Enlarger lens?

[Benign]

I know about our camera lenses....but enlarger lens is a new thing to me.

I have come across 50mm with F4 or F2.8 ? In normal camera lenses, it meant fast lens. But in the darkroom? What is the benefits?

Another things, if there is tiny dust or marks in the lens.....would it affect the photo quality?

Thanks guys/gals




Newbie,
:devil:

 

[dreamseeker]

Tiny dusts on the lens does not affect the prints. Don't get any on your negs cos it will be magnified and will show on prints.

F4 or f2.8 maybe other Csers can explain better.

 

[kex]

brighter lens can focus the grain easier lor..

tiny dust on the lens usually no big deal,won't show up on the print.

50mm usually suitable for 35mm,80mm for 6x6 (i use it on 6x7 too)
90mm for 6x7 and 105mm for 4x5"

u can use an 80mm for 35mm neg as well,but ur lens will be very high up which will prolong exposure time ..

 

[maxonline]

I know about our camera lenses....but enlarger lens is a new thing to me.

I have come across 50mm with F4 or F2.8 ? In normal camera lenses, it meant fast lens. But in the darkroom? What is the benefits?

Another things, if there is tiny dust or marks in the lens.....would it affect the photo quality?

Thanks guys/gals




Newbie,
:devil:

I think dust is ok but not for haze or fungus... Haze will turn white tone to greyish and greatly affect the quality

Bcos of the wet working enviroment in darkroom, do not keep the lens on the enlarger after using...

 

[pipefish]

In practical terms, there is very little difference between f2.8 or f4. You will normally print 2-3 stops above the max aperture i.e. f5.6 to f11. I can grain focus at f8 with no problems, so I don't think you need to open up the lens to focus.

 

[Benign]

Thanks for the input everyone, I got some more questions to ask:

Which brand is worthy of buying? Rodenstock, Schneider, Nikkor? Major difference in them?

I did look at rodenstock abit...and saw two names/series: Rogonar and Rodagon....which one got 6 elements lens?(suggested by someone)

There is also 40mm WA? So, if there is a chance to get 50mm or 40mm? Which one is betta.....Why is it so? Thanks again :thumbsup:




Curiousity kills my wallet,

 

[kex]

get the best enlarger lens you can afford !
they really makes a difference on the print.

i have a rodenstock and a schneider lens,both are great !

 

[pipefish]

focal length depends on the type of neg you are enlarging. 135=40/50mm. 6x6=75mm, 6x7=80mm and so forth... no need to fret too much over focal length - it doesn't determine image quality. it only tells you coverage of lens.

agree with kex about getting the best lens you can afford. I have a Schneider - pretty happy with it so far, even my dinky Holga negs turn out fine.

 

[bigfatfish]

any enlarger lens to recommend? in the range of 100+ to 200?

 

[dreamseeker]

bigfatfish,

You can consider the Rodenstock Rodagon or the Schneider Componon-S.

If you get used ones, might just be able to find one. I thought I saw someone sellling on CS not too long ago.

http://www.prograf.ru/rodenstock/enlarging_en.html

http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/foto_e/foto.htm#

 

[bigfatfish]

thanks for the links!

 

[Vincere]

I have mint condition 50mm f2.8 Rodenstock Rodagon. Willing to let go at $100.

 

[ellery]

Got I think a 105 rodinstock apo .... may sell it if the price offered is reasonable.

 

[bigfatfish]

105mm suitable for 35mm negs? please enlighten me

 

[kex]

i think u can use it to print 3r la..hehehe..

will be very high up from the easel board,more suitable for bigger negs like 6x7 size..

 

[singscott]

105mm suitable for 35mm negs? please enlighten me

Usually how we use the enlarger lens in the following film format to enlarger lens:

35mm - 50mm
645 - 75mm
6x6 - 80mm
6x7 - 80mm or 90mm
6x9, 6x8 - 105mm
4x5 -135mm
5x7 - 180mm
8x10 - 210mm or 240mm

These are just some guide

 

[clubgrit]

May I have some recommendations on the best enlarger lens models, 50mm (for 35mm) and 80mm (120 6 x 6) ...

Thanks ...

get the best enlarger lens you can afford !
they really makes a difference on the print.

i have a rodenstock and a schneider lens,both are great !

 

[kex]

can get the rodenstock rodagon 50mm F2.8 APO N for 35mm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...385&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

or the 80mm F4 APO N for 6x6
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...520&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

[clubgrit]

Thank you very much, kex ...

can get the rodenstock rodagon 50mm F2.8 APO N for 35mm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...385&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

or the 80mm F4 APO N for 6x6
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...520&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

[fastshot]

Probably the most comprehensive review of enlarger lenses can be found in the book "Post Exposure" by Ctein. He devoted an entire chapter to it.

Buy a lens with 6 elements instead of 4.

The most perfect enlarger lens ever made is the El-Nikkor APO 105mm f5.6N. As rare as hens teeth now. If anybody has one, please sell it to me.

For 50mm lenses, there is really not alot of difference between the Schneider Componon-S, Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon, Computar, El-Nikkor or Beseler Color Pro. Virtually all of them has optimal F stop at F4, except the Componon-S is best at F4.8.

The reality is that the lens is only 1 factor in getting good prints. Other equally important aspects are the enlarger design to give even light, good alignment, negative carrier (film flatness), low vibration, flatness of table/easel, etc. Not to mention choice of paper, chemical, filter pack , exposure and development techniques.

So, if money not a problem, get the best one you can. Otherwise, don't sweat it because chances are the enlarger lens isn't the limiting factor in the typical setup.