MACRO ELMAR 100mm (ROM)

Affordable macro lenses for Leica R mount

A review and photo examples of MACRO ELMAR R 100mm F4, a macro lens for Leica R

Gallery

The sample photos were taken with the HASSELBLAD X2D

The sample photos were taken with the LEICA M typ240

Review

Overview
Usage
Add info

1．Overview

The MACRO ELMAR 100mm is a macro lens, and in the standard state, the lens barrel is marked up to 1:4, and the helicoid can be extended beyond that, so it can get as close as 1:3. There is no indication beyond 1:4, so there may be no performance guarantee.

When using a close-up ring, the green magnification is marked up to 1:1.75, and as mentioned above, it can be extended further from there, so it can get close to 1:1.

Leica’s close-up rings include those dedicated to the MACRO ELMARIT 60mm, those dedicated to the MACRO ELMAR 100mm, general-purpose 3-cam, and general-purpose with ROM terminal.

This lens was released with 1/2/3 cams, and was not manufactured with R cams/ROMs, and those with ROMs are modified from 1/2/3 cams. The lens I own is a 3-cam that has been modified to have a ROM.

Close-up ring: 3CAM general-purpose 14256

2．Usage

As the Leica Elmar name suggests, the MACRO ELMAR 100mm has a low aperture value, so it provides flawless images even when the aperture is open.

I previously purchased the 3CAM version and used it a little, but sold it due to its low usage.

In 2023, I found a ROM version modified by 3CAM, so I bought it again.

The lens color correction is not APO, so false colors may appear around the periphery of the subject.

This may be due to the cloudiness of the lens, but the resistance to backlight is not very good, and when the sun is in the picture, the contrast is reduced.

This lens has a large image circle, and when looking at the results with the HASSELBLAD X2D, there is almost no vignetting or image distortion even in photos with the sky in them. The FUJIFILM GFX series, which uses the same size sensor, can achieve similar results.

This lens is not often seen in the used market, and is often seen in good condition. It is also easy to obtain, with prices starting from around 50,000 yen for 3CAM and earlier.

3．Add info.

Leica has two 100mm macro lenses, the famous APO MACRO ELMARIT (AME) 100mm and this MACRO ELMAR 100mm. When choosing between the two, most people would choose the AME. However, this MACRO ELMAR has the advantage of being compact and lightweight. The AME weighs 760g, while the ME100 weighs 540g, which is about 30% lighter. And the MACRO ELMAR 100mm can be used with the APO EXTENDER x1.4 teleconverter, which is known for being compatible with a small number of lenses.

When using a 1.4x teleconverter, the brightness is reduced by half a stop to F3.5, but the focal length is 140mm. When using a teleconverter, the minimum shooting distance of the lens does not change, so you can take photos with a closer look at the subject.

Examples of photos taken with the LEICA M typ240 using the APO EXTENDER x1.4 are also included. Unfortunately, I no longer have the APO EXTENDER x1.4 on hand, as I sold it along with the APO TELYT 280mm, so I can’t test it in combination with the X2D.

Specification

Item	AME	Macro Elmar
focal length(mm)	100	←
Maximum aperture	2.8	4
Minimum aperture	22	←
Leaf blade	7	8
Lens configuration	8elements in 6groups	4elements in 3groups
Minimum distance(m)	0.45	0.6
Lens length(mm)	104.5	92
Lens max diameter(mm)	73	67.5
Filter diameter(mm)	55	←
Weight(g)	760	540
Release date	1986	1968
Production number	20,000	16,254