Oh Woe, new lens wont fit.

kb244 · Aug 21, 2006

I got a kindermann enlarger as shown here...

which has a Schneider Kreuznach Componar 105 f4,5 enlarger lens currently on it. My co-worker gave me a Bessler Color Pro 50mm f/2.8 lens, or what he calls a Roddenstock, and it's just like any of the other lens at the shop i've seen, usually 39mm threaded on the back that you just screw in and out of a lens board typically, so I figured mine musta been the same...

When I went to unscrew the lens, it didnt unscrew instead the bottom of the lens started turning upward til it stoped at the base of the lens, and then so I screwed it back down to it's original position, upon closer examination the lens isnt actually screwed it but is part of a larger unit that seems to be screwed to the len mount by four screws as shown here in these two pictures ( ignore the kodak poly contrast filter adapter I've adapted to the lens )

.... what to do what to do. I wana use that other lens lol.

kb244 · Aug 21, 2006

The back ring just takes the back element off, doesnt release the lens or anything.

wfwhitaker · Aug 21, 2006

Can't help you with the lens, but maybe you should name it "Beldar". They probably have the part you need back on Remulak.

John Koehrer · Aug 21, 2006

Are the heads of the screws that retain the mount accessible?
If they are you could fashion a flat mount with the proper diameter from aircraft ply from the local hobby shop.

Jim Jones · Aug 21, 2006

You might have to fabricate a lens board for the Beslar lens. That grey housing might extend a 50mm lens too far to focus for large prints. Like John K said, plywood or Masonite often works for such projects. Even heavy cardboard or mat board will let you make sure the Beslar lens will work. I had to make a deeply recessed lens board to use a 50mm lens on my ancient 4x5 DeJur enlarger.

kb244 · Aug 21, 2006

I unscrewed the lens off , and had to knock it loose, once I did that, I had to put the screws back in to keep light from shining thru, then I took the bessler and put it in, using the ring it came with to secure it into place. I noticed that I couldnt even focus, I'd have to get the paper within an inch from the lens, and even then it would make a 6x6 into a 35mm sized frame. I even put the bessler inside the metal thing ( so the lens front was where it would normally screw in ) and even then no go, I'd still have to have the paper so damn close to get anything going.

.... so basically just put my old lens back on and did couple quick prints. I was basically just hoping for something faster for focusing, and perhaps sharper than what I had, I might just have to ask ellis who I got the lens from about some how rigging a reccessed lens board. It does seem like I'd almost have to put that sucker up near the glass negative carrier.

glbeas · Aug 22, 2006

You need to make or find the part to mount the lens on that replaces the bayonet mounted cone with a flat bayonet mount plate. The cone part is the extension for the longer focal length lens. Simply swapping the lens isn't enough.

Paul Howell · Aug 22, 2006

Like Omegas your enlarger uses different cones for different lens, it looks you have the cone for the 105, but as mentioned by Gary you need a flat plate for the 50, and a shorter cone for an 80 or 90mm. If your condenser is not adjustable you may need a different condenser set for each lens, as well as a negative carrier for 35, 6X6 6X7 or 6x9. Is this a 4x5 or 6X9 enlarger? What film format are you using 35 ro MF. A 50 will not cover MF 6X6 6X7 6X9.

kb244 · Aug 23, 2006

It's a 6x9 enlarger with a glass negative carrier to which I Can put a strip of 35mm in it and just use the blades to crop off.

My co-workers found a lecia M39 adapter ring that actually screws into two of the existing screw holes on the cone. My co-worker sugest that I actually try to screw in the bessler backwards ( so that the front of the lens is facing up towards the carrier if mounted correctly ) and snap the cone in upside down creating a somewhat reccessed cone. In the meantime can get a flat board fabricated.

In the store we don't have any negative carriers glass or glassless for 35mm that would fit into the kindermann. Though we got plenty of enlarger lens upto 5x7.

I would normally do Medium format from 6x4.5 upto 6x9, but for 35mm is why my interest in the 50mm, also was hoping the bessler would work fine for both because of the extra brightness for focusing (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)

Paul Howell · Aug 23, 2006

If you make a flat lens board to replace the cone you should be able to use the 50mm, the 105 lens cone may be so long that what every you gain by recessing the 50mm will not be enough to matter with the 50. You can mask the carrier with stiff cardboard for a 35mm negative. Are the condensers adjustable? In the end you may be better off buying a Durst, Vivtair, or Bogen 35mm enlarger, Ive seen them of eay under $50.00.

kb244 · Aug 23, 2006

Paul Howell said:
If you make a flat lens board to replace the cone you should be able to use the 50mm, the 105 lens cone may be so long that what every you gain by recessing the 50mm will not be enough to matter with the 50. You can mask the carrier with stiff cardboard for a 35mm negative. Are the condensers adjustable? In the end you may be better off buying a Durst, Vivtair, or Bogen 35mm enlarger, Ive seen them of eay under $50.00.

The condensors are just two big halves facing each other placed on the top. The 35mm I can just use the blades as I already said to cover up. Also I got the kindermann for free, so just trying to work with what I got. Tonight I'm gona try that 39mm thread adapter and try to flip the cone upside down and see what happens.

But no the condensers are not adjustible, they do not change position from the back of the negative carrier.

Oh Woe, new lens wont fit.

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