Enlarger lens comparison Componon vs Rodagon

optique · Nov 5, 2008

split off from former lens and board thread.

I am hoping to get these Beseler 45 enlarger lens from KEH (they have been honest before) :

150mm5.6 Componon s at 215.00usd
150mm 5.6 Rodagon at 159.00usd

could someone please comment on the Componon vs Rodagon quality and prices.

TIA
steve.

jeroldharter · Nov 5, 2008

Both are excellent. I would lean Rodagon based on my purely subjective experience but I doubt I could tell them apart is tested.

The prices are high (compared to the used market liek Ebay) but you are buying from a reputable dealer and for those prices I assume that the lenses are in pristine condition. To give you a sense of scale, I bought a Beseler 45MXT enlarger, 45S Dichroic light source, and a 3 lens turret loaded with a 50, 80, and 135 Nikkor lenses (pristine) for $250 but I was patient and lucked out.

craigclu · Nov 5, 2008

I've used multiple examples of each of these and I'll echo Jerold's comments. It's a coin flip....

Chazzy · Nov 5, 2008

For some reason the Rodagons seem to go for less on eBay than the Componon-S lenses. Apparently some people are convinced that the Componon-S is superior, but I highly doubt it.

Martin Aislabie · Nov 6, 2008

I have used both - and couldn't tell them apart.

There is more variation in individual lenses than between the makes.

If they offer a return if not satisfied policy, go with the Rodenstock and then carefully check it for focus shift when stopping down and evenness of focus across the negative plane.

If it passes you have an excellent enlarging lens that will outperform almost anything you ask of it.

Martin

nworth · Nov 8, 2008

Most Componons and Rodagons are quite comparable and similar in performance. I note that you specify that one lens is a Componon-S, but only say "Rodagon" for the other. The Componon-S is Schneider's standard professional quality lens. Unfortunately, there are Rodagons and there are Rodagons. For a while Rodenstock made some cheap lenses that were labeled as Rodagons but were not up to the performance of their more expensive brothers. You don't often find these, but you need to watch out for them. The APO-Rodagon and Rodagon-G lenses are definitely superior, and almost all straight Rodagons are excellent.

Nicholas Lindan · Nov 8, 2008

nworth said:
For a while Rodenstock made some cheap lenses that were labeled as Rodagons.

I thought these were called Rogonar-S (Tessar) and Rogonar (Cooke Triplet). Schneider had much the same in the Comparon and Componar. I always wondered at this sort of naming strategy, it almost seems designed to allow camera stores to sell cheap lenses at high prices to the unwary.

nworth · Nov 8, 2008

Nicholas Lindan said:
I thought these were called Rogonar-S (Tessar) and Rogonar (Cooke Triplet). Schneider had much the same in the Comparon and Componar. I always wondered at this sort of naming strategy, it almost seems designed to allow camera stores to sell cheap lenses at high prices to the unwary.

You're probably right.

Enlarger lens comparison Componon vs Rodagon

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