Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/09/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Others have discussed this in detail and have pointed out a lot of really solid thoughts. I would avoid the use of enlarging lenses or reversed normal photography lenses as these involve optical compromises which are unacceptable to quality work. I would avoid the use of any SLR which lacks mirror lock-up. And there are workarounds to the use of flash -- the prime condition is to take microphotography pictures under open shade as inside a garage with the door open or under a tree or the like. Someone stated that Photars and other microphotography lenses are hard to find. This is bosh: follow eBay for a month and there are a zillion of them for sale, often at discounted prices. Back in the day, we paid $750 or so for them but, thanks to eBay, I can score these on occasion for under $100 and have bought several for $20. Are they worth it? Zheezh! Of course they are if you want the best: Photars, Luminars, Microtars, and the llike are the absolute best. Nikon and Rodenstock also made outstanding micro lenses. And there is the really solid 4/60 Staeble-Katagon marketed by Novoflex. My own recommendation would be to use a Hasselblad 2000/200 series camera with bellows and a suitable Photar or Luminar. At today's discounted prices, the rig can be had for relative peanuts compared to what we would have paid two decades ago. Shoot with chrome film: there are few things as stunning as an MF slide of a microphotograph projected onto a screen. In the alternative, an M6 and Visoflex IIa or III and Bellows II would do almost as well. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!