Macro options?

[wiseowl]

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

 

[Dan Fromm]

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.