Telephoto with macro in LTM

OptiKen · Mar 2, 2015

Hello,

I have a tiny budget but would like an idea of what to save for. I would like to have a telephoto lens with macro capabilities in a LTM - M39 - mount.
Leica is out of the question simply due to price but possibly some russian lens or ......?

What choices, if any, would there be in an 85mm, 90mm, 105mm, or 135mm lens that would have macro capability?

Thanks

trythis · Mar 2, 2015

I can't imagine trying to focus with the narrow depth of field macro lenses have without an SLR or without the slr M mount lens kits that I am thinking of. Someone will know the name...

Visoflex:

Then you can stick any M39 you want but infinity focus is gone. I think there are special visoflex lenses...but then it would be loads cheaper to get a cheap SLR with a bellows.

I am sure that I will be shamed by someone that knows way more about M39 macro, but thats my first thought.

snapguy · Mar 2, 2015

Right. Visoflex -- it turns a rangefinder Leica into an SLR. Not the cheapest way to go.

jspillane · Mar 2, 2015

I think for any kind of macro at all, you'd be much happier just picking up an SLR.
The Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 is an excellent short tele-macro that can be adapted to most SLR mounts, and would be my suggestion for a high quality but low priced tele-macro.

Hatchetman · Mar 2, 2015

i'd be worried the rangefinder & lens combo would not be in perfect calibration, which it would need to be.

John Koehrer · Mar 2, 2015

jspilane's right about cost. a 55 micro nikkor & inexpensive body for about $100. OR.
Find a Visoflex, a focusing adapter, adapter tube & lens head. I'd guess that without a lens you're looking at around $300. Oh, oh, pretty soon you'll be talking serious money.

BUT!

Leica did have a number of close up devices like:
NOOKY, NOOKY-HESUM, SOOKY, UOORF, BOKUM, SOOKY-M, ADVOO, SOOGZ, SNHOO, OMIFO.
These things are all for specific lenses. But I love the catalog numbers, Some of them are similar to sounds my dogs make.

Fixcinater · Mar 2, 2015

You could hunt for an off-brand M39 bellows plus a reflex mirror housing. I found one locally on Craigslist for $20 which included a Xenar 135/4.5 in LTM.

Ended up being a Novoflex branded bellows plus a "Reproflex" by Novoflex before it became Novoflex (K. Muller Jr Memmingen).

Pioneer · Mar 2, 2015

The close up devices already mentioned are by far the least expensive method to get into macro with a Leica. However, it is far from perfect and just about any inexpensive SLR with a macro lens, or normal lens and extension tubes, will produce far better photographs. Example - My $45 Minolta SRT-101 complete with 55/1.7 lens combined with a set of Chinese extension tubes for $9.99 give me far better macros than my $110 NOOKY set for my $375 Leica LTM Barnack.

AgX · Mar 3, 2015

trythis said:
I can't imagine trying to focus with the narrow depth of field macro lenses have without an SLR or without the slr [additional mirrorbox] that I am thinking of.

As rangefinder a frame at object distance would work quite fine.

The lens barrel must be lengthened by means of extension tubes and that frame adjusted on a groundglass at the film plane.

guangong · Mar 3, 2015

Leica sm viso

A screw mount viso complete is inexpensive and kilfit made a variety of long focus lenses with macro ability. However，the viso 1 requires a double cable release but sometimes a kilfit reflex housing comes up on the big auction site. Kilfit lenses are very good and for use on a leica tm viso you can get by without an adapter since only a thin spacer is necessary. As a substitute a thin washer from a hardware store will do . Have fun！

mdarnton · Mar 3, 2015

Just buy a cheap SLR. I have parallel Leica and Nikon systems, both pretty complete, and though I have a Visoflex with a bunch of fittings, I NEVER use it. It's clumsy, heavy, expensive, etc. etc. For $150 you can have a Nikon FG and 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor that will outshoot any rangefinder-based rig in every respect you can think of except if you just want to spend a lot of money fast. For that, Leica.

Jim Jones · Mar 3, 2015

My experience parallels mdarnton in post #11. Also, a SLR, bellows, and good longer focal length enlarging lenses give decent telephoto macro results. However, some enlarging lenses don't stop down far enough for adequate depth of field. Many years ago I had a Vivitar 135mm macro lens in a short Nikon mount. On a Nikon III bellows it would focus from infinity to 1:1. Also, it was sharp enough and had beautiful bokeh.

Telephoto with macro in LTM

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