macro lens recommendation 4x5

[stradibarrius]

I would like some help selecting a macro lens for a 4x5. Currently have 90mm, 150mm, 180mm, 250mm and 300mm. I am using a Sinar F2 if that makes any difference.

[IanG]

Well Scheider used to sell Componon lenses as Macro lenses, I'd use one of mine in a Compur shutter if I needed to do macro work.

Ian

[Bob Salomon]

Will you use it to shoot stamps? or close ups of things? At what ratio?

[Walter Calahan]

I use a Nikon Macro 120mm f/5.6 Nikkor-AM(ED) Lens with Copal #0 Shutter

[stradibarrius]

Are lenses that are called "macro" lens limited or can the be used at any distance?

[Peter De Smidt]

They are optimized for a specific magnification range. That doesn't mean that they won't give good results in other cases. After all, a lot of pre press lenses, e.g. dagors, g-clarons, artars, have good reputations for general field use, although they were made for close-ups. Bob's right, though. To give the best advice, we need to know what size objects you want to photograph.

[Bob Salomon]

Are lenses that are called "macro" lens limited or can the be used at any distance?

All lenses are optimized for specific ratios and aperture. You can use a macro at infinity and you can use a non macro at 1:1 but the image quality when you do this, across the entire field, will be inferior to using the lens designed for the type of work that you will be doing. So yes, you can use a macro at infinity but it will not perform as well as other lens types at infinity down to about 1:10 or 1:20 - depending on the lens.

[stradibarrius]

Say I wanted to photograph a coin...

[Bob Salomon]

Say I wanted to photograph a coin...

Just the face or are the markings on the edges also important?

Just the face a lens like an Apo Ronar at f22 would work. If more then the face then a true macro like an Apo Macro Sironar.

You want the coin to fill the frame or be life size?

Fill the frame then the Apo Macro Sironar over the Apo Ronar. But your camera's bellows will become a factor.

[Leigh]

I use the Rodenstock Apo-Makro-Sironar 180/5.6.

It's a superb lens, even at infinity.

- Leigh