Hi,Im looking for an option for close ups of babies hands / feet etc. I was originally looking at the 90mm f4 but note that it only focuses to 70cm without the macro adapter.Reading up on the adapter I see it works with any lens so am not sure I actually need the 90. I may just use it on my 50mm.Ive also stumbled across the Elpro 52. My question is does anyone have any thoughts or experiences of the macro adapter vs the Elpro? TIAAnthony

If you mean the macro adapter v2 (w/o goggles) it can work with other lenses than 90mm as does the Elpro E52 but the latter is an optical add-on that will bring its own distortion and vignetting to those of the lens. As far as 50mm M lenses are concerned, the Elpro E52 can work with lenses having 52mm, 49mm, or 46mm filter threads while the macro adapter v2 can work with any 50mm lens. Both allow for reducing the focus distance by around 40 to 50cm. The macro adapter v2 has its own 6-bit code while the Elpro E52 doesn't change the code of the lens. Best, LCT

I have the 90mm Macro and the adapter which I use with my M10-M and M10-R. I also use it exclusively with the Visoflex I. The Visoflex is necessary because the rangefinder and frame lines are useless with the adapter. The 90mm Macro is great because it is fairly close focusing to start with and being a longer focal length it lets you work without being right on top of your subject. I have tried shorter lenses (50mm & 28mm) with the adapter/Visoflex and find it difficult to work with.

My first question would be - what camera body and lens combination are you asking about? Also, is macro something you are going to be doing a lot of? If not, I would grab a set of close-focus filters and throw one on when you want to photograph a baby hand and have $100-$200 invested in, what is usually, a some-time thing. If it’s something you are going to do professionally, I would grab a Q2 for its macro simplicity..

Just to elaborate a bit, the macro adapter v1 is made to be used together with the Macro-Elmar 90/4 in RF mode, it has goggles for that. The macro adapter v2 has no goggles and is made to be used in LV mode through the LCD or an EVF like the Visoflex 2. It can be used with any lens, including but not only the Macro-Elmar 90/4. The Elmar-M 50/2.8 is one of my favorite lenses with it. Full frame samples with this combo on M11 and digital CL linked below. Best, LCThttps://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-Leica-5028-v2/i-PkgcDRx/0/a339d8c3/X4/M1004417_sips-X4.jpghttps://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-digital-CL-Elmar-M-5028/i-BMhN6LD/0/6a74f999/X4/C1030346_si-X4.jpghttps://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-digital-CL-Elmar-M-5028/i-ds8mLmK/0/8449a63a/X4/C1070329_si-X4.jpg

LCT wrote:Just to elaborate a bit, the macro adapter v1 is made to be used together with the Macro-Elmar 90/4 in RF mode, it has goggles for that.Whenever I see the goggles and things like the original mechanical Visoflexes, I marvel at the ingenuity of the Leitz engineers in making it possible to use the cameras in ways which they weren’t originally designed for!

78_Anthony wrote:Hi,Im looking for an option for close ups of babies hands / feet etc. I was originally looking at the 90mm f4 but note that it only focuses to 70cm without the macro adapter.Reading up on the adapter I see it works with any lens so am not sure I actually need the 90. I may just use it on my 50mm.Ive also stumbled across the Elpro 52. My question is does anyone have any thoughts or experiences of the macro adapter vs the Elpro? TIAAnthonyYou talk about baby's hands and feet. What you need to think about is what magnification you require (or smallest object you want to frame).The Zeiss Planar T f1.4 50mm and Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 f/4 cover almost exact the same area. Magnification is 1:6.7 (0.15x) and smallest object is about 6.3x9.45"If you need more magnification (smaller object) then with short focal length lenses your best bet is extension tube(s) as opposed to close-up lenses.You don't need a fancy helicoid just an appropriate extension tube.With your 50mm lens the additional magnification you get is x / 50mm where x is the extension tube length.For example a 10mm tubes gets you 10mm / 50mm = 0.2x additional magnification.So your total magnification would go from 0.15x to 0.35x.

78_Anthony wrote:I'm looking for an option for close ups of babies hands / feet etc. I was originally looking at the 90mm f4 but note that it only focuses to 70cm without the macro adapter.Reading up on the adapter I see it works with any lens so am not sure I actually need the 90. I may just use it on my 50mm.Ive also stumbled across the Elpro 52. My question is does anyone have any thoughts or experiences of the macro adapter vs the Elpro?I presume some Leica M model.For close-up photos of three dimensional objects, like babies' hands or feet, a longer focal length (90mm, 100mm) is better than a 50mm due to depth of field and perspective issues. You'll want a reasonable amount of working room to allow for good lighting at about 1:2 to 1:4 magnification.Both a close up lens and an extension tube will do the job, but then whatever lens you use on it will have two-ranges of operation (without and with the accessory fitted) which might prove awkward to get the framing you want with a squirming baby.This is a case where, if your camera supports Live View and/or an EVF accessory finder, I would suggest buying a 90 to 100mm macro lens for an SLR and a lens mount adapter over the M-mount 90mm macro. That way you'll get a continuous focus down to around 1:2 magnification without the need for close up accessories.G

Thanks for the replies.I have an M10 with the Zeiss Plannar 50mm f2. As a recent parent with 6 week old twins and I’m looking at close focus options.I’m leaning towards a 2nd hand V2 M macro adapter, and just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on the adapter vs the Elpro - I wasn’t aware of the Elpro until a few days ago.Thanks

The Elpro E52 is made for lenses having 52mm, 49mm, or 46mm filter threads. For your Planar 50/2 with 43mm filter thread, you would need an E52/E43 adapter i guess but i don't know if such an adapter is available or can be made on demand by Leica. Best, LCT

did lots of macros with my Viso II & M cameras using 135, 90 & 65 FL on M 8&9a bit ungainly, but not heavy & works well on a tripodfor macros of babies hands, lighting will be more problematic as you need lots of DOF & shooting distance critical for childrenLeica M9 Elmarit 135 mm f2.8 1/16s f/13 iso 160 tripod Viso bellowsLink to larger version, exif & other examplesthis bloom is just a tad bigger than an infant's hand

Close-up options with native M<M-glass are uncommon, sometimes fiddly, and often expensive.You could also look at an adapted lens. E.g. the Tokina AT-X Macro 90mm F2.5 is well regarded, and also can double-down as a portrait lens. It's nickname is "Bokina" due to the beautiful bokeh.It's available in a variety of mounts. Get the appropriate adapter (lens-mount to M-mount) and you're good to go.Of course there are plenty of other lenses that could be suitable for the job.

Thanks for all the help and advice.I have ended up ordering the 75mm voightlander 1.9 which focuses down to 50cm.If I find need to get closer then I think I'll look at the Elpro.Thanks for all your help.Anthony