Thursday, August 8, 2024

CLOSE UP WITH LEICA M CAMERAS - THE LEICA ELPRO 52 CLOSE UP LENS




By Heinz Richter

The Leica ELPRO close up lenses have always been a relatively inexpensive means to extend the close focusing range of Leica lenses.  The newest member is the ELPRO 52.  Unlike the Leica Macro Adapter M, which goes between the camera and the lens, the ELPRO 52 threads onto the front of a wide variety of Leica lenses.  Not only does the ELPRO 52 reduce the minimum focus distance and increases the reproduction ratio, it also maintains the maximum aperture of the lens it is used on. With an extension tube, like the Leica Macro Adapter M, in many cases you are using the lens beyond its intended focusing range. This usually is accompanied with a reduced lens performance. This is not the case with a high quality close up lens like the  Elpro. 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 has a 52mm thread, and attaches directly onto lenses with a 52mm filter thread.  But it comes with adapters for 49mm and 46mm threaded lenses as well as a case.  For lenses with 39mm and 43mm filter threads step down adapters have to be added.   The ELPRO 52 cannot be used on lenses with filter threads larger than 52mm.

The use of the ELPRO 52on Leica M is restricted to models starting with the Leica M240.  Other M cameras do not offer visual control over the focusing accuracy.



The official press release 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.



For more information go here


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2 comments:

  1. The Elpro is also much more conveneient to use. All you need to fo is attach it to the front of your lens. With an extension tube, the lens must first be removed, the extension tubne installed, and the lens put back onto the camera.

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