List of native 1:1 macro lenses?

[hiphopopotamus]

I'm looking to pick up a macro lens that does 1:1 without the need for tubes or bellows, but am struggling to sift through all of the macro labelled lenses that are 1:2 etc.

Any help adding lens names and opinions of them would be a great help!

Ones I already am aware of (off the top of my head):

Macro Takumar 50mm f4 (non-SMC version)
Vivitar 90mm f2.8 or f2.5
Vivitar 105mm f2.5

Thanks

[Ray Parkhurst]

I'll add:

Rokunar V-HQ Macro MC 90 mm f/2.5

But this might be the same lens as the Vivitar 90/2.8...

Also:

Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar SL 125mm f/2.5

[Minolfan]

Macrolenses with 1:1 too

Panagor 90mm 2.8
Panagor 55mm 2.8

[kds315*]

Zeiss (Contax) S-Planar f2.8 60mm (not the "C" Version which is only 1:2) also called later Makro-Planar and its brother, the f2.8 100mm Makro-Planar

Kiron f2.8 105mm also sold as "Lester-Dine" f2.8 105mm and Rikenon f2.8 105mm, Rolleinar f2.8 105mm, Vivitar f2.5/f2.8 105mm - a fine macro lens (I have it and recommend it, especically for its excellent performance/$$ ratio)



Personally I recommend the longer focal length around 100mm, as it gives a much better working distance.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Now winter is coming, I'm going to get back to doing some macro shooting. At the moment I use a Rodenstock Magnagon 5.6/75 (APO-Rodagon-D rebadged) on bellows and an old Wollensak 6.3/65 Microfilm lens on bellows. I also have the Macro-Nikkor 3.5/55 and an Industar 61-LZ 2.8/50 macro lens.

Do the dedicated macro lenses like the Kiron 105mm offer better performance at 1:1 than the lenses I am already using?

[eno789]

Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 Macro (see http://olypedia.de/Vivitar_1:2,8/55_mm_MC_Macro)
Yashinon Tomioka 60mm f/2.8 Macro (also as Mamiya/Sekor)
Canon FD 200mm f/4 Macro

[norland]

Tamron adaptall 90mm 72B reaches 1:1 without tubes or teleconverter etc.

[Ray Parkhurst]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hmm, I'll stick with the Magnagon then. My NEX-3 is buggered so I'm saving my pennies for a new camera, still not sure what I will buy.

[sceptic]

[eno789]

[visualopsins]

May I ask why you need 1:1?

I ask because there are many excellent macro lenses that go to 'only' 1:2.

I have the Macro-Takumar 1:4/50 1:1 and the SMC Macro-Takumar 1:4/100 1:2.

I use the longer lens more; mostly I think for the longer working distance.

I had used the 1:4/50 extensively before switching -- I did miss 1:1 capability at first, but only because I was photographing really tiny flowers a few mm across. After a short time I didn't miss 1:1 capability. I have that lens if I need it...

[kenetik]

[SonicScot]

Another lens which is quite probably found under various names is the Elicar 90/2.5 VHQ.
I had this until I bought my Bokina, at which point I gave the Elicar to my father. I've regretted that decision ever since, it was superb.

[Ray Parkhurst]

[Ray Parkhurst]

[woodrim]

[Minolfan]

[Nordentro]

Soligor 90mm C/D f/2.5

http://forum.mflenses.com/soligor-c-d-macro-mc-90mm-f-2-5-t65292,highlight,%2Bsoligor+%2B90mm.html

[tao]

D version of Kilfitt 40mm can do 1:1. However it is not as sharp as other lenses discussed here. There is a Miranda 52mm macro which I am pretty sure can do 1:1.

BTW does it have to be a vintage lens? A lot of recent third party AF macro lenses are very good, most are 1:1 natively and are not that expensive on used market especially compared to some cult macro lenses.

[Oldhand]

The Lester Dine and Kiron/Vivitar versions of it are no doubt very good lenses.
I am often surprised by the high prices that are paid for these lenses in the marketplace.
There are some outstanding lenses that are not MF only and can sometimes be had for less than the prices paid for these vintage items.
The Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm f/2.8 Macro is one such example.
It can be fully manual focus if one wants and also has the added benefit of AF when desired.
Of course it is 1:1 as well.
OH

[Ray Parkhurst]

Pure manual focus operation is of particular importance to the genre of Macro lenses, especially those lenses that can achieve 1:1. As magnification approaches 1:1, holding the camera in fixed position while increasing lens extension becomes ineffective in focusing the lens. For a simple AF algorithm to work in the macro range, AF lenses actually shorten their focal length as magnification is increased toward 1:1. This has two advantages to lens designers: simplified focusing algorithm; and minimization of lens extension at 1:1. So-called "IF" or internal focusing lenses would not be possible in the 1:1 range if shortening FL did not occur. Unfortunately, shortening FL also makes working distance less than expected for the nominal focal length, and at the same time unpredictable.

MF Macro lenses have long extensions to get to 1:1, and this is a telltale sign that the lens does NOT decrease FL. The required build quality and resulting long working distances are part of reasons these lenses are expensive and in demand. While modern AF macro lenses may be cheaper than their MF forebears, they are a completely different animal and should not be considered equivalent.

Of course since simple AF extension algorithms fail near 1:1, the MF macro photographer must adjust his focusing algorithm as well. MF macro photography involves use of lens extension to set the magnification, and movement of the combined camera+lens to set the focus. This is a particular characteristic of MF Macro operation and needs to be understood as very different from other photographic genres, and requiring specialized equipment.

[thundertwin72]

[visualopsins]

[hiphopopotamus]

Thanks all for the replies, hugely appreciated, have put together a good list of lenses to keep an eye out for.