Need Advice on both 8x10 enlarging lens and 8x10 WA lens.

bobbysandstrom · Feb 23, 2006

Hello my fellow APUGrs. I am very happy to announce my purchase (I just sent out the check in today's mail) of a beseler mcrx/aristo rt-12 coldlight 8x10 enlarger! I'm going to be selling my practically new saunders 4550XLG and all of my 4x5 gear and do NOTHING BUT 8x10! Yeah Baby! No I'm not TOO excited.

I would like any input on an enlarging lens (240) for that puppy. Also, I'm in the market for a wide angle lens for my 8x10 camera 150-180. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Bob

magic823 · Feb 23, 2006

159mm Wolly is a nice 8x10 wide angle (21mm equalivant in 35mm) I picked up mine for under $200 on ebay.

Jeremy · Feb 23, 2006

I'm a fan of the 6.5" WA Dagor. Mine is mounted in an Ilex #3 and is fantastic!

Donald Miller · Feb 23, 2006

I have the 240 Componon S. I imagine that any of the major lens manufacturers will be capable of providing good glass. I have both Rodenstock Rodagon and Nikon El Nikkor in 150mm and they are both good lenses.

avandesande · Feb 23, 2006

apo-nikkor
good enough for AA

df cardwell · Feb 23, 2006

Hey Bob

Way to go. You'll find it EASIER than 4x5. Don't forget a big darkcloth, so you can get back from the glass !

1. I use a 240 EL Nikkor. Fantastic. The only drawback with the Nikkor ( on the same enlarger you have ) is mounting plate on the enlarger had to be cut away to make room: the lens has a very great diameter. A new Rodenstock would be great as well, and I'm sure an Apo Nikkor or Konica/Kowa repro lense would be fine as well.

2. Lots of folks have used the 159 Wolly, but that was only an OK lens a long time ago. The 150 SW Nikkor is an absolute joy to use. I was MORE than delighted in my commercial days with the Nikkor ( today, I just make muddy little contact sheets with my protars ). It is VERY easy to use, the image seeming to be lasered into the ground glass.

Have a GOOD time.

.

photomc · Feb 23, 2006

Just want to say Thank You Bob, because I have been wondering the same thing. Since the 8x10 that I have came with a older Regno Shutter (Wollensak) and lens cells (Series III) that seem to be around 6 3/4 in and 8 1/2 in. But the shutter has started to get quite stubborn, was thinking about replacing the set-up with something a little more modern (the set up seems to be about 80-95 y/o so guess it is allowed )

boyooso · Feb 23, 2006

I have a couple 240mm rodagons that I like and believe to produce very nice prints.

However, I also have a 240 el nikkor which I prefer to the rodagons.

All the lenses are modern and in good shape, but for some reason I believe the nikkor is sharper.. however it is a bit bigger than the rodagons.

One thing to consider is that the nikkor does not have click stops on the apeture, while the Rodagon Does. The no click stops is sometimes really nice, but sometimes I'd perfer the solid clicks on the apeture.

FWIW,

Corey

Bob Carnie · Feb 24, 2006

Hi Bob

I would not want to sour the day but if you are anal about edge to edge coverage and like seeing your black rebates , I would suggest getting a 300mm rodagon or if you have enlarger height a 360mm.
I know the 240 will work but your coverage will be better with the longer lens. Just my 2cents.

Bob

bobbysandstrom · Feb 24, 2006

Bob, is there obvious falloff with the 240? I hope not because I believe the 240 is the longest I can go on the beseler mcrx conversion.

df cardwell · Feb 24, 2006

( I had no discernable ) falloff on a beseler 45 with the 240, dead even illumination byf/11

.

Bob Carnie · Feb 24, 2006

Hi Bob

If you put an 8x10 lith negative with very fine type on the edges, enlarge to 20x24 and use both 240 and 300 mm lens , my money would be on the 300 being sharper and readable.
If your workflow is portrature and edge sharpness is not critical then the 240 is totally adequate.

For my work flow *which is probably different than others* I would never put the 240mm lens on my enlarger, I need critical sharpness on the edges therefore my experience dictates the 300 and even 360mm for 8x10 work.

vet173 · Feb 24, 2006

The person I bought the 8x10 Salsman from said he had falloff with the 240. I can't say from personal experience as I use a 300 companon.

bobbysandstrom · Feb 24, 2006

So I guess the question is: Can I use a 300mm on the beseler mcrx/aristo t-12 conversion? I hope so! I do landscapes and the whole reason to go to 8x10 vs my 4x5 is for sharper/higher resolution prints.

Bob Carnie · Feb 24, 2006

Bob

Can't help you with the conversion and 300mm adaption issue.

Need Advice on both 8x10 enlarging lens and 8x10 WA lens.

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