Enlarger lens

cerber0s · Dec 8, 2020

I'll eventually need a new lens for my enlarger as the one I've got shows signs of fungus. I guess it wasn't really top notch to start with anyway, it's an Emitar/S 80mm f4.5

There are some used el-nikkors around and I've got my eye on a 80mm f5.6 for around $85. Would that be a decent replacement?

halfaman · Dec 8, 2020

The Emitar is 4 elements lens and the Nikkor is 6 elements, so the latter is better corrected and gives better results. That is the theory but really depends on the aperture and amount of enlargenment you are using to see a noticiable improvement.

ic-racer · Dec 8, 2020

Good enlarger lenses are getting harder to find. Last year I replaced 3 of my Durst lenses and discovered clean lenses were few and far between in the focal lengths I needed. If the Nikkor is clean, then $85 is a good price.

You can try to take your existing lens apart and clean it. If the fungus has not yet damaged the coating, you might be able to clean it.

BSP · Dec 8, 2020

@cerber0s I can let you have a nice Schneider Kreutznach Componon S 80mm for your best offer plus postage. Send me DM if interested.

cerber0s · Dec 8, 2020

BSP said:
@cerber0s I can let you have a nice Schneider Kreutznach Componon S 80mm for your best offer plus postage. Send me DM if interested.

Thanks, that's tempting but I think those are more than I'd be willing to spend on one

Jesper · Dec 8, 2020

Since you are in Sweden, why not take a look at the LPfoto auction (lpfoto.se) this weekend. They have a whole bunch of enlarger lenses at the web auction on Sunday (the second auction a bit down on the page). All the lots from 786 to 804 are enlarger lenses.

cerber0s · Dec 8, 2020

Jesper said:
Since you are in Sweden, why not take a look at the LPfoto auction (lpfoto.se) this weekend. They have a whole bunch of enlarger lenses at the web auction on Sunday (the second auction a bit down on the page). All the lots from 786 to 804 are enlarger lenses.

Sweet! I didn't know that, thank you!

BSP · Dec 8, 2020

cerber0s said:
Thanks, that's tempting but I think those are more than I'd be willing to spend on one

I only paid about €50 for it last year and I am not looking to make a profit in any way.
Then again I don't really know what the postage will be.

cerber0s · Dec 8, 2020

BSP said:
I only paid about €50 for it last year and I am not looking to make a profit in any way.
Then again I don't really know what the postage will be.

Oh, I thought they were more expensive than that. The postage from The Netherlands shouldn't be much at all. I'll give this some serious consideration and get back to you!

Enlarger lens

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