
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 11:14 pm
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On 2003-12-30 13:49, khicks wrote:
Just wondering if its possible to do macro or tabletop work using the crown graphic. Are there any lenses that can be used to achieve a close focusing distance or would another LF camera with more movements be a better option?
regards,
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Well, if you want movements, the Crown's not for you.
FWIW, I do a little macro work on 2x3 with a 2x3 Speed. Generally I use a 100/6.3 Reichert Neupolar, a lens in the same class as the 100/6.3 Zeiss Luminar, and apparently rarer. I've also used a 4"/5.6 Pro Enlarging Raptar, another very fine lens and, in my tests using TMX, about the equal of a known good Luminar from 1:8 to 4:1. Got very satisfactory (please my wife too) results with both.
Lack of extension, even with extension tubes between lens and leaf shutter, limits me to a little above 2:1 with my 2x3 Speed. I've done some testing that convinced me to have an adapter for attaching a reversed 55/2.8 AIS MicroNikkor to a #1 shutter. Have checked to verify that from 2:1 up the lens covers 2x3 and that it will go to nearly 5:1, haven't shot seriously with it yet.
If you want to work at magnifications in their ranges, the short MP-4 Tominons that screw into a #1 will cover 4x5 and are quite good. They're not Luminars, but are respectable and a lot less expensive and easy to find. The 50 is good from 3.5:1 up, the 35 from 5:1 up, and the 17 from 10:1 up. I have the 75 and 135 Tominons too, not the 105, and like them much less than the shorter ones.
If you want to work from, say, 1:8 to 1:1, any good modern six element enlarging lens will work very well. With a 4x5 camera, around 150 mm is about the right focal length. The big thing is to get a lens that can be put in or in front of shutter inexpensively. A 150/9 G-Claron would do well too, but would cost more.
Cheers,
Dan