Comparon enlarger lens

tkamiya · Feb 16, 2010

I have been using an enlarger lens with these markings:

"Comparon 1:4.5/75 Schneider-Kreuznach"

Can anyone comment on this piece in term of quality? How does it compare to more better known lens such as Nikkor? I have made many prints but I don't have much of anything else to do a comparison myself.

Rick A · Feb 16, 2010

I believe its a four element low end Schneider. I have a Durst 1:4.5/75 Comprotar, that is a rebadged Comparon. Its a 25.0x0.5mm mount, glass is crystal clear. Only problem with mine is its missing all the iris blades. I've used it wide open, and its a nice lens, just wish I could stop it down. If the price is LOW its worth buying, unless you need a 39mm mount. The older Componons are much better, and I think as good as the Componon S(just up to 11x14). I have a 1:5.6/150 Componon that I love for 4x5. I also have a f4/80 Componon S that I have been considering letting go(if the price is right)of. Its a dandy performer, especially past 11x14.

Rick

tkamiya · Feb 16, 2010

Thanks Rick.

Currently, I don't print any larger than 8x10 and it seems to work ok. Only other 75mm I have is an El-Omegar f/3.5. Which one would you use??

Arvee · Feb 16, 2010

If I remember correctly, my El-Omegar 75 is a three element lens. I also have the Comparon and, IMO, it is the better lens.

-F.

tkamiya said:
Thanks Rick.

Currently, I don't print any larger than 8x10 and it seems to work ok. Only other 75mm I have is an El-Omegar f/3.5. Which one would you use??

fotch · Feb 16, 2010

The only real way is to make a print from each of the same negative, same size, exporsure, and compare with a magnifier glass. Otherwise, my guess would be the Comparon.

Rick A · Feb 16, 2010

I love the Comparon I have, if the iris was there I'd use it more. If yours is intact, I'd stick with that one. There isn't anything wrong with the El-Omegar, I have one as well. My most used is my Rodenstock 90/4.5 Omegaron.

tkamiya · Feb 16, 2010

Thank you, Frank, Fotch, and Rick.

Since you brought the topic up, I have a Q on Rodenstock Omegaron. I know Omegaron or anything from Omega or Bessler is an entry level lens to sell the enlarger. What about Rodenstock Omegaron?? Where does it stand in term of quality?

MattKing · Feb 16, 2010

tkamiya said:
Thank you, Frank, Fotch, and Rick.

Since you brought the topic up, I have a Q on Rodenstock Omegaron. I know Omegaron or anything from Omega or Bessler is an entry level lens to sell the enlarger. What about Rodenstock Omegaron?? Where does it stand in term of quality?

A Beseler Color Pro is actually an excellent lens - most likely a re-badged six element Schneider Componon.

The Omegaron is most likely a basic quality lens.

Matt

Arvee · Feb 16, 2010

Going strictly from memory here but I believe the ---gar lenses are the three element bottom of the stack where the ----aron lenses are the Rodenstock 4 element middle quality offering. The Comparon is Schneider's answer to the Omegaron or vice versa.

tkamiya said:
Thank you, Frank, Fotch, and Rick.

Since you brought the topic up, I have a Q on Rodenstock Omegaron. I know Omegaron or anything from Omega or Bessler is an entry level lens to sell the enlarger. What about Rodenstock Omegaron?? Where does it stand in term of quality?

tkamiya · Feb 16, 2010

Oh, geez... I need a decoder ring and possibly a secret hand-shake to figure out this *garon, *gar, thing...

Fred Aspen said:
Going strictly from memory here but I believe the ---gar lenses are the three element bottom of the stack where the ----aron lenses are the Rodenstock 4 element middle quality offering. The Comparon is Schneider's answer to the Omegaron or vice versa.

Anscojohn · Feb 16, 2010

I think there is, also, a question of the enlargement ratio for which the various lenses are optimized. But I don't remember what the terminology is.

Rick A · Feb 16, 2010

tkamiya said:
Thank you, Frank, Fotch, and Rick.

Since you brought the topic up, I have a Q on Rodenstock Omegaron. I know Omegaron or anything from Omega or Bessler is an entry level lens to sell the enlarger. What about Rodenstock Omegaron?? Where does it stand in term of quality?

I have an 80mm Omegaron that came with my ProLab 4x5, its pretty fair, I think its slightly better than the Comparon.

Rick

mgb74 · Feb 16, 2010

The entry level "package" lens for Omega was the Omegar. The Omegaron was a step up from there.

In general, "ar" ending was lowest level, "aron" level a step up, "onon" level another step up, then usually something with a "-S". Finally, there is the "APO" prefix. So, from Schneider:
Componar
Comparon
Componon
Componon-S

Pretty reliable within a brand; not necessarily across brands. Nikon did not make it so simple. For example, the 50/2.8 is considered a much better lens (not just faster) than the 50/4.0. The 80mm is considered better than the 75mm.

tkamiya · Feb 16, 2010

A decoder ring!

Rick A · Feb 17, 2010

The one thing about the lens, is that Schneider claims max coverage is 60x60mm, so it wont cover a 6x7 neg. Is yours an all chrome version?

Rick

Comparon enlarger lens

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