A Legend Reborn — The APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8
The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 is a tribute to one of the most celebrated lenses in Leica's history: the legendary APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100 f/2.8 from 1987, widely regarded as one of the finest macro lenses ever made. Redesigned from the ground up for the SL-System and L-Mount, this new version brings full apochromatic correction, autofocus, and modern optical engineering to a lens that photographers have admired for decades. Whether you are photographing the intricate surface of an insect at 1:1, or capturing a portrait at comfortable working distance, this lens performs with distinction.
Optical Excellence — Full APO Correction
The APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 is built around a sophisticated optical construction of 17 elements in 12 groups. Full apochromatic correction eliminates chromatic aberration across the entire focusing range — from close-up macro distances to infinity — ensuring that every detail is rendered with outstanding sharpness, contrast, and colour fidelity. At maximum aperture f/2.8, the lens delivers a smooth and harmonious background rendering that makes it equally outstanding as a portrait and short telephoto lens. The minimum aperture is f/22.
True 1:1 Macro
With a minimum focusing distance of just 29 cm and a maximum magnification of 1:1, the APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 reveals a world of detail that is barely visible to the naked eye. The smallest object field measures just 23.9 × 35.9 mm at maximum magnification — delivering full-frame coverage of subjects at life size. A dedicated focusing group ensures consistent optical performance throughout the entire focusing range, from close macro distances to infinity. Autofocus and manual focus can be selected directly on the camera.
Portrait and Telephoto Performance
The 100 mm focal length and f/2.8 maximum aperture make the APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 an outstanding portrait lens in its own right. At comfortable working distances, it separates subjects naturally from the background with smooth, gradual focus falloff. The full APO optical design ensures that this background rendering is as harmonious and free from colour fringing as the in-focus rendering is sharp — a combination that is the hallmark of the original APO-Macro-Elmarit-R and now carried forward into the SL-System.
Build and Handling
The APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 is built to the same standards as every professional SL lens. The aluminium full-metal body is dust and splash water protected, and measures 137 mm in length (187 mm with lens hood) with a 77 mm diameter (82 mm with lens hood), weighing 801 g (862 g with lens hood). The E67 filter thread accepts standard filters. AquaDura hydrophobic coating on all external elements repels moisture and grease. The included lens hood attaches via a male bayonet. Lens firmware can be updated directly via the camera.
What's in the Box:
GPSR:
Leica Camera AG, Am Leitz-Park 5, D-35578, Wetzlar - Germany
