Macro Options on the SL/CL

[scott kirkpatrick]

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There was a thread on this subject, with branches into S lenses on SL and R macro lens choices, but that was long ago, so...

 

I have had a "pre-owned" APO-Macro Summarit-S120 with an S to SL Leica adapter for about a year, and recently got the APO-Macro-Elmarit 60 CL and have been using it extensively (it's wildflower season here).  Since our little pear tree is in the middle of its brief show  I decided to try both sets of gear on it.  I'm most satisfied with the result obtained by the Summarit:

 

S1010653 by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr Summarit-S 120 @ISO 320, f/16

 

But that was after shooting the same branch with the CL and reviewing, then modifying the composition and exposure slightly for the second try.  The most comparable CL shot:

 

C1030155 by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr CL 60, ISO 500, f/8

 

Autofocus with the S/SL combination near its minimum focus distance is fussier than with the CL.  These were taken hand-held.  Each blossom is a bit under 2 cm across.

 

Both lenses have their strengths, but if the lovely blossom is more than 500m from the car or house, the choice is clear.

Edited March 23, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick

[helged]

There was a thread on this subject, with branches into S lenses on SL and R macro lens choices, but that was long ago, so...

 

I have had a "pre-owned" APO-Macro Summarit-S120 with an S to SL Leica adapter for about a year, and recently got the APO-Macro-Elmarit 60 CL and have been using it extensively (it's wildflower season here).  Since our little pear tree is in the middle of its brief show  I decided to try both sets of gear on it.  I'm most satisfied with the result obtained by the Summarit:

 

S1010653 by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr Summarit-S 120 @ISO 320, f/16

 

But that was after shooting the same branch with the CL and reviewing, then modifying the composition and exposure slightly for the second try.  The most comparable CL shot:

 

C1030155 by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr CL 60, ISO 500, f/8

 

Autofocus with the S/SL combination near its minimum focus distance is fussier than with the CL.  These were taken hand-held.  Each blossom is a bit under 2 cm across.

 

Both lenses have their strengths, but if the lovely blossom is more than 500m from the car or house, the choice is clear.

 

 

Thanks! Can you briefly summarise the difference you see; it's somewhat hard to get based from the two photos (for instance micro contrast, transition into and out of focus, oof-rendering, colour rendering, etc.). And since SL and CL have the same number of pixels, I guess the FF vs cropped sensor rendering will be part of the end result...

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[mmradman]

>>snip<< I guess the FF vs cropped sensor rendering will be part of the end result...

Also different FL; on SL 120mm lens is 120mm lens while on CL 60mm lens is 90mm FL equivalent, so image compression may also influence end result.  

 

I would imagine Summarit S 120mm would be in a different league to APS-C lens even if it was Leica.  It would be interesting to see how peerless R APO Elmarit 100mm fit in between those two lenses.

[helged]

Also different FL; on SL 120mm lens is 120mm lens while on CL 60mm lens is 90mm FL equivalent, so image compression may also influence end result.  

 

I would imagine Summarit S 120mm would be in a different league to APS-C lens even if it was Leica.  It would be interesting to see how peerless R APO Elmarit 100mm fit in between those two lenses.

 

 

+1. I plan to test both lenses you mention; but the spring hasn't arrived where I live, yet... Results will follow, but it may take some time, mid April to early May, I guess.

Edited March 23, 2018 by helged

[scott kirkpatrick]

Rain last night blew away most of the blossoms I used yesterday, so I'll have to find new experimental subjects.  For a very small target, the CL 60 let me work closer than the S120 is capable of focusing.  The CL60 can do 1:1, but the S120 is limited to 1:2 on an S and I suspect that means about 1:2.5 on the SL.  Minimum distance is 22.4".  Both lenses and the R100 Macro Elmarit will do an excellent job on anything I am likely to encounter down to about 1:2.  The ultimate test case is probably about a 2-3" printed circuit card, held at right angles to the lens axis and well lit.  Someday I might try that (also with the R60 which can do 1:1 with an extension tube).  The S120 is also incredibly good at distances.  When I collected it from FedEX, I set it up and shot a skyline from my hotel window.  Later I could detect an airplane on final to an airport 10-20 miles away in one of the shots.  I don't know if the CL60 can do that, but I suspect the R100 cannot.

 

If the task is a product shot for an EBay listing, my little Olympus E-P5 with the Olympus 60 is quite good.  It has IBIS as well as AF!  So operationally, the preference in convenience for high quality is first CL60, then R100, then S120.  If I want the best color fidelity and midtone separation of colors, I have been getting slightly better results with the S120/SL combination although the CL60 has produced some flower shots that I am very happy with.  Using a tabletop tripod and getting down on my belly with the S120 sometimes makes a difference.  It doesn't seem necessary with the CL.  There are examples of both from my neighborhood, where we are now getting started on summer, at https://www.flickr.com/gp/133969392@N05/kNz456 .

 

I'll be thinking about how each handles the OOF areas but I don't have any firm conclusions on that yet.

Edited March 24, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Magnification of the S120 on the SL is 0.75x..... So getting close, but not quite 1:1

 

Gordon

[LocalHero1953]

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I enjoy the APO-Macro-Elmarit 60 CL very much.

 

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[helged]

Magnification of the S120 on the SL is 0.75x..... So getting close, but not quite 1:1

 

Gordon

With high-end close-up filter(s), a la Marumi 200 or 330, one get even closer. Also the excellent ELPRO 1:2-1:1 (#16545) can be used on the S120 - without too much image degradation, I guess.

[Alistairm]

I sold my S120 after getting the 60. IQ excellent on both. Comparing the S120 on the SL to the 60 on either the SL or the CL then AF, MF, handling, size, weight, ease of use of live view, ease of tripod use and magnification ratio all substantially better on the 60.

 

Note that the S120 won’t work at all on the CL.

 

I think the S120 is so cheap second hand because despite stellar optics it’s a big, clunky lens with a very long focus throw and cumbersome AF. If you want to shoot anything that’s moving or at 1:1 the 60 is the easy choice.

 

I really hope Leica brings out a 180 or 200mm 1:1 SL lens with OIS and snappy AF.

Edited April 7, 2018 by Alistairm

[Linford]

I was very please with the V-E 90-280mm. It's minimal focus distance made it practically a macro lens--albeit a very large one. I have since parted with that lens (to a friend) and almost exclusively use the 2.8/60mm Macro Elmarit, R-series for close-up work. This lens should be available and at a very reasonable cost as well. Cheers--lt

[paulsydaus]

You guys might be interested in seeing what Novoflex are doing in this space: https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/macro/extension-bellows/universal-bellows-for-leica.html

 

 

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