Leica Q3 /43 and Elpro 52 - Alternatives
24th July 2026
In: News, Members' Articles
Leica Q3 /43 and Elpro 52 - Alternative Solutions To Close Ups.
I have had the Q3/43 for a few months and I'm getting to grips with it.
I find the Macro feature very useful and was interested in the Elpro 52 when it was announced. It certainly seems a useful piece of kit and, with two adapters, is suitable for twenty Leica lenses.
However, this feature comes at a cost, I believe something in the region of £320.
Many years ago I used the R system and had an old Elpro V1a which had been designed for series filters.
We decided to see if we could adapt it to the Q3/43 and found an old 49mm filter. The glass was removed and the Elpro V1a fitted to the ring after a bit of fiddling.
The result is not elegant but it works very well because I believe the old close-up lens is probably the equal of the Elpro 52.
The subject is a bit plain but it demonstrates the ideas. The flower close up gives an idea of how to use the combination 'in the field'.
Pam Lewis ( with some encouragement from Cled!)
I have had the Q3/43 for a few months and I'm getting to grips with it.
I find the Macro feature very useful and was interested in the Elpro 52 when it was announced. It certainly seems a useful piece of kit and, with two adapters, is suitable for twenty Leica lenses.
However, this feature comes at a cost, I believe something in the region of £320.
Many years ago I used the R system and had an old Elpro V1a which had been designed for series filters.
We decided to see if we could adapt it to the Q3/43 and found an old 49mm filter. The glass was removed and the Elpro V1a fitted to the ring after a bit of fiddling.
The result is not elegant but it works very well because I believe the old close-up lens is probably the equal of the Elpro 52.
The subject is a bit plain but it demonstrates the ideas. The flower close up gives an idea of how to use the combination 'in the field'.
Pam Lewis ( with some encouragement from Cled!)
Comments
By David Askham: Pam, interesting, but please could you add some phone, or other closeup pictures, of the components you used and adapted for your effective solution? Also, add some captions explaining the results and shooting distances in your trial, and how they compare with the natural closest focusing distance of your Q343? By Keith Walker: I agree, using older kit can be great fun and nostalgic. Some times I use the original Visoflex and Bellows with a digital body. The original Elpro also works well as an extension tube.
Nice article and good topic to air. By Pam Lewis: Thanks for your comments, the Elpro V1a and the V1b can be held in the 49 mm filter with some blutac but a more permanent job is preferable.
Pic No. 1 taken at minimum focussing distance with standard lens.
Pic 2 Taken with Macro setting of standard lens.
Pic 3 taken with Elpro V1a and Pic 4. taken with Elpro V1b at about 6 ins.
Main lens stopped down to f8 in. Macro setting.
Trust this answers the question.
Pam. By David Askham: Thank you Pam. That clarifies the article. Shooting at such close ranges suits a flat surface rather better than flowers with their more demanding depth of field. If so inclined, you could try shooting the flowers using f11 and f16 to see if the lens is better or worse at the smallest aperture settings.