New Macro adapter.

[Jeff S]

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I see the photo you are talking about. My question is--Is there a macro scale on the back side of the lens?

 

No, according to this Popflash description, which includes other details.

 

Jeff

[DigitalHeMan]

The July issue of LFI provides a very clear explanation of how the new lens and adapter work together. The macro adapter is basically an extendable extension ring from 18-30mm. Because the macro-elmar lens also extends 18mm, if you use the lens on the adapter with neither the adapter nor the lens extended, you can focus all the way to infinity. Then to extend focusing closer up, you can extend the macro adapter to 30mm, and by extending the lens as well you get to 1:2 magnification.

 

Only thing the article doesn't explain is whether it is possible to use the new lens with the old goggles.

[AlanJW]

I can confirm that the old goggles adapter will work with other M lenses (well, at least with the 50mm Summilux). The new adapter looks like a better bet in combo with the 90mm Macro Elmar because it gives macro to infinity range.

I have the old style 90mm and old-style goggles adapter, and as much as I would love to have the new adapter it is $690 and I cannot justify that expense. What I would like to try is a simple 18mm extension ring with the 90mm. That should provide the infinity to at least some macro capability at a far lower price.

[JohnJWhite]

The July issue of LFI provides a very clear explanation of how the new lens and adapter work together. The macro adapter is basically an extendable extension ring from 18-30mm. Because the macro-elmar lens also extends 18mm, if you use the lens on the adapter with neither the adapter nor the lens extended, you can focus all the way to infinity. Then to extend focusing closer up, you can extend the macro adapter to 30mm, and by extending the lens as well you get to 1:2 magnification.

 

Only thing the article doesn't explain is whether it is possible to use the new lens with the old goggles.

 

If the lens needs the adapter to focus at infinity, why would anyone buy just the lens? Surely the lens by itself can focus at infinity!

[Jeff S]

If the lens needs the adapter to focus at infinity, why would anyone buy just the lens? Surely the lens by itself can focus at infinity!

 

I think the point is that one can focus at any distance with the adapter in place, without having to remove it.

 

Jeff

[JohnJWhite]

But then why not have the "adapter" built into the lens? What's the point of selling a lens that can't focus at infinity? Or, a lens that focuses beyond infinity?

[AlanJW]

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But then why not have the "adapter" built into the lens? What's the point of selling a lens that can't focus at infinity? Or, a lens that focuses beyond infinity?

I think the lens can focus to infinity when extended and without the macro adapter and with the adapter, it will focus to infinity while collapsed. The adapter provides a 38mm extension that is equal to the extension when the lens is extended, so it is one or the other for infinity.

[JohnJWhite]

So, without the adapter, is infinity focus somewhere in the middle of the range? I'm trying to understand what use the lens is by itself.

[AlanJW]

So, without the adapter, is infinity focus somewhere in the middle of the range? I'm trying to understand what use the lens is by itself.

Without the adapter the lens is extended and it focuses to infinity. Remember it is a collapsible mount. Collapsed with the adapter = infinity focus. Extended without the adapter = infinity focus. The extension in the lens tube is the same 38mm as the adapter. When you have both lens and adapter you are extended 38mm plus another 38mm (or more) from the adapter. I believe the adapter is also adjustable to provide more than 38mm and allow finetuning magnificataion.

[DigitalHeMan]

So, without the adapter, is infinity focus somewhere in the middle of the range? I'm trying to understand what use the lens is by itself.

 

 

The lens can of course focus to infinity without the adapter. However it is only able to close focus to just under 0,8m without the adapter. With the adapter it focuses much closer. The point is that with the old goggles adapter, when you connected them to allow the close focus, you were no longer able to focus at infinity.

[JohnJWhite]

Ah! Dawn breaks over Marblehead. Thanks to you both.

[Jeff S]

Search some threads…it's considered one of the best 90 Leica lenses. Puts actually considers it "the best general purpose 90 lens in the current M range" and "one of the best performing lenses ever made for the 135 format".

 

The speed is a deterrent for some, and the macro designation scares off others…unnecessarily. At least with the new version (as was the case when the old version first appeared), one isn't required to buy the adapter along with the lens if one so chooses.

 

Jeff

[luigi bertolotti]

I can confirm that the old goggles adapter will work with other M lenses (well, at least with the 50mm Summilux). The new adapter looks like a better bet in combo with the 90mm Macro Elmar because it gives macro to infinity range.

I have the old style 90mm and old-style goggles adapter, and as much as I would love to have the new adapter it is $690 and I cannot justify that expense. What I would like to try is a simple 18mm extension ring with the 90mm. That should provide the infinity to at least some macro capability at a far lower price.

 

Maybe possible with the Novoflex rings' set ? (don't know the lengths of its components, which together give the length of the Viso II/III) ; the "Chinese OUFROs" are 10mm : just for fun, I tried them in some odd combinations... Elmar 50 and old Elmar 90 collapsible : you can retract partially the lens and focus to infinity, so that, of course with EVF, you can enjoy a "macro-to-infinity" set... (with the Elmar 50... the Elmar 90 has the collateral issue of focusing only with the lens fully exctracted...)