lens for 8 x 10 enlarger

Dan Dozer

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I'm in the process of putting together an 8 x 10 enlarger and am wondering about the lens(es) to look for. I've heard that the old process camera lenses should work well as enlarger lenses. I have a 355 G Claron - would that work OK? Do you think an APO Nikkor 240 mm lens or work or should I go with something larger than that. What should the "standard" size lens be for 8 x 10 negs?
 

Ian Grant

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The 355 Claron would be a nightmare, it's bad enough with a 300mm Comonon S, the 240mm Componon's, Rodagon's etc are designed & recommended to cover 10x8, the 240mm Nikkor should be similar.

With the 300mm the column height & bellows draw needed to print 1:1 is approx 1.2 metres as soon as you start to enlarge you need to drop the baseboard & have the head at the top of the column, this limits you and makes working difficult, with a 240mm it's easy far less height's needed (1:1 is only around 48cm neg to paper.)

Ian
 

Ian Grant

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You might look at the Rodenstok & Schneider figures.

I have a 210mm Componon and that only just fails to cover 10x8, while my 240mm Rodagon covers with room to spare as it's designed to be used as a 10x8 lens, as is the 240mm Componon S. You could also use a 240mm G Claron.

Ian
 
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Dan Dozer

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Robert Hall said:
What will you be using as an enlarger, Dan?
Click to expand...

I'm converting an 8 x 10 camera in to a horizontal enlarger. Still am working on a light source. I looked at converting my 5 x 7 enlarger to an 8 x 10, but I think there would be clearance problems and would not be able to raise the head high enough above the base board.
 

Rob Skeoch

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It also depends on the print size... since an 8x10 print needs so much bellows draw, you can get away with a short lens without getting ugly corners.
I use a Schneider 240 myself. It gives a nice working distance.
-rob
 
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