Macro options?

I'm curious as to the best route to take, given the kit that I own. I won't be doing enough to warrant buying a specialised macro lens.

I'll be shooting on 5X4 and want to aim for 1:1.

My options:-

SA 90mm f8: I would guess at too short, but of course this would allow me maximum magnification.

Sironar 150mm, my bellows draw will get this close to 1:1. But I've used this in the past at lesser magnifications and it's been soft. Would swapping the cells on the shutter help, like reversing a lens on a 35mm camera does?

Comparon 150 enlarging lens. This will fit in a shutter, but is only a 4 element design. As an enlarging lens I would expect it to work quite well for macro.

Xenar 210. Too long to give me 1:1 and as a simple lens not really desigend for macro I'm guessing not up to the task.

If the weather brightens up today I'll probably do a few tests and see how it pans out. Your thoughts/experiences will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Martin

Of the lenses you have, the Comparon will do best in the range you're interested in. According to Schneider's propaganda, it is better than the Componon for enlarging 2x - 6x, i.e., for shooting at 1:2 to 1:6. And the Componon should be better than the equivalent Symmar down to about 1:20.

I know, I'm speaking Schneider and your Sironar is a Rodenstock lens. But you can translate.

Taking lenses intended for shooting at magnifications lower than 1:1 are optimized for "large subject in front, small negative behind." If one is used above 1:1, it should be reversed to have "large negative in front, small subject behind." If you're working below 1:1 there's no reason to reverse the lens.