Best enlarging lens for art prints? Should I use a Meopta Opemus 6?

[JensH]

I have both the 75 and 80 apo-rodagon-N's and at least from my experience, which is to use them as taking lenses on a digital camera, they perform about the same. I'm not sure why a 75 and 80 both exist as they seem very similar. I'm not 100% certain but I think but I think the 80 (c. 1995) predates the 75 (c. 1998).

I see. Did You ever compare them with a Schneider Componon-S 4/80? That's the one I have, bought new in 1989. It is not multicoated, but my favourite for enlarging 6x6.

Yours
Jens

 

[jjphoto]

I see. Did You ever compare them with a Schneider Componon-S 4/80? That's the one I have, bought new in 1989. It is not multicoated, but my favourite for enlarging 6x6.

Yours
Jens

I have the Schneider Componon-S 4/80 and agree it's an excellent lens, as are most 6 element EL's, but I've never directly compared it to other lenses. I'm not sure I'd waste much time or money chasing a better lens than the Schneider Componon-S 4/80, sure there are better lenses, but you start paying big money for small improvements. Buy film, train or plane tickets instead.

 

[JensH]

I have the Schneider Componon-S 4/80 and agree it's an excellent lens, as are most 6 element EL's, but I've never directly compared it to other lenses. I'm not sure I'd waste much time or money chasing a better lens than the Schneider Componon-S 4/80, sure there are better lenses, but you start paying big money for small improvements. Buy film, train or plane tickets instead.

Thanks,

film and paper are at hands, the limiting factor is time...

Best
Jens

 

[DREW WILEY]

I you are planning on printing 6x9 and can afford nearly the best, get a 105 ApoRodagon N. The very best I doubt could afford, if you could even find it. But maybe someone on this forum drives a Ferari. Who knows. Most "exhibition" prints I see are pretty awful. But just like camera lenses, enlarging lenses have different looks in terms of contrast etc. The ApoRodagons have high contrast and superb microtonality reproduction.

 

[chip j]

I read a review where the guy compared an APO-Rodagon-N to a Leitz Focotar 2. The Rodagon was sharper, but he kept coming back to the prints w/the Focotar because they were "more human".