150mm Zeiss Jena APO Geronar for enlarging?

bdial

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I ran across an f-9 150 Zeiss APO Geronar today at the LCS that they would like to be rid of. Is this lens a good choice for enlarging 4x5? Does anyone know how it might compare to something more modern like a Componon? Enlarger is an Omega D-II. Current lens is a Wallansak Raptar.

Thanks
 

Petzi

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No, 150mm is not enough for enlarging 4x5" with this lens type. In principle, you could get great results, but you would need a 240mm or 300mm focal length.
 

Mateo

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I would take it if it's free and give it a try. I don't know a thing about that lens but it's hard for me to believe that an f/9 150mm lens wouldn't cover for enlarging. Also, if you shop long enough you can get a 150 componon, rodagon or nikkor for dirt cheap. I got a mint componon for 20 bucks a couple of years ago.
 

Petzi

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Coverage is an ambiguous term. Some people say a lens covers when it does not vignette. But normally coverage refers to an area of sharp imaging. This lens is only designed for a coverage of about 40°. Beyond that, it will not vignette, but it will not be very sharp. It might work, because you are not operating at infinity here.
 
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bdial

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Thanks,
It's about 75 USD from free, so I think I'll let them keep it. Had it been free, I would have been trying it out right now. It looked intriguing though. I've not seen any 20 $ componons yet, but I know they are plentiful for not much more than that.
 

Tom Hoskinson

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Is this lens an Apo Geronar? or is it an Apo Germinar?

I own a 150mm Docter Optics f9 Apo Germinar (in Copal 0 shutter). I use it on my 2.25 X 3.25 crown Graphic.
 
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bdial

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Geronar is what I remember. It looks to have been set up to use on a process camera. It is mounted on a tube about 40 or 50 mm long, and the tube is mouted on a wooden lensboard. It has no sutter.
 

Joerg Krusche

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Hi,

please take a second look, there is no "Apo Geronar". It is either a Carl Zeiss "Apo Germinar" or a Rodenstock "Geronar". If it is the Apo Germinar 9/150, the only drawback may be f=9 when focussing and you should stop down to f=16 , i.e. somewhat dim when focussing, by performance it would be hard to beat, resolution is very good and it does cover 5x7 at infinity, so 4x5 on an enlarger is trivial. And it certainly is as "modern" as a Componon... and in a #1 shutter might be a very nice taking lens.

Joerg
 
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