lf-photo.org.uk

For larger than life size, is reversal of one lens on another a practical solution?
I guess there are risks / limits around adding significant extra weight around the lens coupling and lensboard areas.
Was considering rodi s 210 + reversed (relatively lightweight) rodi s 135 combo.
Maybe others have reversed for bigger magnifications?
Thoughts / suggestions / recommendations gratefully received.

Just use a normal lens and a 'very' long bellows... you might be better off with a wide angle (100-150 is a typical range i think). Most lenses aren't optimised for life size - that's why there are lenses like the Schneider 120 macro..

Schneider sold Componon (enlarger lenses) in shutters for LF macro work. The lens cells from a 135mm Componon (& S) fit a Compur/Copal 0 shutter, and the 150's fit in a Compur/Copal 1.

This would be a far a better option than using a standard LF lens as the design is optimised for close distances. Reversing a Sironar or Symmar isn't going to help as they are essentially symmetrical designs anyway.

Another alternative is use a shutter mounted G Claron, the downside is they are just over a stop slower.

Ian

I think some people use 35mm SLR lenses reversed for macro on 4x5. No idea how you go about shuttering one though. Maybe just use flash.

I haven't tried this myself as yet...

I have seen suggested on the LFF USA that you can purchase a 'Tominon' lens as fitted to some Polaroid camera. These are available in 105mm and 75mm although they will not cover 5 x 4 at infinity at closer than 1:1 they will cover, There is also a post on the LFF USA that they (the 105mm lens) will cover 10 x 8 and 5 x 7 when focused closer than 1:1 they were used in the specialised Polaroid police cameras for copying fingerprints and so on.

First post on this page and one a bit further down: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ ... post613433

You obviously cannot tell the quality of a lens by looking at a web page but they are fairly cheap on eBay and are available in shutters as well.

I have got an un-shuttered 105mm and hope to try it soon

Hope this has been helpful

nn

All good stuff guys thanks a lot.
However, in retrospect, I can't help feeling that I'm even more stupid than I thought.
Tim pinned it down early - cheers Tim.
But the other contributions / refinements also appreciated.

timparkin wrote:Just use a normal lens and a 'very' long bellows... you might be better off with a wide angle (100-150 is a typical range i think). Most lenses aren't optimised for life size - that's why there are lenses like the Schneider 120 macro..

The Schneider 120 HM Makro can also be used, if necessary, to take a landscape image at infinity (120mm bellows extention) with zero movements and produces a very sharp image!

Also the 120 Nikon ED Macro lens is a little gem. So far I've only used it on the 6x9cm format but it will cover 5"x7" at 1:1.