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How many enlarging lenses do YOU have??

Too many, three for two enlargers and four for the other . . . and a few spares. Need to sell the spares.
 
The Schneiders were OK. Just OK. I don't have any experience with the HM series, which competes with the Apo Rodagons.
 
Since this thread started a year ago I sold a few lenses, but I have more now than I had back then even after selling a few. I think I am in the 15 range.

I swear they multiply like rabbits when you aren't looking.
 
Well I have 50mm f/2.8, 80mm f/5.6, and 105mm f/5.6 EL Nikkors for my 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 stuff, used on my Omega B-8. I also have a 105mm f/4.5 "Kodak Projection Anastigmat" and a 150mm Rodagon which I'm not sure when or why they appeared.

Most recently, >> ta-da! << a Mamiya 16 "ENLAHEAD" which replaces a regular enlarger lens and supplies a condenser and film carrier stage to do subminature enlargements, using the main enlarger for mechanical support and a light source. At 8x11mm. the Minox negative frame is a bit smaller then a Mamiya 16 but the rig appears to work. The lens is f/3.5 but I've not seen the focal length anywhere -- educated guess is around 20mm and it's not important enough to worry about it.
 

I just got one too but mine hasnt arrived yet. excited to try it. focal length seems to be around 25mm http://www.subclub.org/darkroom/enlas.htm
 
Craig75 said:
I just got one too but mine hasnt arrived yet. excited to try it. focal length seems to be around 25mm http://www.subclub.org/darkroom/enlas.htm
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Ah yes, thanks for that link -- was there a long time ago but forgot about it. The lens barrel on mine is gray like the unit in the upper left. The carrier looks like the one below that. I've tried one enlargement from some Delta 100 and had a devil of a time trying to use my grain focuser -- "some day" I need to figure that out. Actually I have some shots of it online and note I had apparently discovered the focal length was 25mm back then, forgot I did that. I doubt I'll be doing much with it, but now and then I have these GAS attacks . . .
 

ahh thats one I wanted but never see them in UK so I ended up with a later black one. Nice print - thats come out well. I was using a 16mm negative carrier and minolta 30mm lens but I only have a diffusion set up and enlargements were coming out a bit woolly so Im assuming a condenser will toughen up prints a bit. Ive only used a minolta 16ii for months on end so hopefully it will get used a lot unless whimsy sets in.

Nice set up!
 
RalphLambrecht said:
one for each format; nobody needs more.
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...or two or more. It depends on enlargement ranges, doesn't it? Of course, this doesn't consider other optical characteristics that some folks prefer.
 
RalphLambrecht said:
one for each format; nobody needs more.
Click to expand...

I used to think like that, but I made a few enlargements with a 50's Elmar a few months ago of some portraits and even though the lens isn't as sharp as the modern lenses I have, it made significantly better prints for that purpose.

Also, lenses are optimized for different enlargement sizes. Japanese lenses like the Fujinon and Minoltas are optimized in the 15x range whereas the German lenses are optimized in the 8-10x range. Not to mention the "g" lenses Schneider and Rodenstock made which were optimized for over 20x.

Then let's not forget using a longer lens to avoid head banging on small prints. When I make small prints from 35mm on my Saunders 4x5 I typically use a 100/135.
 
Yes, I have an Elmar, too--every lens is a different trip!
 
Many:

50 mm: an f/4 El Nikkor, an f/2.8 Nikkor, an f/ 2.8 Meogon S, an f /4 Componar, and now an f/2.8 Nikkor Chinese made; the last 2 came with enlargers I bought used.

75mm Componar (came with enlarger)

80 mm: f/5.6 Nikkor, Meogon S

105mm: Comparon, Nikkor, Fuji ES (last came with enlarger)

135mm: Nikkor, Fuji ES (came with enlarger)

150mm: Comparon, Rodagon

180mm: Rodagon

210mm: Comparon

I bought the 150 Comparon used and it is, perhaps, my favorite lens.
 
Two enlargers, an LPL 45 and a hacked Zone VI 810 with a Keinzle head.

45 / 50 (x3) / 60 / 90 / 100 / 135 / 150 / 210 / 240 (x2) / 300 / 360

That makes 14. Use em all.
 
I have a 40mm f4, 50mm f2.8, 90mm 5.6, 135mm something or other that ive never used, and a 150mm . Honestly The 50mm and 150mm get used the most. I mostly shoot 35mm or 4x5. Only 120 camera I own is not really fitting my current workflow.
 
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