Beseler 50mm f2.8 HD enlarging lens APO or not

[JW PHOTO]

I bought a big box of darkroom junk and the UPS driver dropped it off today. When I say big, I mean I had a hard time carrying it in the house. I'm still going over the goodies and so far I'm really happy. I got 12 enlarging lenses alone with many more goodies to go over. One of the lenses is near perfect Beseler HD 50mm f2.8. I had read that it was a Rodenstock rebadge and it might be as it's made in Germany. I also read somewhere that it's an APO Rodenstock rebadge. I wonder if that's true or not. I have the Beseler Color Pro 50mm f2.8 and when I get a chance I'll compare the two, but it will be awhile for that. I also pulled up and old Adorama ad that says it's color corrected and listed as Beseler HD/APO HD.

http://www.adorama.com/pdfs/DK 11.pdf

Could it be false advertising or the real thing. John W

 

[chip j]

I have one, and it looks exactly like a regular Rodagon. I posted a thread on this same question--is it APO?--here on APUG a couple yrs ago & the answers I got were NO!

 

[Arvee]

I have both the Rodenstock and the Beseler. For all practical purposes they are identical except for labeling and a couple of small minor differences. I am 99% confident the Beseler is optically identical to the Rodenstock lens and neither is APO. When looking at the reflections under a light source, they have the same number of 'points' and they are in the same locations.

The earlier Color Pro 50/2.8 was rumored to be mfd. by the same company that produced the Computar 50/2.8 which is generally thought of as a spectacular enlarging lens, according to Ctein in 'Post Exporure.'

 

[JW PHOTO]

I have both the Rodenstock and the Beseler. For all practical purposes they are identical except for labeling and a couple of small minor differences. I am 99% confident the Beseler is optically identical to the Rodenstock lens and neither is APO. When looking at the reflections under a light source, they have the same number of 'points' and they are in the same locations.

The earlier Color Pro 50/2.8 was rumored to be mfd. by the same company that produced the Computar 50/2.8 which is generally thought of as a spectacular enlarging lens, according to Ctein in 'Post Exporure.'

Yes, I figured if it was an APO designed lens that Beseler would have proudly slapped APO on the side of it. I have the Beseler 50mm f2.8 Color Pro and have absolutely no complaints. John W

 

[Arvee]

I might add that the Color Pro looks very close to the Fujinon enlarging lenses of the period also (I think they were Fujinon E) and Beseler may have some of those clones in its enlarging lens line up. The Fujinons are outstanding as well.

 

[JW PHOTO]

I might add that the Color Pro looks very close to the Fujinon enlarging lenses of the period also (I think they were Fujinon E) and Beseler may have some of those clones in its enlarging lens line up. The Fujinons are outstanding as well.

Fred,
In the big grab box of darkroom goodies was also a "like new' Fujinon 50mm f2.8 EX lens in it's original box and plastic screw case. It says it's a EBC Fujinon so must have the later EBC coatings. It really doesn't look anything like the Beseler Color Pro I have. In fact it looks to be a better built lens. I was told that the Beseler Color Pro is actually a Computar-DL 50mm f2.8. They are identical twins according to pictures I've pulled up. Maybe tomorrow I'll list the lenses I got in the box and maybe some of you will know something about them, 'cause I sure don't. John W

 

[Arvee]

I have the EX also and it is top drawer. Don't ever let go of that one! I ran across one for $20 and I snapped it up and was blown away by the performance. The E series preceded the EX.