Do all enlarger lenses fit all enlargers?

E. von Hoegh · Aug 24, 2012

Does the lens have a locking ring? I've used a 6" lens on a D2 and 4x5 with no trouble.

Leigh B · Aug 24, 2012

Thomas Bertilsson said:
...bring out the calipers to see what the thread is.

To properly identify the thread you also need to know the pitch (the distance from one crest to the next).

It's probably 0.75mm, but no guarantee.

- Leigh

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 24, 2012

E. von Hoegh said:
Does the lens have a locking ring? I've used a 6" lens on a D2 and 4x5 with no trouble.

From what I can recall, yes there is a locking ring, but I'd have to double check. If there isn't, it might get tricky to find one...
If all else fails, I can always have someone machine a piece for me, with the correct thread, and hopefully then eliminate the need for the locking ring.
Thanks for confirming that 6" on a D2 will work.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 24, 2012

Leigh B said:
To properly identify the thread you also need to know the pitch (the distance from one crest to the next).

It's probably 0.75mm, but no guarantee.

- Leigh

I don't know how to find out the pitch, but it might not be necessary since I believe the lens came with the locking ring. I'd have to head home and into the darkroom to find out, though... Thanks for the tip.

Leigh B · Aug 24, 2012

OK. If you already have the ring then the pitch is irrelevant.

I checked the El-Nikkor catalog and the thread is in fact 53mm x 0.75mm. So you need a 53mm hole.

For future reference...
Pitch is normally measured with a gauge designed for the purpose. Relatively inexpensive, but not for a one-shot use.

- Leigh

RalphLambrecht · Aug 24, 2012

yes, i have a set of nikkor enlarging lenses with 50,63,80and 150mm focal length,hand have moved them between enlarger,which would accept 39mm thread beforeas long as you have the right focal length for the negative format, and as long as you have a lens with the proper thread for your enlarger, lenses are fully exchangable between enlarger, similar to large-format cameras and their lenses.

outwest · Aug 24, 2012

Thomas, the old 150 EL-Nikkor with the 53mm thread uses a flange instead of a locking ring. If you get an old timer at Nikon parts you can get the correct flange. By the way, I use mine for 5x7, something the newer ones won't do.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 24, 2012

outwest said:
Thomas, the old 150 EL-Nikkor with the 53mm thread uses a flange instead of a locking ring. If you get an old timer at Nikon parts you can get the correct flange. By the way, I use mine for 5x7, something the newer ones won't do.

Yeah, my lens doesn't have the ring, so something else must be worked out. I'll look around to see what I can find. Thanks for the info regarding 5x7. That's good to know if I ever get an enlarger for the full format.

Do all enlarger lenses fit all enlargers?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency