bsprague wrote:
"Is there a compromise macro lens size that I could use for a variety of subjects?"
Try to shop for a lens with (what I think is called) a flat focus field. Most of our lenses focus on a slightly curved field. That's fine for a three dimension universe. It is not for flat things like art, stamps, negatives and slides.
If memory serves my old, manual 55mm Nikkor Macro for my film cameras had a flat field focus.