is intentionally made 1mm larger in diameter so that it does not become a replacement part for the original Summicron 35mm F2.
Faithful replica of the original focus tab with infinity lock
Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 Technical specifications
- 8 elements in 6 groups
- Classic Symmetrical Double-Gauss Design
- Number of aperture blades: 10
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.7m
- Filter size: 39mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2
- Minumum aperture: f/16
- Two types of single coating like the original one (Multi-coated as special request with extra cost, + $100 )
- Lens body crafted in brass
- Each lens will include brass made front and rear lens caps. The lens will also be stored in an aluminum alloy container (All metal, no plastic will be used in this project.)
- Three paint options: Black Paint / Chrome / Brass
- Free engraving service for each lens（Numbers/Alphabet, 8/9 spaces)
- Weight: 230 g
- Price : $499 *The replica lens hood will be sold separately. Around $20/each
The faithful reproduction comes down to even the IROOA hood
Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 vs. 7Artisans 35mm f2
With the arrival of another cheap Chinese alternative to classic formulas, it was only natural to compare the Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 to the 7Artisans 35mm f2. There are a few direct comparisons to the OG Summicron 35mm V1 out there on the interwebs so I figure a look at how it fares against the 7Artisans is a fairer and more pragmatic scrutiny. I’m sure there are many people wondering how these two would fare in a tete-a-tete battle so let’s take a closer look.
| Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 | 7Artisans 35mm f2 | ||
| Dimensions | 50mm x 35mm | 50mm x 41mm | |
| Weight | 230g | 210g | |
| Price | $499 | $289 | |
| Half stop clicks | No | No | |
| Infinity lock | Yes | No | |
| Min. Focus | 0.7m | 0.7m |
The following examines the 3 fastest apertures of each lens. I thought this would be a more practical approach since from f5.6 onwards, the discrepancies become almost too subtle to be of significance. Shot on Sony A7r with a metabones adaptor and SOOC.
Light Lens Lab (L) vs. 7Artisans(R) @f2
Light Lens Lab (L) vs. 7Artisans(R) @f2.8
Light Lens Lab (L) vs. 7Artisans(R) @f4
Light Lens Lab (L) vs. 7Artisans(R) @f2
Light Lens Lab (L) vs. 7Artisans(R) @f8
The differences in the image rendering is significant but boils down to one’s preference for that “Sonnar” look versus a double Gauss like the Light Lens Lab. The Light Lens Lab perhaps lacks that dreamy creaminess in the bokeh but has a cooler, more neutral tone and appears to be a bit better with details in the highlights.
I don’t have a direct comparison example but from usage I find the Light Lens Lab is also less prone to flare, making it easier to use in backlit and other tricky lighting situations. The 7Artisans is a bit more on the tele-side as you can tell, it’s probably closer to a 38mm. In addition, it also produces slightly more barreling.
Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 Samples on Film
The following images were shot on a Leica M6 with Cinestill 800. After that they were scanned on a Plustek Opticfilm 8200i and slight adjustments in Lightroom.
The following images were shot on the same Leica M6 with Kodak Portra 400 and scanned on a Plustek Opticfilm 8200i.
Conclusion
If you are interested in the legendary Summicron 8 elements, the Light Lens Lab 35mm is a formidable copy for literally a fraction of the price. Firstly, The construction, quality and finish can’t really be complained about for the price. Moreover, if you must have that OG Summicron look on the cheap and not care about street cred for having a Chinese knock off if you will, you’ll be a happy camper. That said, for even less money you’d get that Sonnar look with a slightly lighter lens in the 7Artisans. In conclusion, to quote Morpheus of Matrix fame, “But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”
MN
But if you want one, where/when can you get one…? This feels like the constant question whenever this shows up on Instagram or FB or wherever.
Ebay is where I got mine. Excellent lens for producing a glow. Build quality is aspiring and could be better. Finding that it has become my go to lens for my M10M.
Yes, same question. Can’t seem to find any links for purchase.
The review was very helpful, thanks !!
Your website is great. For my Leica’s cameras they only wear lens from Germany, Japan, France, USA. I have seen some Leica copies of the last Leica analogic from the same place, despite the attractive price, I have never bought, the only mention of “made in …..” on, troubles me ;-)
Thank you very much for making this comparison, I’ve been waiting for something like this for a while.
One thing though, your side-by-side’s are so little that it’s pretty hard to see the “significant” image rendering quality difference. Would it be possible to include the originals? Honestly besides the corner performance (better controlled on the LLL) and the bokeh (tighter on the LLL) I can’t tell any difference.
All the best and keep up the great articles,
Mihai
Missing comparison with original Leitz.
Indeed, it would be awesome to add a Summicron to this comparison. And please include full size, the images are so small :)
I can’t locate the lens for under 1000. Still less than summicron but …
Any chance you guys could upload higher resolution versions of these comparisons?
What happened to the price? Seem it skyrocketed. I can find one under 1200 USD
for me, there’s no point having a Leica to attach cheap chinese copies of glorious original designs to it.
I’d rather use a fed for that.
by the way, those chines lenses have hyped prices already. 1500EUR/USD for the light lab, while I just got me a original packaged summilux-r 80 in perfect condition from Leica Wetzlar directly for just a bit more including 1yr warranty.
sure it’s another beast, but quality can’t be replaced with hype.
Regarding the price: $500 USD was the price offered to those who signed up for the lens over at RFF back in Dec. 2019. That apparently filled up within a week or so. Some of us are only now receiving the lens. And the hood has increased in price to $75… From what I can gather, there is a Hong Kong dealer selling these for around $1200.
Wierd, seems like at f:2 artisans bokeh is softer then summicrons. Should be other way round.