50mm vs 80mm-Apo

[Marc Leest]

Hello,

I have a very good enlarging lens (50mm) for 35mm negatives. Recently I got me an 80mm (Apo) for 6x6. In 35mm I never enlarge bigger than 24x30cm. Can I safely replace (for 35mm) the 50mm by the 80mm ?

thx,
Marc.

 

[Jeremy]

Hello,

I have a very good enlarging lens (50mm) for 35mm negatives. Recently I got me an 80mm (Apo) for 6x6. In 35mm I never enlarge bigger than 24x30cm. Can I safely replace (for 35mm) the 50mm by the 80mm ?

thx,
Marc.

If your enlarger will allow you to project that large with the 35mm neg then there is no reason you can't.

 

[JohnArs]

I would not do it. Because if you would like an enlargement from only a part of a 35 mm you are in troubles very soon!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

You've got both lenses, so run a test. I suspect the 80mm Apo lens will be better, and if you don't need to crop excessively or print very large with 35mm, then you can use the 80mm lens. Whenever you do need more enlargement, it's no trouble to swap lenses.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Go for it , is the apo a 4.5 , if so you will basically lose about a stop if you are using a 2.8 50mm . If you can easily get the magnification you need and as well a good fstop and time I would use the 80mm

 

[Claire Senft]

There is no reason that the 80mm can not be used. I would try both at their optimum aperture. I would expect that the 80mm will not out perform the 50mm when enlarging 24x36mm.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

One potential issue with the longer lens would be that the greater head height will exaggerate the effects of any misalignment or column vibration, but if your enlarger is well aligned and on a solid surface, it might not be a problem.

I often use a longer lens than necessary, just because it's convenient to have more working room under the lens, particularly for small prints.