recommend lenses for close-up macro still life 8x10

[rappersdelight]

i would like to shoot still life on 8x10. camera will be pointed to the floor straight down. height clearance will be up to 7 1/2 ft. bellows extension up to 30".

the shooting platform is 22" x 32". objects like dinner plates, shoes, flowers from 4:1 to 1:4 magnification.

which lenses should i look to use?

thanks in advance.

[Walter Calahan]

Nikon (210 mm), Schneider (180 mm) and Rodenstock (somewhere in the 300 mm range I believe) all once made macro lenses for 8x10.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Macro-210mm-f-5-6-Nikkor-AM-ED-Lens-with-Copa_W0QQitemZ300305040806QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck.

[Dan Fromm]

The magic formula that relates extension to magnification is extension = lens' focal length * 1 + m. Extension is lens rear nodal point to film distance. We usually assume that the rear node is at the diaphragm; this isn't true but is often a good approximation.

To get to 4:1 with 30" of extension the lens' focal length can't be longer than 6".

To get to 1:1 with 30" of extension the lens' focal length can't be longer than 15".

Coverage is an issue. I'm not aware of a 6" (or shorter) lens that will cover 300 mm at 1:4. 1:1, maybe, 1:4, no. So you'll need at least two lenses.

Film to subject distance is the same at 1:4 and 4:1, is smallest at 1:1. I don't think height will be a problem given your limited extension.

[Bob Salomon]

Rodenstock Apo Macro Sironar 120 and 180mm

[Ken Lee]

Why not use a simple mirror, and not have to point the camera down ? Your neck and shoulders will thank you.

[cowanw]

Wollensak made process lenses with 90 degree mirrors from 10 1/4 inch up.
Would they be suitable.
Regards
Bill

[rappersdelight]

The magic formula that relates extension to magnification is extension = lens' focal length * 1 + m..

sorry, magnification ratio with 30" extension = lens focal length x 1 + M?
what is M?

the camera will be deardorff by the way. i have seen a snoot type extension that will give me maybe 6 or 8 inches more extension if necessary on higher magnifications.


Why not use a simple mirror, and not have to point the camera down ? Your neck and shoulders will thank you.

that is a possibility, but should it not be a mirror that is optically sane. like the mirrors used in reflex cameras. what it's called, i don't know...


Wollensak made process lenses with 90 degree mirrors from 10 1/4 inch up.

process lenses with 90º mirrors?



i'm also open to mounting microscope lenses for any unusually high magnifications. i think there were some made by zeiss that can me utilized with about 36" extension on 8x10. just don't remember the names...

[vinny]

the 120mm nikon ed macro will cover 8x10 on the really close stuff. It's made to cover 4x5 @ 1:1. I use that and a 305mm G claron. Both very sharp in the macro range.

[Dan Fromm]

I wrote (this time with the parentheses in place):

extension = (focal length) * (1 + m)

where extension means rear nodal point to film distance and m means magnification.

So, for example, getting 4:1 with a 6" lens requires 6 * 5 = 30 inches of extension

Microscope lenses? If you're thinking Zeiss Luminars, 8x10 is out because they don't have the coverage at the magnifications you want. The 100/6.3 Luminar will cover 4x5 at 1:1.

You should buy a book. Specifically, Lester Lefkowitz' book The Manual of Closeup Photography.

[Ron Marshall]

that is a possibility, but should it not be a mirror that is optically sane. like the mirrors used in reflex cameras. what it's called, i don't know...



If you really want to use a mirror, better to use it on the rear of the camera instead of the front. ie. point the camera down and mount the mirror over the ground glass at 45 degrees. Same effect, but you don't have to be concerned about its optical quality.

[rappersdelight]

Microscope lenses? If you're thinking Zeiss Luminars, 8x10 is out because they don't have the coverage at the magnifications you want. The 100/6.3 Luminar will cover 4x5 at 1:1.

You should buy a book. Specifically, Lester Lefkowitz' book The Manual of Closeup Photography.

i recall seeing a half-dollar at 4:1 or greater on 8x10 using a luminar (forget which focal length) with 30" bellows plus another 8 or 10" extension tube attached. it required many multiple strobe pops. i doubt i would ever do this but i'm just entertaining the possibility..

i think i might just rent some of the aforementioned lenses and see what i might probably use the most...

i have put that book on my amazon cart, thanks..

[Bjorn Nilsson]

About the mirror idea: Sinar makes/made a surface coated mirror, i.e. the reflective coating on top of the glass instead of underneath it. I don't know if they are readliy available, but I've seen them around from time to time for some $50 or so. There's also a version which is semi-transparent (which still is perfectly useable as a "full mirror" if the back is covered with something black).

//Björn

[Jan Pedersen]

If you really want to use a mirror, better to use it on the rear of the camera instead of the front. ie. point the camera down and mount the mirror over the ground glass at 45 degrees. Same effect, but you don't have to be concerned about its optical quality.

True, but then OP would need to be concerned with film and film holder. There would be a risk that the film could drop slightly from the back of the film holder unless tape is used or the more rare vacum holders.