Lens for closeups

[Don Mills]

I'm planning on doing a series of still life photos using a 4x5 camera. The subject to lens distance will usually be 2 to 4 feet. What is a good lens for this purpose? Cost is a consideration, will not need a shutter. You help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ole]

The old convertible Symmars were recommended for this - with reversing the lens at scales greater than 1:1. A 150mm Symmar should be one of the cheapest good lenses you can find in shutter, too.

Apart from that, repro- and enlarging lenses are also good for this. A G-Claron in barrel is great, although exact focus with f:9 can be a challenge at times.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Don, your question's too vague to get a good answer. What magnification will you be working at? Put another way, how big is the subject?

 

[redrockcoulee]

The old convertible Symmars were recommended for this - with reversing the lens at scales greater than 1:1. A 150mm Symmar should be one of the cheapest good lenses you can find in shutter, too.

Apart from that, repro- and enlarging lenses are also good for this. A G-Claron in barrel is great, although exact focus with f:9 can be a challenge at times.

Ole

Do you mean to mount the lens backwards or to reverse one or more of the elements? Don't have my 150 here to visualize how to reverse it.

 

[Ole]

I mean either reversing the whole thing, or swap the lens elements. Unfortunately you can't do that trick with a lens in a #1 shutter as the cell threads are different. I've tries it with my 240mm (#2 shutter), and it seems to work.

 

[Jerevan]

But where does it become a "closeup"? 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) doesn't sound all that close to me? Depending on what effect you are after, you may do well enough with just about any lens. Of course, as has been pointed out, you will get better results with lenses made for close-range photographical adventures. But if you're in a penny-pinch, start out and test what you have and see how that works out for you.

 

[Don Mills]

Dan, object size 8 to 18 inches.

 

[jimgalli]

Don, some of the sharpest work I've ever seen in your stated range is from a lens I have a hard time getting $20 bucks for. The lowly Tominon 127mm f4.7 was designed to do precisesly what you've described. If you really get to looking at the resolution under a 50X scope, these little lenses are just incredible. Yep, I have some elements for you. They fit any Copal 1 shutter. Send $15 bucks including shipping.

 

[epatsellis]

I'll second Jim's reccomendation, I have one sitting on the shelf for just this very purpose.

erie

 

[Capocheny]

Don,

With an offer like the one Jim is making... jump on it real fast!

Cheers

 

[Don Mills]

I did! Thanks for your comments.

 

[Digidurst]

Don, some of the sharpest work I've ever seen in your stated range is from a lens I have a hard time getting $20 bucks for. The lowly Tominon 127mm f4.7 was designed to do precisesly what you've described. If you really get to looking at the resolution under a 50X scope, these little lenses are just incredible. Yep, I have some elements for you. They fit any Copal 1 shutter. Send $15 bucks including shipping.

Absolutely! A wonderful little set of elements so long as the user remembers that close up doesn't mean big magnification. I, in a series of frustrating blonde moments, couldn't figure that out until one day it finally dawned.