6X6 Enlarging: 100mm or 50mm lens?

marcmarc · Dec 10, 2015

Hi Everyone,
I recently acquired two 6X6 cameras. Unfortunately I do not have a 80mm enlarging lens, only a 100mm and a 50mm. Second hand lenses seem to be pretty scarce around Los Angeles these days so until I can find one, which lens would be my best bet for enlarging? I've read that one can use different focal lengths for enlarging but it has an effect on the degree of enlargement. For the time being I plan to enlarge full frame onto 8X10 paper. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

Paul Howell · Dec 10, 2015

I doubt that the 50mm will cover 6X6, I have a 60mm that will cover with soft corners, the 100 is somewhat long but ought to be good for at least a 8X10. My standard 6X6 lens is 90mm with on a D3 will enlarge to a 11X14, if I need larger I use a 75mm.

wiltw · Dec 10, 2015

First issue to get right is merely to ensure COVERAGE ANGLE of the lens is sufficient to project the entire 6x6 neg on the baseboard without obvious vignetting of the image. If it vignettes wide open but is OK at enlargement f/stop (coverage angle increases as f/stop gets smaller), you are OK to go.

Sorter FL will require less negative-to-easel distance for same magnification using longer LF, So if 50mm always vignettes, then you have to use 100mm and get less magnification on the baseboard until you buy the 75-90mm enlarger lens.

ic-racer · Dec 10, 2015

100mm

RobC · Dec 10, 2015

100 should be fine. But with a 100mm lens the head will need to be higher up the column than with an 80mm lens which is not a problem until you want to enlarge to a bigger print size. So all the 100 does is to limit the maximum enlargement size which may not be a problem at all depending on how big you want to enlarge to and your enlarger (some have taller columns than others).

marcmarc · Dec 10, 2015

100 seems to be the way to go. Thanks for the replies.

RobC · Dec 10, 2015

Just so you are sure, the 50mm lens will not cover the 6x6 format except possibly at very small enlargement size.

Rich Ullsmith · Dec 10, 2015

75mm is soft at the corners. If you want ff 6X6 and you are going to buy a new lens for bigger prints, 80mm is pretty much minimum.

Sirius Glass · Dec 10, 2015

I would use the 100mm lens until you can find an 80mm lens.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 10, 2015

marcmarc said:
Hi Everyone,
I recently acquired two 6X6 cameras. Unfortunately I do not have a 80mm enlarging lens, only a 100mm and a 50mm. Second hand lenses seem to be pretty scarce around Los Angeles these days so until I can find one, which lens would be my best bet for enlarging? I've read that one can use different focal lengths for enlarging but it has an effect on the degree of enlargement. For the time being I plan to enlarge full frame onto 8X10 paper. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

the 'standard focal length for an enlarging lens equals the 'standard' focal length of the taking lens, which in both casess close to the film-format's diagonal;In your case (6x), that disclose to 80mm;Of course, any other focal length will work as long as the enlarger can braised high enough to fill the paper format and the lens does not vignette the negative Your 100mm lens will work; just make sure you can raise the head high enough;Your 50mm will allow for very large magnifications but may clip the corners of your neg ;just try and see.

nworth · Dec 12, 2015

100mm. When in doubt, use the longest focal length you can. The 50mm will probably not cover the entire 2-1/4 square field sharply. (It may look like it covers it, but the edges will not be sharp.) Generally, your enlarging lens should be about the same focal length as your taking lens. That combination works well for most common enlargements. When you can't do that, choose a longer lens. Usually the longer lens will have greater coverage, while a shorter lens may not.

fotch · Dec 12, 2015

I would prefer the 100mm or a 90mm & would probably only use the 80mm if needed for a larger print when the head is fully raised.

Sirius Glass · Dec 12, 2015

When the enlarger is fully raised I need the step stool to reach the focus knob, but then I cannot get my eye down to the grain enlarger. I am just too short for my weight.

Doremus Scudder · Dec 13, 2015

marcmarc said:
... Unfortunately I do not have a 80mm enlarging lens, only a 100mm and a 50mm. ... I've read that one can use different focal lengths for enlarging but it has an effect on the degree of enlargement. For the time being I plan to enlarge full frame onto 8X10 paper. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

The principle:

Most enlarging lenses have a "normal" angle of view and will only "see" all of negatives that have a diagonal measurement equal to or less than its focal length. E.g., a 50mm lens will only work for negatives with a 50mm diagonal or less. 35mm film has a diagonal of about 43mm, so it'll work for that film format. 6 x 4.5 cm film has a diagonal of 75mm, 6 x 6 film one of 84+mm, so a conventional 50mm enlarging lens won't work for either of these formats (unless, of course, you just want to enlarge a smaller portion of the negative).

A 100mm lens will work for 6x9cm film and smaller. The maximum enlargement size depends on the height of the enlarger head and the focal length of the lens. You should be able to get an 8x10 from a 6x6 neg with a 100mm lens easily.

Best,

Doremus

6X6 Enlarging: 100mm or 50mm lens?

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