Lens for 6x9 Printing: 105mm vs 150mm - One Has to Go. Which One?

[ozphoto]

I'm downsizing some gear and have both a 105mm f4.5 and 150mm f5.6 Schneider lens, but am no longer heading in the direction of 5x4.

The 105mm is a fantastic older lens that has performed admirably for my 6x7 and 6x9 negs. The 150mm is also a great lens, but I'm thinking it's overkill; I print to 11x14" maximum on occasion, but the bulk of my work is 8x10".

So my dilemma is:

• offload the 105mm?
• offload the 150mm?
• keep both "just in case"?
• keep both, use only the 105 but feel good saying "I have a 150mm and it's awesome!!"

I have an LPL 4x5 head as well that's going, but would prefer to sell it sans lens, as I figure people would be more interested in the 150mm as a standalone item, rather than having to buy an enlarger head they don't need.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Brickbats?

 

[MattKing]

I'm guessing you are referring to enlarging lenses.
Just a reminder.
A 150mm enlarging lens will give you a smaller print than a 105mm enlarging lens.
I use longer lenses when it is more convenient to have greater distance between the easel and the lens - e.g. for postcards.
For me, I would keep the 150mm. If you are unsure, offering it as an available option with the head might improve the desirability of the head.

 

[ozphoto]

Hehe, @MattKing - yes. I've updated the title; Sunday chillout session is a little too chilled out!!

Hmm, some food for thought there, Matt - thanks. With regard to the head itself, it's wall-mountable only, so not so ideal for anyone who isn't able to fit it to a sturdy wall. Sadly the studio I got it from ditched the column and the actual wall attachments and instead attached the head to a large board, which they then screwed to the wall. Still not fully understanding why they did this - but I guess they had their (crazy??) reasons for doing so.

 

[calebarchie]

@ozphoto I have been looking for a ≥ 4x5 enlarger kit in Australia for a while now with no luck. Looking for one to wall mount for my project (see signature) but they seem very scarce in this part of the world. Unfortunately they are just too bulky and awkward to freight in, would you happen to know where I could find one?

Bests,
Caleb

 

[MattKing]

Sadly the studio I got it from ditched the column and the actual wall attachments and instead attached the head to a large board, which they then screwed to the wall. Still not fully understanding why they did this - but I guess they had their (crazy??) reasons for doing so.

They may have had some sort of easily adjustable drop table underneath it. Which actually can be a good way to work, because it makes for a really compact and stable setup.

 

[ozphoto]

Caleb, just sent you a PM.

 

[ozphoto]

They may have had some sort of easily adjustable drop table underneath it. Which actually can be a good way to work, because it makes for a really compact and stable setup.

Sounds plausible - I was going to do similar, but my direction has changed and it's really no longer suitable for what I'm doing and I can't be bothered to rejig the darkroom again to use it.

 

[ic-racer]

If the lenses are new-version modern multicoated six-element lenses, I'd keep both! If they are older or have less then perfect optics they are probably not worth the trouble of trying to sell.