Macro in 8x10

[DREW WILEY]

It all depends on what you mean by "macro" and how much bellows extension you have available. But for my own 8X10 close-up work, I prefer a 360 Fuji A lens, which is superb all the way from 1:1 to infinity.

 

[Jarin Blaschke]

I’m interested in 1:2 down to 4:1 on the film for the close up “studio” work. So far I trust my standard lens (apo sironar s) down to 1:2 or 1:1.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Also depends on your intended degree of magnfication. A magazine spread is one thing, a large crisp print a fussier proposition. Fuji A's and similar G-Clarons are designed for close-up use like you are describing, and are still extremely versatile for other applications, though if you are contemplating intricate shots of the eyes of aphids or small diamonds, something even more specialized would be desirable. Another good lens for tabletop use would be a Schneider Componon,
the version in shutter rather than barrel for enlarging, though it is now hard to find.

 

[ic-racer]

I’m interested in 1:2 down to 4:1

Yes, try a 50mm enlarging lens, if you have one, that should get you 4x magnification.
Degree of diffraction effect is same as "Effective Aperture" in macro.
So, Effective Aperture =
N' = N*((m) + 1)
N' = effective aperture
N = lens aperture setting
m = magnification

So, something like a Nikkor 50/2.8 enlarging lens, wide open at 4x magnification will yield f14.
To put that in something you can relate to, imagine using f14 on your 35mm camera. Probably OK.

 

[Dan Fromm]

IC, 50 mm enlarging lenses are normally used for 35 mm. At infinity (far outside the macro range) they have to cover 43 mm. At 1:1, 86 mm. And so on. Not really what the OP needs if he wants to work in the range 1:2 to 4:1. At much higher magnifications, yeah, sure, why not? Remember, the OP wants to shoot 8x10.

 

[ic-racer]

Good point Dan. I just checked my 8x10 with a common 50mm El-Nikkor and indeed it renders a 4x linear object to the 8x10 ground glass but the corners are cut off. A 75mm common El-Nikkor lens renders the entire field at 4X.
My Apo-Componon 45/4 HM, however, will render an entire field at a magnification as low as 5.5X (that is a 55mm diagonal to 8x10). That, of course is a High Magnification enlarging lens, so it will do Low Magnification photography compared to the common El-Nikkor 50.