Enlarger Lens Adapter..

Elizabeth92 · May 18, 2016

I've finally pulled all my dark room gear out the cupboard, where it had been stored after a few failed attempts at setting it up! I have a Hansa Prima 6x6 enlarger, and a Schneider Kreuznach Componar 1:4/50 enlarger lens. I need an adapter to get them to fit together, but I've got no idea what size? Based on a ruler measurement the lens holder thingy is 42mm and the lens itself is 25mm, but the only adapter I can find for this size specifies for a certain brand (krokus) only.. presumably that's for a different size thread or something? Does anyone know off the top of their head, or perhaps there's a chart or something that could shed some light??
I would super appreciate any help!

Zathras · May 18, 2016

Hi Elizabeth. Most enlargers used a m39, AKA Leica Screw Mount lens mount if the lens screwed directly into the enlarger. There are adapters available on ebay.
I'm posting two links to give you an idea of the adapter I think you're looking for.t This is not an endorsement, if the mods feel this is inappropriate feel free to delete the links.

25 mm to 39mm M39 LTM adapter for enlarging lens

http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-mm-to-39...382330?hash=item33ab6d0b3a:g:8LkAAOSwstxU-Xks
NEW SCHNEIDER 25mm TO LEICA 39mm SCREW MOUNT ADAPTER ENLARGING LENS CONVERTER

Hope this helps...

tedr1 · May 18, 2016

I think what's needed is 25mm to 42mm, the adapter required will have a female 25mm thread and a male 42mm thread. Ebay.com has a lot of this type of item listed, it may be necessary to search for "lens adapter" and then scan the listings for the one that is needed.

Hilo · May 18, 2016

Your lens is for 135 film. Is that enlarger good for both 135 and 6X6?

Is it the same as this one?: Dead Link Removed

If yes, I can ask the seller if there's anything in the manual with regards to the lenses and adapter . . .

Ronald Moravec · May 18, 2016

25 39 was the usual adapter. Measure the opening in the lens plate. 25 mm per inch 1.56 " = 39 mm or just use a mm ruler

Hilo · May 18, 2016

Ronald Moravec said:
25 39 was the usual adapter. Measure the opening in the lens plate. 25 mm per inch 1.56 " = 39 mm or just use a mm ruler

and when it is 39, you could consider getting a good M39 enlarger lens (EL Nikkor 50mm, Componon-S 50mm, Minolta CE 50mm and on and on)

Arvee · May 18, 2016

Hilo said:
and when it is 39, you could consider getting a good M39 enlarger lens (EL Nikkor 50mm, Componon-S 50mm, Minolta CE 50mm and on and on)

+1. The Componar is an inexpensive 3 el lens for small prints. The Comparon (4 el) and the Componon (6 el) are better choices and are readily available in 39mm thread.

Nige · May 18, 2016

Fred Aspen said:
...are readily available in 39mm thread.

maybe not in NZ!

RauschenOderKorn · May 19, 2016

If you have a 42mm lensboard, you might be able to get 2 adapters 25->39 and 39-42.

Or maybe you can find a different lensboard for your enlarger. The standard lensboard today is a 39 mm with a huge variety of lenses available - 25mm, 42mm and 50mm lensboards usually are available but non-Standard, with less variety of lenses on the market. The only 42mm lens I ever saw on an enlarger actually was a Tessar camera lens. This was not very conventional, but it worked.

On the other hand, two adapters or a lensboard or a different lens will probably cost you more than a "new" used enlarger bundle on ebay including some lenses and a lot of other stuff coming with it.

chrisaisenbrey · May 24, 2016

I recently received an adapter from a Portuguese company:
http://www.customphototools.com/
to connect a Apo-Ronar 150mm to a Durst lens board: (26.5mm to 39mm).
I’m quite pleased with the quality. (I took the brass version)
However you have to know exactly the size and pitch you need.
BTW: I want to use the Apo-Ronar for color separations, since it has a slit to insert filters into the center of the lens.

RauschenOderKorn · May 24, 2016

Another sourcing option might be:

http://www.rafcamera.com/en/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=m42

chrisaisenbrey said:
BTW: I want to use the Apo-Ronar for color separations, since it has a slit to insert filters into the center of the lens.

I think you are confusing the Apo-Ronar and the Rogonar-SC. The Rogonar-SC has a filter slit which allows the insertation of special filters into the lens.

chrisaisenbrey · May 24, 2016

RauschenOderKorn said:
I think you are confusing the Apo-Ronar and the Rogonar-SC. The Rogonar-SC has a filter slit which allows the insertation of special filters into the lens.

No I’m referring to the process lens apo-ronar. They are equipped with a slit for filters if they are barrel-mounted. (I guess the shutter mounted Apo-ronars don’t have this feature). But a Rogonar-SC might be another option.

RauschenOderKorn · May 25, 2016

Sounds very interesting, I have never seen an Apo-Ronar with a filter slit. Would you mind sharing a picture with us?

chrisaisenbrey · May 26, 2016

RauschenOderKorn said:
Sounds very interesting, I have never seen an Apo-Ronar with a filter slit. Would you mind sharing a picture with us?

Here are some pictures of my 150mm ronar. The slit is difficult to see. I’ve inserted a piece of paper to actually show the slit. There is a small lever which opens the slit. (red arrow). You find sometimes the longer wavelength of the ronars with the filters on the big auction site.
For my lens I still have to make some filter holder.

BTW: the shining brass thing under the lens is the adapter for M39.

ac12 · May 26, 2016

Ideally, you would find a 39mm or 25mm lens board/plate. But failing that . . .

I could not find a 42mm to 25mm step down adapter.
So you may have to do it with 2 adapters; 42mm->39mm + 39mm->25mm.

Personally, I would use a 42mm->39mm adapter, then just get and use lenses with a 39mm mounting thread.

Here is a 42mm->39mm step down adapter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-42-39mm...ns-mount-Step-Down-Ring-Adapter-/120931934903
There were several on eBay.

For the 39mm->25mm step down, see the adpaters that Zathras posted.

John Koehrer · May 26, 2016

Is the 42mm hole the threaded or not?
If not, that's normal for a 39mm threaded lens. Ya gotta have a little slack.

If it is threaded, oh boy.

Elizabeth92 · May 27, 2016

Hilo, Yes it is the same enlarger! That would be great if you could ask, I've actually really been struggling to find an instruction manual anywhere online..maybe I should ask them for a scanned copy before the sell it!
I think the enlarger is for 135 film as well, not 6x6... I hope!

Elizabeth92 · May 27, 2016

ac12, yes unfortunately my lensboard seems to be well and truly stuck in place.. the screws are not budging! So I think two adapters might be the way to go and I'll look at a better lens with 39 thread once I've got myself up and going.. Thanks for your advice!

RalphLambrecht · May 27, 2016

Hilo said:
and when it is 39, you could consider getting a good M39 enlarger lens (EL Nikkor 50mm, Componon-S 50mm, Minolta CE 50mm and on and on)

the EL Nikons are highly recommended

ac12 · May 27, 2016

E,
First check what John mentioned. Is the hole for the lens on the enlarger threaded or smooth?
- If it is threaded, then you would need the adapter.
- If it is smooth, then things become more difficult, as you need access to the back of the lens board to secure retaining ring on the lens or adapter.

The cost of the 39mm->25mm adapter is a significant way to buying a decent used 50mm/f2.8 lens with a 39mm mounting thread. So unless you have several 25mm lenses, I would just pay a bit more and get a lens with a 39mm mount. Actually 50mm/2.8 lenses with 39mm mounts sold on eBay for $12 on up. So you could get a lens for the price of the adapter.

gone · May 27, 2016

I gave up on all this stuff when I found myself w/ several different lenses, all w/ different threads, none of which matched my lens board(s). It was the work of an hour (don't have the right tools so it went slow) to fashion some lens boards from different things (doubled up plastic jar lids, mat boards, etc).

I didn't have retaining rings and didn't feel like biking to the hardware store for something made out of plastic or fiber that could be self threaded on, so I made the holes in the boards a little too small and self threaded the lenses into , held them on top side w/ another cut out plastic jar lid w/ a snug size hole. A little black acrylic paint applied liberally on everything sealed things up, and makes it possible to get them out if I want to later. They look better than the photos now because I glued black felt to the back to avoid reflections. All I used was paint, a brush, the above materials and a small screwdriver, a few screws and some scissors (to cut the jar lid boards and jam nuts).

ac12 · May 27, 2016

momus,
And it did not cost you $50 for each of the darn lens boards.

RauschenOderKorn · May 30, 2016

chrisaisenbrey said:
Here are some pictures of my 150mm ronar. The slit is difficult to see. I’ve inserted a piece of paper to actually show the slit. There is a small lever which opens the slit. (red arrow). You find sometimes the longer wavelength of the ronars with the filters on the big auction site.
For my lens I still have to make some filter holder.

BTW: the shining brass thing under the lens is the adapter for M39.

Thank you very much for sharing, very interesting!

Enlarger Lens Adapter..

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