How close to macro possible with Leica M?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Leica Photography : One Thread

Which lens (or accessory) allows the most frame filled from a given size small object? It's easy enough to look up the minimum close focusing distance, but that's not exactly what I'm asking. I would like to get as close to macro work as the M allows. Would it be the 50mm DR? If so could anyone who has taken close-ups with this, or some other near-macro lens post some? I would like to be as frame filling with a small object as possible, yet avoid the bulk of the Visoflex. I would like to be able to fill the whole frame with just part of a person's face. - Can the Leica M do this?

-- Ollie Steiner (violindevil@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002

Answers

Ollie, I've posted similar questions during the last month, e.g. here

i've alos looked into using a medium format to achieve this, which wasn't suitable either look here

after much deliberations I found that it was much easier/faster to just add a SLR macro to the equipment collection, and I'm really happy I did. (my research showed that a Canon EOS Elan 7 with their excellent 100/2.8 USM Macro was the best fit/value for me) FYI,I'm having lots of fun with this combo. Sure, not a Leica feel/experience to it, but it was the most suitable (not to say cheapest) way to achieve the photos that I envisioned. After all, that's what it is all about.

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002.


The 90mm Elmarit gives an 8 X 12 inch field at minimum focus-about 1/8 reproduction. The DR 50 gets a bit closer, but will of course distort a person's features at that range. To get 1/2 or 1/4 life size images, the Leica M is not the best choice.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), April 24, 2002.

sorry ollie et al, the first link I cut/pasted the wrong URL, and now I cannot seem to find the darn thing. sorry

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002.

"the bulk of the visoflex"

the visoflex gets a bum rap. while it is not the MOST elegant apparatus in the world, it is fairly trim and nifty. you can do macro work successfully with a viso if you have the right ancillary gear and, if macro is a small minority of your work, is a better solution than buying a whole separate camera system. borrow a visoflex from your friendly neighborhood dealer (or rent), and decide for yourself.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), April 24, 2002.


I use the Leica M close if I have to, but my first choice is an SLR when I need good close-ups with framing accuracy. The parallax correction of the rangefinder camera is pretty good, but I have been surprised by some errors on film at the close range.

You asked for some examples of close focusing with the M camera, so I am attaching two photos. For the (current Summicron, not DR) 50mm lens, the image at the plane of focus is about 11 X 16 inches. For the 90mm, it is about 9 X 13, (although the subject is a bit oblique, so it looks like it encompasses more space). 50mm Summicron at minimum focus range , 90mm Elmarit M at minimum focus range

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), April 24, 2002.



The greatest magnification possible with the M camera using just the camera's viewfinder and rangefinder is with the 75mm lens at its minimum focusing distance. If memory serves me, it is 1:9, hardly macro. There are (were) devices other than the Visoflex for achieving macro with the M camera, such as the BOOWU-M and BEEON, which are combination copy stands and macro devices using 50mm lenses. I get 1:1 with a Visoflex and 35mm lens plus a 16469Y/OUFRO extension tube but the subject distance too close for comfort. I also have used the 50, 90 and 135 lenses with 2 or more of the extension tubes, the magnification isn't as great but the working distance is better. It should be noted that those lenses are not optimized for macro work and should be therefore well stopped-down, for optical performance as well as DOF. Bottom-line, unless you are travelling with the M and want to be prepared for the odd impromptu macro shot, you would be better served with an SLR.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 24, 2002.

The 50mm DR Summicron I have (there are two versions, I think) has a minimum focus distance of 17" and encompasses an image field of about 7" x 10" at minimum focus. That's certainly handy, but no substitute for real macro. I just bring along a Nikon body and either a 60mm or 105mm Micro Nikkor for true macro work. The image below was done with my DR at close to minimum focus.



-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), April 24, 2002.

Shot with the 90mm Tele-Elmarit - other recent 90s focus just as close.

studio shot

To avoid the 'oblique look' with the 90 I used a 2-step stepladder to get higher 'overhead'. Just as with SLR shooting, the 90 leaves more room between you and the subject for lighting equipment, compared to the 50.

For portraits the 90 will give a 'chin to mid-forehead' crop. Actually the 75 crops to the smallest area using the regular focusing scale - about 7"x10.5" (just slightly bigger than a Nat. Geographic cover).

But you need some practice to get familiar with and correct for the parallax error.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 24, 2002.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ