Darkroom Enlarger Lens

[RLeal]

Hello,

I'm a darkroom begginer and i'm looking for a 105mm lens for 6x9 negatives.
I've found this two (i think i can post links)
1 - https://kamerastore.com/product/meopta-105mm-f4-5-anaret-2/
2 - https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/meopta-meopta-anaret-enlarging-lens-105-mm.html

The second lens is a more recent lens?
Anyone has experience with Meopta lens? They are any good?

Thanks.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have 2 Meopta lens, a 50 and 75, 4 elements, really nice, good up to 11X14 without any issues. More important than the lens, is enlarger alignment, no matter how good a lens is, if the enlarger is not aligned some portion of the print will be out of focus.

 

[RLeal]

Hi Paul,
Thank you.
Do you know what is the difference between the two lens?

 

[Martin Rickards]

The Meopta Anaret 105 mm is a medium quality 4 element lens, not as good as the 6 element Schneider, Rodenstock or El Nikkor lenses but stopped down a couple of stops, you won't see that much difference. With a second hand lens, quality is always a bit of a lottery.

 

[RLeal]

Hi Martin,

I've found a Nikon Nikkor EL 105mm lens but the customs taxes makes the price to high.

 

[Martin Rickards]

Hi Martin,

I've found a Nikon Nikkor EL 105mm lens but the customs taxes makes the price to high.

I'd choose the Meopta Annaret. Meopta made some very nice lenses,cameras and enlargers. I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[RLeal]

I'd choose the Meopta Annaret. Meopta made some very nice lenses,cameras and enlargers. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Thank you.

Now i'm just trying to figure out the difference between the two lens, because the price of one is almost twice the price of the other.

 

[Paul Howell]

From Photo Cornucopia's list of enlarging lens. If you can find a Belar, it's 6 elements in 4 groups, the Anaret as mentioned is 4 elements in 3 groups. I use a lot of 4 element lens which do fine up to 11X14 inches, these lens were optimized for smaller to moderate size enlargements more typical of a home darkroom. I also have several 6 element lens that I use when printing 16X20. In general I think Meopta dont get the level of respect that they deserve. Of course buying used is a lottery.

Meopta Anaret 4.5/30 4-3 13x17 N M23.5x0.5 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 N M23.5x0.5 [17]
Meopta Anaret S 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 Y 4[24] M39x1 Square aperture [17][24]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/80 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22[22] 4-3 60x60 N 6[22] M23.5x0.5 [17][22]
Meopta Anaret S 4.5/80 4-3 60x60 Y M39x1 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/90 4-3 60x70 N M39x1 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/105 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22[23] 4-3 65x90 N 8[23] M39x1 [17][23]

Meopta Belar 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 N M23.5x0.5 c. 1964[96] [17][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/55 24x36 c. 1964 [96]

Meopta Belar 4.5/75 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 2 1/4"x2 1/4"
[96] N 4 M23.5x0.5 circa 1964 Square aperture [pc][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/105 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 2 1/4"x3 1/4"
[96] N 9 [26][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/180 5"x4" circa 1964 [96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/210 7"x5" circa 1964 [96]

 

[RLeal]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for all the information.
I'll take the risk

 

[Martin Rickards]

From Photo Cornucopia's list of enlarging lens. If you can find a Belar, it's 6 elements in 4 groups, the Anaret as mentioned is 4 elements in 3 groups. I use a lot of 4 element lens which do fine up to 11X14 inches, these lens were optimized for smaller to moderate size enlargements more typical of a home darkroom. I also have several 6 element lens that I use when printing 16X20. In general I think Meopta dont get the level of respect that they deserve. Of course buying used is a lottery.

Meopta Anaret 4.5/30 4-3 13x17 N M23.5x0.5 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 N M23.5x0.5 [17]
Meopta Anaret S 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 Y 4[24] M39x1 Square aperture [17][24]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/80 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22[22] 4-3 60x60 N 6[22] M23.5x0.5 [17][22]
Meopta Anaret S 4.5/80 4-3 60x60 Y M39x1 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/90 4-3 60x70 N M39x1 [17]
Meopta Anaret 4.5/105 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22[23] 4-3 65x90 N 8[23] M39x1 [17][23]

Meopta Belar 4.5/50 4-3 24x36 N M23.5x0.5 c. 1964[96] [17][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/55 24x36 c. 1964 [96]

Meopta Belar 4.5/75 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 2 1/4"x2 1/4"
[96] N 4 M23.5x0.5 circa 1964 Square aperture [pc][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/105 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 2 1/4"x3 1/4"
[96] N 9 [26][96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/180 5"x4" circa 1964 [96]
Meopta Belar 4.5/210 7"x5" circa 1964 [96]

The Meopta Belar lenses were Meopta's budget lenses. The Meogons were their quality 5-6 element designs.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello,

I'm a darkroom begginer and i'm looking for a 105mm lens for 6x9 negatives.
I've found this two (i think i can post links)
1 - https://kamerastore.com/product/meopta-105mm-f4-5-anaret-2/
2 - https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/meopta-meopta-anaret-enlarging-lens-105-mm.html

The second lens is a more recent lens?
Anyone has experience with Meopta lens? They are any good?

Thanks.

despite their lo price,Meopta lenses are excellent!

 

[RLeal]

despite their lo price,Meopta lenses are excellent!

Hello Ralph,

Thank you.

Is the most expensive lens (2) a more recent model? Is it worth the difference in price?

 

[titrisol]

Agreed, Meopta made very good enlargers and lenses at a very affordable price

The one from FotoImpex seems to be New Old Stock, while the KameraStore is used in condition 3.5/5
So it is up to you which one you buy. I'd buy the cheaper one and since you have 2wks guarantee period return it if you are not satisfied

 

[Neal]

Dear RLeal,

I would be shocked if there were any noticeable differences in the performance of the two lenses.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

 

[RLeal]

Thank you all for the advices.
I will buy it and test it, the best way to clear all the doubts.

 

[FotoD]

If you can find a Belar, it's 6 elements in 4 groups, the Anaret as mentioned is 4 elements in 3 groups.

The Belar is a Tessar type lens, like the Anaret and Anaret S. The Meogon is (mostly) 6/4.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yeah, I mixed up the 2, I have the Megon 50, have not used it much as I have 6 element Schneider 2.8. Also have Belar 75 4.5 which I dont use at all as my Wollensak 75 is a bit shaper. Both the Megon and Belar came with a Metopa enlarger which is storage, about ready to pull it out and swap with a LP 6700 that I for color, prefer the rangefinder feature on the Metopa and glass negative carrier for 35mm black and white.

 

[FotoD]

prefer the rangefinder feature on the Metopa and glass negative carrier for 35mm black and white.

I have one with an Anaret 4.5/75 I haven't used much. Do you find the rangefinder good enough to do without a grain finder? (sorry OP)

 

[Paul Howell]

I have one with an Anaret 4.5/75 I haven't used much. Do you find the rangefinder good enough to do without a grain finder? (sorry OP)

I do, very accurate, never figured out why other bands did not follow up with their own versions.

 

[FotoD]

Thanks, I will have to start using it.