Makro options for the SL

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One more set of sample shots taken with R lens:

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Close shot in Macro mode

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One more macro shot with 50Cron-M Pre-ASPH

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[meerec]

Why bother with these classless Hawk adapters if you can do the same with the Leica-macro-adapter-M

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1055729-REG

I use this adapter with all my M lenses on SL

[orc999]

I have a 75mm Apo summicron, which allows focus to about 0.7m. Just yesterday I got a used novoflex macro adapter, came with 2 rings(originaly there should be 3). Now this gets me very close to the subject. Probably closer then most situations will allow.

With the 135mm I can get close about 80cm like this.

 

I just took 2 pictures to show the results.

Pictures shows max reproduction ratio of the 75 and the 135.

the 135mm shot already shows vignette from the rings.

Both at f11, don't seem to be very sharp, I will have to further evaluate why is that.

 

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Edited November 7, 2016 by orc999

[phongph]

My favorite lens of all times is the Apo Macro Elmarit-R 100. It is great for macro use and optically one of the best lenses of all times. The Elmarit-R 60mm Macro is much older, theoretically much worse in optics, but also a really great little gem. (Also the R and M 2/50mm are great).

 

Maybe the optically best macro 100 (even better than the R 100, but just by a tiny margin, only visible in lab tests) is the Zeiss Macro 2/100 (ZF.2). But I actually prefer the R 100 in daily use.

An old favorite is my Nikkor Micro 70-180, the most practical of all macro lenses.

 

I have lately seen some photos with the S 4/120 on the S2, that I liked very much (really made an impression on me). Unfortunately i have not seen any results of this lens on the SL, yet. (I expect the best).  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/royprasad/6300608481/in/photostream/lightbox/ look for the S2 photos.)

 

The Nikon 105 and 60 are also ok, but maybe not my favorites.

Maybe strange, but I also use the Contax 80-200 as macro lens (at 200mm) where I like it very much - especially the colors.

Generally I think most macros are great regarding optics. I would also like to try the Contax 60 and 100.

Very strange macros are maybe the Sigma 1.8/20, 1.8/24 and 1.8/28. Generally they are rather weak lenses, but close-up the results are excellent (not as good as the Leicas, but much better than you would expect).

 

So you see it's a wild mixture of old and new.  (All but the S lens used adapted to SL.)       

 

It will take at least 2-3 years until there is a real macro lens for the SL. In the meantime an SL-AF-OIS macro-ring could be helpful. The 90-280 with such an adaptor or the future Apo Summicron SL 90 could be great AF macro lenses. ( not "real" macro, but close enough).

Hi steppenwOlf!

Please advice me some query of Leica R Apo Macro 100 f2.8 on SL 601:

a. This macro len does not need the Macro adaptor to shoot with SL 601?

b. Can I use this macro len on SL 601 without Elpro 1:2. If yes, the EVF and magnification of SL 601 can help for macro shooting (without Elpro 1:2)?

Have a good day!

Thanks!

[scott kirkpatrick]

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This was an older thread.  The subject has come up from time to time in other threads.  I have been using the APO Macro Elmarit-R with the SL but without the final extension unit that takes it from 2:1 down to 1:1.  And I recently got the APO Macro Summarit-S.  There are images with both posted recently in the thread "S Lenses on the SL" and in the general SL images thread.  They are both lovely lenses for general use as well as for macro work.  The S lens is perhaps more than I needed, but it has awesome resolving power, plus autofocus.

Edited October 31, 2017 by scott kirkpatrick

[dkCambridgeshire]

Lots of recommendations in this thread for macro lenses including the 'not so box-office' Leitz / Leica 100/4 Macro Elmar R … which is probably the most cost effective Leica macro lens and has very good track record … although unfortunately, it's not so popular ... maybe because of its 'slow' (ish) aperture … and maybe because relatively few seem to be offered for sale. Fact is, James Lager used the lens for many of the thousands of illustrations of Leica cameras, lenses and accessories in his "Leica An Illustrated History … ", Volumes I, II and III. Unlikely any other Leica macro lens has such a good pedigree and is such a cost effective option. Its MTF curves are not as 'high bar' as those of the Leica APO Macro Elmarit 100/2.8 but I doubt if anyone will notice much difference in the results at f8 … and the lowly Macro Elmarit 100/4 is a much more versatile lens by virtue of its bellows usability.  With the £750 saved in comparison to buying the Leica APO Macro Elmarit 100/2.8, buy some macro lighting equipment including reflectors, and subject supports and background materials … or a decent copy stand … any of which can facilitate more efficient macro workflow and improve results more than any lens can ever do. 

 

dunk 

Edited October 31, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[wlaidlaw]

I have just bought a Schneider Kreuznach 50mm/f2.8 Componon-S, mainly to use on my Leitz BEOON film copier but with instead, my Novoflex LTM/LTM bellows, I am sure this would make an excellent macro lens as well. S-K actually advertised it as an enlarger and macro lens. Apparently it has a very flat focus field and good resolution. With my BEOON plus a set of 4 Periflex extension tubes, I also have more LTM extension tubes than any single person could ever need. 

 

Wilson

[dkCambridgeshire]

I have just bought a Schneider Kreuznach 50mm/f2.8 Componon-S, mainly to use on my Leitz BEOON film copier but with instead, my Novoflex LTM/LTM bellows, I am sure this would make an excellent macro lens as well. S-K actually advertised it as an enlarger and macro lens. Apparently it has a very flat focus field and good resolution. With my BEOON plus a set of 4 Periflex extension tubes, I also have more LTM extension tubes than any single person could ever need. 

 

Wilson

 

 

Yes, most six element enlarging lenses are very suitable for use as macro lenses and usually offer more cost effective options compared to buying marque macro objectives. 

 

dunk 

[HeinzX]

First of all , it is a shame, that Leica does not offer a native macro lens for the SL neither has it in the road map. I use for macro purposes following solutions:

 

Together with 24/90 and 90/280 a Marumi achromat 5 diop with a step up ring - this one is always in my camera bag, but it is only used when I do not expect macro work.

 

Together with a Novoflex adapter following Canon lenses:

 

A 100 mm macro ( non L) - good results - but AF does often not work when used for macro work.

 

A 180 macro lens - excellent results - AF sufficient for macro purposes - good for common purposes - a very good lens.

 

A MP-E 65 for special purposes - special lens or magnification 1:1 up to 5:1 - has no AF even on the Canon cameras -

ultra sharp - excellent performance. Can only be used for macro purposes.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Yes the Marumi achromatic c/u lenses are excellent but relatively few Leica users try them; they do not realise just how satisfying the results can be. Some would rather try and use the most expensive macro lens … which can be an overkill … and can be useless without correct lighting and subject / camera supports. 

 

dunk 

[ramarren]

I continue to soldier on with the Macro-Elmar-R 100mm f/4 + Focusing Bellows R and Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8. Also the Summicron-R 50mm f/2, Summicron-R 90mm f/2, and Elmar-R 180mm f/4 + 2x Extender-R (mounted on the bellows). 

 

The Focusing Bellows-R is a great piece. It has a built in rotating scale with distances for 50mm, 90mm, 100mm, and a mm extension scale. The base has a fine focusing macro rail built into it. The bellows mount Macro-Elmar-R 100mm f/4 is matched to it, and came with it, at a ridiculously low price—mint condition.

 

Use either the two-adapter stack (M Adapter L + R Adapter M) to use these lenses and the bellows, or the R Adapter L. 

 

It will be nice when Leica fleshes out the SL lens line to include some native macro lenses, but honestly I don't need anything more than what I already have. 

[LocalHero1953]

+1 for the Marumi on the SL zooms.

 

And, for the record, the Apo-Macro Elmarit TL 60mm needs no adapters to go from infinity to 1:1, so a great lens for everyday out and about use on the TL. Obviously on the SL it crops the sensor, but, with the slower and more careful framing and focusing that I need for macro, I find I crop much less anyway, so having fewer pixels is less of a problem. That said, I would rather use the TL2 than the SL for macro, simply for the convenience of a smaller lighter package.

[thighslapper]

+2 for marumis ....... I used them on the X-Vario and now the T, Q and SL. posted plenty of images over the years. For convenience and image quality you cannot fault them.

[helged]

Regarding the Marumi close-up filter(s): I recently got hand on the +3 and +5 versions of these filters (77mm). The filters came in some sort of plastic-type of boxes, but the filters are not particularly protected, I will say. No caps, for instance. Any suggestions for suitably sized pouches/cases/boxes? Or should I simply add caps on both ends, perhaps? Just curious to learn how you protect your Marumi's in the field; I don't like to have unprotected filters floating around... Thanks!

[pgk]

I just keep mine in their plastic cases but they might be a little fragile for carrying around extensively. You can get 'lens wraps' from some outlets, which are soft fold around cloths, and then put the wrapped CU filters in something more protective (a Lee pouch perhaps with plastic stiffeners added - I've done so effectively in the past).

[helged]

I just keep mine in their plastic cases but they might be a little fragile for carrying around extensively. You can get 'lens wraps' from some outlets, which are soft fold around cloths, and then put the wrapped CU filters in something more protective (a Lee pouch perhaps with plastic stiffeners added - I've done so effectively in the past).

 

 

Thanks. After a little digging, I see that e.g. Lowepro 9x9 cm fits two of the black plastic boxes. Two step-up/step-down rings may be added as well. As compact as one can get it with two Marumis, I assume.

[pgk]

Deuter, like Lowepro, also make a range of useful little cases - I seem to have quite a number for my lenses, batteries and cards. Think Tank too. Always worth looking to see who is producing useful bits and pieces.

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Hallo,

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