XCD 2.8/135 for macro?

[Powerdog]

Has anyone used the 2.8/135 lens for macro shooting? Comments?

I’ve tried to find the 3.5/120 Macro, but none of my usual sources has it.

 

[MichaelErlewine]

It's not for macro, but you can do some semi-closup work with it and with the extension. And the XCD 120 is not really macro, but 1:2. Best to get the 9mm extension and use it with the XCD 45P or the XCD 38mm or others.

 

[davidmknoble]

I agree on the 9mm extension. Many great macro lenses use extensions including the 90mm /f4 Leica M lens. The Leica R APO 100mm f/2.8 lens has a glass macro adapter that is screwed on the front wihich means the effective f/stop does not change.

Since this is a digital lens, the camera can adjust the exposure for you and the extension works with any XCD lens, also a benefit. The film extensions for the old 120mm bodies require exposure adjustment manually.

You can also stack the rings, so 2 x 9mm =18 mm extensions, for more magnification.

 

[Powerdog]

The only HB lens I own now is the 55/2.5. Would one 9mm extension get me into macro territory, or near it?

 

[davidmknoble]

So, I did a quick chatGPT, so you’ll need to confirm, but it suggests that the 55v natively produces an image of about 1:6. Adding the 9mm extension would take it to about 1:3, or doubling the close focus range.

It did add, correctly I think, that focus breathing and other aberrations may adjust the final macro ability.

It also said a second 9mm extension would take it to 1:2.

I created a photography specific GPT, and it showed the math, which made sense, so I think this is correct, but didn’t back check it.