Anyone Used the Macro adaptor for M8?

[jonoslack]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

HI There

I've read the threads about the Visoflex (and the great photos), but I already have a 90mm macro, and I was wondering how good the macro adaptor is.

Specifically, does it magnify the rangefinder so that it's easier to focus than with the 90mm framelines?

 

It looks like a much smaller and neater solution than the visoflex, and if I want to carry around loadsofgear, then I can use my slr!

 

thanks in advance

[nryn]

I got the 90 Macro Elmar M Kit last week and used it for the first time this past weekend, on the vacation I'm currently taking. I got it primarily for the same reasons you state--I like the Visoflex, but I doubt I'm going to take it on any trips (it kind of defeats the purpose of purchasing the M), but also because the 90 MEM is a great 90mm lens.

 

A neighbor next door builds model ships, one of which is in the Smithsonian, and he just completed two models which I photographed last weekend. I'm not sure if the macro adapter or the right angle adapter does the magnification of the rangefinder, but you can see the macro adapter adjusting for parallax as you turn the focusing ring, which is pretty impressive. Whatever does the magnification could use a bit more magnification in my opinion; I was trying to focus on very, very small pieces of rigging and because the model is very complex I found it difficult to focus, but no more so than focusing on, say, dense foliage without the adapter.

 

I found the right angle adapter really, really helpful, and will probably use it even without the macro adapter. It's by no means necessary; if you have any control over the height of the subject, you can of course raise it to a comfortable shooting level looking straight into the rangefinder. I took the Macro kit and the M8 out into the woods while hunting for morels and took some fantastic pictures of a rather large gray morel as well as some snaps of termite trails on the surface of a dead elm tree. I'd have broken my back doing either of those shots without the right angle adapter.

 

The jury is still out on whether I'll bring the macro adapter with me when I travel. I'm still narrowing down my travel lens selection; I suspect I'll only bring the macro adapter with me when I go on trips such as these, where I know I'll take macro shots.

 

In short, Jono, the adapter is great. LIke the viso, it's not a replacement for an SLR, but it does bring a whole universe of photos you couldn't otherwise take with a rangefinder into play.

[jonoslack]

Hi Narayan

Thanks for that - I'm still teetering on the brink.

Incidentally, I read your bag blog (I'm in a similar position). I use a Crumpler Farmer's double, which looks pretty much like your customary barge, but fits my 17" powerbook. Better than that though is that the camera insert at the bottom perfectly fits a billingham small Hadley (which, in turn, fits two Leica bodies and two lenses). Same principle as you, but I can just pull the bag out when I get to my destination.

[carstenw]

I am also planning to get the 90 Macro with Macro-Adapter. It is such a nice lens, and 1:3 is not bad for such a compact solution. I think that might even be on film, so the reproduction ratio would be 1:2.3 on the M8, enough for most casual macro-photography. I also have the Visoflex III and Bellows II, but the 90 Macro is so much easier to carry and use.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Jono get the adapter it is actually small has it's own pouch and fits in the bag nicely . I just did a thread on this 90mm macro with adpter , do a search but can't recommend it enough. i actually thought of selling the Viso because let's say you can shoot a orange in size which for most cases is plenty

[nryn]

So here are some examples from the shoots described above. Relatively unprocessed. The last one is a 100% crop of the anchor jib deck. That boat is about 1.5-2" across...the guy is phenomenal. He makes each plank for the deck individually and machines all his own metal.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Found it. Check out this thread, pretty cool stuff

 

http://www.leica-camera-user.com/leica-m8-forum/22662-90mm-macro-adapter.html?highlight=90mm+macro

[jonoslack]

Thanks Narayan and Guy

I'm afraid resistance is useless.

Robert White here I come!

[lars_bergquist]

Jonathan,

you wondered what produces the magnification. The adaper is essentially a 14 mm extension ring, though with a transmission for the focusing cam, and optical compensation for parallax (by the goggles).

 

The inspiration is of course the NOOKY device, for the old thread mount Leicas. In both cases, the devices work pretty well for close-ups, but the problem is that you have no control at all of depth of field, which is critical for real macro work. This control you have with the matte screen of the Viso, or an SLR camera. With the adapter, or any such rig, you simply have to estimate d.o.f. by trial and error (which of course is not too bad now with that dinky little camera monitor).

 

The adapter is however a very useful, light and compact device for quick and dirty close-up work, especially when travelling. I would have loved it if it had been available during my backpacking days.

 

The old man from the Age of the Contameter

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Just a nice lens overall too.