lensjunkie
Established
Hi all,
I'm a current M8.2 user. As my experience grows, I have come to find that a good close focus is important to me when I am choosing a lens. For instance, I experimented with the adored canon 35mm f2 LTM. But I need a lens with a better CF. I am wondering if users who have moved from the M8, to the full frame M9, find lenses with a farther CF easier to use. Thanks in advance for all your thoughts.
I'm a current M8.2 user. As my experience grows, I have come to find that a good close focus is important to me when I am choosing a lens. For instance, I experimented with the adored canon 35mm f2 LTM. But I need a lens with a better CF. I am wondering if users who have moved from the M8, to the full frame M9, find lenses with a farther CF easier to use. Thanks in advance for all your thoughts.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Lenses focus to the same close distance on the M9 as they do on the M8. I am not really sure of what your question is?
Well, consider that with the same lens, the M9 shows a wider field of view, perhaps leading to a desire to get even closer to the subject to fill the frame the same.
Looking at it from the other direction, consider that the M8's "crop sensor" gives a narrower field of view for the same lens, vs used on full frame, thus it appears "closer" for a given focus distance.
So, on that basis, I'd say "no" to your question; just the opposite.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I agree, the same lens used on the M9 will not seem to have as much magnification as on the M8.2, since the latter gives a cropped view. If it's important to have a closeup capability, consider the 90mm Macro-Elmar with the macro extender. That ought to get you in as tight as possible.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
If close focusing is a serious priority, you need a TTL camera (DSLR or mirrorless system camera) not a rangefinder.
I have a variety of lenses for my DSLR that can capture at up to 1.3:1 magnification, in focal lengths from a normal to 400mm optical. I use them with my Olympus DSLRs and Ricoh GXR-M. They're mostly useless with a rangefinder focusing mechanism.
I have a variety of lenses for my DSLR that can capture at up to 1.3:1 magnification, in focal lengths from a normal to 400mm optical. I use them with my Olympus DSLRs and Ricoh GXR-M. They're mostly useless with a rangefinder focusing mechanism.
The problem with very close focus with rangefinders is the parallax; the discrepancy between the view of the lens vs the viewfinder. So lenses generally don't focus very close. One reasonable answer (other than TTL viewing) is using a longer focal length (for more magnification) and keeping your distance (to minimize parallax issues). This is the logic of the 90 Macro Elmar that Rob mentions... 
Roger Hicks
Veteran
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Actually, the magnification is identical, as you can crop the M9 shot down to exactly the same pixel dimensions as the M8 has.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
The way to go is to buy a Visoflex III. You can mount for instance a 50, 90 or 135 mm lens without any extra rings and get very close. Or go to true Macro by adding a bellows and using an old (and cheap) 135 mm lens head - the results will surprise you, as they leave most modern macro lenses far behind. As the ease of use will surprise you. Ergonomocally it works amazingly well for such weird gear.
The only downside is the lack of flash - but nowadays that can be largely compensated by a LED ring light.
The only downside is the lack of flash - but nowadays that can be largely compensated by a LED ring light.