I found one locally that's probably a bit more than I should afford ($550, unless it resells well :-) ) and I haven't seen/heard anything about this lens on this forum.
Just to make it clear, we're talking about a 341XXXX serial 100/4 (not the apo, otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you guys right now)
Anyone have any input? Is the significantly cheaper and faster 60mm a better lens?
I have seen the 100/4 routinely offered for $100 less than that. I have no personal experience with the lens, but unless that copy has been Hermetically sealed since it was minted, I am not sure that it is much of a deal. Check out places like www.keh.com and even B&H as both have had those recently and may still have stock now.
Agree with Jim that the price is somewhat too high, I believe I paid around $350 for my copy on the auction site. However that being said, the lens is an excellent performer, difficult to tell from the Apo at aperatures of F:8 and below. Also, to get to 1:1 a simple set of extension rings is all that is needed as the Macro Elmar does not have a fixed rear element like the Apo.
As for the choice bettween the 60mm Macro Elmarit and the 100mm Macro Elmar it is mostly what you will use the lens for. The 60mm is probably a better "all around" lens, and a more useful focal length for general photography, the 100mm gives longer working distance for close up work.
Thanks guys. A 50-60mm "do-all" lens would probably work better for me. I find a lot of my landscape shots end up around there as it stands and I'd really want a macro for flower shots. The next question becomes--what's the best fun/$ around that focal length.
Daniel Heineck wrote:
Thanks guys. A 50-60mm "do-all" lens would probably work better for me. I find a lot of my landscape shots end up around there as it stands and I'd really want a macro for flower shots. The next question becomes--what's the best fun/$ around that focal length.
The Sigma 50/2.8 Macro is an excellent lens - especially for 1:1 macro. The Zuiko 50/3.5 makes a better all around lens, but only goes to 1:2 without help.
pdmphoto wrote:
The Sigma 50/2.8 Macro is an excellent lens - especially for 1:1 macro. The Zuiko 50/3.5 makes a better all around lens, but only goes to 1:2 without help.
The Sigma 50/2.8 is surprisingly good given the low cost of a new example. For General use I'd personally recommend the Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5, but there's a ton of good options in this range from the cheap Super-Takumar 50/4 through the expensive Zeiss 50/2 Makro-Planar. It's pretty hard to go wrong with a 50-60mm Macro.
As a "all-around" lens I would recommend the zuiko 50 2.0 macro. Excellent sharpness, even wide open. Nice bokeh. In contrast to most other macro-lenses it has a fast maximal aperture and costs about half as much as a new Zeiss 50 2.0.
