#8 Lens review, the almighty Leica R 60mm F2.8 macro

What a long name, Leica 60mm F2.8 macro, but what a lens… I’m going to spoil you here, I like it a lot and here is why :

the bee and the flower, shoot with a sony a7ii and leica R 60mm f2.8
Sony A7II, Leica R 60mm F2.8
Leica R 60mm Macro with R mount to FE mount Adapter

First, disclaimer, I’m only using this lens with Sony A7 cameras, both A7ii and A7sii. It shines on both, sharpness, colors, focus precision, it has all. This lens is good budget-conscious lens if you don’t mind manual focusing. Use it on a mirrorless with focus peaking, magnification and stabilisation, you can get really good shot hand held and a lot of fun !!!

here come the bee, leica R 60mm Macro f2.8
Sony A7II, Leica R 60mm F2.8

One thing that is really interesting with this lens if the color rendition. Most of the time, it’s spot on, and it needs a very little post editing to get it right. Like most of the macro lens, it can also be used for landscape, and it really shines also here. Crisp images full of details, and really colors, this should please all the naturalists.

Sony A7II, Leica R 60mm F2.8
Sony A7II, Leica R 60mm F2.8

I will not list all the technical details of this lens, you can find them here, but in a nutshell, it’s a 60’s design lens, 1:2 macro lens (it focuses 15cm from the front lens) but you can add an adapter to get a 1:1 ratio.

Dubai Metro handheld with sony A7ii and leica R 60mm macro
Sony A7II, Leica R 60mm F2.8

I really love this Leica 60mm F2.8 macro and the way it handles on the Sony A7 bodies, the only flaw is the flare resistance, not so good if the light comes directly in

Leica R 60mm f2.8 macro flare
Leica R 60mm Macro
Leica R 60mm Macro

11 Comments to “#8 Lens review, the almighty Leica R 60mm F2.8 macro”

  1. David Murray

    Not everything old is inferior. This lens has always been a cracker. Not cheap either, just checked on eBay U.K. and a really shabby one is on sale at a Manchester dealer for £300 plus carriage. Glass is stated to be ok. Salgado is a fan. During his sojourn in Kuwait after the Gulf War, he shot some 90% of his shots on an R6 and the 60mm f2.8 Macro lens. He also took 28/2.8 & 35/2. No mention of anything longer. When he used the earlier Leicas he quipped that he carries two bodies and three lenses – 28-35-50. And Tri- X film.

    Reply
    1. Greg Author

      Thanks David for your comment. It’s a wonderful lens, not cheap but cheaper than many native lenses on Sony or fuji systems. You’re right, not everything old is inferior. I have some old Jupiter 85mm and 135mm that are really good… Might be a good subject for a new post.

      Reply
    2. Greg Author

      Thanks Dave for your comment. You’re right this lens is a gem, and really cheap in front of new lenses prices.

      Reply
  2. I was fortunate enough to find a fine example of an Elmarit-R 60mm f2.8 Macro lens that I’m using with my M10-P and Leica’s R convertor. This is fast becoming one of my favorite lenses. Color rendition is exceptional and focus works satisfactorily using just the viewfinder — perfect with the EVF. Some recent architectural detail photos can be seen here, zoom to one of the last sections: https://paradigmarch.com/gallery

    Reply
    1. Greg Author

      Thanks Tim for your comment. Indeed, this is a great lens, and not only for macro. If you’re not in high speed lenses, then it can be a great everyday lens.

      Reply
  3. No matter how much I try to stay away from this lens, I always come back to it. Built well. Handles well. 60mm gets you a fairly “normal” perspective with a short, but usable portrait perspective, too. Plus, macro. And great color rendition and sharpness. Plus, reasonably priced for Leica glass. Use with adapters on my M Monochrom and SL2.

    Reply
  4. Michael Wilson

    Hi
    I have the same Leica Elmarit R 60mm Macro lens on an A7R V (with the Novoflex adapter) and I have to say that it is one of my favourite lenses. Crisp, clear and a joy to focus. Feels perfect on the camera and with the Leica R macro adapter, gets right up close and personal at 1:1.

    Reply
    1. Greg Author

      Thanks Michael. My journey moved me from Sony to Leica back to Sony with an A9mkii and there also it shines. It seems that those R lenses are a really good deal for manual focus lovers.

      Reply
  5. Seth

    quite remarkable lens. It doesn’t pretend to be 35/2,8 Summaron on a Leica rangefinder but if you’re ok with the heft and bulk, what glorious results on your film!

    Reply

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