Leitz Macro-Elmarit 60mm f2.8 (Was Carl-Zeiss-Makro-Planar)

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:21 am

Rich,

"the lens elements are so recessed" concerns me somewhat, in that this is the case with my 35mm Olympus 4/3 macro and I find there is insufficient working distance for maximum magnification shots of insects, side view, on leaves. I find the front of the lens brushes against the near edge of the leaf. Because of this I abandonned the use of the lens in favour of my Tamron 90mm. What is your experience?

I have found lots of reviews and lists of technical data. the problem is that the minimum focusing distance tends to be from the focal plane. What is of interest to me is the distance from the front of the lens.

I have even downloaded a manual and that is unhelpful in this matter. I do note, however, that it is optimised for moderate close-ups (as is my Zuiko OM 35mm macro, for 1:10 in that case).

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:23 am

Here are details of the Leica cams:

http://photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Lens-R.html

Harold

naturephoto1 · Post by **naturephoto1** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:42 am

Harold Gough wrote:Rich,

"the lens elements are so recessed" concerns me somewhat, in that this is the case with my 35mm Olympus 4/3 macro and I find there is insufficient working distance for maximum magnification shots of insects, side view, on leaves. I find the front of the lens brushes against the near edge of the leaf. Because of this I abandonned the use of the lens in favour of my Tamron 90mm. What is your experience?

Harold

Hi Howard,

I just made a quick and dirty set-up to provide you with some information. I used my Panasonic Lumix G1 M4/3 camera and Lumix Adapter R. I connected both my Leica R 60mm Macro Elmarit f 2.8 lens (both with and without the Macro Adapter R) as well as my Leica Bellows R with my Leica Bellows R Macro Elmar f4.0 lens to the camera by way of the Lumix Adapter R. I believe that the Macro Adapter R is 50mm in length while the 1:1 adapter that is designed for the lens (and what is coming with the lens in question) is 60mm in length. The Leica Bellows R Macro Elmar f4.0 lens uses the same optical design as the helicoid focusing Leica R Macro Elmar f4.0 lens that is listed for Red Dot Camera. The Bellows R lens with the Bellows should provide similar results for distances to the helicoid focusing lens with and without the 1:1 adapter.

I tripod mounted the camera and faced it toward some writing, manually focused on the screen (camera body long axis and front of the lens parallel to writing) (I did not use the fine focus adjustment on the camera but results would have been similar), made adjustments as stated and took measurements of the size of the image on the screen and took distances from the subject to the front of the lens. In the case of the Leica Bellows R Macro Elmar f4.0 lens though the lens has a collapsible hood I did not use this. Measurements were taken to the lens with the lens hood collapsed.

Below are my findings and measurements:

Leica R 60mm Macro Elmarit f 2.8 lens:

Lens racked out to closest focus: image size on screen 25.5mm or a little larger than 1/2 life size (this is in agreement with the markings on the lens since this is past the markings for 1:2). The distance from the subject to the front of the lens was 123mm.

Leica R 60mm Macro Elmarit f 2.8 lens plus Leica Macro Adapter R (this is a different adapter than the 1:1 Adapter):

Lens at minimum focus with the Macro Adapter R used:

Image size on screen about 27mm. This is not quite be 1/2 life size with this adapter. The distance from the subject from the front of the lens with the Macro adapter R was approximately 133 mm. Using the 1:1 adapter on the lens would probably provide an image size of about 26mm or 1/2 life size when used on the lens. The distance from the subject to the front of the lens may be closer to about 130mm when using the 1:1 adapter.

Lens racked out to closest focus with the Macro Adapter R used:

Image size on screen 13mm or life size. Distance from subject to front of the lens was approximately 63mm. According to the markings on the lens, the 1:1 adapter would actually provide more magnification than life size when focused at its closest. This should result in an image size perhaps of 12mm and closer to 60mm? from the subject.

Leica Bellows R Macro Elmar f4.0 Lens plus Leica Bellows R:

0.5X (1/2 life size) Size on screen 26mm. Distance from subject to front of the lens 257mm (10 2/16").

1:1 (life size focused as close as possible on Bellows) Size on screen 13mm. Distance from subject to front of the lens was approximately 157.46mm (6 3/16").

I hope that this information helps. If you do not think that the Leica R 60mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit provides sufficient distance from the subject to the front of the lens, you may really want to purchase the Leica R 100mm f4.0 Macro Elmar lens that Red Dot Camera is offering.

Rich

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:19 am

Thanks, Rich.

That looks good, around twice the often-insufficient-distance of my 35mm and thus useable.

I came very close to relying on my shaky understanding:

Closest focus is 270mm. Taking that to be to the focal plane:

Lens length 62.3m plus lens to focal plane distance 47mm total as 109.3mm

270mm - 109mm = 161mm = minimum working distance, not a million miles from your last figure!

Anyway, at worst, at least triple the distance with my 35mm at life size (only approximated on this occasion).

It looks like the 60mm will be good. I may well order it online this evening.

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:31 am

Thanks, Rich.

That looks good, around twice the often-insufficient-distance of my 35mm and thus useable.

I came very close to relying on my shaky understanding:

Closest focus is 270mm. Taking that to be to the focal plane:

Lens length 62.3m plus lens to focal plane distance 47mm total as 109.3mm

270mm - 109mm = 161mm = minimum working distance, not a million miles from your last figure!

Anyway, at worst, at least triple the distance with my 35mm at life size (only approximated on this occasion).

It looks like the 60mm will be good. I may well order it online this evening.

Harold

naturephoto1 · Post by **naturephoto1** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:33 am

Harold Gough wrote:Thanks, Rich.

That looks good, around twice the often-insufficient-distance of my 35mm and thus useable.

I came very close to relying on my shaky understanding:

Closest focus is 270mm. Taking that to be to the focal plane:

Lens length 62.3m plus lens to focal plane distance 47mm total as 109.3mm

270mm - 109mm = 161mm = minimum working distance, not a million miles from your last figure!

Anyway, at worst, at least triple the distance with my 35mm at life size (only approximated on this occasion).

It looks like the 60mm will be good. I may well order it online this evening.

Harold

Hi Harold,

I just want to make sure that you understand that the last 2 listings are for the Leica R 100mm f4.0 Bellows Macro Elmar lens with the Leica Bellows R. These are not the findings with the Leica R 60mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit lens which were all listed above that with 4 separate listings. Also, I did not mount the 60mm lens on the Bellows to take any measurements but that would certainly be possible.

Finally, all of the measurements from the subject were to the front of the lens so that you could see the working distance from the very front of the lens (that is end with filter threads, not lens mount end). It did not take into account the distance from the subject to the "film" plane or sensor plane.

Rich

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:54 am

I just bought it! "1 x Leitz Macro-Elmarit 60mm f2.8 & 1:1 Ad."

I was within seconds of doing so anyway, after much Googling, when I found your posting. (It didn't help that the website apparently froze while I was trying to reply). Measurements for the front thread were what I was interested in.

At the very least, it is a superb general purpose 60mm lens with raving reviews. The working distance with the 35mm was just a bit too short so it doesn't need much to be able to achieve what I couldn't quite with it. Appart from anything else, it is manual!

I have no worries about not getting my money back by selling via Ebay if it doesn't work out.

Harold

naturephoto1 · Post by **naturephoto1** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:58 am

Harold Gough wrote:I just bought it! "1 x Leitz Macro-Elmarit 60mm f2.8 & 1:1 Ad."

I was within seconds of doing so anyway, after much Googling, when I found your posting. (It didn't help that the website apparently froze while I was trying to reply). Measurements for the front thread were what I was interested in.

At the very least, it is a superb general purpose 60mm lens with raving reviews. The working distance with the 35mm was just a bit too short so it doesn't need much to be able to achieve what I couldn't quite with it. Appart from anything else, it is manual!

I have no worries about not getting my money back by selling via Ebay if it doesn't work out.

Harold

Hi Harold,

Congratulations. I am sure that you will enjoy the lens. Just don't forget you will need a Leica R to Micro 4/3 adapter to mount the lens on your camera.

Rich

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:57 pm

naturephoto1 wrote:Just don't forget you will need a Leica R to Micro 4/3 adapter to mount the lens on your camera.

Petty cash!

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:34 am

naturephoto wrote:you will need a Leica R to Micro 4/3 adapter to mount the lens on your camera.

I have ordered one from "jinfinance", who has a half price offer, together with a 60-62mm filter adapter.

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:01 am

The Leitz Macro-Elmarit 60mm f2.8 & 1:1 arrived this morning. Although the box was considerably faded with age the lens and extension tube are like new. It is almost worth the money just to hold a lens of such a good build.

They come in a custom clear, plastic keeper, much as for X-pan 45 and 90mm lenses. The diaphragm lever needs to be operated to get maximum aperture such that the lens acts as manual on any mount which accepts it.

My adapter is on its way.

Harold

naturephoto1 · Post by **naturephoto1** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:30 am

Harold Gough wrote:The Leitz Macro-Elmarit 60mm f2.8 & 1:1 arrived this morning. Although the box was considerably faded with age the lens and extension tube are like new. It is almost worth the money just to hold a lens of such a good build.

They come in a custom clear, plastic keeper, much as for X-pan 45 and 90mm lenses. The diaphragm lever needs to be operated to get maximum aperture such that the lens acts as manual on any mount which accepts it.

My adapter is on its way.

Harold

Hi Harold,

Glad that the lens and the 1:1 adapter are in such good condition. That was my suspicion from the description from Red Dot Camera. That is why I suggested getting it now. I hope that the lens proves to be a superb performer. Mine is. Also, as to the build quality and the focus, that is the way that all Leica R and M lenses are constructed and the smooth focusing is a pleasure to use. I have never handled other manufacturers lenses that have the smooth feel and motion for focus as the Leicas. They are heavy lenses though and use relatively light greases for lubricants because the helicoid uses self lubricating brass on aluminum.

I look forward to hearing your comments about the usage and performance of the lens and to see some of its results.

Rich

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:13 am

My Leica R to m4/3 adapter arrived this mornig. With light breezes gusting and bright overcast conditions, I have done a few hand-held shots, mostly at f8, at up to the maximum magnification of the lens alone (no 1:1 extension). As there was no in-camera sharpening I gave each one a single pass of Unsharp Mask. Here are some images, no cropping:

A child's toy "windmill" 1/125 ISO 400:

A single winter jasmine flower at maximum magnification 1/50 ISO 400:

A snowdrop. Not well-framed but that was not the point 1/60 ISO 400:

The centre of a primula flower at maximum magnification 1/50 ISO 400:

The centre of a pansy flower 1/50 ISO 200:

IS was switched on but I must take more time and use a tripod in the near future.

Harold

naturephoto1 · Post by **naturephoto1** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:24 am

Hi Harold,

I am glad that everything seems to functioning as it should with the mating of your Micro 4/3 Olympus and the Leica 60mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit lens. I look forward to more results particularly tripod mounted and also running at the lowest ISO of the camera (which may be the ISO 200 that you mentioned).

So, now having the lens mounted on the camera, are you pleased so far and how does the lens feel for focus and handling?

Rich

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:49 am

naturephoto1 wrote:I look forward to more results particularly tripod mounted and also running at the lowest ISO of the camera (which may be the ISO 200 that you mentioned).

Thanks, Rich.

The lowest ISO is 100 but that was giving shutter speeds of something like 1/15 so I raised it to 200 then to 400.

naturephoto1 wrote:So, now having the lens mounted on the camera, are you pleased so far

It was only a brief session, and I had concerns such as kneeling on damp ground. However, there are no dislikes so far and I don't expect any. Closest working distance seems to be a little over 160mm, so my arithmetic (gave 161mm) was OK!

If I get on well with it I may get the mount changed to OM. That will make the 1:1 tube redundant but I want to also use it for film. I have plenty of OM extension, not least the telescopic tube.

Just to confirm, the white balance was set at 5300K.

Harold