Faster lens for 35mm enlargment on Focomat Ic

[MMfoto]

Are there any enlarger lenses in the f/2.8 range that are "acceptable" wide open? I print on a Focomat Ic and occasionally run into too long exposure times with a 150W bulb, because of dense or intensified negatives, slow paper, and a slow lens (Focotar f/4.5) that I really only trust around f/5.6-f/8.

How is the 40mm Focotar wide open? Other candidates? I am more concerned with a flat field than ultimate sharpness....

I haven't tried using a PH213 250W bulb yet, but the PH212 150W gets pretty hot as it is and I'm a little concerned about heat buildup, especially during long exposures.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Well, with a brighter bulb you would have shorter exposures, so the heat build-up may be about equal. Regardless of the wide-open resolution of it, if you print with a faster enlarger lens wide open, you risk exposing every teeny-tiny mis-alignment in your whole enlarging chain, and it may be difficult to get edge-to-edge grain sharpness on this alone.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

You should be able to get an El-Nikkor f2.8 N for some 60$ on the 'bay or similar places, and they're worth every penny. I have one and used wide open it to print a thick 35mm neg on an 11x14, and there was nothing to complain about. Schneider Componon-S are as good, and run in the same price league when used, and in good condition.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Agree that 50 mm f2.8 El-Nikkor is fine wide open. Is your Focomat the design that lowers the condenser onto the top of the negative? If so, there should be no problem with negative flatness, but equally I wouldn't use an extra-large bulb, because with the condenser in contact with the neg, there's real risk of overheating.

Regards,

David

 

[Jim Jones]

My older 50mm f/2.8 Nikkors have some vignetting wide open, but appear fine at f/4. At that aperture they hold grain detail to the corners.