645 enlarging lens............???

JW PHOTO · May 5, 2016

I have used 645 format in the past, but never enlarged/wet printed from any of the negatives(99% were color) and then sold off my Mamiya outfit. Now I have a couple of very nice Super Ikonta's in 645 and want to wet print 645. I do shoot 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9 and have the enlarging lenses needed to cover all those formats. Would I really gain anything by trying to match 645 to a 75mm enlarging lens or just use my Minolta C.E. 80mm / 80mm Componon-S???? If it would be better to go 75mm, which lens should I look for?

Ghostman · May 5, 2016

Just use the 80mm

chriscrawfordphoto · May 5, 2016

645 uses the same enlarging lens you would use for 6x6. 75 or 80mm are both fine for either format. I used an 80mm Componon-S when I was still wet printing for my 645 work.

JW PHOTO · May 5, 2016

chriscrawfordphoto said:
645 uses the same enlarging lens you would use for 6x6. 75 or 80mm are both fine for either format. I used an 80mm Componon-S when I was still wet printing for my 645 work.

Chris,
I'll probably end up doing just that, at least for now. Actually I was kind of thinking of picking up a Kodak 75mm f4.5 Enlarging Ektar to kind of match the era of the Zeiss Super Ikonta's I'll be using. A 75mm f4.5 Ektar just was sold on the big auction for $4.99 + $6.85 shipping. Now, I just might be able to swing a purchase like that. Enlarging lenses are so cheap these days you can own several of the same focal length. One shouldn't get to carried away 'cause I'm pretty sure there will be almost no collectors value further down the line. For now it'll be one of the 80mm lenses I have. John W

wiltw · May 5, 2016

John, there is virtually no advantage in using 75mm for 645 than using 80mm lens (which you normally use for 6x6)...6.7% more enlargement for the same height on the column by using shorter FL. Likely the optics in the 80mm are better designed (particularly the Componon S!) than the optics for a less common 75mm lens.

Zathras · May 5, 2016

JW PHOTO said:
Chris,
I'll probably end up doing just that, at least for now. Actually I was kind of thinking of picking up a Kodak 75mm f4.5 Enlarging Ektar to kind of match the era of the Zeiss Super Ikonta's I'll be using. A 75mm f4.5 Ektar just was sold on the big auction for $4.99 + $6.85 shipping. Now, I just might be able to swing a purchase like that. Enlarging lenses are so cheap these days you can own several of the same focal length. One shouldn't get to carried away 'cause I'm pretty sure there will be almost no collectors value further down the line. For now it'll be one of the 80mm lenses I have. John W

JW, Enlarging Ektars are nice lenses, but they use a weird thread size on their lens mounts. If you can mount them on your enlarger, go for it!!! I love my 100mm and my 75mm Ektars. Just make sure the mounting ring comes with the lens, these are old lenses and it would be hard to find a mounting ring without having one custom made.

dynachrome · May 5, 2016

I would start out with an 80/5.6 EL Nikkor or an 80/5.6 C.E. Rokkor. If I need to make a large print or want to do more cropping than a particular enlarger will allow I will use a 60mm f/4 Bogen Wide Angle or a 60/5.6 W.A. Componon.

JW PHOTO · May 5, 2016

Zathras said:
JW, Enlarging Ektars are nice lenses, but they use a weird thread size on their lens mounts. If you can mount them on your enlarger, go for it!!! I love my 100mm and my 75mm Ektars. Just make sure the mounting ring comes with the lens, these are old lenses and it would be hard to find a mounting ring without having one custom made.

I use an Omega D3 so no problem mounting the Ektar. Of course the mounting/retaining ring is a must or it's epoxy. My Medalist Ektar and Signet Ektar still make me smile when I see their results. I had a 100mm enlarging Ektar years ago, but never really used it. Sold it 'cause I thought I had to have latest and greatest. Now I like to have latest and old reliable both. Prices are low so now I can do exactly that.

JW PHOTO · May 5, 2016

dynachrome said:
I would start out with an 80/5.6 EL Nikkor or an 80/5.6 C.E. Rokkor. If I need to make a large print or want to do more cropping than a particular enlarger will allow I will use a 60mm f/4 Bogen Wide Angle or a 60/5.6 W.A. Componon.

I have got a very nice 80mm Rokkor and 80mm Componon-s to start with. I've been going through my drawers and stored boxes since I'm positive I have a 75mm F5.6 Omega Omicron-El somewhere tucked away.

Zathras · May 5, 2016

JW PHOTO said:
I use an Omega D3 so no problem mounting the Ektar. Of course the mounting/retaining ring is a must or it's epoxy. My Medalist Ektar and Signet Ektar still make me smile when I see their results. I had a 100mm enlarging Ektar years ago, but never really used it. Sold it 'cause I thought I had to have latest and greatest. Now I like to have latest and old reliable both. Prices are low so now I can do exactly that.

The 100mm I have is an outstanding lens, even though it only has four elements. The 50mm and 75mm are five element lenses. There was also a 90mm Enlarging Ektar which was made in the '60s. I don't know how many elements it has, but I'm sure it is also a great lens. I have one of those too, but I haven't tried it out yet.

I also have a 50mm enlarging Ektar I'm trying to adapt to my Focomat 1C just for laughs.

jjphoto · May 6, 2016

Zathras said:
... There was also a 90mm Enlarging Ektar which was made in the '60s. I don't know how many elements it has, but I'm sure it is also a great lens. I have one of those too, but I haven't tried it out yet...

This lens, the 90mm Ektar, is a mystery. My copy dates to 1967 but I've seen a copy dated to 1959. I have contacted various Kodak experts and Kodak ex employees in various countries, made several forum posts requesting info and have found nothing about this lens. I've scoured whatever vintage magazines of the relevant period that I can find for advertisements which mention this lens and found nothing. I also have a large collection of Kodak technical books with no reference to this lens at all. I can almost be certain, I am 99% sure, that it is the same optical design as the 100mm, ie a 4E-4G Dialyte, but I prefer not to dismantle my own lens to be certain. It has the same mount as the 100mm lens, see http://photocornucopia.com/1061.html.

JW PHOTO, an M30x0.5 to M39 adapter will fit the Kodak 4.5/75 Ektar allowing you to use any M39 mount. I bought this one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/30-mm-x-...849040?hash=item33abb13350:g:iEQAAOSwQItUFzyn and can confirm it fits the 4.5/75mm Ektar.

MattKing · May 6, 2016

The 90mm Ektar may have been made to be installed in photofinishing equipment.

Sirius Glass · May 6, 2016

Ghostman said:
Just use the 80mm

Yes, use an 80mm enlarging lens.

645 enlarging lens............???

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