lens ... which size to get???

My meopta anaret 80mm has finally given up the ghost. I was amazed at how sharp and effective this lens was considerring I only paid about £50 for it brand new. But now I see why it was so cheap, it's construction wasnt that good.

So, I am now in a bit of a quandry. I need a good MF lens and am tending towards a rodenstock. I mainly shoot 6x6 but do have a couple of 6x9 camera's that I would like to print from occasionally and have been putting off buying a 105mm for a while. SO, would there be any reason I cant use the 105 for both 6x6 and 6x9 (other than the obvious higher enlarger setting) or do people recommend using a seperate 80mm for 6x6 and a 105mm for 6x9?

any advice would be well recieved - cheers!

I use a 105 Rodagon for 6x6 (came with my 1st "serious" enlarger). To give you some idea, I can get 19"x19" with the head at 1m from the easel from the full 6x6 frame. The AC1200 has a longer column but I'd need to cut a hole in the ceiling...

Bob.

P.S. Quite a few people seem to prefer using a slightly long lens for a particular format as it means you use more of the centre of the lens. No idea if this is a valid argument or not - I just use the 105 because that's what I've got...

thanks Bob ... does anyone know if I might have problems using a 105mm with the condensers in my enlarger ( a meopta opemus 6) which is only designed for 35mm to 6x6 printing? I'll check this with meopta next week - but if anyone can help out now, that would be great.

cheers

Condensors I doubt will cause any problems. Do you have enough bellows? That might be an issue. Measure how far they'll extend from the negative stage. To focus smallish prints you'll need more.

Leon said:

thanks Bob ... does anyone know if I might have problems using a 105mm with the condensers in my enlarger ( a meopta opemus 6) which is only designed for 35mm to 6x6 printing? I'll check this with meopta next week - but if anyone can help out now, that would be great.

Click to expand...

Leon,

With the Opemus, you simply cannot print from 6X9 negatives; if you want to stay with the Meopta stable, get a Magnifax.

The Nikkor 105 is also a nice lens...and can be found from time to time at a nice price. I use one with the Beseler (23C II and 45) so coverage is not a problem.

Sorry about the lens...

Bob F. said:

The AC1200 has a longer column but I'd need to cut a hole in the ceiling...

Bob.

P.S. Quite a few people seem to prefer using a slightly long lens for a particular format as it means you use more of the centre of the lens. No idea if this is a valid argument or not - I just use the 105 because that's what I've got...

Click to expand...

Bob, I have the l1200 (similar chasse as the ac1200) and did cut a hole in my ceiling. Even with the hole, there was only a small area where the basement floor sloped toward the drain and allowed for the enlarger to fit.

I also have seen posts where people advocate slightly longer lenses. I have no idea as to whether this is good or not. I have used longer lenses than what would be considered normal for a given neg and found it cumbersome, but that is a working style issue. It would seem that the added extension (distance of the neg from the paper) would cause greater diffusion.

A peak grain focus used at the corners would tell you a lot.

Bob Carnie, an apugger and whose work I've seen, recommends the APO-Rodagon and laser alignment. I believe he uses normal focal lengths. His work is some of the best you are likely to see.

I would get a 105, test it with the 6x6 and if you're happy or if it compares well with previous enlargements made with the meopta anaret, then you are all set. You won't (as I am sure you know) be able to use an 80mm with the 6x9's.

Seele said:

Leon,

With the Opemus, you simply cannot print from 6X9 negatives; if you want to stay with the Meopta stable, get a Magnifax.

Click to expand...

it's ok, Seele - I have another enlarger to do my 6x9's (an old 4x5 condenser, which has a supplementary condenser to enable 6x9's) , but i have to stick with my opemus for the 35mm - 6x6's

thanks everyone else for the help - 105 it is.