Small, but powerful -- micro LF lenses

[Dan Fromm]

You're clinging. The front and rear cells' inner elements aren't identical..

[LabRat]

One interesting observation I made while servicing 35mm pro lab slide dupers (that used enlarging lenses) was that when used at exactly 1:1, most standard enlarger lenses (Componons, etc) started to get quite mushy, but if I backed off the distance slightly to allow some frame edges, the images became tack sharp, so I figured that was the limit of forward mounted lenses on these... Managed to reverse some lenses, but some didn't fit inside the lens cone, bellows or fixed mounting, so I added a +2 close-up lens on these, and they finally shot very sharp...

Just a thought...

Steve K

[xkaes]

Managed to reverse some lenses, but some didn't fit inside the lens cone, bellows or fixed mounting, so I added a +2 close-up lens on these, and they finally shot very sharp...

Just a thought...

Steve K

You are right on target. I should have thought of that. Just because I don't need to do that, doesn't mean that it will not be a big help to others. I'll add your idea to my "supplementary lenses" page -- http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm. Thanks!!

And, of course, when using a "close-up filter" as you suggest, it is best to use the best quality "supplementary lens" as possible. Most have only one element, but some have two, a few three, and a couple have four! This is important to keep the edges of the image as sharp as possible.

Here is a great website that lists, probably, 99% of the 2+ element "close-up filters". Single element optics can be used, but quality will not be at its best:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

If you happen to have any additional information for the list, I'm sure the author would appreciate it. I was about to give him info on a couple of Minolta items that he didn't know about.

[Bob Salomon]

You are right on target. I should have thought of that. Just because I don't need to do that, doesn't mean that it will not be a big help to others. I'll add your idea to my "supplementary lenses" page -- http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm. Thanks!!

And, of course, when using a "close-up filter" as you suggest, it is best to use the best quality "supplementary lens" as possible. Most have only one element, but some have two, a few three, and a couple have four! This is important to keep the edges of the image as sharp as possible.

Here is a great website that lists, probably, 99% of the 2+ element "close-up filters". Single element optics can be used, but quality will not be at its best:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

If you happen to have any additional information for the list, I'm sure the author would appreciate it. I was about to give him info on a couple of Minolta items that he didn't know about.

Multiple element + lenses are called achromats and they are much more expensive then single element close up lenses.

[Studienkamera]

The Schneider M Componon macro lenses all came in 39mm Leica thread.

I know, old thread, but someone might find this useful: My M-Componon 4/80mm has a M29.5x0.5 thread to fit into a #0 shutter. Schneider sold me an adapter ring (SK 2138) from M29.5x0.5 to LTM (Leica thread mount, which is 39mm wide and has a thread of 26tpi). According to my Schneider brochure, all M-Componon lenses came with a #0 thread.

[notorius]

Indeed. My 28/4 M-Componon is also 29x0.5.

[John Layton]

Reflective of Dan F's post near the start of this thread - mentioning the virtues of the f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor for ranges of 3.6:1 to 10:1 on 4x5...and stating that the older 3.5 Micro-Nikkor would likely be even better - I heartily concur with this (very old and often posted) example of image of appx 4:1 taken with a reversed 3.5 Micro-Nikkor:

watch movement floating on aluminum powder

[xkaes]

Indeed. My 28/4 M-Componon is also 29x0.5.

I believe that is 29.5x0.5mm.

Anyway, if you want to get these lenses onto #1 shutters or a 39mm Leica thread -- or even 42mm -- adapters are easy to get.

[notorius]

I believe that is 29.5x0.5mm.

Anyway, if you want to get these lenses onto #1 shutters or a 39mm Leica thread -- or even 42mm -- adapters are easy to get.

Yes, that is correct, my bad.

There is some more information regarding the componon/m-compon similarity/difference on the link below. Including excerpts from Schneider datasheets.
https://www.closeuphotography.com/sc...acro-lens-test

[Mark Sawyer]

For those looking to do up to 10:1 magnifications, an inexpensive alternative is B&L's Micro Tessar, frequently under $100. Try to get a coated example.