What’s your thoughts on this lens?

Great video, really like the images you’ve made. I just recently picked up the Leica 35mm Steel Rim and love it, so I won’t be interested in this lens, but good practical review of it, looks interesting.

Thanks for another awesome video! Cool pictures!

Received mine last week. I was excited. I’ve not had enough time to really give it a solid test run, but so far I think it’s….fine? Need more time with it. I’m currently using it on my M11 and adapted to my XE5. I can say that on the Fuji, I do like the seemingly warmer colors it gives compared to my Voigtlander Nokton 35 SC II. For me and how I shoot, it was worth the sacrifice of the f1.4. Selling the Voigty.

Very balanced review and good that you speak about the field curvature characteristic. As I understand, it’s a point where this lens differs significantly from the Summicron 35mm f/2 version 4.
I would have wished clearer communication from the manufacturer explaining exactly how the optical design is different from the aforementioned Summicron - and why.
I also tend to agree with you that the use of Mr Mandler’s name and the red dot borders on being unethical; it’s definitely worth discussing.

Great video. Like your new house style Tony. Keep m coming.  Nice shots too. It matters where you are at for sure.  Interesting environment makes half the shot.

I’m glad you talk about the level of copying as an issue. I also felt that way and somehow struggle with it.

Great images and thoughts.

Great video bro!

I can't speak about how Mandler performs on digital but I've had 1 for my film Leica's for a couple months now and been very pleased with the results.

I have the black "basic" model in M mount and like it enough were I'm tempted to get the LTM version to use on a Canon P I picked up on impulse (the P is getting a CLA first).

The accessory kit is a must buy for anyone getting 1. It includes a nice metal "round" lens shade, a plastic copy of the one found in the "KOB" and a 39mm protection filter.

I have found out the LTM version comes with a M mount adaptor, so anyone wanting to kill 2 birds with 1 lens this is a good option.

I will get my review sample next week due to slow mail! Gonna destroy it at Copenhell festival in the circle pits. Can’t wait :)

Fancy turning up to a Leica 100 event with a non-Leica lens!
It’s like turning up to a Porsche meet, in a VW….

(Don’t take the above comment too seriously!)

Love the images ❤

This Lens has many different version of outlook appearance. For the focusing tab, they also offer it in brass version as well. Not necessarily only the plastic tab. For the images I think it’s outstanding for what it’s worth. Mandler did mention they tuned it to make the center sharp for digital and that comes with a weaker corner. So when u compare this with a summicron, you find that it’s actually sharper than a v5 summicron in the center but lagging behind on the corner. Anyway most people buy it because it’s cheap, like a leica Lens and have characteristic.

The complaints about the Mandler are in two groups.  1} the same flaws as the Leica lens it is adapted from, but no one whines about the Leica.  Explain that to me.  2}  Mandler should not have used the name, the formula and so on.  Listen up: the patent expired.  Anybody can make and sell that lens now.

My take. Good lens, good price.  I like mine.

In my experience, the field curvature is a non-issue; pics are often great across the frame

You like the Artis Lab 35 1.4 better? These pics on Mandler looked damn good.
You have any experience with Light Lens Lab? Those lenses intrigue me more than any.

With all of that… I still much prefer the renderings and images out of my venerable X-T1 with all vintage Asahi Pentax Supers Takumar’s. Sold off Leica because of that. The user experience on the T1 with vintage glass is also not to be taken lightly. 😊

Great great pics by you in this video!!!

Happy Shooting 📸

@camerafusion was great to meet you in NYC Tony! And thanks for the great portraits. Glad we got to hit the ferry at the right time! And awesome review

My  professionnal 70 y/o master and friend, a son and grandson of professionnal photograph, told me his best lens he is using for 30 years, is a 50 bucks lens bought in a flea market. Despite owning a 1976 leica noctilux since 1st day paired with leica m6 and  mastering 4x5 , 5x7 and 8x10 view camera , while using before retirement, the top zeiss lens since 5d mark II was released,  he declared to me that my leica m11 mono i inherited recently (tragically)....doesn't make sense anymore nowadays........and after using it, i think he is right.......no wonder why they released M ev1....it's just because real old fashion photographs can't stand anymore the viewfinder accuracy.....and new rich people doesn't really care about photography..........so in conclusion,  the lens will do the job for film......and then, please, don't scan it🤣🤣🤣 ( before using plenty of top lens, i used to shoot film with a 50 bucks lens also bought on a flea market TOO) ENJOY THIS LENS IF YOU WANT IT.....

I just got mine today in the brass with chrome. It compliments my LLL 35/1.4 and my Ksana 35/2. That’s the fun on having not too expensive lenses for my M11p to experiment with.

Hey I love this video and comments... I was a really early adopter of this lens... mine was in the very first run so I have a low number copy. When I was researching this lens there was little in the way of real world examples of its use... I bought my black example to go on my M-A as my 50mm Summicron V4 just isn't wide enough at times. I was contemplating an original V4 35mm but just to expensive AND the front groupset on the Leica is in a plastic carrier which is prone to fail. So the Mandler is cheaper and looks the same... I'm a looks tart so I have no worries with the replica... (after all you guys in the US are happy with replica Colt Peacemakers so what's the issue?). The coatings are the same as the original V4, however, the groupset carrier IS metal and the optics have been tuned for 100mp digital cameras.

I use Kodak Ultramax 400 as a primary film stock and at f8 there is little issue edge to edge... I find it a really joyful lens to use... and with film to the point that I could almost get rid of digital if it were not for client work.

This lens is a steal... I just wished they'd decided to make a 28mm next and not a 50mm!