Top quality macro for less $$$

[belgiumreporter]

When i went through the drawers searching for old nikkors i came across this 50mm 2,8 EL nikkor.

I knew these enlarger lenses make great macro lenses because of their flat field performance and great sharpness. Time to try it out ! I've used a fotodiox 40,5 to 52mm conversion ring to be able to mount the lens in a reversed position on the nikon BR2 ring. This combination without any further extention rings gave me a on sensor 0,75 life size magnification.

The 50mm2,8 EL is the latest “plastic” version this one is the easiest one to adapt because of it's 40,5mm front thread, but i guess similar results can be obtained with any of the early versions.

Mounted on the D7100 i've set the aperture at f4 for this test.

Because these lenses can be found very cheap now, they make an unbeatable macro set up, i don't think anything below 100$ will give this kind of results !




One shot macro of the cactus flower at f4



Stack of 9 images (all f4) i probably would have gotten even better results if i used some more shots in the stack



In combination with the Nikon PB-4 bellows at full extention i get a 4x lifesize magnification.

The shot below was made with the front plate tilted to get enhanced dept of field, with the lens at f11 this was sufficient to get everything i wanted in focus without the need for focus stacking. Closing the aperture further down would in this set up cause diffraction, the little gain it would give in dept of field would be punished by less overall sharpness.



The D7100 with PB-4 -BR2- and 50mm EL nikkor



This is the 4x lifesize close up of the stamen from the cactus flower made with the above setup.

[philbirch]

I have an old E-Rokkor which I use for macro. Brilliant for copying slides too as its flat field.

[paulhofseth]

Enlarger optics of the more recent kind suffer from a darkroom finesse, lit aperture scales that give light leaks when used to tgake pictures. The Rodenstock Apo- something I use to digitalize old slides neded black tape,but my ancient componons will work unmodified.

p

[philbirch]

Yes some of the Schneiders use that lit aperture thing. My friend had one and was getting a red cast over his long exposures. I painted the prism inside with black paint. Problem solved.