How many enlarging lenses do YOU have??

RalphLambrecht · Jun 19, 2016

canvassy said:
Just two. A 50mm EL-NIkkor 2.8 and a 75mm Fujinon. I could use one for 6x9 though.

for that ,I recommend the 105mm EL Nikkor

miha · Jun 19, 2016

Two El-Nikkors and two Dursts. Nikkors were purchased new many moons ago, Dursts came in a bundle with a 4x5 enlarger I bought last year.

removed account4 · Jun 19, 2016

twin nikons for 35mm, a 135 and 150 for 4x5 ( i use the 150 sometimes as a taking lens on a speed graphic )
a tiny one ( can't remember the FL ) for enlarging 110 and 8mm frames ) and a 210 for 5x7 film. and a meniscus lens for doing enlarged soft focus stuff.
the only one that is redundant is the 2nd 50mm el-nikon, ive had it for 35 years and never used it.
i don't collect enlargerlenses as much as i do other stuff.

ic-racer · Jun 19, 2016

I have about 13 or 14. Not sure why I took this picture, maybe just to show the boxes in which some were packaged.

mshchem · Jun 19, 2016

Mick Fagan said:
If that weird 90 Apo Rodogon lens is the 90 Apo Rodagon N, you are a very lucky person. Firstly, they are very rare, very few sold, secondly, they are very good and exceedingly sharp. I used one of them for reproduction work enlargements and for making enlarged colour print film transparencies from C41 colour negative film. I don't believe there was ever a better made enlarging lens by any manufacturer than that lens.

As for my own enlarging lenses, I run 50, 100 and 150 Schneider Componon S lenses. They are extremely fast and efficient to use, especially the 50 and 100 with their pre-set aperture control lever.

Mick.

Alas mine doesn't have an N on the barrel, externally it looks the same, has Berkey Marketing sticker, Apo-Rodagon 90mm f/4, Rodenstock cat.no.. 7509001 made in West Germany. Looks almost like wide angle lens, has a huge rear lens element. I've had it for several years probably should try it.
Best Regards Mike

chip j · Jun 19, 2016

ic-racer said:
I have about 13 or 14. Not sure why I took this picture, maybe just to show the boxes in which some were packaged.

OH BABY!! You have the Komuranon S!! DON'T you think it's Swell??

jjphoto · Jun 19, 2016

chip j said:
... I have a Spiratone Resomax & a Matrix, both 50mm 2.8s. Bet you never heard of those! ..

I have the Resomax, yet to try it too.

B.J.Scharp · Jun 21, 2016

Two that I use: a Componon-S 2.8/50mm for 35mm and a Componon-S 4.0/80mm for 6x6

There are some three- and four-element lenses in the attic, which came with the enlargers, but they are just there in case I ever need to sell an enlarger.

darkroom_rookie · Jun 21, 2016

About 15 that get frequent use, if often just to soak up the projection image. It's a learning device almost as much as observing and judging prints. Let's see... tiny 35 Rodagon, 40 and 60 Hoya ELs, 60 and 120 WA Rodagons, 80 WA Componon, two 50 and 80 sets (EL-Nikkors, CE-Rokkors), 105 Rodagon + Rodagon-G, a NOS/BNIB 150 Rodagon, 165 JML that I modded to open to f6, three 180 Rodagons of different vintage, older 210 Rodagon, 210 Repromaster (f9.25 type) and a 210 Rodagon-G. Plus a few that I'm yet to finish the 8x10 enlarger for (240 and 270 Repromasters, 300 and 350 Apo-Ronars). I also have a recent-type 135 Rodagon with badly damaged/fogged glass that gives a uniquely veiled low-contrast image that is actually properly sharp underneath. That would be it.

Dali · Jun 21, 2016

Komuranon-S 3.5/50mm for 35mm negatives.
Meopta Meogon 5.6/80mm for MF.

John51 · Jun 21, 2016

Zathras said:
I'm not gonna say, except that I seem to have accumulated about 15 Kodak Enlarging Ektars! Plus a bunch of lenses from the usual suspects, including EL-Nikkors, Componons, Rodagons, Minolta, Wollensak, Elgeet and Leitz.

I've recently bought a Kodak Medalist II. What would have been the preferred enlarging lens back in 1946?

BobMarvin11225 · Jun 21, 2016

I imagine that Kodak Projection Ektars would have been the best enlarging lenses made in 1946.

payral · Jun 21, 2016

In use: one for each format (50, 80, 100, 135, 150 and 180) all Componon-S. They work fine.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 21, 2016

I have many... some good, some average, some below average quality and of various focal lengths. Most are left over from my buying/selling days that I don't do too much of anymore. I'll likely only keep one 150mm for enlarging 6x12cm and 4x5 and that's only if I can build a darkroom soon.

jjphoto · Jun 21, 2016

John51 said:
I've recently bought a Kodak Medalist II. What would have been the preferred enlarging lens back in 1946?

Probably the Enlarging/Projection Ektar 4.5/4" (100mm) which covered 2 1/4"x3 1/4", otherwise Enlarging Ektanon 4.5/5 3/8" (135mm) which covered 3 1/4"x4 1/4". The Ektanon is a lesser (Tessar) lens than the Ektar 100 which is a Dialyte. See http://photocornucopia.com/1061.html for a list of Kodak enlarging lenses of that period.

DREW WILEY · Jun 21, 2016

I lost count. I've acquired all kinds of em through horse trades, or outright free with donated lab or print shop equipment (which generally got tossed once I cannibalized the lenses and easels etc), or outright purchase. I've sold off all kinds of older enlarging lenses, and have kept maybe a dozen of the really good ones.

chip j · Jun 21, 2016

I got a free excellent Schneider-made Focotar w/a Valoy 2 I bought--$117 for it, incl. shipping!

Zathras · Jun 21, 2016

John51 said:
I've recently bought a Kodak Medalist II. What would have been the preferred enlarging lens back in 1946?

I have the 100mm Kodak Enlarging Ektar, but mine is from 1947. It is an outstanding lens and would be the perfect complement to the lens on your Medalist. It seems that Kodak made an awful lot of lenses back in 1947, and a high percentage of the Ektar lenses I have seen were made in '47.

Andre Noble · Jun 21, 2016

Eight

Two 50 Apo Rodagons, An 80 Rodagon (non Apo version, the softest of bunch), Two 90 Apo Rodagon N, An 105 Apo Rodagon N, A 135 Rodagon, A 150 Schneider Componon S, and a 120 Nikon AM for small magnification enlargements. (I have not actually tried the Nikon yet, but its mounted and ready!)

All but the Rodenstock 80 are superb. I have used even this "soft" 80 with success, however.

Luis-F-S · Jun 22, 2016

chip j said:
I use them ALL, flitting from one to the other as the spirit moves me. I like change. Have yet to try them.

I like consistency

chip j · Jun 22, 2016

Variety is the spice of life.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 22, 2016

Too many spices can spoil the recipe.

chip j · Jun 22, 2016

Yeah, but I only use 1 spice at a time.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 22, 2016

Ha ha... touche'

Thomas Bertilsson · Jun 22, 2016

One for each format, 35mm half frame, 35mm, 6x6, 6x9, and 4x5.

How many enlarging lenses do YOU have??

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency