8x10 lens for closeup work

**Eric Leppanen** · 12-Apr-2006, 14:46

Stan's suggestion of the APO Symmar L joggled my memory: Schneider specs the APO Symmar L series down to 1:3, where the Sironar-S spec is 1:5 according to Bob above. How much of this difference is specsmanship who knows, but I have been very happy with my 480mm APO Symmar L (enormous beast that it is), which compares very favorably with my 300 and 360mm Sironar-S's. The L has a bit more of the Schneider "smooth" look (compared to the Sironars' more dramatic, contrasty tendencies), but it is extremely sharp both close up (although I have never tried it as close as three feet) and at infinity.

**chris jordan** · 12-Apr-2006, 15:00

Hi guys, thanks for all the thoughts. I would like to be able to use the lens wide open for very low depth of field, but that's not as important as having a lens that produces tack-sharp results up close. I don't anticipate getting as close as 1:1, more like about 1:3 or so.

**John Kasaian** · 12-Apr-2006, 15:48

The Commercial Ektars are pretty decent wide open, I know they were used for food & jewelry product shots in the 50's and 60's so they must behave well for close-ups too. I have a 14" and its a dandy lens.