150 G-Clarion v. Apo-Sironar S for Tabletop/Studio Work

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I know that the G-Clarion is optimized for 1:1 reproduction. Would the Apo-Sironar S yield equally good results for tabletop work, thereby remaining useful as a general-purpose lens? There's a $200 difference in purchase price between the two; seems worth it if the Apo-Sironar's macro capabilities are equivalent. Any thoughts from the Forum? Thanks.

-- Jim Poehling (NW0Q@compuserve.com), January 22, 1999

Answers

Jim,

The lens made specifically for the job you describe is the Fuji 180mm f8 AS. It can be had on the used market for ridiculously low prices.

Pat

-- Pat Raymore (Patrick.f.Raymore@kp.org), January 22, 1999.


I've only been using the 150 "S" for about a month. However, I photographed a Nikkor 300M lens and filled about 80-90% of the frame on the diagonal (lens was mounted on a lensboard). I don't know the magnification as I simply use a tape rule to figure the bellows extension factor. I do know it wasn't 1:1 . The resulting shot was outstandingly sharp on Polaroid Type 54. Shots taken in the normal focusing range are the sharpest I've seen. I've not used the G-Claron so I cannot compare.

If this lens is to do double duty as close up and landscapes or etc., by all means, I recommend the APO S. The literature says it is corrected down to 1:5. If 1:1 is mandatory and it is your living, then a true macro lens should be better but I doubt it will do double duty.

-- Mike Long (mlafly@aol.com), January 23, 1999.


I've used the Apo-Sironar-S for critical copy work to 1/4 scale with outstanding results. How great a magnification do you plan to routinely use?

-- Sean Donnelly (donnelly@c-com.net), January 23, 1999.

Officially the Apo Sironar S is corrected for 1:5 to infinity. It is not recommended for closer work but obviusly some use it with outstanding results.

The S will perform optimally from f 8 to f 22. A process lens, shorter than 600mm is optimized only for f22 and that should be the only stop that delivers critical performance. Thus a general purpose lens like the S will also work best at a range of magnifications and apertures.

For closer work than 1:5 the recommended Rodenstock lenses are the Apo Macro Sironar which are corrected for 1:5 t

-- bob salomon (bob@hpmarketingcorp.com), January 23, 1999.


I have seen a direct comparison of the Apo Sironar and the Macro Sironar at 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 and while the Apo Sironar images look very good at all three, the results with the Macro Sironar were better to the naked eye as well as through the loupe. For many uses it wouldn't be a problem with either one, but the use the lens was being tested for was jewelry shooting for Rolex & other very high end product ads and the photographer went with the lens specifically designed to do the job, the macro lens. Others who shoot without the heavy specialty should be able to get along just fine with the Apo Sironar series, but if you want the best results, use the lenses designed for the job at hand.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), January 23, 1999.


Although the 150 mm G Claron is optimized for 1-1 it isn't a true macro lens and actually works very well as a general purpose lens.I use mine mostly as a general purpose lens but occasionally as a close up lens and it does both quite well. It also has lots of coverage, which is nice.

-- Brian Ellis (beellis@gte.net), January 28, 1999.

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