Macro lens on a budget?

[Ken Grooms]

Are there any good 1:1 4x5 macro lenses that are relatively cheap? Be honest. I don't mind paying if I have to. I just don't want to pass up any little gems if they're out there. (I paid $100 for my little format macro - on the suggestion of Bjorn Rorslett - and it's the best lens in that bag!)

[Struan Gray]

150 mm APO-Ronar. Even the multicoated ones in shutter often go for less than the price of the shutter alone. Longer Ronars give you more working space and room for lights, if you have the bellows draw.

[Scott Kathe]

I'm going to go out on a limb here Right now I am looking at a Tominon f4.5 105mm lens in a Polaroid/Copal shutter that came from a MP4 camera here at the lab where I work. I have never used this lens but I will try it out at some point on with my 4x5. From what I understand they work for macro photography but do not have nearly enough coverage at infinity for 4x5. I think these go for <$50 on eBay so maybe it's worth checking out. I hope someone with experience with this lens will chime in. Just to reiterate, I have no experience with this lens but they are inexpensive. I'm glad this topic was brought becasue there is a red filter on this lens that will work on my 90mm Angulon

Scott

[Jim Galli]

The one in your enlarger. Also, yes the 127, 105, and 75mm Tominon's are very nice.

[Dan Fromm]

I'm more-or-less with Jim. But and however, the 75 Tominon won't cover 4x5 at or below 1:1 and don't neglect the 135/4.5 Tominon for the MP-4 system.

For more info on lenses intended to be used at magnifications above 1:1 (not what you asked about, but you're on the dread slippery slope), see http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/microlen.htm . Also has some info on lenses for use below 1:1.

[Ernest Purdum]

At 1:1. a copy lens like the 135 or 105 Tominon is very appropriate and very convenient if you have the Polaroid MP-4 shutter into which these screw directly.

The 75 and shorter Tominons are intended for use at magnification past 1:1, way past in the case of the 35 and 17.

The Tominons are real bargains these days, selling on eBay for a very small fraction of their original price. Even so, I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned the G-Claron. It's more expensive but its versatility might make it worth it to you.

[Andy Eads]

For major magnification, try the 35mm Eurygon by Rodenstock. They can be had in shutters for reasonable prices.

[Ken Grooms]

Thanks, everyone. ALERT: I just got two great books in the mail (thanks, Bruce!)- one by Steve Simmons and one by Jim Stone. Steve says that I can get 1:1 with a "normal lens or a slightly longer-than-normal lens." (p.19) I have a 210mm, so maybe I'll give it a try! My only concern would be lens distortion. Should this be an issue? Thanks.

[Dan Fromm]

Ken, 1:1 requires extension = 2f. So going to 1:1 with a 210 will require 420 mm flange-to-film. Will your camera give you that much? Now do you understand why most posts in this thread have suggested lenses no longer than 150 mm?

Distortion? What's that? It typically grows with the distance off-axis. If the lens you use is any good at all it won't be an issue closeup.

[David Millard]

Greetings Ken -

I don't know what your budget is, but B&H PhotoVideo currently has 120mm AM-ED Nikkors, optimized at 1:1, for just $299, a fraction of their original price.

About 2 years ago I did a test (using Fuji 64T in a 6X9cm rollfilm back) of one of these lenses against a 120mm f/5.6 Apo-Macro Sironar and a 120mm f/5.6 Zeiss S-Planar copy lens in shutter, photographing a decorated tea towel at .5X, 1X, and 2X, with my camera mounted on a rigid copystand. The resulting images were indistinguishably sharp across the frame at f/11. The Macro Sironar and the S-Planar had a warmer color balance than the Nikkor, but the difference was subtle.

I kept the Apo-Sironar, and sold the others. I preferred it to the Nikkor because of its color rendition and slightly shorter length (allowing it to fit in my closed 23 Technika); I liked it better than the S-Planar because of its smaller size, greater coverage, and ability to use filters. I also tested, and sold, a bitingly sharp 150mm Apo-Ronar several years ago, because the images were too blue for my tastes compared to the results obtained from my other lenses. Ignoring my subjective color preferences , I think the AM-ED Nikkor is a great lens at the price at which its being offered. Good luck in your quest!