Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2,8 Nuovo

Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2,8 Nuovo

Leica Macro Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 is one of only two macro lenses currently available in Leica's modern lens lineup. The third one, Macro Elmar-R 100mm f/4 was discontinued back in 1986, but is still available on used markets. The lens was originally manufactured as Series 8 variant (reviewed here), which was later replaced by an E55 model. Both variants followed same optical formula and the only difference between the two is the built-in lens hood offered with the E55 model. And like its longer cousin Leica APO Macro Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, Macro Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 supports only 1:2 macro magnification, so if you require a life-size macro, you will have to purchase optional 1:1 Leica R adapter. Both S8 as well as E55 variants of the 60mm f/2.8 are readily available on used markets, with good quality copies fetching ~US$400 on eBay.

The optical construction of the lens consists of 6 elements in 5 groups - a pretty straightforward optical design. The build quality of Leica Macro Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 is superb, as expected from a Leica lens - the barrel, focus and aperture rings, the mount are all metal. The focus ring is very smooth and the aperture ring snaps with a nice click, moving from f/2.8 through f/22 in half f-stop increments. The lens looks and feels very sturdy, with no wobbling inside or out. And considering its fully metal barrel, the lens is quite lightweight, weighing only 400g and measuring 62 x 67mm (2.44 x 2.63in) when fully collapsed. The inner cam of the lens actually extends when focusing towards the macro, doubling the overall length of the lens.

Like all manual focus Leica lenses, Leica Macro Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 sports a DOF scale on the barrel with marking for f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11 and f/22. The focusing mechanism of the lens is quite precise - you need to turn the focusing ring about 340 degrees to go from the infinity to the closeup distance. Good news for macro photography requiring precision, not so good news for action shooting. The minimum focusing distance is 24cm (0.78ft).  The lens accepts 55mm screw-in type filters.