Anyone have experience with this enlarging lens: Spiratone Resomax 2.8/50?

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David Lyga

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I bought the lens for $5 yesterday and it seems to be very good. Would like feedback if this lens is not too 'esoteric'! It has six elements. - David Lyga
 

AgX

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Seen the name of that lens you made a super bargain...
 

ic-racer

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Let us know how it performs. Pictures of the lens??
 
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David Lyga

David Lyga

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Tomorrow I will post pictures. Spiratone was a very respected company in New York during the 60 through the 80s and sold many items under its brand name. - David Lyga

To those who wish to know: I bought the lens at the photorama.com camera show in Bensalem, PA (just NE of Philadelphia). The show is only twice a year and yesterday was their October show where I bought the lens.
 

Bill Burk

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How'd you do at the show? Pick up any cartons of TLR's this time around?
 

voceumana

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Its country of origin should be marked on it--f Germany, probably a Rodenstock or Schneider; if Japan, possibly an El Nikkor or Fuji. Probably a very good lens. I don't know of any enlarging lens manufacturer that built poor quality 6-element lenses.
 
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David Lyga

David Lyga

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How'd you do at the show? Pick up any cartons of TLR's this time around?
Actually, the guy from Cardinal Camera, Tyler, was there and he could not have been more amicable. I knew in my heart that I had done the right thing and now that has been confirmed. I bought the Resomax from him!!! Yes!!! And I bought a whole lot of other stuff from him as well. Clear Zooms in the 80-200 range were $5 and I had my pick of the best. Also for $5 were many 35mm SLRs.

Here is the Resomax:

DSCN0154.JPG DSCN0155.JPG

The only thing I do not like about this show is that, although only about 15 miles from Philadelphia, it takes at least two full hours on public transport!!! David Lyga likes to make things difficult for himself. - David Lyga

To the best of my knowledge (despite looking in the Internet) I do not know who made this in Japan.
 
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jjphoto

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I have the Spiratone Resomax 2.8/50 but haven't used it for enlarging so can't comment on its performance. Being 6 element it's almost certainly in the same ball park as any other 6 element lens from the Japanese or German makers. I can confirm it was made in Japan (I have the original box which states so) but there isn't any pamphlet/instruction sheet with further info about the lens.

Comparing (physical construction, aperture blades etc). the lens to other 50's that I have it looks similar to (but NOT the same as) the Hoya/Yashica/Omega/Beselar/Osawa 6/4 2.8/50. It might have come out of the same factory but it is NOT the same lens. It could also have been made by the company that made all the 3.5/50 and 3.5/75 three element lenses which were rebranded with dozens of different names, including Spiratone. Anyway, for 5 dollars it's a steal.

It was introduced in 1984.

It looks exactly the same as the Jessop 2.8/50 6 element enlarging lens (sold in the UK). Clearly they are the same but I don't know who made them.
 
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John51

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It looks identical to my Fuji 6 element 2.8 50mm which also has 'LENS MADE IN JAPAN' after the 16 on the body.
 
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David Lyga

David Lyga

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About the show? As always I attended. It was raining hard. How come you don't want to know what I went through to GET to the show?!?!?!?!

It was fairly well attended. Whenever he does the Philadelphia show, the day before he does the DC show, so if you are near Washington, you now know.

As always there are dealers trying to get rid of stuff, in addition to dealers who have quality items for sale. Since I am well versed in doing minor repairs, I head towards the 'junk'.

Many of the attendees are 'regulars' and know my face. I did buy a lot of stuff but I did not pay a whole lot. These shows are my greatest enjoyment in life. Maybe that says something negative about me, but I love them. - David Lyga
 

AgX

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You may tell all your public transport endeavours by PM...

Were there any attendees younger than me?
 
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David Lyga

David Lyga

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You may tell all your public transport endeavours by PM...

Were there any attendees younger than me?
Actually, there were, but most were ancient like David Lyga. But, surprisingly, there were young enthusiasts who really DO like film. Maybe the pouring rain (try that with public transport) made MORE people attend. - David Lyga
 

RalphLambrecht

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Tomorrow I will post pictures. Spiratone was a very respected company in New York during the 60 through the 80s and sold many items under its brand name. - David Lyga

To those who wish to know: I bought the lens at the photorama.com camera show in Bensalem, PA (just NE of Philadelphia). The show is only twice a year and yesterday was their October show where I bought the lens.
very good; you benefited from the market for enlarging lenses being all but dead.
 

jjphoto

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The market for late model high end ELs is probably as buoyant as ever. Try to get an Apo-Rodagon-N or Apo-Componon HM for $5, or even for just a reasonable price, and see how that works for you. These have gone up in price over the last few years.
 

John51

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At second glance, my Fuji lens isn't black at the threaded end. L ooks identical otherwise:

020.JPG 019.JPG
 
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