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M-Componon 4/80 on Enlarger?

Pitotshock

Member
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Mar 11, 2021
Messages
123
Location
Renfrew, ON, Canada
Format
Analog
There is a used M-Componon 4/80 in my area for sale. Based on Wikipedia this is a Macro/copy lens and the question is, can this be a good enlarger lens or not?

I have a few Componon-S lenses, but I could use some redundancy for my two enlargers and thought this might be an interesting purchase. Opinions?

representative image lifted from theBay
 
Basically enlarger lenses and copy/macro lenses are very similar. The difference I see is the scale such lenses are designed for. Enlarger lenses are designed or scales that do not include 1/1.

EDIT:
Not only scale, but also size orientation.
See the references below at reverting this very lens.
 
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It may be mounted in the barrel in reverse for greater than 1:1 macro photography. Schneider's barrel mounts for macro don't have the usual f-stop markings. I suspect on your lens it is 4-5.6-8-11-16-32 rather than the indicated numbers.
 
I would think it would work fine. Screw it on, and see what you get, no other way to know. Nice looking lens.
 
I suspect on your lens it is 4-5.6-8-11-16-32 rather than the indicated numbers.
Schneider in their prospectus do not even state the aperture of this lens. One has to look closely at the front ring at the respective photo. I read 4/50, a figure they did not even list. Maybe it just my eyes.
 
Hi,

it should be a very good if reverted.
But impractical - no illuminated stops and no stop down lever.
Screw in size 29.5mm if not reverted.
It sells for more then the Componon-S 4/80mm...

Jens
 
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I thought the aperture numbers a little strange, given the specs have the minimum at f/4. Pic of actual item, shows the marking starting below 4. Makes sense if this is not actual aperture numbers, but 'position' numbers for lack of a better term, which would be converted to the real aperture setting. Wide open (=f/4) then half of that, etc...




The current owner used it on his Beseler enlarger with good effect. Looks like it has an additional adapter plate in place. I have the Componon-S in 80mm, so this is really just curiosity to see if it would bring any other added capability to my line up. Ideally, I'll find a set of APO versions of the lenses, but I'm not willing to spend any real money to get them, patiently waiting for a great deal to come along...
 
My specs (1989) call all three M-Componon's f/4.0.
28, 50 or 80mm.
If I see it right, there is no filter threat at the 80mm, so it would be hard to revert it.
Btw, how many aperture blades does this one have?