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Closest focusing lens on M8(Can be non Leica)


jonno101

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Close-focusing and tight framing are two different things. The tightest-framing lenses for the M8 are the 90 macro (with or without macro adapter goggles) followed by the 75 Summicron (without any adapters). Skipping the whole question of Visoflex/bellows use.

 

1:6.7 (1:3 - goggles) and 1:7 reproduction ratios, respectively

 

The WATE, by comparison, only achieves a 1:30 reproduction ratio @ 21mm, or 1:38 @ 16mm.

 

FWIW, the original Zeiss Hologon (für Leica-M) 15mm focused to .2 meters (8"). I don't know it that has ever been tested to see if it will work on an M8 without hitting the shutter. Looks like the Contax-G Hologon goes to .3m, as does the Zeiss Distagon 15mm f/2.8.

 

http://visordirecto.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/carl-zeiss-hologon-158-montura-leica-m/

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The question which lens allows the closest focus is perhaps not so interesting in practice, if you don't look at the results of close focussing.

 

Therefore you have to look at object field and reproduction ratio. Both depend on the lenses focal length. The 2/75 Apo-Summicron allows a minimum focus of 0,7m and produces an object field of 169 x 254 mm and a reproduction ratio of 1:7. (I am not sure if these figures are for "full-format". If so the M 8 crop of 1,33 gives a higher reproduction ratio).

 

The "Wate" at 21 mm with a minimum focus of 0,5 m gives you a much bigger object field of 545 x 817 mm, but a much, much smaller reproduction ratio of approx. 1:30.

 

So the Apo-Summicron lets you take photos much "closer" in practice than the "Wate" with a closer focus. Besides the Makro-Elmar the Apo-Summicron is the "best" Leica lens for close distances with the M8. I don't know wether M-Lenses of other origin give the same results.

 

Edit: Adan was quicker...

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Voigtländer 12 mm: 1 ft or 0.3 m

 

But as many remark above, you need to distinguish between closest focus and maximum reproduction ratio. I think the 75/2 (ca 1:7) wins on the latter, at least in Leica's range.

 

Don't most manufacturers publish both in their lens spec sheets?

 

As for "closest focus," does that really mean anything in practical terms, since the M8 lacks a film-plane / focus-plane mark?

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If you want the shortest lens-to-subject distance, stick the Leica on a microscope and you can get down to well under 1mm.

 

For the shortest film-to-subject distance, I guess it would be a 16mm Luminar or similar lens for macrophotography, with a custom adapter to place the nodal point or whatever 32mm from the film plane. That would give 1:1 reproduction at a film-to-subject distance of 7cm or less.

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Jon:

 

I think the 75mm Summicron gives the closest focusing, if you are asking which lens gives the largest magnification other than the Macro.

 

On the Leica web site you can download the specs on each lens. In these specification will be the closest focus image magnification, or a similar term.

 

Robert

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I think the 75mm Summicron gives the closest focusing, if you are asking which lens gives the largest magnification other than the Macro.

 

On the Leica web site you can download the specs on each lens. In these specification will be the closest focus image magnification, or a similar term.

 

Gee, Robert, glad to have your second! :)

... you need to distinguish between closest focus and maximum reproduction ratio. I think the 75/2 (ca 1:7) wins on the latter, at least in Leica's range.

 

Don't most manufacturers publish both in their lens spec sheets?

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Nikkor 5cm/1.4 or the f/2? I don't have the exact number but shall be able to go down to 20 inches without RF coupling. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I don't have my Nikkor 50/1.4, but it focusses stupid close. 1 foot maybe? Not coupled of course.

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