4x5 Macro Camera/Lens Advice?

[ewmyers]

Hi all,
I am working in Alternative Processes and am looking for a 4x5 camera that will allow macro shots (at 1:1) of still lifes I am taking in the studio. Right now I have a Horseman monorail with a SinaronW F:115, 1:6,8 but I still cannot get close enough to have the entire subject in focus! Any thoughts on a camera/lens to look for would be greatly appreciated--thanks in advance!

[Jim Noel]

Try this with your Horseman and 115 mm lens:
Extend the bellows so that the distance from the center of the lens to the ground glass is 230mm. Place the camera so that the lens is 230mm from the subject. The subject should be very close to being in focus, and it will be life size (1:1).

[darr]

If nothing else, get a hold of a macro lens like the Rodenstock APO-Macro-S 120mm/5.6.

[Bob Salomon]

If nothing else, get a hold of a macro lens like the Rodenstock APO-Macro-S 120mm/5.6.

Correct name is the Apo Macro Sironar

[darr]

Correct name is the Apo Macro Sironar

Thanks Bob -- I love mine!

Darr

[ewmyers]

Thanks for the advice!

[Bosaiya]

I have a 180mm Schneider macro lens that works well. I also have a variety of lenses down to 17mm I use depending on the circumstances. The nice thing about large format macro is that you usually don't need anything too specialized, just bellows and time.

[Dan Fromm]

Um, Bosaiya, surely it helps to have a lens that performs well at the desired magnification -- not all do -- and to point it in the right direction.

Cheers,

Dan

[Greg Lockrey]

I prefer the 180mm for macro work as it allows the camera to subject distance to be a little wider thereby not casting shadows of the camera into the work.

[Paul Kierstead]

If nothing else, get a hold of a macro lens like the Rodenstock APO-Macro-S 120mm/5.6.

If he can't focus close enough with a 115mm lens, I rather doubt that a 120mm lens will help (unless it is a telephoto design).

However, I would expect a horseman monorail to have at least 230mm of rail (could be wrong there, though), so I think the poster may just need to muck about some.