What would I need for large format Macro Photography

[David A. Goldfarb]

Michael asked this question six years ago and hasn't posted on the forum since. Suppose he made some good pictures?

[Ted Harris]

If you are talking true macro ranges that is 1:1 and larger then you need to consider the performance of the lens you are going to use for this purpose. As in other formats there are lenses specifically optimized to perform best at magnification ratios of 1:1 and larger. Standard lenses, such as the Apo Sironar or Apo Symmar, etc., will do fairly well for macro work but not as well as the Macro Symmars, Macro Sironars and Macro lenses from Nikon. You will especially see the differences at the edges of the image.

AFAIK the shortest focal length macro lens currently available is 120mm meaning you need 240 of bellows extension for 1:1. IIRC some of the older solutions came in shorter focal lengths.

Note that macro lenses are not cheap and your original post was looking for the cheaper the better. Expect to pay at least 300-350 for a used macro lens.

[Dan Fromm]

Ted, not to quarrel, but although MP-4 Tominons aren't the best they are usable and all but the 17/4 are usually extremely inexpensive. What do you think of them?