Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There is a big difference in the performance of the chrome and later black 65mm Elmar lenses. The chrome version is a low contrast lens that gives a pastel like performance that is charming in a way. The black Elmar is a high contrast lens with much improved resolution. It is one of my favorite lenses, and is great on the viso or R bellows. The performance on the edges is not the best at infinity, but the lens is designed for close-up work, and is a delight in this range. Erwin Putz does not consider either of these lenses as being exceptional performers, and makes a comment that the Elmar design is not optimum for macro work. I don't agree with him on this in regard to the performance of the black version. I might also add that the 100mm f4 macro Elmer for the Leica R series cameras is also a classical Elmar design, and it performs quite well both in near and far distances. Ferrel Anderson