Lens suitable for enlarging 8mm film?

I'm looking for a cost-effective lens that could get me reasonable size sharp enlargements from a Super 8 film frame.

Are there enlarger lenses aimed at this kind of film size? I would like to reach something like 9", or at least 6" across.

I'd rather do this then use a 50mm lens and project onto the wall.

The Minox film format is 8x11 mm. There is an enlarger for this format. You might be able to use one for making an enlargement from 8 mm movie film. AFAIK a 28mm lens used for 16mm Minolta negatives is the shortest focal length enlarger lens in standard mount.

In a few years old thread on the Minox 8x11 format I mentioned something I saw go by on ePrey and another APUGer responded with a link to info on "Enla" units. These typically mounted on a bigger enlarger via a 39mm thread, using the enlarger as a light source. At least some apparently had an additional condenser lens assembly. I now somewhat regret I didn't bid on the one I saw, and have to admit I've not seen one since. The ones shown at that site were for other subminis, but I suspect might work.

for a 9 inch wide print you would need 40X enlargement. For 6 inch wide you would need 26X enlargement.

Rodenstock Rogonar-S 25/F4.0 range 10X-30X (20X) covers 13mm x 17mm format. Mount M32.5 x 0.5
Rodenstock Rodagon 28/F4.0 range 5X-30X (20X) covers 18mm x 24mm format. Mount M32.5 x 0.5

With 25mm lens distance from film plane to print will be approx 950mm @ 40X enlargement
With 25mm lens distance from film plane to print will be approx 600mm @ 26X enlargement

With 28mm lens distance from film plane to print will be approx 1064mm @ 40X enlargement
With 28mm lens distance from film plane to print will be approx 674mm @ 26X enlargement

you need to add enlarger head height above film plane to see if you have enough space (if ceiling height is an issue).
You will need more enlarger height if you have cropped edge of film format even a small amount.

I have no idea how good results from these lenses will be but if your film frame is not critically sharp then print won't be. I think you can expect quite soft result due to magnification and enlarger alignment which should use glass top and bottom of film and be perfectly aligned.

Note: numbers in brackets were supposed to be the design optimum magnification.

Note: lenses originally supplied with M39 adapter so you might get lucky and find with it.

For Minox I use a 40mm HM APO Componon or a 25mm Rodenstock. The 40mm HM APO is a better lens (sharper and bigger image circle; centering the negative not as much of a problem), but the enlarger column needs to be much higher. I don't make prints of any of my 8mm because it is all reversal processed. Do you have a small enlarger? You should be able to get a 6" across print with a 50mm lens.

Thanks for all the info. You guys are a wealth of knowledge.

I have a couple of good Schneider lenses. One is 50mm and with my enlarger column I get a tiny image that really does not help me. I think it was about 3" across from memory.

I think it sounds like I need a 25mm or 28mm. But from what has been described, I really need to make sure it will fit my lens mount and the neg-lens distance is going to work. My mount is 39mm and is reversible on the Meopta, which might work to my advantage.

Rodenstock Rogonar-S 25 or those Elnas, perhaps?

BTW. I am processing my Super 8 as neg, so I have no problems with reversal printing. Just so you know, these are technical tests so I can evaluate my film processing/exposure before running off a whole roll.

So, I will start looking out on ebay.

Thank-you.

I printed from 8x11 by 38mm lens on small paper. 3x5 something size, keep forgetting exact numbers. It was with my small Vivitar enlarger and some unknown mask which came with Minox kit I purchased from original owner.

i think i was using a spare pentax taking lens (normal fl ) for enlarging 110 frames, i'll have to check the pile of enlarger lenses.

I've got something that may work... I had a group of these from some commercial printing equipment some years back. I played with the 105mm a bit, comparing to a Componon 100 that I was using at the time and I couldn't tell the prints apart. This was the shortest focal length at 35mm. The mount would be easy to attach to a board, I believe.

Anyway if you're in the CONUS, you're welcome to it for $10 which covers shipping. Actual to elsewhere. Better you playing with it than go back in my drawer here!

I'll watch for your WTB thread.

Old-N-Feeble said:

I'll watch for your WTB thread.

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LOL. I rekon the rogonar and rodagon are not too common in those focal lengths.

Wasn't intended to be funny. I just don't to receive a warning for posting or PMing an offer outside the classifieds section.

mr.datsun said:

TI really need to make sure it will fit my lens mount and the neg-lens distance is going to work. My mount is 39mm and is reversible on the Meopta, which might work to my advantage.

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Do you have the manual for your enlarger. Usually it tells the limits. If a 25mm lens is within the operating limits, it saves you from having to engineer something.

RE 39mm Leica thread: You can get a 39mm-25mm adapter off eBay for about $16 delivered.

craigclu said:

I've got something that may work... I had a group of these from some commercial printing equipment some years back. I played with the 105mm a bit, comparing to a Componon 100 that I was using at the time and I couldn't tell the prints apart. This was the shortest focal length at 35mm. The mount would be easy to attach to a board, I believe.

Anyway if you're in the CONUS, you're welcome to it for $10 which covers shipping. Actual to elsewhere. Better you playing with it than go back in my drawer here!

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Craig, thank-you for the kind offer. I'm going to try and hold out for shortest length i can get. I'll keep it in mind, though. What is the thread on that lens?

ic-racer said:

Do you have the manual for your enlarger. Usually it tells the limits. If a 25mm lens is within the operating limits, it saves you from having to engineer something.

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That was a good suggestion!

Found a scan on my hard drive. Seems that the Meopta had an option for a 4.5/30mm lens with neg holder, designed for 16mm enlargements. So that suggests I can use a 30mm, which might be enough for my needs. Their 30mm Anaret lens takes a 23.5 thread. And now, I think there may be spare lens board in the box. I'm going to have a look over the weekend in case it's a 23.5mm.

Old-N-Feeble said:

RE 39mm Leica thread: You can get a 39mm-25mm adapter off eBay for about $16 delivered.

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Thanks - another helpful idea!

Old-N-Feeble said:

Wasn't intended to be funny. I just don't to receive a warning for posting or PMing an offer outside the classifieds section.

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Subscribers can offer to sell anything that comes up in any thread.

Non-subscribers can offer to buy anything that comes up in any thread.

No one can try to get around the rules by pretending to do one thing, while they are actually doing another.

Thanks, Matt. I guess my recent warnings on LFPI have me gun-shy. Not that I understand what I've done differently than others there.

mr.datsun said:

Craig, thank-you for the kind offer. I'm going to try and hold out for shortest length i can get. I'll keep it in mind, though. What is the thread on that lens?

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It appears to be thread-locked into the mount. The cowling has 3 screw-mount holes (see pix). You might be better served with a shorter focal length anyway and the rig for 16mm mentioned might dial you in pretty well. Keep us posted on the project.

As Meopta enlargers are relatively movable, it might be practical to turn the column round (counterbalance the baseboard of course) and print off the edge of the table on to the floor. That would get you another 75cm or so in height, which might be enough with a 50mm lens.

In a junkshop I found a 25mm f3,5 lens, branded LPL, which had the lens elements recessed by about 40mm from the 39mm mounting thread. Presumably to enable focussing over a wider range of print sizes. Something like that should still be findable these days I'm sure.

Just to round this off, I have bought a 28mm lens from a member of this forum.

Whilst checking the lens's thread size I came across a neat side-effect of owning this lens – I could reverse-mount it on my old d70 and photograph the Super 8 frames directly, as well as printing them.

MartinP - I can swivel the column and with this lens I could theoretically get a much larger print. Thanks for the suggestion.


Thank-you for all the help to everyone who responded. APUG is a great place for advice and ideas.