6x9 Enlarging Lenses- Preferences?

[mfmike]

Hi, all - I'm shopping for a new enlarging lens for my MF negs. I'll print mostly 11x14 prints using a 105mm lens, probably 5.6. Any preferences or opinions between Nikon, Rodenstock, or Schneider?
Cheers,
Mike

 

[tedr1]

I like Rodenstock lenses. For high quality results use a six element design, the Rodagon series is six element. The 105/5.6 on ebay.com seems to be inexpensive, the premium for the f4 Apo Rodagon is steep, the price we pay for shorter exposure times.

 

[Rick A]

My 1950's era Wollensak 90mm/4.5 Enlarging Raptar, designed to cover 6x9 with no light fall off in the corners. I have two of them, one on my D-6, and a NOS one in the original case for back up. I've made 16x20's with this lens, crisp out to the edges.

 

[ac12]

Your magnification factor is not much, so any of the major brands should be fine.

If you are fussy, then you can get picky. Within the Schnieider I would get the Componon-S, rather than a Componar or Componon (without the S). Enlarging lenses are so much less expensive than they used to be, that you can afford to get picky.

 

[ic-racer]

For 6x9 I use a six-element 105mm. If you are buying 'used' make sure there is no fog or fungus.

 

[Paul Howell]

My 1950's era Wollensak 90mm/4.5 Enlarging Raptar, designed to cover 6x9 with no light fall off in the corners. I have two of them, one on my D-6, and a NOS one in the original case for back up. I've made 16x20's with this lens, crisp out to the edges.

+1 for the Wollensak 90, I also have a 100mm Kodak Ektar ad a 105 Rodenstock, but the Wollensak works very well, as well the 6 element Rodenstock.

 

[moto-uno]

My El-Nikkor 105 mm lens is a treat in my Omega D3 enlarger. Peter

 

[Julie McLeod]

I hope nobody minds a tag-on question here, a very basic one. What are elements and why are more better for enlarging lenses?

 

[Paul Howell]

The answer is someone what complex, enlarging lens are designed not only to cover a given area or negative size, but also to a given enlargement size, and aperture. The designer design lens with different number of elements to correct for distortion and improve sharpness, APO lens are designed for color correction. Faster lens like 50mm 2.8 generally have more elements, some are 4 element, others are 5 to (I think 7) elements. In my experience many 4 element lens like Wollensake or Kodak Extar stopped down are as good 5 or 6 element lens.

 

[Julie McLeod]

The answer is someone what complex, enlarging lens are designed not only to cover a given area or negative size, but also to a given enlargement size, and aperture. The designer design lens with different number of elements to correct for distortion and improve sharpness, APO lens are designed for color correction. Faster lens like 50mm 2.8 generally have more elements, some are 4 element, others are 5 to (I think 7) elements. In my experience many 4 element lens like Wollensake or Kodak Extar stopped down are as good 5 or 6 element lens.

Thank you. Do you have any opinion on the Rogonar S 105mm f/4.5? I'm looking for a lens to enlarge 6x7 and possibly 6x9 negatives probably to no more than around 11x14.

 

[Dan Fromm]

See http://ctein.com/booksmpl.htm Really a book on printing, but it reports on tests of a number of enlarging lenses. Reports on lenses start at p. 88.

The Rogonar is sort of bottom of the barrel. At today's prices there's no good reason not to get a Rodagon or an El-Nikkor.

 

[tedr1]

Technical literature from Rodenstock is attached, it describes Rogonar S

 

[tedr1]

Much of the difference in enlarger lens quality is concerned with the performance in the corners of the projected image. With a simple (few element) lens the illumination is brighter in the center and dimmer in the corners, this causes the print to be pale in the corners. The effect is minimized when small apertures are used. Sharpness in the corners is also a concern, to obtain it with a simple lens it is usually necessary to use small apertures.

The Rodenstock literature above states that the simple lens with fewer elements gives best quality closed down to f11. The more sophisticated lens with more elements maintains quality at larger apertures, f8, f5.6 and in some cases f4. The wider aperture gives a brighter image on the paper which translates into shorter exposure times.

It is common with even the best enlarging lenses for the widest aperture, that is used for focusing, to be slightly inferior quality, and exposures are made with the lens closed down one two or three stops from maximum to achieve the best quality. The best lenses can be used one stop down, second best two stops down, third best three stops down.

Earlier on ebay.com I saw several Rodagon 105mm f5.6 lenses (six element) that had sold for less than $50, prices for excellent lenses are very reasonable it seems.

 

[mfmike]

Thanks for the great advice, all.
Mike
MFMIKE

 

[Julie McLeod]

See http://ctein.com/booksmpl.htm Really a book on printing, but it reports on tests of a number of enlarging lenses. Reports on lenses start at p. 88.

The Rogonar is sort of bottom of the barrel. At today's prices there's no good reason not to get a Rodagon or an El-Nikkor.

Thanks. That's very helpful. I'll delve into the lens reviews as well as the other sections of the book.

 

[Julie McLeod]

Much of the difference in enlarger lens quality is concerned with the performance in the corners of the projected image. With a simple (few element) lens the illumination is brighter in the center and dimmer in the corners, this causes the print to be pale in the corners. The effect is minimized when small apertures are used. Sharpness in the corners is also a concern, to obtain it with a simple lens it is usually necessary to use small apertures.

The Rodenstock literature above states that the simple lens with fewer elements gives best quality closed down to f11. The more sophisticated lens with more elements maintains quality at larger apertures, f8, f5.6 and in some cases f4. The wider aperture gives a brighter image on the paper which translates into shorter exposure times.

It is common with even the best enlarging lenses for the widest aperture, that is used for focusing, to be slightly inferior quality, and exposures are made with the lens closed down one two or three stops from maximum to achieve the best quality. The best lenses can be used one stop down, second best two stops down, third best three stops down.

Earlier on ebay.com I saw several Rodagon 105mm f5.6 lenses (six element) that had sold for less than $50, prices for excellent lenses are very reasonable it seems.

Thanks for the resources as well as the comments. That will be helpful to me in making my choice.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi, all - I'm shopping for a new enlarging lens for my MF negs. I'll print mostly 11x14 prints using a 105mm lens, probably 5.6. Any preferences or opinions between Nikon, Rodenstock, or Schneider?
Cheers,
Mike

the ELNikkors are all top-quality enlarging lenses at a very reasonable price.go for an 80 or 105mm focal length in a six-element design.

 

[Ian Grant]

I use 105mm Componon & Componon-S lenses for 6x9 both superb lenses. I had a bunch of 105mm Durst Componoins which came off roll-head printers and gave all but one away free on this forum a few years ago

Ian

 

[tedr1]

Technical data for Rodenstock enlarging lenses can be obtained here http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/index.php/en/service-support#download

 

[destroya]

I use 105mm Componon & Componon-S lenses for 6x9 both superb lenses.....

Ian

i also use the 105mm componon-S lens and its superb.

 

[moto-uno]

I,m not sure if I,ve gotten a message to Julie concerning an enlarger lens. So I,m just reposting here in case it failed . If
you're out there Julie , give me an email. Regards, Peter

 

[Zathras]

Here's your lens, right here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kodak-Ektar...739244?hash=item4899aa976c:g:KlQAAOSwCU1Yu0~s

That is a great lens. Have one myself. The only potential problem with Enlarging Ektars is that they will not fit in an enlarger that has a fixed 39mm lens mount. You need an enlarger that mounts the lenses on interchangeable lens boards, with the correct hole size, to be able to use an Ektar. If you do, you're good. These are seriously good enlarger lenses. The 100mm is a four element lens, but it is VERY good. Kodak also made 50 and 75mm Enlarging Ektars. These were five element lenses. They also made a 90mm in the 1960's. I don't know how many elements that one had.

 

[Trond]

I have used Nikkor 105mm, Componon-S 100mm and Componon 105mm for 6x9, and they have all been good!

Trond

 

[Julie McLeod]

I,m not sure if I,ve gotten a message to Julie concerning an enlarger lens. So I,m just reposting here in case it failed . If
you're out there Julie , give me an email. Regards, Peter

I replied this morning, Peter. Thank you!

 

[Peter Schrager]

I like the fuji and El nikkors...fuji rocks!