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Thursday, August 9, 2018

LEICA RELEASES ELPRO 52 CLOSE UP LENS SET






By Josh Lehrer, LeicaStore Miami

Today, Leica has released a new accessory for macro photographers – the ELPRO 52 Close Up Lens Set. Unlike the Leica Macro Adapter M introduced a few years back, which goes between the camera and lens, the ELPRO 52 threads onto the front of a wide variety of Leica lenses to lower minimum focus distance and increase the reproduction ratio. As its name suggests, the ELPRO 52 features a native 52mm filter thread, although adapters are included for 49mm and 46mm thread sizes, which cover a sizable percentage of the compatible lenses. If you are looking to use the ELPRO 52 on a lens with another thread size, you will need to source step-down rings separately (within the Leica lineup, that would mean 39mm and 43mm). And of course the ELPRO 52 will not work on lenses with filter  threads larger than 52mm, such as the Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH.

 

The official release notes, from Leica:

Leica Camera expands its portfolio of accessories with the introduction of the Leica ELPRO 52, a closeup lens attachment that extends the capabilities of Leica M and TL-lenses for macro photography. The compact and lightweight Leica ELPRO 52 is easily transported, quick to set up and easy to use on any compatible lens.

The ELPRO 52 expands the photographer’s capabilities and gets the photographer closer to the subjects by greatly reducing focusing distance. This allows for maximum magnifications as high as 1:1, depending on the lens it is paired with. ELPRO 52 expands the photographer’s capabilities and gets the photographer closer to the subjects by greatly reducing focusing distance. Its optical construction comprises of two cemented lens elements with anti-reflective multi-coating. This ensures images are crisp, sharp and practically free from chromatic aberrations. The ELPRO 52 makes it possible to capture impressively detailed, close-up images with a newfound level of depth using lenses you already own.

The close-up lens will natively fit all 52 mm filter threads, and is supplied with two stepping ring adapters for 46 and 49mm sizes. This packaged combination of the native 52 mm size plus stepping rings allows the ELPRO 52 to be mounted on more than 20 different Leica M and TL-Lenses. The set comes packaged in a leather case. Other stepping rings can be purchased separately to adapt the ELPRO 52 to lenses smaller than 46mm, though they must be purchased from other suppliers and at the user’s discretion.

Leica also has provided a comprehensive chart that breaks down the compatible lenses along with the change in both minimum focus distance and reproduction ratio:

 

It is interesting to see that even the venerable X (Typ 113) is on the chart, along with a few TL-systemlenses. While I don’t see the D-LUX (Typ 109) on this list, I am curious to see how that might work as it has a 43mm filter thread. As does the  X Vario (Typ 107), which, despite not being on Leica’s list above is actually what some of their sample images were shot with! And of course let’s not forget what may be the biggest omission of all on this list – the Leica Q (Typ 116). Given that the Q already has a macro function which gets you as close as 17cm, I will be curious to see how much closer we can get with the ELPRO 52.  I can also imagine having fun with the ELPRO 52 on vintage M glass – combined with an SL the possibilities are nearly endless.

The Leica ELPRO E52 Close-Up Lens Set is priced at $395 and is expected to ship shortly. You can place your pre-order at Leica Store Miami using the button below:

Leica ELPRO E52 Close-UpLens Set

For sample images got here.



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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 9, 2018 at 1:23 PM

    Doesn't the use of a close up lens adversely affect lens performance by adding additional optics that the lens was not designed to have?

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  2. LEICA Barnack Berek BlogAugust 9, 2018 at 1:30 PM

    Principally you are correct. The addition of a simple, one element close up lens would indeed cause a loss of image quality. However, to eliminate these losses, the Leica Elpros have always been a two element lens. Just like with the former 400mm and 560mm Telyt lenses, which were of a two element design, the Elro uses a two element design to eliminate a variety of optical aberrations. The result is no visible loss of performance with the advantage that the maximum aperture of the lens is maintained. Other close-up devices, like the Leica Macro adapter or other extension tubes and bellows, will lead to a loss of light due to the added extension of the optical system, the lens, from the film or focal plane.

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