From Digital Camera World · · 1m 30s
Leica's retro 35mm lens is a love letter to the past
Lailens releases a limited-edition 35mm f/3.5 lens inspired by vintage British optics, prioritizing character over modern perfection.
In brief
Lailens releases a limited-edition 35mm f/3.5 lens inspired by vintage British optics, prioritizing character over modern perfection. Sometimes a lens's appeal comes from its vintage character and mechanical simplicity, not from chasing technical perfection. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
Lailens drops a retro 35mm lens
Lailens released the 35mm f/3.5 "White Queen" for Leica M-mount cameras, available on eBay for $599. Only 299 examples will be made.
“only 299 examples are being made”
Inspired by classic British optics
The lens recreates a classic Dallmeyer 35mm f/3.5 design at a 1:1 ratio. Lailens disassembled two original lenses to reproduce the optical structure and imaging characteristics.
Retro styling inside and out
The White Queen features a silver metal barrel with a gold-colored aperture ring, manual focus, and an Anastigmat-derived optical design. It's designed to look at home on both classic film and modern digital M cameras.
Not chasing modern speed
At f/3.5, the lens is slower than many modern 35mm alternatives offering f/2 or f/1.4. But that's not the point. The appeal is size, mechanical simplicity, and vintage optical character.
Priced below Leica's own lenses
At $599, the White Queen costs considerably less than many first-party Leica lenses, making it an accessible entry point for photographers seeking vintage character.
Character over clinical perfection
In a market filled with technically exceptional lenses, the White Queen's biggest selling point is its vintage rendering and unusual appearance, not clinical sharpness.
The short version
Sometimes a lens's appeal comes from its vintage character and mechanical simplicity, not from chasing technical perfection.
