p.1 #1 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
I’m using an a7iii on a copy stand to scan 35mm and 120 film. With printed holders and a good light source, I’ve had some promising results. I recently picked up a nikon 105mm af micro macro lens and adapted it, but the lens turns out to have a lot of dust inside, and I’m struggling to find decent copies online.
So: can anyone recommend full frame e mount lenses that can go to 1:1, don’t distort, and are fairly budget-friendly? Ideally not more than $300-400, used is fine. Thanks for ideas.
p.1 #4 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
I use a Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5. For this work it is better and cheaper than the f2.8 version. It reaches 1:1 scale when adding a Nikon PK-13 extension tube. As the corners aren't super sharp at 1:1 I hold back a bit with no drawbacks (50MP sensor). The shorter focal length may be good for your 120 films.
For best results I guess any of the current Sigma macro lenses rules, perhaps the new Sony macro but that is beyond my budget.
If you take an image, using your Nikkor, of a blank sheet of paper - does the dust inside your lens then really show up?
p.1 #5 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Good to know on the Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5. I imagine that gives you not a ton of room between the film holder and the lens, but workable.
As for seeing the dust, here's a shot of a blank white sheet: https://www.flickr.com/photos/204216640@N02/55093766501/in/dateposted-public/ . That sheet of printer paper is completely clean. The little black flecks you see are inside the 105mm micro lens. As you can imagine, it's even worse when backlit with a light source. It's a bummer, there's even some grit in the lens filter ring, so I'm trying to return it.
Just since I'm feeling not totally sure about buying from the known resellers online... a new TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 2X Macro appears pretty cheap (~$340). Curious if anyone has a comment on that one.
Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro looks nice, but $569 is out of the budget.
p.1 #6 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Cloud75 wrote:
Good to know on the Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5. I imagine that gives you not a ton of room between the film holder and the lens, but workable.
As for seeing the dust, here's a shot of a blank white sheet: https://www.flickr.com/photos/204216640@N02/55093766501/in/dateposted-public/ . That sheet of printer paper is completely clean. The little black flecks you see are inside the 105mm micro lens. As you can imagine, it's even worse when backlit with a light source. It's a bummer, there's even some grit in the lens filter ring, so I'm trying to return it.
Just since I'm feeling not totally sure about buying from the known resellers online... a new TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 2X Macro appears pretty cheap (~$340). Curious if anyone has a comment on that one.
Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro looks nice, but $569 is out of the budget....Show more →
The working distance is workable, yes. It's not an insect getting scared of the lens here... ;-)
But... yikes, I haven't seen dust inside a lens showing like that earlier! I hope you can have it returned.
p.1 #7 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
If you already have an a-mount adapter, the Minolta 50/2.8D or Sony 50/2.8 are bargains on the used market. If you prefer new (which should help avoid any dust issues) and e-mount, Pergear and 7Artisans both offer 60mm macros that are well worth the money.
p.1 #8 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Cloud75 wrote:
I’m using an a7iii on a copy stand to scan 35mm and 120 film. With printed holders and a good light source, I’ve had some promising results. I recently picked up a nikon 105mm af micro macro lens and adapted it, but the lens turns out to have a lot of dust inside, and I’m struggling to find decent copies online.
So: can anyone recommend full frame e mount lenses that can go to 1:1, don’t distort, and are fairly budget-friendly? Ideally not more than $300-400, used is fine. Thanks for ideas.
It you can stretch to $450-475 (used price) the Sigma 105/2.8 dg dn is fantastic. Look up reviews and comments on this forum.
p.1 #10 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
You could look at the old Tokina Firin 100mm macro, my understanding is that the IQ was good but with pretty slow focus motors which is probably a non-issue for scanning.
B&H has it marked down to $400 new right now, so if you get lucky maybe you could maybe find a used one cheap. At $400 new price, I'd probably stretch the budget for a used Sigma 105 if possible.
p.1 #11 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
I can recommend the Sony FE 50mm F2.8. It is the sharpest lens for copying 1:1 that I've used so far. It is sharper in the corners than the A-mount Sony 50mm F2.8--though it does have a tiny bit of distortion and less effective focal length.
p.1 #12 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
QuietOC wrote:
I can recommend the Sony FE 50mm F2.8. It is the sharpest lens for copying 1:1 that I've used so far. It is sharper in the corners than the A-mount Sony 50mm F2.8--though it does have a tiny bit of distortion and less effective focal length.
The 6 inch minimum distance of that Sony 50/2.8 macro feels doable
p.1 #13 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Cloud75 wrote:
The 6 inch minimum distance of that Sony 50/2.8 macro feels doable
It should be noted that the working distance at 1:1 is 45mm only. It is also focusing by wire. If I did a lot scanning this way I would chose a longer focal length and preferably classic mechanical focusing.
p.1 #14 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Gotcha. I just ordered the ttartisan 100mm 2.8 macro. Balancing everything else, it seemed like the right balance of low price, low distortion, manual, and working distance. I’ll report back on how it goes when it arrives!
p.1 #16 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
Cloud75 wrote:
Gotcha. I just ordered the ttartisan 100mm 2.8 macro. Balancing everything else, it seemed like the right balance of low price, low distortion, manual, and working distance. I’ll report back on how it goes when it arrives!
Cool.
Yes, please get back here and let us know what you think about the lens for film scanning. At some point I need to get a longer macro lens!
p.1 #17 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
freaklikeme wrote:
If you already have an a-mount adapter, the Minolta 50/2.8D or Sony 50/2.8 are bargains on the used market. If you prefer new (which should help avoid any dust issues) and e-mount, Pergear and 7Artisans both offer 60mm macros that are well worth the money.
The Minolta 50/3.5 macro is another option. It was designed for flat-field focus. 230mm mfd and 1:2, though.
p.1 #18 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
TheEmrys wrote:
The Minolta 50/3.5 macro is another option. It was designed for flat-field focus. 230mm mfd and 1:2, though.
It's a sweetheart, especially if you go for the plain MD version where they finally realized there shouldn't be white painted letters on the front of a macro lens. The 1:2 isn't difficult to work around since they make helicoid adapters for SR to E. I have an old Kipon adapter that can get the 50 down to about 1.2:1. Still, I'd rather have the Minolta/Sony 50/2.8. It retains a little more omph in the resolution when focused over longer distances and I prefer its bokeh. Coincidentally, new a900 owner, it, the 100/2.8 and the Minolta 200/4 all look spectacular on their original mount cameras.
p.1 #19 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
You might find the Sigma 70mm Macro used at that price. Otherwise the Mamiya 80mm macro is a fantastic lens which easily holds up to the above Sigma, albeit without AF and it only goes to half size without a spacer ring. It has a useful lock for the focus so that the focus doesn't drift due to the lenses weight when on a copy stand.
p.1 #20 · Recommendations for budget macro lenses for scan setup
I just bought here on FM a 90mm f2.8 CA Dreamer Macro Laowa lens for ca $300 and have used it a few times now to copy slides and it does a very nice job, better than the 55mm Micro Nikkor I used previously. It actually focuses to 2X not just 1X so is also a very nice macro lens. I do use an odd set up for copying as I don’t have a copy stand but I can focus very accurately using the Sony manual focus magnification. Good luck finding something that works for you.
