Enlarging lens - question

Nancy · Mar 29, 2006

I'm a relatively inexperienced darkroom person, so forgive me if this is a dumb question. Finally I have my darkroom (aka bathroom) set up again after a shortlived side-trip into the digital world. I ran into a small problem tonight. Up until this time I have only printed from 35mm negatives. I'm now starting to print medium format and so picked up a Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f5.6 lens a while back on ebay. When I changed lenses on the enlarger, the lens will only mount with the f-stop numbers to the back so I can't see them. My 50mm lens (Componon) mounts okay and also clicks on the f-stops which the Rodagon doesn't. Am I doing something wrong? My enlarger is a Saunder/LPL D6700 if that helps.
I won't be home tomorrow but I'll check in tomorrow night to see if anyone has any advice. Thanks in advance.

Kevin Caulfield · Mar 29, 2006

Are you sure you can't rotate the lens around, even after it is tightened in place? I have the same enlarger, and a Nikkor lens, and the lens clicks into place but can still be turned around so that the numbers face the front.

Nancy · Mar 30, 2006

No. I just went and tried again, but it won't turn.

Curt · Mar 30, 2006

You may need a washer or even consider putting an O-Ring on instead of the washer. Since it's threaded you can't use a jam nut.

boyooso · Mar 30, 2006

Hi Nancy,

Can You rotate the lensboard 180 degrees?

I have some lenses that sometimes don't line up, I don't really bother to investigate why... I would recommend ignoring the visible gauge and use the number of clicks(as you stop the lens down) to determine what f/stop you are at. It might take a printing session or two to get used to it, but you will.

Good luck.

Corey

PS. I am not familiar with the Saunders lensboards... but if the lens attaches to a retaining ring, which in turn is attached to the lensboard, you could probably rotate the retaining ring to align the lens how you like.

Nancy · Mar 30, 2006

I'll have to check into the O-ring thing. I'll have my husband look and see if he can come up with something.
I don't think that I can turn the lensboard on this.
This lens doesn't have clicks like my 50mm does.
Thanks for your replies. I'll check back tomorrow night.

boyooso · Mar 30, 2006

Nancy said:
I'll have to check into the O-ring thing. I'll have my husband look and see if he can come up with something.
I don't think that I can turn the lensboard on this.
This lens doesn't have clicks like my 50mm does.
Thanks for your replies. I'll check back tomorrow night.

The Rodagon Lens does have click stops(at least the newer ones do), however it has a switch that can engage or disengage the clicks stops... take a look.

And Good LUck!

Corey

Paul Sorensen · Mar 30, 2006

We have a rodagon that disengages the click stops when you pull the barrel down (oriented as mounted on an enlarger). If you push it back up it will start clicking again.

John Koehrer · Mar 30, 2006

Nancy
Are you certain the lens doesn't have a switch to turn the clicks "on or off"?
My Rodagon doesn't but Componon does.
You could also stack a nylon washer (hardware store, plumbing dept) or two between lens & board to get the correct spacing.

Lee L · Mar 30, 2006

You could also stack paper or cardstock washers that you make yourself for finer control of the lens alignment to the front of the enlarger.

Lee

Ronald Moravec · Mar 30, 2006

Put a couple thickness of masking tape on the lens next to the threads to keep it from going in so far

Nancy · Mar 30, 2006

Paul, you solved the click dilemna! I was able to engage the clicks by pushing up on the lens barrel! I never would have figured that out by myself. When I get a chance I'll try your other suggestions of washers and tape to see if I can get the lens facing forward, but I'm not so concerned now that I can feel the 'clicks'. Thank you, thank you!
Just to add, last night was my first try at printing from medium format negatives and I'm on cloud nine. I can't wait to get some more free time to get in there and play!!

Enlarging lens - question

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