Closer-Focus 24mm. Is it coming/You Interested?

[TomB_tx]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Definitely not interested. The RF is why I use Leica.

[wlaidlaw]

40 minutes ago, snz said:

I don't understand comments like these. That 70cm limitation is one of the biggest drawbacks of the M-System and Leica finally addresses this. That's GREAT. If YOU don't use it then that's also great. But these general statements are not helpful or insightful.

Closer M focus is not something I really felt I needed but I am somewhat surprised just how often I have used it on my 35 APO Summicron. 

Wilson

[lct]

25 minutes ago, sebben said:

Close focus doesn’t work with the rangefinder so it’s a gimmick to add that. It’s really simple. If you want all the other stuff use a different camera system they all have those features. 

Close focus does work with the rangefinder and has always done, at least since the fifties. Remember the Dual-Range Summicron 50/2. Nowadays, the Macro-Elmar 90/4 works fine on closeups in RF mode and the current Macro adapter allows for the same in LV mode with almost any lens actually. M-mount cameras and lenses are not stuck in the past fortunately.

[sebben]

38 minutes ago, lct said:

Close focus does work with the rangefinder and has always done, at least since the fifties. Remember the Dual-Range Summicron 50/2. Nowadays, the Macro-Elmar 90/4 works fine on closeups in RF mode and the current Macro adapter allows for the same in LV mode with almost any lens actually. M-mount cameras and lenses are not stuck in the past fortunately.

Yes, do you remember the visoflex with the mirror? All these things a kludges at best, if you are happy with this then great! The reality remains that the Leica M is a system built around working well with a 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lenses that focuses to 0.7 meters. Everything outside of this starts to become a bigger and bigger compromise and is better served by other camera systems. 

Again, I subscribe to the idea that the M system to should focus on the essentials instead of turning into another Sony Alpha camera. These rehashed Close Focus lenses are of zero interest to me and luckily there are plenty of the old versions available used.

Sounds like most people here don't share this view and I feel that Leica management is also going this way. I don't really care as long as my M10D keeps working.

 

[250swb]

If we truly need a close focusing 24mm lens I’m a Dutchman, but why they need to bring themselves into this I don’t know. This is Leica tinkering around the edges and making things only to increase performance insecurity and relieve the weight in your wallet. In other words it’s Leica’s version of Viagra.

[lct]

Just to illustrate my point, this is what a modern M can do on closeup nowadays (M11, 90/4 macro, macro-adapter). If this is compromise, i must confess i like that.

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!

[250swb]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

29 minutes ago, lct said:

Just to illustrate my point, this is what a modern M can do on closeup nowadays (M11, 90/4 macro, macro-adapter). If this is compromise, i must confess i like that.

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!

I think the rendering between a 90mm and 24mm lens are so poles apart that I must have gone blind if there is anything to learn by comparing them.

[lct]

I'm not aware of closeup capablities on 24mm M lenses but mine has none anyway. Here M11 with ZM 21/4.5 @ 0.5m.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-ZM-2145/i-gFzgcmd/0/75PWxSmpFgZFPKRmrNXNCvkbj37KjR92QWC6bMwS/X4/M1005100_sips-X4.jpg

Edited March 19, 2024 by lct

[wlaidlaw]

Well if price is the main consideration, then either second hand or the pretty good offerings from the likes of 7 Artisans, TT Artisans and Light Lens Lab at prices below what many run of the mill DSLR lenses cost, is a good alternative. The late Erwin Puts whose opinion I really respect said there was so little to choose between the 50mm APO Summicron and the 50mm ZM Zeiss Planar, that if it was down to his wallet, he knew which one he would choose and BTW the Planar was far less flare prone on his test. For many years I really despaired of finding a good 50 Summicron V and after three dud ones, bought a Zeiss Planar some 19 years ago. It was only about 5 years ago, I finally got a really good 50 Summicron V but rather a special one, one of the Japanese market 1999 Special Edition LTM versions, where at an estate sale, I ended up buying both the 50 Summicron V and 50 Summilux III Special Edition LTM lenses. 

Wilson

[250swb]

1 hour ago, lct said:

I'm not aware of closeup capablities on 24mm M lenses but mine has none anyway. Here M11 with ZM 21/4.5 @ 0.5m.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-ZM-2145/i-gFzgcmd/0/75PWxSmpFgZFPKRmrNXNCvkbj37KjR92QWC6bMwS/X4/M1005100_sips-X4.jpg

If that is what people need to photograph a few thousand dollars on a Leica lens will be well worth it.

But a 24mm M lens has neither significant DOF advantages or significant framing accuracy unless using an EVF, so why spend that much when you could just buy an SLR camera and nobody will be able to tell the difference? The lenses Leica are now producing are for bragging rights and nothing more.

[lct]

Not sure i am not the good person to ask as i do use other cameras than Leica. The common point between them is M-mount lenses that i use almost exclusively so if i wanted a 24mm lens with closeup capabilities it would be a Leica, a ZM or a VM lens most probably.