Hoping some of the more experienced and knowledgable members can help with some advice
We are a digital print studio, also offering scanning services to clients. We are wanting to upgrade our camera scanning set up. We currently have a Canon 5D Mk3 DSLR on a copy stand with Valoi kit. The smaller sensor is limiting in terms of print size
Locally there is a good condition, second hand Sony a7R IV which I am wanting to invest in.
My question is about the lens to go with it. Either the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro ART or Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art are available locally, new only
From what I understand the difference in quality between the 2 is so small as to not really be a major consideration?
My question is more about versatility between the 2 lenses. We scan for clients, mostly 35mm but also medium format (I have 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x7 holders). Which lens is better when working with a variety of formats? The 70mm is slightly cheaper but I am more concerned with investing in the better option.
I traded my 70mm for a 105, but I only shoot 35mm. i imagine for larger formats, the 105 will require a significant working distance, so that should be a factor. Optically, I don’t think there is a huge difference between the two, but manual focus is much smoother and easier on the 105. It is also internal focus, so the lens does not rack back and forth. I was using an on-camera film holder, so that was a big deal.
One thing to note, is that my 105 has an issue with RGB lighting, and can create a color vignette. Simpler lens designs like the old 55 Micro Nikkor do not experience this issue, so it may be specific to that design. If you intend to use an RGB light, it may be a problem, but it is easily solved with FFC/LCC. I am currently exploring alternatives.
It may stretch your budget a bit too much but a Fuji GFX 100s with a vintage 645 lens would probably serve your multiple format needs better. You mention print sizes, unless you are stitching each 6x7 frame I could see that being limiting.
The two good things about the 100s are first, 35mm is shot true 1:1 and you can offer film borders without reducing the reproduction ratio. Second, the pixel shift multi shot mode would give you enough resolution to print the medium format nice and big as intended.
I’m happy to share more thoughts about my setup if you are interested!
Thanks for this would love to hear more about your setup.
At the moment I’m casting around for as much information as I can get. The Fuji GFX 100S is unfortunately beyond my means at this point. Even the used Sony a7R IV with a new Sigma lens is a push for me.
My copy stand (VALOI 360 Novoflex Repro 650 Stand) says it is “compatible with full frame lenses up to 135mm” but I am slightly concerned about maxing out the stand with the 105mm lens and 35mm negs
One thing to look into, somwhere I read that the effective focal length of the 105mm is more like 75mm at macro distances. This is from someone measuring the distance from the sensor to the film at 1:1. That distance shoulld be 4x the focal length at 1:1.
So it might not be as much of a challenge for your stand as you expect. I’ve no way of corroborating this unfortunaterly but a Sigma 105mm ART user could confirm (or deny) it pretty easily.
That is the exact stand I have and it works great for my Pentax 645 120mm. In the photos it is set up for 35mm @ 1:1 @ and the white dot on the side is what I move the rig up to for 6x7. So there is room above to spare in my case. As was mentioned you will have to confirm the working distance on that lens and measure it against the stand. My guess is 35mm will be fine but medium format may get close to the top.
I don’t know either of those lenses, but for any of them, what you want is the MTF charts and look for which retains the better edge-to-edge resolution.
