Ctein/Warner enlarger lens article (1980?)

wiltw said:

I found this reference by Ed Buziak on the web...

"Interestingly, when I recently published a highly detailed lens testing and evaluation feature entitled "The World's Best Enlarging Lenses" by Ctein (one of the most knowledgeable American photojournalists and one of the few remaining master printers of dye-transfers) he nominated five El-Nikkors in his "Top Twenty" listing out of over 90 enlarging lenses rigourously tested during a six-month period. They were the 50mm f/2.8, 63mm f/2.8, 105mm f/5.6, 135mm f/5.6 and Apo-El-Nikkor 105mm f/5.6... that's right, there was a 105mm Apo El-Nikkor; it was made for scientific use plus the American space program and became an instant legend according to those who were fortunate enough to use one.

In his article Ctein said, "The 105 Apo was arguably the most perfectly made enlarging lens available, and priced accordingly. There were no detectable aberrations of any type... and it was the one true Apo on the market." On another occasion in "Darkroom User" he stated, "If you need the ultimate in colour correction this lens provides it; it costs thousands of pounds, assuming you can find one! I don't own one and you probably don't need one, but I thought you should know just in case."

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MMfoto said:

Does anyone have a copy of the article written long ago by Ctein and I believe Warner(?) where they tested a huge array a current and classic enlarger lenses? There is a table of enlarger lenses in "Post Exposure" that appears to be from this test series, but I'm interested in seeing the whole article.

Thanks!

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Kino said:

I am pretty sure these are the 105mm printing Nikkors used in the Motion Picture Industry. They cost $7K new in the 1970s and still fetch $5K used, when you can find them.

There is no equal and I think Nikon stopped making them about 5 years ago.

Pix reference: http://www.monceaux.com/enlaged_image_html/lenses/lens5.html

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Jon Shiu said:

Good article. It is in the Sept/Oct 1983 issue of Darkroom Photography magazine.

Jon

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wiltw said:

In his article Ctein said, "The 105 Apo was arguably the most perfectly made enlarging lens available, and priced accordingly. There were no detectable aberrations of any type... and it was the one true Apo on the market." On another occasion in "Darkroom User" he stated, "If you need the ultimate in colour correction this lens provides it; it costs thousands of pounds, assuming you can find one! I don't own one and you probably don't need one, but I thought you should know just in case."

Click to expand...