Best 4x5 lens for product/still life/macro photography?

[DREW WILEY]

Sigh-sigh-sigh.

To each his own, I guess. I understand the bellows limitations of numerous 4X5's, but love the renderings I gotten with 210 and 250mm lenses. I've printed some of those to 30X40 inch scale in Cibachrome. I prefer what longer focal lengths do in general, including close up. But again, how many times is an actual 1:1 scale even the case?

What is nice is that I chose Sinar system as my first LF system, and now own highly portable Fuji A's in 180, 250, and 360mm; and I've used em for everything between more than 1:1 to infinity in 6X9, 4x5, and 8X10 formats (the 180 won't cover 8X10 except close up). GC performance is analogous. I have other sets of petite lenses, Fuji C's and Nikkor M's, which are excellent too most of the time, but certainly not ideal very close-up.

Good luck with being in arms reach next time you want to document the skin pattern of a snoozing snattlerake on LF film.

 

[koraks]

You're leaving out the amazing growth of the image circle as you focus closer.

No, I had that firmly in mind when I responded. My remark about smaller image circles applies to lenses that really are more restricted for even smaller formats. Even at moderately high magnifications, you run into the coverage limits, which can get interesting. But it's a departure from 'straight' photography.

Good luck with being in arms reach next time you want to document the skin pattern of a snoozing snattlerake on LF film.

Two diagnostic questions towards equipment selection:
1: What is the use case I'm likely going to handle 99.98% of the time?
2: What is the most hypothetical possibility I can think of that would bring me way outside what I'll realistically have at hand, no matter how far-fetched or unlikely?
I think many people use the first diagnostic to inform their choices. The second is generally amusing to see and can give rise to armchair musings such as "but what if I need to photograph an apple on a different planet than Earth - will I have the proper tool for the job?"

 

[Nitroplait]

Probably just a freak coincidence, but several low priced G-Claron lenses have popped up in various local listings and local shops for pocket change during the past year.

Here's one 240mm still available if you are in the neighbourhood of Copenhagen (DKK 599 = €80):

Schneider-Kreuznach 240mm f/9 G-Claron repro/process optik - www.fotoc.dk

Tiltænkt repro/process/næroptagelser men kan også tilpasses til alm. brug på storformat kamera'er (dækker 5x7"). Blænde fra 9 til 64. Front- og baggruppe kan skrues fra hinanden og der medfølger retaining ring til evt. fastskruning på plade. Dækning iflg. Schneider: Ø298mm. Kategori B. 6 mdr...

www.fotoc.dk

I assume they originate from some process setups and thus come without shutter, only aperture. They can be fitted into a shutter if so desired.

I got a 150mm f/9 and 240mm f/9 privately for less than €50, and made lens boards from model building plywood just to try them out - I didn't expect much.
Although optimised for close-up work, they turned out to be really good on most distances (I am shooting in the city so I haven't tried infinity).

Downside is the lack of shutter, and very high additional cost to get a functional one, so I use them with an opaque blackened loose cap and exposure times over 1 sec which is easily timed manually.

This could work well for still lifes but less so for portraits.

 

[otto.f]

I would go for a 210, a Schneider and one which has a bright view on the glass if you want to work in the studio for product and portrait work. I own the G-Claron too but it's a bit of ado with 9.0 as the widest aperture. Symmar MC is a wonderful lens. I own it and got fabulous results with studio work with it. I don't know whether I would pay that much for the APO, might be too sharp for portrait too.

 

[xkaes]

Even at moderately high magnifications, you run into the coverage limits,

100mm macro/bellows lenses designed for the tiny 35mm format will cover 4x5 at 1:1. I wouldn't call that "high magnification". For me, that's where "macro" just starts.

 

[xkaes]

Good luck with being in arms reach next time you want to document the skin pattern of a snoozing snattlerake on LF film.

I'll leave it to the OP to decide if Gila Monsters will be on the table top. Their beads are beautiful at 1:1.

 

[koraks]

100mm macro/bellows lenses

That's not the kind of lens I was referring to in my comment, although I'm aware it's what you mentioned.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Oh my! Send that poor reptile to the dermatologist! - or else is will never get invited to the Prom.