Enlarger Lens Question

[teejay]

Hi - I have an LSL 7452 with a Rodentock 150mm lens - with this I can just about print a 16x20 with a 5x4 neg but the head is pretty much at the top of the column -hence no way of being able to focus and use a grain focuser. What size lens is recommended to allow me to print with the head at a more manageable height, say half way up ? Plus I'd like to print at 20x24 at some point, what would be the ideal focal length lens for printing at this size from a 5x4 neg ?

Thanks for help.

 

[Lachlan Young]

135mm Rodagon as a starting point, there are 120's from Schneider & Rodenstock, but they're harder to find & are really only optimised from 4x upwards. Even, so it may only make a few inches difference in head height.

What you really need is the LPL flexible focus extension to make operating the head easier when using a magnifier.

 

[teejay]

Thanks Lachlan - didn't realise there was such a thing as a flexible focus extension , just googled and they look like an excellent idea - think I will invest !

Ta

 

[shutterfinger]

Many enlargers allow the head to be mounted 180° to the baseboard. In such a configuration weights are placed on the baseboard with the print easel on a lower surface than the baseboard. Some enlargers allow the head to be rotated 90° left or right for large prints. If the enlarger does not allow 180° to the baseboard with the current column position then the column can often be remounted 180° to the baseboard.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Isn't there a focus extension available for that enlarger?

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

You can use a 120 mm wide angle enlarging lens, the WA Componon or the WA Rodagon (Eurygon). These will cover 4x5, and give you the same enlargement rate with the enlargement head at a lower height.

 

[voceumana]

The LPL remote focusing "wand" is a marvel of simplicity and usefulness. I wouldn't want to use my LPL without having it.

 

[Ian Grant]

I've used a 135mm Componon for many years, a similar Rodagon is equally as good, it makes a huge difference where height is an issue. My De Vere 5108 is floor standing so I have far less of an issue using my 150mm Rodagon when printing 5x4, but with 10x8 negatives the 300mm Componon is less fun, I've a 240mm now,

Ian