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Macro (extreme close-up) photography requires a lens with special properties, including a flat field where every part of the image is in sharp focus and the ability to focus at very close distances with good reproduction. Some zoom lenses have what is called a "macro" setting but it's a bit of a fraud, being really just an extension of the focusing range to enable close-up shots to be taken. Neither the quality of results nor the magnification of a "macro zoom" are in the same league as a purpose-designed macro lens.
If a macro lens can also perform well at normal distances, up to infinity, then it can be a very versatile tool indeed. The Leica 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R lens is very well corrected, not only at the extreme close distances for which it was designed but also at ranges up to infinity. If you don't need the extra speed of faster lenses, such as Leica's 50mm f/2 Summicron-R or 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-R, then the 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R can serve as an excellent all-round standard lens with macro capabilities. Its slightly narrower angle of view is not a significant factor in most circumstances.
The 60mm macro lens has a flat field with excellent resolution from center to edge, high contrast and brilliant colors. Color rendering is strictly neutral, there is no distortion or vignetting and it is resistant to flare. The quality of out-of-focus areas (bokeh) is first class and provides a smooth "creamy" background, which is especially important for macro lenses.
Leica lenses are known for their ability to be used at maximum aperture with no significant image degradation and the 60mm macro is no exception. Its performance is excellent at f/2.8 and It can be improved slightly 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 at close distances and is usually necessary, anyway, at macro distances for increased depth of field. The minimum aperture of this lens is f/22.
The 60mm macro lens is quite an old design, the first version dating from about 1972. The current version was introduced in 1997 but the optical design is essentially the same. At its closest focus of 27cm, the lens is capable of up to 1:2 reproduction. A number of more modern macro lenses can give up to 1:1 reproduction. However, used in conjunction with Leica's optional macro extender, 1:1 reproduction can be achieved with the Leica 60mm macro lens. There are two versions of the extender, namely, the 14198 which can be used only with the 60mm macro lens, and the later, more versatile 14256 which is also compatible with other Leica-R lenses. With a bellows-R or extension tubes, the 60mm macro can provide much greater reproduction ratios.
Like other Leica lenses, the 60mm macro is sturdy and built to withstand heavy use. Owing to its macro design, it is rather bulky compared to most standard lenses, although it balances well with Leica-R camera bodies. Its length is 62.3 mm, its external diameter is 67.5 mm and it weighs 400 grams. Optically, it consists of 6 elements in 5 groups. It has a deeply recessed front element and, thus, does not require a lens hood. Filters (E55) can be attached if required.
For many years, this lens set the standard by which all other macro lenses were judged. Nowadays, however, some people prefer the more recently introduced (and considerably more expensive) Leica 100mm APO-Macro-Elmarit-R, since it offers superlative performance and allows the photographer to work at a greater distance from the subject. That can be an advantage when photographing live creatures that may be easily disturbed (or even dangerous!).
Because this lens is quite an old design, both 2-cam and 3-cam versions are around. 2-cam versions, which are suitable for the old Leicaflex SL and SL2 cameras, are cheaper to buy but the third cam is needed for use with an R camera. A 2-cam lens can be fitted with the third cam by Leica. Contrary to popular belief, a lens does not necessarily need to have ROM contacts to be used with a Leica R8 camera.
If a macro lens can also perform well at normal distances, up to infinity, then it can be a very versatile tool indeed. The Leica 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R lens is very well corrected, not only at the extreme close distances for which it was designed but also at ranges up to infinity. If you don't need the extra speed of faster lenses, such as Leica's 50mm f/2 Summicron-R or 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-R, then the 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R can serve as an excellent all-round standard lens with macro capabilities. Its slightly narrower angle of view is not a significant factor in most circumstances.
The 60mm macro lens has a flat field with excellent resolution from center to edge, high contrast and brilliant colors. Color rendering is strictly neutral, there is no distortion or vignetting and it is resistant to flare. The quality of out-of-focus areas (bokeh) is first class and provides a smooth "creamy" background, which is especially important for macro lenses.
Leica lenses are known for their ability to be used at maximum aperture with no significant image degradation and the 60mm macro is no exception. Its performance is excellent at f/2.8 and It can be improved slightly 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 at close distances and is usually necessary, anyway, at macro distances for increased depth of field. The minimum aperture of this lens is f/22.
The 60mm macro lens is quite an old design, the first version dating from about 1972. The current version was introduced in 1997 but the optical design is essentially the same. At its closest focus of 27cm, the lens is capable of up to 1:2 reproduction. A number of more modern macro lenses can give up to 1:1 reproduction. However, used in conjunction with Leica's optional macro extender, 1:1 reproduction can be achieved with the Leica 60mm macro lens. There are two versions of the extender, namely, the 14198 which can be used only with the 60mm macro lens, and the later, more versatile 14256 which is also compatible with other Leica-R lenses. With a bellows-R or extension tubes, the 60mm macro can provide much greater reproduction ratios.
Like other Leica lenses, the 60mm macro is sturdy and built to withstand heavy use. Owing to its macro design, it is rather bulky compared to most standard lenses, although it balances well with Leica-R camera bodies. Its length is 62.3 mm, its external diameter is 67.5 mm and it weighs 400 grams. Optically, it consists of 6 elements in 5 groups. It has a deeply recessed front element and, thus, does not require a lens hood. Filters (E55) can be attached if required.
For many years, this lens set the standard by which all other macro lenses were judged. Nowadays, however, some people prefer the more recently introduced (and considerably more expensive) Leica 100mm APO-Macro-Elmarit-R, since it offers superlative performance and allows the photographer to work at a greater distance from the subject. That can be an advantage when photographing live creatures that may be easily disturbed (or even dangerous!).
Because this lens is quite an old design, both 2-cam and 3-cam versions are around. 2-cam versions, which are suitable for the old Leicaflex SL and SL2 cameras, are cheaper to buy but the third cam is needed for use with an R camera. A 2-cam lens can be fitted with the third cam by Leica. Contrary to popular belief, a lens does not necessarily need to have ROM contacts to be used with a Leica R8 camera.
