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Leica 90mm. f/4 macro-kit crops


kcnarf

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If I crop the closest close-up that can be taken with the Leica 90mm.-F/4 so-called "macro" kit, which is not fully macro, will the image quality be at least somewhat equal to an uncropped full macro photo taken with a Nikon D3 + a Nikkor full macro lens?

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Yes - for some values of "somewhat" - but the D3 will usually have the edge.

 

Most current and recent Micro-Nikkors focus to 1:1, using floating elements to maintain image quality close up. The Elmar (without floating elements) and its macro adapter only get to 1:3, so if you crop and enlarge to get to 1:1 you'll be throwing away nearly 90% of the M9's excellent pixels.

 

If you want to get into the "true macro" realm beyond 1:1, rangefinder cameras just aren't in the game. (Yes, I know all about Visoflexes: they turn Ms into SLRs:).)

Edited by giordano
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Hi, Giordano. Thanks for your response. I knew cropping a Leica 90mm. f/4 shot at 1:3 macro to 1:1 would lose some pixels, but not that many.

 

What about the feasibility of using a point-&-shoot D-lux 4 (LX3) or Canon S90 for decent 1:1 (or thereabout) macro shots? I'm trying to avoid carrying out into the field my Nikon D3 and 70-200mm. 2.8 lens with Canon 500d macro diopter.

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Depends on what kind of 'macro' shots you want. If it's tiny bugs, flower stamens, etc., then the 90 Macro ain't going to cut it. A P&S might, but I doubt it. That's really 1:1 territory or closer - you probably want a real macro lens, possibly with extension tubes. If you want full sized flower or other things 2 inches (give or take) in size, then the 90 Macro is alright.

 

Another way to look at it, a 1:3 reproduction ratio means that a full frame shot (1x1.5 inches) will be roughly 3x4.5 inches in size in real life.

 

I used to shoot 'real' macro with my SLR system. I found I needed a tripod or a flash system most of the time to get workable DOF in the shot. I had a macro twin flash for my Canon that worked pretty well. I sold that stuff since I don't really do it anymore and the 90 Macro does what I need most of the time - close up shots of details that I encounter in my travels, as well as a compact portrait lens.

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Hi, Giordano. Thanks for your response. I knew cropping a Leica 90mm. f/4 shot at 1:3 macro to 1:1 would lose some pixels, but not that many.

 

What about the feasibility of using a point-&-shoot D-lux 4 (LX3) or Canon S90 for decent 1:1 (or thereabout) macro shots? I'm trying to avoid carrying out into the field my Nikon D3 and 70-200mm. 2.8 lens with Canon 500d macro diopter.

 

Point-and-shoot?you're probably better off with the Macro Elmar for image quality; the advantage of the little cameras is through-the-lens-viewing. (If you're close-up with an rangefinder camera you always have to remember that the viewfinder and the lens are seeing the subject from significantly different angles, making precise composition and framing quite difficult.)

 

On the other hand a big 70-200 plus achromat close-up lens isn't the best macro outfit either: it's so heavy and unbalanced that normal humans can't hold it still enough for macro work (hand-held 1:1 is chancy with any lens) and needs a really strong tripod.

 

IMHO if you're serious about macro and 1:1 you might do best to get a used Micro-Nikkor. Almost any Nikkor ever made will work on the D3, and autofocus isn't important when you're really close up (if you're using a tripod, manual focus is just as good, and hand-held it's easy to get the final focus by moving the camera). Otherwise, as Hoppy's picture shows, the Macro Elmar is very good up to 1:3.

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get something cheaper, good god...a Nikon D3000 + Micro Nikkor gives you superb image quality for macro, and a small package too.

 

I would even suggest you get a Sigma HSM focusing macro lens. I don't know what you photograph "in the field", but if you are into bugs I would recommend the following, as it is what I used (almost):

 

Sigma 150/2.8 Macro + 1,4x Sigma TC + any crop Nikon, like a D3000, or a D90 if you wish, a decent tripod head (I used a Linhof II) + macro rail (novoflex are superb) + Kirk Mighty Low Boy Tripod.

 

you get a MUCH superior setup that way, and it doesn't cost much more than the Macro Elmar.

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