Return of the Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron V1: Rediscovering a Classic Lens!

In this video, I explore the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2—a beautifully crafted re-creation of the legendary Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron Version 1. We’ll look at its design, build quality, and performance to see how it honors the timeless original while bringing its own unique touch.

[benjhaisch]

Big fan of this lens as well, I typically don’t like lenses this soft, but this one has a special feel and rendering to it that I really love.

[gewglesux]

Hey man,
Great Video!! I needed this Leica love today.... been one of them days. Great Job Man!!
Portra is expensive.... i'll give you that.

[avernonjones]

You're working with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cameras/glass there. Pay a few extra bucks for the Portra.

[sgxvkbs]

Agfa vista 400 is a great film IMO. Would be interested in your thoughts on the M11 mono and S5II. Cheers

[MilmidStudios]

I’m in love with your high contrast black and white images, Darryl! That lens has caught my attention thanks to you 😂The version 1 Summicron has always been legendary in my mind, so I’m very happy Light Labs has taken on the task of reimagining this lens 👍 excellent content my friend!

[TCMx]

I like mine on the M11. Like the original, it displays focus shift and one of the craziest, weirdest field shapes I've seen. I suspect it is this more than anything that gives it the rendering it has. That said what's in focus, especially by f4.0, has very very high resolution over most of the frame. It's hard to believe Leica were able to make this lens so long ago when SLR 35mm lenses were still complete dogs well into the 2000s. A surprising number of folks seem to use this or a v1 as their primary/only lens. I have an FLE for hassle free shooting, and the 8E when I know I'll have the time to compensate or it's bright enough to zone focus. Id love to have a pre-asph to compare.

[drunacres]

"Looks like Portra 400" is a very, very high bar. Given the right scanning, I have found Fujifilm Superia Premium 400 - a Japan Market film - is pretty good and quite close. I use it a lot here in Tokyo as I can often find 3 packs of 27 frames for discount prices around the place. If you are going through Tokyo, pick some up in the usual Yodobashi or Bic Camera shops, or in the Fujfilm Palette branches. I too have this LLL 35mm on my M10R and M10M, and love it to bits.

[MarcSR]

Very cool, I am curious about their summilux aa 35 that will hopefully come soon

[NiCKLG]

The photos you take are mind-blowing. Have you had a chance to test the leica q3 43 and compare it to the m11 with 35 or 50 mm apo summicron?

[peetje]

Darryl, do you have any experience with the steel rim reissue?

[SCampbell]

Kodak Gold 200 is actually extremely close to Portra 400 at a fraction of the price. The difference between these two film stocks is much less than the difference between two different film scanners.

[mignav]

€1082 in black paint. You're welcome. Nice video, but give us the outlines of the product a bit sooner next time.