original Leitz Focotar

I just got a mint copy (I have all 3 versions of the Focotars). This lens was standard on Leitz enlargers from the 50s to 1970,yet everywhere I read that it was optimized for 5.5X. What is the official Leitz statement on this? Thanks

Likely more effective than searching our archives for that would be testing the Focotars at your desired scale against other lenses you got.
In case you got none the question would be academic anyway.

How nice !

I like all versions Focotar and use them for various reasons, for all sizes of prints up to 20X24. The Focotar-2 is what I nearly always start out with on the 1c and a Valoy II modified to do these larger sizes. Probably about 75% of my prints are done with this Focotar-2. It is a lens that seems a little more open, with a bit more contrast. I change to the other Focotars (or some other brand lenses still) when I don't arrive and know the print can be better. Changing lens nearly always helps me. One of the advantages of the Focotar-2 is it can be used wide open without a problem. However, the oldest Focotar, when stopped down twice, is beautiful too. And so is the Schneider made version with the large front glass.

I believe the criticism about the older versions is mostly internet parot-ting. Of course, the older the lens, the more chance it has problems. But if yours is like you describe it, i am sure you will be very pleased.

Guess what, I contacted Ctein about why the Focotar 2 wasn't in his list of best enlarging lenses and he said that it didn't make the cut!!!

I read somewhere on the internet that the Focotar 2 is actually a Rodenstock creation.

Rodenstock created the Beseler HD.

choiliefan said:

I read somewhere on the internet that the Focotar 2 is actually a Rodenstock creation.

Click to expand...

Nice lens, but curved field. At f 8 it is nice.

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that most enlarging lenses are roughly the same. Any 6 element lens is good enough as long as it is centered. There is the kicker. One lens I had was a Schneider Componon-S. I kinda thought it was a dog, but in the interest of finding out I took it apart to clean the elements and to make sure it was aligned. Guess what? Made it a totally different lens.

I have never owned the original Focotar. I have the Focotar II and it is about the same give or take as other lenses I have. I also have an Elmar which is good for printing postage stamps.....

Years ago I read over on RFF that Tom Abramsson (RIP) had one of his Leitz lenses optimized by Leitz to print 11x14. I was always curious about that. I know some lenses like the Computar LF lenses came with shims to put in depending on the subject distance. I always figured you could make a lens better for huge enlargements by doing the same (changing the distance between the groups). I assume this works better with symmetrical lenses. Wonder if anyone knows....

My 55mm 1.9 Computar has something like a floating element on the front--you turn it for diff. magnifications.