LEICA APO MACRO ELMARIT TL 60mm
Review and Photo example of the APO MACRO ELMARIT TL 60mm F2.8.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photo taken with the LEICA T(Typ701) and LEICA SL(Typ601).
Review
1．Overview
The APO Macro Elmarit TL 60mm is an APO macro lens for APS-C size sensors released in 2016 for Leica L mount.
The image circle covers the APS-C sensor size, so the focal length in practical use is equivalent to 90mm in 35mm format.
The main specifications are as follows, and details are listed in the table.
- Aperture F value 2.8
- Lens construction 9 groups, 10 elements
- Aspheric lens 2 elements, 4 surfaces
- Number of aperture blades Unknown
- Minimum shooting distance 0.16m
- Hood Lens hood for TL 1.4/35 2.8/60 12430 Silver / Lens hood for TL 1.4/35 2.8/60 12429 Black
- Lens color variations Silver and black
2．Usability
The APO Macro Elmarit TL 60mm has a sharp depiction from the widest aperture, and even when stopped down, the center is almost the same and the edges are slightly better.
The autofocus (AF) focusing speed is slow when used with the contrast AF of the LEICA T series (T / TL / TL2). The focusing accuracy varies depending on the subject, but when shooting macro, the focus is not focused and the focus is lost, then it returns and the focus is lost repeatedly.
Compared relatively to other TL lenses in terms of autofocus speed, the APO Macro Elmarit TL 60mm has the slowest AF focusing speed and the focusing accuracy in the macro range is also poor.
I also used it with the LEICA SL typ601, which is equipped with a 35mm full-size sensor, but I could not feel any difference in AF performance, so I assume that the AF performance is limited by the lens.
When shooting with the rear LCD of a Leica T-series camera, you need to hold the camera with both hands, zoom in with your right hand, and adjust the focus with your left hand, which can make holding the camera unstable and makes it necessary to be careful of camera shake.
The VISOFLEX external EVF that can be attached to the Leica T-series camera has excellent specs, such as the number of pixels displayed.
However, the response speed of the displayed image is slow, probably due to the performance of the camera’s CPU.
The LEICA CL has a built-in EVF, which improves the display, but I gave up this lens when I got the CL.
- 35mm full size > APS-C size
- 24MP > 10.3MP (LEICA SL Typ601, LEICA SL2-S, LEICA SL3-S)
- 42MP > 18MP (LEICA SL2)
- 60MP > 25.75MP (LEICA SL3)
The LEICA SL Typ601 also allows you to adjust the focus position with direct manual focus while zooming in on the focus position with the dial. In this case, you hold the camera with three points: both arms and the eyepiece, so it is easy to take pictures without shaking.
Another advantage of using it with the LEICA SL is that the eyeless finder of the SL Typ601 is very easy to see, which is a big advantage when it comes to focusing. When attached to an SL series camera, the size balance is just right.
The lens design is the same as that of Leica L-mount lenses, and the aperture value is controlled by the camera, so the lens only has a focus ring, which is a simple design. A reversible bayonet hood is included. It is the longest lens among TL prime lenses.
The filter diameter is E60, 60mm, which is a Leica-specific size, so photographers who make full use of filter work will need to use step-up and step-down rings, as there are only a few types of filters that can be directly attached.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the APO Macro Elmarit TL 60mm is a rare medium telephoto macro lens equivalent to 90mm for a Leica L-mount lens.
It probably depends on the camera used, but on some of the cameras I’ve used, the autofocus focusing speed is slow and the focusing accuracy is not good. It doesn’t focus particularly well for close-up shots, so it’s better to use manual focus from the start, even if you consider battery consumption.
It is also recommended to attach it to a 35mm full-frame sensor camera and use it with an APS-C crop. In particular, you can expect a reduction in blurring on cameras equipped with in-body image stabilization mechanisms from the LEICA SL2 onwards.
Specification and TL series lens
Leica APS single focal length lens
| Lens name | ELMARIT | SUMMICRON | SUMMILUX | APO MACRO ELMARIT |
| Focal length(mm) | 18 | 23 | 35 | 60 |
| 35mm equivalent focal length | 27 | 35 | 50 | 90 |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 2 | 1.4 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 | 32 |
| Lens Construction | 8elements 6groups | 9elements 6groups | 12elements 8groups | 10elements 9groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.4 | 0.16 |
| Lens length(mm) | 21 | 37 | 77 | 134 |
| Lens diameter(mm) | 62 | 63 | 70 | 70 |
| Filter Size(mm) | E39 | E52 | E60 | E60 |
| Weight(g) | 80 | 154 | 428 | 320 |
| Release date | 2017.12 | 2014.5.26 | 2016.3.31 | 2016.9.24 |
| List Price | ¥142,500 | ¥230,000 | ¥310,000 | ¥320,000 |
Reference links
Update history
- 2024.07.01
- 2024.03.06
- 2022.12.05
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