Leica M9 and macro...

[DFV]

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Has anybody any experience with the Macro-Elmar 90 on the M9? Focusing, results, ease of use, etc... I am thinking of getting one yet I am not that convinced.

 

Thanks.

[jaapv]

I would do a forum search if i were you.

[zeitz]

One of the M9 postings alerts us to a new M9 + Lenses book. It is an e-book and the site is:

 

IziBook.eyrolles.com : Le Leica M9 - 90 objectifs présentés et testés - Du mythique système M aux réglages du boîtier, de la prise de vue au post-traitement des images - De Jean-Marie Sepulchre (EAN13: 9782212853674)

 

One of the samples you can download is a test result of this lens.

 

I recently bought one of these, but haven't used it enough to reach a firm conclusion. My initial impression is very favorable.

[DFV]

Thanks guys, but I am not asking about the performance of the lens... rather, I would like to know if anybody is using it for Macro photography and if they are successful and happy with the results.

 

Thanks.

[perb]

I'm using it on my M8 and I love it. I mount it with the macro-adapter and set the lens to f/11. I also have the SF24D flash on the camera and a magnifier on the finder.

 

The primary drawback is that it is not really macro, i.e. 1:1, but 1:3, so I set the lens on min focus distance (0.5 m) and the shutter speed dial to 250 to get max flash sync. The reason for this is that I handhold it, hunting for insects and spiders. When I find a good subject I position myself close to the focus distance, aim the camera whilst looking through the finder, and then I move the camera forward to find perfect focus. In doing this I might even get some distance between my eye and the finder. When I have focus I release the shutter.

 

So, by using min focus distance I get max image scale, but a lot of my subjects are well inside the cropped sensor, so going to an M9 with the same pixel pitch will not allow me more detail. For that I need smaller pixels and/or larger image scale. However, the smaller image scale with the larger depth of field makes it easier to handhold.

 

If I shoot a flower or other still subject I might use a tripod and natural light.

 

Regards

Per

[DFV]

Great! All I needed to know.

[richard_man]

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Great! All I needed to know.

 

In practical terms, think of it as to take full body picture of a Leica M lens :-) I like it so far. It's reasonably compact setup that comes in handy when you want to just a little closer.

[AlanJW]

Has anybody any experience with the Macro-Elmar 90 on the M9? Focusing, results, ease of use, etc... I am thinking of getting one yet I am not that convinced.

 

Thanks.

 

I had one and sold it. I far prefers a DSLR for Macro Or a Visoflex. Maybe it is me but I was never satisfied with the ability to focus and frame precisely. If you don't have other options then I'd say the 90 macro elmar is a decent compromise. Of course it also gives you a pretty good 90 mm lens for general purposes as well as the macro capability. For me it just wasn't good enough for either as I wanted another stop at 90mm and preferred other macro solutions that were not compromises.

[gib_robinson]

I sold my Macro Elmar and, at times, have regretted it because the lens (and goggles) were so compact and IQ was so good; but I own and almost always carry the 'cron 75mm which usually gets me close enough. It's such a versatile lens with stunning IQ. I also own the 90mm AA which is two stops faster. I chose to keep that bigger, faster lens.

 

--Gib

[DFV]

Thanks to all here!

 

As suspected the Elmar 90 is a great and convenient lens for travel but it seems to be a "patch" for macro photography. Nothing wrong with that but it would make sense if I did not have a DSLR with a 1:1 macro already. If I did not however; I would certainly go for it.

 

If I ever get it, I will get it for the light/travel reason...