Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mehrdad Sadat wrote: Does anybody shoot with this lens? any opinions on the optics/contrast and build would be appreciated as I have a sudden erg to buy one. I need help on the support my decision with how good this lens is and ... or help with keeping the $$. =================================================================== Mehrdad, I use the 60mm/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R lens more than any other. I find that it gives very sharp images, with high contrast and brilliant colors. The quality of out-of-focus areas (bokeh) of this lens is first class and provides a smooth background, which I think is especially important for macro lenses. Owing to its macro design, it is rather big compared to most "standard" lenses, although it balances well with Leica-R camera bodies. It has a deeply recessed front element and, thus, does not require a lens hood. Filters (E55) can be attached if required. It performs well not only at the close distances for which it was designed but also at ranges up to infinity. If you don't need the speeds of the faster 50mm Summicron-R or Summilux-R lenses, the 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R can serve very well as an all-round standard lens with macro capabilities. I haven't found its slightly narrower angle of view to be a significant factor. Performance is very good at f/2.8. It can be improved further by stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 at normal ranges. At macro ranges, stopping down further still, to f/8 or f/11, will help to maintain excellent reproduction and will also be beneficial for increased depth of field. Its minimum aperture is f/22. In macro use, it is capable of up to 1:2 reproduction when used on its own, or up to 1:1 when used with Leica's optional macro extender. When used with a bellows-R or other types of extension tubes, it can provide greater reproduction ratios. I should mention that some people prefer the Leica 100mm APO-Macro-Elmarit-R over the 60mm for macro work, since it offers superlative performance and allows the photographer to work at a greater distance from the subject. However, the 100mm macro costs considerably more than the 60mm. You can see an excellent and detailed review of the 60mm macro lens at Doug Herr's site, URL: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/leica/60R28.HTM Hope that helps. Regards, ===== Ray "The trouble with resisting temptation is you never know when you'll get another chance!" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/