Leica 2X APO-Extender
Leica 2X Extender
Leica 1.4X APO-Extender

By: Thorsten Overgaard. May 27, 2019.

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Fundamentally, the APO-Extenders works really well, and the non-APO exender is not worth having. That's the short review.

An 2X extender will double the focal length of your Leica R lens, so a 80mm f/1.4 becomes a 160mm. It also takes away some light, so a 2X extender will make your 80/1.4 lens into a f/2.8 lens (in terms of light).

The 1.4x will make a 50mm lens into a 75mm, or a 80mm into a the lens into a 110mm lens, and it takes away 1 stop of light. So the 80mm f/1.4 will become a f/2.0 lens (in terms of light).

I first got a non-APO extender years back and was amazed how "un-Leica" it is. It's really bad. Recently I got a 2X APO-Extender to use with my 80/1.4 and 400/6.5.

The 2x APO-Extender (model 11 262)

This one exists with ROM contacts and without ROM contacts. It was introduced in 1992. Prices are generally US$ 500-800 second-hand (in 2019). This is an excellent extender for many lenses, but is specified by Leica to be used with
50mm f1.4. 50mm f2.0, 60mm f2.8, 80mm f/1.4, 90mm f2.0 APO ASPH, 100mm f2.8 APO, 180mm f2.0 APO, 180mm f2.8 APO, 280mm f2.8 APO, 280mm f4.0 APO, 400mm f2.8 APO, 400mm f4.0 APO, 560mm f4.0 APO, 560mm f5.6 APO, 800mm f5.6 APO and 28-90mm f2.8-4.5, 35-70mm f4.0, 70-180mm f2.8 APO, 80-200mm f4.0 and 105-280mm f2.4).

The 1.4x APO-Extender (model 11 249)

This one exists only without ROM contacts. It was introduced in 1986. Prices are generally US$ 500-800 second-hand (in 2019). This is an excellent extender for many lenses, but is specified by Leica to be used with 180mm f2.0 APO, 180mm f2.8 APO, 280mm f2.8 APO, 280mm f4.0 APO, 400mm f2.8 APO, 400mm f4.0 APO, 560mm f4.0 APO, 560mm f5.6 APO, 800mm f5.6 APO 28-90mm f2.8-4.5 and 105-280mm f/4.2

ROM or not not?

The ROM contacts are not compatible with older Leicaflex cameras, but works on Leica R8 and Leica R9. So if you use the adapter on only new lenses and cameras, it's great. If not, stay away from the ROM version.

The ROm contacts are basically just telling the camera which lens is being used, and is supposed to calibrate small adjustments of aperture to the camera's light meter.

The 2x Extender (model 11 236)

This was the first version, made in 1980 till 1994 when it was replaced with the 2X APO-extender (introduced in 1992). It exists as 1-cam or, 3-cam.

It's really bad, but at the time it might have seen a great idea that you were able to double the focal lenght of your R lenses.

Vignetting is to be expected with 400m and longer lenses. The 50mm f1.4 and 80mm f1.4 can also be used. Thus says the manual; however, in practical use this older 2X extender reduces quality of the picture, mainly light surfaces will 'glow' (or simply: This 2X extender will blur your shots to some degree. The newer APO-extenders does not).

Leica 80mm F/1.4 with 2X extender on 100 ISO Fuji Sensia slide film, Imacon scan. © 2007 Thorsten Overgaard.

Leica 50mm F/2.0 with 2X extender on 100 ISO Fuji Sensia slide film, Imacon scan. © 2007 Thorsten Overgaard.

Leica 50mm F/2.0 with 2X extender test on 100 ISO Fuji Sensia slide film, Imacon scan. © 2007 Thorsten Overgaard.

Leica 2x Extender Manual

Here's the original 2X Extender manual