Is a 150mm enlarger lens enough to cover 5x7 negatives?

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I'm thinking of converting my Beseler 45MX into a 5x7 enlarger. Will my 150mm El Nikor lens cover a 5x7 negative? Thanks in advance!

 

[ic-racer]

Only for small enlargements. Look for a 210.

 

[Steve Goldstein]

The 180mm EL-Nikkor is also good for 5x7. I'm not sure about other makers' 180s, but some Nikon literature I have claims this one works for 5x7.

 

[outwest]

The old 150mm EL-Nikkor that uses the 53mm flange mounting will - at least mine does on my Omega E with an extended cone.

 

[bill@lapetelabs.com]

You may have to get an 8x10 conversion kit to cover the 5x7 format and yes a 210mm would be necessary to get full coverage on a 5x7 negative!

 

[Ian C]

Using enlarging lenses for larger negatives than they were designed for sometimes “works” after a fashion at smaller print sizes. I’ve “cheated by using a 75/4 EL Nikkor to make 8” x 10” prints from 6 x 7cm negatives, but I can’t increase the magnification much larger before the corners darken too much or get cut off.

The original 150/5.6 and the newer 150/5.6A EL Nikkors are specifically made as 4” x 5” format lenses. At smaller print sizes the lens might “see” the entire image rectangle and project it onto enlarging paper, but the quality of the projection of the corner region of the negative might lack the definition demanded for excellence. The corners might also display some light falloff as print size is increased.

According to the Nikon data I have, the original 150/5.6 projects 54 degrees and will cover a negative of up to 190mm diagonal.

The newer 150/5.6A (f = 149.6mm) projects 51 degrees and covers a maximum film diagonal of 180mm.

The diagonal of the image rectangle of a 5” x 7” negative is about 210mm, but can vary depending on the dimensions of the film window for a particular make of film holder.

You could try the lens you have to see if makes acceptable prints at the magnification you want. The 180mm and 210mm EL Nikkors (both versions) are specifically designed as 5” x 7” enlarging lenses and will make excellent enlargements over their intended 2X-4X(optimum)-8X magnification range. Most lenses of 180mm to 210mm are designed for the 5” x 7” format.

 

[Jeff Searust]

go for 210 or 300mm

I am building an enlarger for 6x17mm panoramas with a 300mm lens and it works wonderfully--- these negs are 7 inches long.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Here's a picture of a 5x7 conversion. The box seems to be a manufactured product.

 

[ic-racer]

Here is a 210mm Eskofot Ultragon for $48. It would make a fantastic enlarging lens. I have a 305 Eskofot I occasionally use for 8x10 enlarging.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=83784

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Never heard of the lens before until now. Since its a process lens, I would think its sharp. It's used for process cameras in the printing industry right?

 

[Curt]

The old 150mm EL-Nikkor that uses the 53mm flange mounting will - at least mine does on my Omega E with an extended cone.

Mine does too, the older model that's made of metal.