chris_tribble Posted August 10, 2018 Share #1 Posted August 10, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) According to Leica Rumours, this has just been announced https://leicarumors.com/2018/08/09/leica-elpro-e52-close-up-lens-set-announced.aspx/ Does anyone have experience which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of close-up lenses such as these and the Leica Macro-Adapter M? I'd be interested in getting a sense of their relative merits. Thanks! PS - just noted that Helge has started a post in the lens thread - maybe a moderator could shift this post to the more suitable location? Edited August 10, 2018 by chris_tribble Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 10, 2018 Posted August 10, 2018 Hi chris_tribble, Take a look here Leica Elpro E52 close up lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
scott kirkpatrick Posted August 10, 2018 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2018 (edited) I just noticed it available for pre-order at the LeicaStoreMiami, so it is real. It has 52 mm hread, and comes with 49 and 46 mm step-down rings. Perhaps a few lucky people have copies to test. Edited August 10, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemeyer Posted August 10, 2018 Share #3 Posted August 10, 2018 Strange Leica only includes it in the APSC section of the web site and not as an accessory under the full-frame cameras. Perhaps the image quality does not extend to full-frame? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted August 11, 2018 Share #4 Posted August 11, 2018 The narrative says for attaching on M and TL lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 12, 2018 Share #5 Posted August 12, 2018 Leica R system 55mm thread Elpro 1 (2.51 diopter), Elpro 2 (4.92 diopter), Elpro 3 (1.66 diopter and Elpro 4 (0.75 diopter) can be sourced for considerably less £€$ … and adapted to modern Leica primes / zooms via stepping rings. Some forum members have been using Leica R Elpros for many years and with excellent results. Search dealers s/h Leica accessory listings for the budget price solutions. dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 12, 2018 Share #6 Posted August 12, 2018 ... to compare the relative performance of close-up lenses such as these and the Leica Macro-Adapter M? I'd be interested in getting a sense of their relative merits. When used in conjunction with M lenses, an Elpro (or any good-quality close-up lens) will yield much better image quality than the Macro-Adapter-M (or any kind of extension tube). However, the working range of the Elpro 52 is rather narrow, especially with M lenses. The Macro-Adapter-M has a wider working range. If you want to cover the whole range starting at the lens' own minimum focusing distance up to a magnification of, say, 1:3 or 1:2 then you'd need a set of two or three close-up lenses of different strengths. For an M lens with 0.7 m minumum focusing distance, the first close-up lens should be +1.5 dpt. The second, maybe +2.5 or +3 dpt. The third, if desired, +5 dpt or thereabouts. The new Elpro 52 is approximately +7 dpt which is pretty strong (too strong in my opinion) for M lenses. It suits TL lenses better. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 12, 2018 Share #7 Posted August 12, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) List of fairly commonly available (new but some only s/h) achromatic close-up lenses i.e double and triplet c/u lenses worth sourcing / buying … as distinct from the cheap single element supplementary c/u lenses which are generally not worth buying. http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html dunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 12, 2018 Share #8 Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) ... as distinct from the cheap single-element supplementary close-up lenses which are generally not worth buying. This is a gross exaggeration. Sure—an achromat is always better than a single-element lens, that much is true. So when given the choice, and budget allows, you should prefer the achromatic variety over the single-element lens. But that doesn't mean single-element close-up lenses were useless, or crap, or not worth buying. To force a non-macro lens with a short or medium focal length (such as any current M lens except the Makro-Elmar-M 90 mm) into the close-up range, basically you got three options. In order of increasing image quality, these are: (1) extension tube, (2) single-element close-up lens, (3) achromatic close-up lens. The first option is the worst. The second is somewhat better. The third is as good as a dedicated macro lens (albeit less comfortable to use, with a narrower working range). The rule of thumb is this: If the focal length of the master lens is about ten times (or more) the focal length of the close-up attachment lens then you don't need an achromatic close-up lens; a single-element close-up lens will do. If however the focal length of the master lens is about five times (or less) the focal length of the close-up attachment lens then you better use an achromatic close-up lens. Edited August 12, 2018 by 01af 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2018 Share #9 Posted August 12, 2018 When used in conjunction with M lenses, an Elpro (or any good-quality close-up lens) will yield much better image quality than the Macro-Adapter-M (or any kind of extension tube). Any literature upon which your point of view expressed here is based? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 12, 2018 Share #10 Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) This is a gross exaggeration. Sure—an achromat is always better than a single-element lens, that much is true. So when given the choice, and budget allows, you should prefer the achromatic variety over the single-element lens. But that doesn't mean single-element close-up lenses were useless, or crap, or not worth buying. To force a non-macro lens with a short or medium focal length (such as any current M lens except the Makro-Elmar-M 90 mm) into the close-up range, basically you got three options. In order of increasing image quality, these are: (1) extension tube, (2) single-element close-up lens, (3) achromatic close-up lens. The first option is the worst. The second is somewhat better. The third is as good as a dedicated macro lens (albeit less comfortable to use, with a narrower working range). The rule of thumb is this: If the focal length of the master lens is about ten times (or more) the focal length of the close-up attachment lens then you don't need an achromatic close-up lens; a single-element close-up lens will do. If however the focal length of the master lens is about five times (or less) the focal length of the close-up attachment lens then you better use an achromatic close-up lens. Not my words … your interpretation. However, 'not worth buying' because of e.g., resultant CA … which is not 'a gross exaggeration'. Edited August 12, 2018 by dkCambridgeshire Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 12, 2018 Share #11 Posted August 12, 2018 Any literature upon which your point of view expressed here is based? Sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 12, 2018 Share #12 Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) As usual an indispensable thing that has never been needed so far in the history of Leica, and coincidentally something extra for Leica owners to buy. What is not to like? Edited August 12, 2018 by 250swb Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted August 12, 2018 Share #13 Posted August 12, 2018 According to Leica Rumours, this has just been announced https://leicarumors.com/2018/08/09/leica-elpro-e52-close-up-lens-set-announced.aspx/ Does anyone have experience which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of close-up lenses such as these and the Leica Macro-Adapter M? I'd be interested in getting a sense of their relative merits. I've used close-up lenses as well as macro lenses, extension tubes, bellows, etc etc, many times over the years. Close-up lenses are nice in that they generally don't cut the light by any substantial fraction. However, they're the most limited in versatility, in that the range of their usability is generally a very short focusing range. Even cheap, single element close-up lenses can do a very nice job, depending on the subject, while high end doublets and triplets like the ELPROs can produce remarkably good quality. True macro lenses in full focusing mounts are generally my preference for most work in the 1:1 to 1:4 magnification range because they're simple to use and very versatile, having focusing from infinity down to whatever their maximum magnification is (usually 1:1 or 1:2) continuously variable. True macro lenses are usually the best corrected for flat field rendering and recording, but can often be used as an alternative to a standard normal or portrait tele lens, depending on focal length. Extension tubes and bellows systems do what macro lenses do to enable close focusing, but allow you to use a variety of other lenses for close-up work. Whether better or worse than an ELPRO type close-up lens ... well, it depends on how well the particular lens mates with the ELPRO or other close-up lens. Some do better than others. I currently don't have any good close-up lenses to fit my R lenses (most of which have a 60mm front filter thread, not 52 or smaller). I've been using the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm either by itself, with the Macro Adapter-R extension tube (to net 1:2 to 1:1 magnification) or with the Focusing Bellows-R for up to about 2.7:1 magnification. I also have the bellows mount version of the Macro-Elmar-R 100mm f/4 to use with the bellows (which nets infinity to 1:1 magnification), and have used my Summicron-R 50 on it, as well as Summicron-R 90 and Elmar-R 180 lenses. It's proven a very very versatile and high quality set of close-up gear, so the new ELPRO probably isn't really worth it to me. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2018 Share #14 Posted August 12, 2018 Sure. Could you please quote? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marac Posted August 12, 2018 Share #15 Posted August 12, 2018 I just grabbed an Elpro 3 from eBay for £16. Bargain. it 'should' fit on my TL 35mm summilux and with a 55-52 it will fit the summicron and 18-56 also. true? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 12, 2018 Share #16 Posted August 12, 2018 I just grabbed an Elpro 3 from eBay for £16. Bargain. it 'should' fit on my TL 35mm summilux and with a 55-52 it will fit the summicron and 18-56 also. true? TL 35 S'lux has 60mm filter thread so Elpro 3 will not fit without a stepping ring … and Elpro plus ring might cause vignetting dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 13, 2018 Share #17 Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) Could you please quote? It's printed matter (not on the Internet), and it's in German language. But then, you have eyes to see, haven't you? Make your own comparison of a non-macro lens on extension tubes and with close-up lenses. I just grabbed an Elpro 3 from eBay for £16. Bargain. It 'should' fit on my Summilux-TL 35 mm, and with a 55-52 it will fit the Summicron and 18-56 also. True? True. The Elpro 3 suits M lenses perfectly. But for most TL lenses it's a bit weak; you'd have more fun with Elpro 1 & 2. But then, at £16 you can't go wrong. Try the Elpro 3 on longer TL lenses such as the 55-135. Edited August 13, 2018 by 01af Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 13, 2018 Share #18 Posted August 13, 2018 I don't think Tri will have any problems with the German language You could at least reference the publications. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted August 13, 2018 Share #19 Posted August 13, 2018 The advantage of these lens add-ons are... -nice and small, portable and easy to carry, and -quick to attach without changing lenses ... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 13, 2018 Share #20 Posted August 13, 2018 Sure. i see Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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