Macro for SLs

[alywit]

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As an amateur photographer I have always enjoyed Macro photography and had a ring flash and 100mm lens with my Canon. I have been thinking about putting something together for my SL2. I just received an email that the Sigma 70mm f2.8 DG Macro lens for Leica L (under $600) is now available. Prior to this, I purchased a used Macro M adapter and am pricing used 90mm Summicron f2 M lenses (approx $3000). I don’t need autofocus as I do not use that feature in Macro. Which setup do you think would get me better quality images? What would be the pros/cons I should consider? Also, I can’t remember where but I thought I read that Leica might come out with a Macro lens for the SL system? 

Edited March 8, 2020 by alywit
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[frame-it]

49 minutes ago, alywit said:

As an amateur photographer I have always enjoyed Macro photography and had a ring flash and 100mm lens with my Canon. I have been thinking about putting something together for my SL2. I just received an email that the Sigma 70mm f2.8 DG Macro lens for Leica L (under $600) is now available. Prior to this, I purchased a used Macro M adapter and am pricing used 90mm Summicron f2 M lenses (approx $3000). I don’t need autofocus as I do not use that feature in Macro. Which setup do you think would get me better quality images? What would be the pros/cons I should consider? Also, I can’t remember where but I thought I read that Leica might come out with a Macro lens for the SL system? 

 

[fotonutzz]

Leica currently has the TL 60mm Macro, but it's not full frame.  If you don't mind shooting APS-C on your SL, you can consider that.

Prior to getting the SL2, I was using a dumb Nikon - SL adapter on my SL and pairing it with the AF-D 60mm Micro Nikkor.

Now that I got the SL2, I'm using it with the Canon EF100L Macro with a Sigma MC-21.

[tom.w.bn]

vor 42 Minuten schrieb fotonutzz:

Leica currently has the TL 60mm Macro, but it's not full frame.  If you don't mind shooting APS-C on your SL, you can consider that.

Prior to getting the SL2, I was using a dumb Nikon - SL adapter on my SL and pairing it with the AF-D 60mm Micro Nikkor.

Now that I got the SL2, I'm using it with the Canon EF100L Macro with a Sigma MC-21.

Why did you choose the EF 100 L? The main difference to the older and much cheaper EF 100 (non L) is the stabilizer. As far as I know the stabilizer of the lens does not work properly together with the IBIS. Some comparisons said that the image quality of the L to the non-L version is not a lot better. You can save a lot of money and weight by buing the Macro EF 100 2.8 USM.

Edited March 8, 2020 by tom.w.bn

[HeinzX]

For macro purposes I use the following Canon EF macro lenses together with the MC 21 or the Novoflex adapter (I have both) on the SL 2 :

Canon Macro 180 mm

Canon Macro 100 mm (non L version, one version before)

Canon MP-E 65 - a ve special lens with magnification rate up to 5:1

I find no big difference between Novofle adapter and the MC 21, but nowadays the logical choice is the MC 21, simply because it is newer and much cheaper.

I own  a Leitz L Macro 60 mm too, which gives excellent results on the CL, but on the SL 2 I prefer one of the above mentioned configurations because of the higher resolution I can achieve and better  thererfore cropping possibility. I have checked the Sigma some time ago with a Sony A 7 III because at this time the L version was not yet available. The results are very good but not better as with my Canon lenses and I do not like the handling of this lens at all and the focal length of 70 mm is to low for many of my purposes. If I were you I would use the Canon 100 mm  - if you still own it and buy a Sigma MC 21 adapter, which is not expensive. If you have already sold this lens I would go for another Canon 100 mm Macro again plus the MC 21 or eventually for a Canon 180 mm Macro together with this adapter. It depends what kind of macros you intend to make. For insects, and flowers the old Canon 180 mm is still a great lens. For table tops the focal length is too high.

Just by the way- in the old road map of Panasonic a 100 mm Macro was announced foe 2020. But in the very last revised road map not any more.

 

 

Edited March 8, 2020 by HeinzX

[jcraf]

I have to give a big thumbs-up for the Sigma 70mm DG Macro Art L mount lens.  I have had a good play with this lens, and it's very good indeed. And all at a 'bargain' price of only £499.  It's a no-brainer to me. See:

https://www.macfilos.com/2020/02/25/sigma-l-mount-lenses-bring-a-new-dimension-for-owners-of-leicas-sl-cameras/

for a couple of images. There may be proper tests elsewhere.

As with all of the Sigma Art products, build quality is top notch too.  As an aside, I've tested other lenses in the L-mount Art range and they're all bloody good for the price.  I expect I'll now be excommunicated!

Edited March 8, 2020 by jcraf

[jplomley]

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So many asking for macro capabilities on the SL, I really think it’s time Leica introduce one for the L mount. I mean it’s not like they’ve announced anything else after the wide angles are released, so why not? 120mm please with 1:1 magnification. 

[Boojay]

1 hour ago, jcraf said:

I have to give a big thumbs-up for the Sigma 70mm DG Macro Art L mount lens.  I have had a good play with this lens, and it's very good indeed. And all at a 'bargain' price of only £499.  It's a no-brainer to me. See:

https://www.macfilos.com/2020/02/25/sigma-l-mount-lenses-bring-a-new-dimension-for-owners-of-leicas-sl-cameras/

for a couple of images. There may be proper tests elsewhere.

As with all of the Sigma Art products, build quality is top notch too.  As an aside, I've tested other lenses in the L-mount Art range and they're all bloody good for the price.  I expect I'll now be excommunicated!

Plus 1, thumbs up from me too.  

 

[Daniel81]

I JUST purchased the Elmarit R 60 (an ROM model) for my SL and was out playing with it last week for the first time.  It's a lovely lens. Still learning about it. It sits very nicely on the SL body.  The 100 is also legendary as I am sure you know.  I got the 60 because a good deal on a mint copy appeared in my searching.

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Edited March 9, 2020 by Daniel81

[Daniel81]

60 Elmarit R on SL body

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[alywit]

10 hours ago, frame-it said:

 

Thanks for sharing your tests with the 90 APO and Macro M Adapter. It is really compelling to see the differences with the camera and the f stop variation.

[alywit]

10 hours ago, fotonutzz said:

Canon EF100L Macro with a Sigma MC-21/

Did you already have the Canon lens or was that specifically purchased to use with the SL2?

[alywit]

7 hours ago, jplomley said:

I really think it’s time Leica introduce one

Yeah, I am kind of baffled that they haven't made one given that this camera has the large 35mm sensor with high res that gives the user the ability to crop in and really see the detail of the subject.

[alywit]

7 hours ago, Boojay said:

Plus 1, thumbs up from me too.  

 

Yeah, I almost feel like I am obligated to at least try it before investing in something more substantial given it's minimal cost.

[alywit]

9 hours ago, HeinzX said:

Canon 100 mm Macro again plus the MC 21

Did you buy the Canons for the SL2 camera? I did sell the lens awhile back. It was older but reliable and I do regret it. I may have to consider rebuying it if Leica doesn't come out with an SL Macro lens...

Also, do you have any macro comparisons with the SL2/Canon combo? Even if it isn't the same shot for all the lenses I'd still like to see them.

I enjoy shooting mostly nature pictures with Macros.

[alywit]

2 hours ago, Daniel81 said:

60 Elmarit R on SL body

Okay so please excuse my ignorance, the SL2 is my first Leica so I am still learning about the entire system. Does this use the whole sensor or is it APS-C? Do you need an adapter? Those are great pictures. I love snow, water and ice shots. Hard to capture and get the focus just right.

[alywit]

10 hours ago, tom.w.bn said:

You can save a lot of money and weight by buing the Macro EF 100 2.8 USM.

That is good to know. I have to think more about what exactly I want and how much $ I want to spend, or not spend

[Daniel81]

38 minutes ago, alywit said:

Okay so please excuse my ignorance, the SL2 is my first Leica so I am still learning about the entire system. Does this use the whole sensor or is it APS-C? Do you need an adapter? Those are great pictures. I love snow, water and ice shots. Hard to capture and get the focus just right.

The Elmarit R lenses will use your whole sensor.  The 60 and 100 are legendary.  yes, they require R to L adaptor.  Elmarit means they are f2.8 lenses.  Very reasonably priced.  Either would work GREAT on your SL2 with the manual focus the focus peaking.

Edited March 9, 2020 by Daniel81

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[HeinzX]

vor 5 Stunden schrieb alywit:

Did you buy the Canons for the SL2 camera? I did sell the lens awhile back. It was older but reliable and I do regret it. I may have to consider rebuying it if Leica doesn't come out with an SL Macro lens...

Also, do you have any macro comparisons with the SL2/Canon combo? Even if it isn't the same shot for all the lenses I'd still like to see them.

I enjoy shooting mostly nature pictures with Macros.

No, I had these Canon lenses from my Canon time and kept it when I sold my Canon gear and bought at this time a Leica SL. Comparisions with other lenses I do not have - but I am sure, that the outcome with the SL 2 is bette with an adapted Canon lens then with the APS-C Macro 60 mm from Leica on the SL 2. The 60 mm is a great lens, but on the SL 2 the resolution is reduced to 20 MP and with the Canons it remain at 47 MP.

[HeinzX]

If interested, I  have just now inserted some photos with title Carnivores in the SL 2 picture thread. All these have been made with SL 2 and Canon EF Macro 100 mm , non L version - version before. Adapter was the MC 21.