lens recommendation

[fralexis]

During bad weather, I want to do some 4x5 flowers and the like as a still life. My current longer lens is a Sironar 180 mm. I am looking for a lens that will do close-up work...perhaps macro, but not necessarily. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Ian Grant]

What about a 203mm f7.7 Ektar, they work exceptionally well at all distances including marco and 1:1, cheap too. If you find a UK version (mount 370) it's fully #0 compatible so fits modern Compurs and Copals. Mine's in a Prontor SVS.

IAn

 

[Dan Fromm]

During bad weather, I want to do some 4x5 flowers and the like as a still life. My current longer lens is a Sironar 180 mm. I am looking for a lens that will do close-up work...perhaps macro, but not necessarily. Any suggestions? Thanks.

How much extension does our camera have? And how close is "close-up?" That is, what range of magnifications do you want to work at?

 

[ntenny]

Unless you have a lot of extension, a shorter lens may be a better choice than a long one; it'll give you more magnification for a given bellows extension. I've had good luck with a 90mm Super Angulon as a 4x5 closeup lens, but in many respects the choice of lens may not actually matter that much---you'll always be using the center of the field, so any lens that doesn't really stink should look pretty good.

The hard part is focusing, and with that in mind it might be good to take aperture into account as well. Failing that, carry a BRIGHT flashlight to spotlight your subject for focus purposes. The flashlight may be useful during exposure, for that matter; in low outdoor lighting, a little handheld light can do a lot to shorten the exposure (always an issue with plants in bad weather; the wind waits for the shutter to open before it starts moving them around) and make the subject stand out from the background.

-NT

 

[fralexis]

I shoot with a Sinar F1 and it has an approximately 16-17 inch bellows. I only have two lens, the 180 Sironar N and a Caltar HR 90. I need something with perhaps a focusing distance of about 8-10 inches. I don't know that I necessarily need 1:1 magnification although I wouldn't mind it. Thanks!

Alexis

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I prefer a 135mm lens for most of my tabletop work. I own an Ektar 203mm and find that it requires too much bellows extension and has too shallow a depth-of-field for the magnifications I normally work with. I use my 180mm on occasion, but usually end up with the 135mm.

You'll have to try your 180mm and see how you like it. If you find, like I did, that it is difficult to work with, then go shorter. Your 90mm may end up getting you closer to the subject than you want to be, however. Maybe a 135mm or a 150mm lens is in your future?

Keep in mind, that a "general purpose" lens is not at its best at high magnifications. That said, I am more than happy with 8x10 prints of tabletop subjects at less than 1:1 from "general purpose" lenses.

If you end up doing a lot of close-up work at high magnifications, you may want to look at a "macro" lens. But for the occasional not-too-close-up, you really don't need one.

Best,

Doremus

 

[ChuckP]

You could look for a 150mm G-Claron. They work nice up close and stopped down are good for distance. Small, with modern Copal shuttter and pretty inexpensive. Downside is f9 max stop.

 

[fralexis]

Thanks for all the good ideas.

Nathan, your idea of a short lens works just fine. My 90 mm will get plenty close for my needs. I never thought of using it! I just tried, and it is perfect until I decide to spend a lot of money on a macro

Alexis