Vintage Macro Lenses Compared: Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 vs. Carl Zeiss S-Planar 60mm f/2.8

[@pierreperrault2150]

Great analysis of the two lens. I own the Carl Zeiss S-Planar 60 mm macro since 1975 and I am still using it mainly for copying slides and negatives on digital body camera. Build like a tank and produce marvelous quality images.

[@karinmuhlberger7069]

Max, it‘s great how much you can tell on the Macro lenses!!! The photos from the botanical garden are beautiful!

[@ScottGamble1]

Thank you all for another great video comparison to enjoy over the holidays.

[@danbuchman7497]

What a wonderful Xmas present! I’ve always wanted a Leica, but $$$. I’ve invested in some M42 lenses based on your reviews and love the results. If you’re planning to do any camera reviews in the future, I’d be interested in your thoughts about the Bessaflex M42 mount camera. I have 2 Spotmatics but both have issues and the Bessa is a much more recent model. Thanks to everyone associated with this video and have a wonderful holiday season!

[@cameraprepper7938]

The Leitz/Leica Macro Elmarit R 60mm 2.8 have for close-up images the most pleasing rendering at aperture 4.0 !

[@David_analogue01]

Just discovered your videos. I really like them. Your sense of style and voice delivery is just... cool. Really cool. One of the things you do that is uncommon is provide the insight of a genuine expert, the history and so forth rather than just reading the spec sheet. Top tier. Thank you for your work!

[@simeonkorobov698]

Great video Max! I always enjoy your insightful and helpful material. Good to see the Contax in use, it is a wonderful and often underrated system (the lack of reliability shown by some camera bodies hasn't helped, admittedly). All the best to you, Jules and Greg, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@ianhand5006]

Merry Christmas everyone!

[@calvinwu3861]

Merry Christmas to you and Greg.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too.

[@GOMBE3]

Looking forward to the video release! Interesting idea and personally hope that the Contax version has a superb performance, simply because I have RTSs (but not the macro lens atm). If I have a Leica body, I would say a different thing, of course. ^^

[@ПавелСергеев-в6щ]

I use Leitz 60/2.8 Makro lens adapted for Nikon F mount. Outstanding lens, top quality build and great color rendition.

[@choongseanteo]

same here ! The color rendition is really nice !

[@inahaase889]

Wunderbare Kameras und zauberhafte Bilder habt ihr gemacht, super.❄

[@john_murch]

I bought the S-Planar in the mid 1980's when I was somewhat new to photography. It was recommended to me as an "all rounder 50mm", however, as you mentioned, it is quite a hefty lens to carry around, it's more suited for specific macro excursions. My copy also needed some repair as the focus was off so I sold it finally a few years ago. Your macro shots are beautiful, I think it would have been better to repair mine and have a play with macro photography. Anyway, thanks for the video, nice to see how these well crafted lenses can perform in the right scenarios. Happy New Year Max! Looking forward to more videos in 2022.

[@edinburghtumuran916]

Amazing review! Kudos, Buddy!

[@pedrova8058]

5:14 the first Micro Nikkor 55 f3,5 ("nippon kogaku" preset version, non Ai) dates from 1961, and reach 1:1 ratio without tubes. Near 1963 the most know version (Micro Nikkor Auto 55 f3,5 non Ai (the P or PC version was later, 69-70) was launch, reach 1:2 ratio, and 1:1 with tube extension

[@matthiassteck4009]

Very good review as always. What film did you use shooting the watches ? Must be a filmstock with extremly fine grain, it's not visible at all on the video. I did some analogue macro shooting last summer with the Minolta MC Macro Rokkor 3.5/100mm (with 1:1 adaptor) and the Minolta XD-7 on Kodak Ektar 100 and had decent results but a little more grain.

[@pierratdrepy]

I have leitz 60/2.8 macro but not carl zeiss 60/2.8, but I added helicoid for other carl zeiss lens such as 35/2.8, 25/2.8, 50/1.8, 85/2.8 for macro use. in one on one comparison, I should say, colour wise, they can't compete with French vintage lens such as som berthiot, boyer, H.Roussel etc.

[@kevinmarkham6385]

this is so awesome because i was literally looking at both of these cameras and lenses. right now i have an f3 and 60mm macro which i think is also pretty comparable

[@stevocem]

Nice video. However, I think Steinheil was the first with double helicoid and even surpassing 1:1.

[@EduardoMendozaPhoto]

Wonderful video Max! Macrophotography is fascinating, I've been doing it for awhile now. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the Micro-Nikkor 55mm F2.8: have you tried it?, how would it compare next to these two gorgeous lenses? Thanks so much and happy holidays.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your kind feedback and comment. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with the mentioned 55m F2.8 Micro-Nikkor and therefore cannot compare it to these two lenses. Sorry about that. :)

[@alanma3864]

I previously had no interest in either system or in macro and now need both. And maybe some cool watches!! Hahaha. Thanks for another great video and expanding my horizons and gear list🤣

[@ginobartali9338]

Hi Max, I don‘t Know what I‘ve admire more: the watches of your both, the camera or the objectives. All in all it‘s a Great collection; but mostly I prefer the Eterna. I falling in love. Thx for sharing

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your kind feedback. Glad to hear that. :)

[@autodidact537]

@@AnalogInsights I wished you could've included the awesome Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8 it's a worthy rival of the two German lenses that you tested.

[@ramarren]

I have had the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f3.5 as well as both the Leitz and Zeiss lenses. Had the Nikkor 60 as well .. and the Olympus ZD system, and Minolta Rokkor system, and Pentax system ... essentially, a "near normal" macro lens is almost always my first additional lens for any system. There's not a huge amount to say different between all of these lenses in terms of imaging quality. A true macro lens is usually considered as a premium grade lens by any manufacturer and they all do a darn good job of making them, and making them work very well. Today, I use the Leitz Macro-Elmarit-R 60/2.8 and Macro-Elmar-R 100/4 most of the time, the latter in a short mount fitted to the Leitz Focusing Bellows-R, and both with my Leica CL digital or M digital and film cameras. The results I get from them are very satisfying, and the price I paid for them was almost economical compared to some of the other lenses I've bought.

[@joefaracevideos]

Thanks for this, guys. much appreciated.

[@hmkacll]

Which one is better, carl zeiss 60 or leica R 60

[@domokum]

Hi Max, I'm quite sure that this double-helical design used on this Makro Planar was inspired on the legendary Tomioka Macro Yashinon 60mm f2.8 that was also sold as a Mamiya/Sekor lens: Since this lens was made in Japan by Yashica in the former Tomioka plant, maybe they adopted the same design. There's also an early Pentax Macro-Takumar 1:4/50mm from de 1950s that also feature a double-helical tube: They are both M42 mount lenses, but the lens design is quite different though. Love your channel! Best wishes.

[@walterschimeck645]

The early versions of the S-Planar were made in Germany, but I agree with you. The lens you mentioned does look a lot like the Zeiss and shares focal length/aperture specs..

[@max-lee]

Beautiful lenses.

[@Snikkelbek]

If you want to save some money, take a look at the Yashica ML 55/2.8. Small, sharp at all distances, better corners than Micro Nikkor 55/2.8, and without stiff focus and sticky aperture problems.

[@kevinmarkham6385]

A cool video would be the 35-70’s from each company

[@najadadavis]

Very nice. Thanks!!! 😊

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

I wish you wouldn't repeat the tired internet talk that says that modern lenses have somehow achieved greatness above past designs, Eg (to paraphrase): "the Elmarit *almost* lives up to modern lenses" "the micro contrast is somewhat lacking"...this is simply marketing-speak in my opinion. These so-called "modern" standards are for digital sensors, not film! If you're going to go down such a road, I think you should preface it by saying this info is for photographers who wish to adapt the lens on digital bodies but is not a real commentary on the lens when used in its intended medium. Since this is an Analog photography channel, you don't need to make apologies for these old lenses! As a film shooter I pretty much won't touch a lens that was designed after year 2000, they simply don't perform well on film, and totally lack soul on film. Sorry if I come across harsh, I'm a an avid watcher and just want you to stay different from all the rest!

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your honest feedback. I really appreciate it and completely agree with you. This channel certainly caters primarily to film shooters. In my personal opinion, such vintage lenses are often the pinnacle of lens design and there are hardly any modern lenses using the same high-quality glass and metals today. As you said, there is no need for many modern lenses except you are a digital shooter and need the corrections/optimizations for digital sensors. That said, this channel also addresses anyone out there who might be interested in photography per se (digital and film). For this audience, I try to include these "digital" aspects as well and encourage people who are new to the hobby to invest time and effort into getting informed. For this audience, it is important to hear that there are differences to modern lenses but I typically refrain from "bashing" digital photography and try to present a balanced view. I am sorry if this didn't come across as nuanced to you as I'd intended.

[@autodidact537]

I disagree, i use a Leica-M Elmarit 28mm f2.8 ASPH II lens that was made only a few years ago with film and the results are excellent. This lens is mounted on a Minolta CLE and with its .58 magnification finder it's a perfect match. I suppose it's each to his own.

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

@@autodidact537 Certain Leica lenses may be the only exception; they still consider film when designing an M lens since they actually make film cameras, but the rest: no chance

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

@@AnalogInsights Thanks for your response! Keep up the good work my friend!!

[@autodidact537]

@@TucsonAnalogWorkshop When mating the Elmarit-M 28 mm ASPH with Fuji Velvia 50 film and projecting the slides with a Leica Pradovit P 150 projector on to a large screen the results are nothing short of gorgeous. And if you could see the results I'm sure you would change your opinion of this particular lens. I don't own enough Leica lenses to contradict your opinion but this lens is a keeper for me at least. Cheers.

[@cvandonderen]

Is it a problem in the Munich Botanical Garden to bring a tripod and take macro photos like this, or do you need to get approval beforehand from the management there?

[@AnalogInsights]

I actually took these images hand-held without a tripod. As far as I know, you can bring a monopod to the Botanical Garden Munich but you need an official approval to use a proper tripod there.

[@autodidact537]

You missed one of the best macro lenses of all the: "Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8."

[@Vlad_in_the_Dale]

Ho-ho-ho everybody!

[@janjasiewicz9851]

The CZJ Flektagon 28/35mm gets similar results - weighs about half and can be had for the fraction of the cost too.

[@LuposVoice]

Ich sollte mir keine Videos mehr ansehen von euch! Es artet immer wieder in Objektivkäufen aus! Aber hättest du einem TOP Zeiss 60 mm Planar S um € 300.- widerstanden? Eben! 😉 Trotzdem DANKE! 🙏🤣LG Wolf

[@cameraprepper7938]

Bitte, ordnung muss sein ! The first version of the Leitz had also a built-in Lens Hood, but you could get an extra Lens Hood for the first version, also there are 2 different types of macro adapters! Look for Leica order/production numbers, there was 5 different order/production numbers through the years 11203, 11205, 11212, 11253 and 11347 the first one started in 1970, I think for each new order/production number there was an upgrade of the Lens, either mechanical, electronic, optical or multicoating. The Contax Lens are best optimized for close-up photography, the Leitz/Leica are more a "all round" Lens and not so good at 1:1 and 1:2 as the Contax Lens !!! But I guess that at aperture 5.6 to 8 the Leica will be the best performer at infinity for Landscape photography, the Leica 60mm optical design are made for optimum performance at reproduction ratios between 1:20 to 1:10 ! I had the first version of the Leitz 60mm 2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R, now I have the latest version of the Leica 60mm 2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R and there are a huge difference in the multicoating !!! A free tip, real keen Macro Photographers do not use the focus ring when real close to a subject, you just slightly move the camera a little bit back and forth until you have the focus where you want it, much easier. There are 2 versions of the 1:1 Contax Lens, one was called S-Planar the other was called Macro-Planar ! Happy New Year. Frohes neues Jahr.

[@hnyrdr6808]

🖤

[@driftwoodtv]

Tomioka Macro Yashinon 60mm f2.8 is as good as both of these.

[@pedrova8058]

also the Vivitar 55 f2,8 macro, the Mamiya/Sekor 60 f2,8, even the Volna 9 50 f2,8, all of them share the same plannar/xenotar base design (the main differences can be the coatings: "fancy" on big brands (Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Carl Zeiss, Leica, Pentax, etc) sligthly less contrasty on cheaper brands...