Leica APO-MACRO-Summarit-S 120mm/2.5 ASPH. (11070)

[analog-digital]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would like to have some field reports on the Leica APO-MACRO-Summarit-S 120mm/2.5 ASPH (11070) lens.

Can it be used WITHOUT a tripod?

[Sarnian]

13 minutes ago, analog-digital said:

Can it be used WITHOUT a tripod?

Absolutely! I never use a tripod. The only lens I would probably think about using a tripod with is the 180mm due to its length.

Here's a handheld 'snapshot' with the 120mm

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[helged]

31 minutes ago, analog-digital said:

I would like to have some field reports on the Leica APO-MACRO-Summarit-S 120mm/2.5 ASPH (11070) lens.

Can it be used WITHOUT a tripod?

Absolutely +2. But try to avoid shutter speeds in the range 1/30-1/125 s (holdes for any lens on the S-system) as there is a tendency for shutter/mirror movement kicking in. 

Edited February 19, 2022 by helged

[John McMaster]

I try to use at least 1/500th with my 120, sometimes 1/360th is OK, rarely use a tripod outside...

john

[topoxforddoc]

I regularly hand hold the 120 with my S(006) for music gigs. Here are some shots from the photographers' pit from Blenheim Palace in 2017 with Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter and Tivon Pennicott (GP's sax player)

Handheld between 1/125 to 1/250

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 19, 2022 by topoxforddoc

[Stuart Richardson]

It is the best lens in the system, in my opinion. The sharpest edge to edge, beautiful bokeh, a flat focal plane, and no color fringing, distortion and focuses to 1:2. The only real improvements I can see for this lens would be to focus to 1:1 (which would make the lens even bigger), or to make it smaller/lighter. I still think it is not too bad though.

It can definitely be used handheld as long as you keep the shutter speed reasonable. The S system is well-balanced, so it tends to handle better than it might appear given the size and weight specs. I shoot the 120mm often in daylight without a tripod. The lens is also at or near its best at f3.2 to 5.6, so unless you need the depth of field, you need not stop down, which helps keep the shutter speeds higher.

 

[tom0511]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Here is one more fan of the 120. Besides the points mentioned I also have very good accurate AF with my 120 (while the 100 seems more tricky).

It is a little more heavy than the 100, and it focuses a little slower than the 180, but it is a very flexible lens with beautiful rendering. Macro, portrait, ...

[analog-digital]

Thanks for all the input.

What is your assessment of the used market price?

[Sarnian]

1 hour ago, analog-digital said:

What is your assessment of the used market price?

The 120mm is well-regarded so you won't see it sell as cheaply (or as frequently) as the 70mm. I got mine for £1,755 (with a new auto focus motor) but that was a good price. The cheapest on ebay.co.uk at the moment is £1,999.99 (with no mention of whether it has a new auto focus motor or not). 

[ocean2059]

I agree with others that this may be the best lens in the S line. I use mine hand-held pretty often. Here is an old one image with S2 (hand-held, ISO 160, 1/360. f/9.5)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 19, 2022 by ocean2059

[Sailronin]

The 120mm Macro-APO is probably my most used S lens.  For landscape I use a tripod about half the time, always in the studio, but most of the time hand held.  

My Flickr site (David Reams) has an album of 120 macro Summarit if you're interested.  

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!