Focotar lenses

[MMfoto]

I have a Focomat Ic with the second version 50/4.5 Focotar lens(second, as in before the Focotar II which was the third version). I have noticed that I can't get corner to corner sharpness untill f/8. At f/5.6 I get a kind of smearing in the corners and in about a half inch into the short edges. I'm just wondering if the Focotar II has better corner sharpness at f/5.6(better field flatness?)than the earlier versions. Or more simply, are you happy with corner and edge sharpness with this lens at f/5.6. Thanks!

 

[Karl K]

I've used the Focatar first version and second 50/4.5 second version. Both were not particularly flat from edge to edge. Newer Coponons and Rodagons are better, IMHO.

 

[edz]

I have a Focomat Ic with the second version 50/4.5 Focotar lens(second, as in before the Focotar II which was the third version).

There were more than 3 versions of the 50mm Focotar.
I'll assume you mean the last version Focotar but not Focotar-II-- with the writing on the side like the Focotar 2? Its performance is like a good Componon (but more inner-series consistant).

I have noticed that I can't get corner to corner sharpness untill f/8. At f/5.6 I get a kind of smearing in the corners and in about a half inch into the short edges.

Does not sound right. Sure everything is well aligned etc? The optimal aperature on that is really around 5,6-8 but you should not be able to see with a loupe in any print the difference in corner sharpness.

I'm just wondering if the Focotar II has better corner sharpness at f/5.6(better field flatness?)than the earlier versions. Or more simply, are you happy with corner and edge sharpness with this lens at f/5.6. Thanks!

The Focotar-2 is really better. I got one for untangible reasons to go with my Focomat Ic not really expecting that much of a difference--- at the time I had a Elmar (Red Scale, not less) taking objective and a loaner Focotar--- so was somewhat amazed.. The Focotar-2 does really work well with the rest of the Ic optical system.

 

[Claire Senft]

I used to have a Focotar II. I had at that time a 1C and a V35. The FocotarII seemed at its best at f6.3. It was clearly superior to the 40mm Focotar.

 

[edz]

I used to have a Focotar II. I had at that time a 1C and a V35. The FocotarII seemed at its best at f6.3. It was clearly superior to the 40mm Focotar.

The 40mm Focotar only really works well in the V35 (although not anywhere near the Focotar-2/Focomat-Ic performance levels), with other optical systems (englargers) its worse.
I have a small collection of objectives and a few different enlargers and among the enlargers several different illumination systems (and my Durst covers the gambit from point-source to cold light) and find there are quite a bit of differences just how things perform. I don't want, in general, to say better or worse out of the context of system as highest resolution and sharpeness (an issue also of contrast and grain patterns and distribution) are not really what its always about (except when one is twiting about with resolution charts in a specifications tit for tat).
In a Focomat Ic there is no better objective than the Focotar-2 4,5/50 since it performs very well (I've found none better) and is consistent with the style of the enlarger as a design bit. Simply put it says "Leitz"... let us recall the legend that the largest selling spare part for Mercedes Benz autocars is the star.