Dralowid
Michael
...or to keep the Leicaishness, how's about an SL with the 65mm macro Elmarit or whatever it is called. None too expensive either
Looking for a close focus lens.
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venchka
Veteran
Since when? Define expensive. As Leica lenses go, I thought the DR was in the entry level price range. Great value for money. IMHO. YMMV.
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venchka
Veteran
Amen Brother! 🙂 Best build quality as well. Certainly among the top 3-4 in build quality. 😉
presspass
filmshooter
The macro Elmar 90 goes down to .7 meter without the goggles. Another option, although I'm not sure how much they cost now, is a 65mm Elmar and a Visoflex. Really focuses down and can be used out to infinity. If you already have a Visoflex, this is a good option.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
My vote is for the Visoflex II/III - amazing piece of work. You can mount just about anything on it - and if you get the bellows II - even more stuff. I frequently use enlarging lenses for extreme close-ups, though the "exposure" math can be a bit "taxing" on the brain (bracket like hell and keep notes)
There are enough adapters, rings, helicoils available to keep you entertained for years too! They are not expensive - for what they are. Today it would be a $1500-$2000 thing to make - and you can usually pick up a Viso II/III and bellows for $3-400. The rings usually run around $15-25 for each.
I have it and use it frequently - but for ease of use, nothing beats an old Nikon F and the 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor (and I have to admit, also the 105f4 Macro, the F-Bellows with the 135f4 and a 200f4 Micro - oh well, they were cheap - all of them less than a beater M2 would cost!).
The Elmar 65f3.5 is very good, almost rivals the 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor.) In chrome they are $4-500, the black ones are coniderably more. Supposedly it is slightly better - I have the black version and used to have the chrome too - not that much difference.
The Dual Range is good, but with clean glass and correct goggles - they are not cheap (easy $5-600). If you are going this way, try to get as high # as you can find - 2000 000+ as Leica fiddled with coating etc on that lens and improved it as they went along.
Heavy though - and limited range. Looks great too - and it is very good, sharp, medium contrast and you spend a lot of time swaying back and forth trying to pinpoint that minimum distance focus!
There are enough adapters, rings, helicoils available to keep you entertained for years too! They are not expensive - for what they are. Today it would be a $1500-$2000 thing to make - and you can usually pick up a Viso II/III and bellows for $3-400. The rings usually run around $15-25 for each.
I have it and use it frequently - but for ease of use, nothing beats an old Nikon F and the 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor (and I have to admit, also the 105f4 Macro, the F-Bellows with the 135f4 and a 200f4 Micro - oh well, they were cheap - all of them less than a beater M2 would cost!).
The Elmar 65f3.5 is very good, almost rivals the 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor.) In chrome they are $4-500, the black ones are coniderably more. Supposedly it is slightly better - I have the black version and used to have the chrome too - not that much difference.
The Dual Range is good, but with clean glass and correct goggles - they are not cheap (easy $5-600). If you are going this way, try to get as high # as you can find - 2000 000+ as Leica fiddled with coating etc on that lens and improved it as they went along.
Heavy though - and limited range. Looks great too - and it is very good, sharp, medium contrast and you spend a lot of time swaying back and forth trying to pinpoint that minimum distance focus!
Vics
Veteran
Yes, a cheap FM or FE with a Micro Nikkor.
Probably should stay clear of this Micro Nikkor though.
The Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5 is the best bet! Great all around lens, too. But then you need a Nikon SLR of some kind. An old F wouldn't cost too much, and you'd get that very precise framing of the 100% frinder.
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
Nikkor-SC 50mm f1.4 ltm focus's down more then 0.7 meters, but will lose coupling at about 1 meter unless altered. If altered, then will lose coupling at 0.7 but can still focus closer (1.5 meters to be exact).
