Question about the Nikkor 80/5.6 EL N

[NortheastPhotographic]

I have read some stray reports that the 80 may have some coverage issues if I try to print 6x6 negatives with thick film edges. I find this a little strange since it's rated for 6x7...but I wanted to ask the community before committing myself to one. I'm also looking at a Schneider 80/4 Componon-S (Non APO). Will the Nikkor be ok for me or should I just spring for the Schneider?

 

[miha]

I'm using one for printing from my Mamiya C330 negs. No issues.

 

[Johnkpap]

The 80mm Nikkor has been my ‘go to lens’ for years, very sharp , high contrast no fall off

Everything you expect from a pro grade lens

Johnkpap

 

[Johnkpap]

If you are have fall off issues I would look else where ....what model of enlarger are you using? My Durst 1200 has no issues with fall as it covers 4x5 easily

Johnkpap

 

[Dali]

Where did you read these "reports"? Knowing that such lens is not that complex and knowing Nikon's ability with optical matter, who would you trust the most? These "reports" (whoever wrote them) or Nikon's engineers?

End of the story.

 

[M Carter]

And the "thick film edges" thing? I've used that lens in 2 different enlargers with glass carriers for 6x7, no problems.

 

[BobD]

What's a thick film edge?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

The 80mm Nikkor has been my ‘go to lens’ for years, very sharp , high contrast no fall off

Everything you expect from a pro grade lens

Johnkpap

+1

 

[DREW WILEY]

I recommend somewhat longer focal length for 6X7. I personally use a 105 Apo Rodagon N, or even a 150 Apo N. An 80mm lens would be OK, but not ideal. Most El Nikkors are quite good, including the 80/5.6. The relatively inexpensive 75/4 is not, unless you use just the center of the optic for 35mm film. I do not know what you mean by "thick edges". If this refers to excess edge density creating pseudo-falloff, that's a development issue. Componon S is an older lens series of slightly lower contrast and a bit less less crispness than later lenses, but a distinct improvement over old non-S Componons. Some of these slightly older lenses are nice for color printing when you want to limit harshness.

 

[voceumana]

My example of this same lens has no trouble covering 6x6. Since it is rated for 6x7 (one of the few 80mm lenses to do so) it should probably cover 7x7, since the lens maker can't know the orientation of the negative.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I have read some stray reports that the 80 may have some coverage issues if I try to print 6x6 negatives with thick film edges. I find this a little strange since it's rated for 6x7...but I wanted to ask the community before committing myself to one. I'm also looking at a Schneider 80/4 Componon-S (Non APO). Will the Nikkor be ok for me or should I just spring for the Schneider?

I don't think the Schneider is superior to the Nikon.You will be very happy with the Nikon!

 

[DREW WILEY]

Well, there's Nikon, and then there's unaffordable Nikon. Everyone agrees that a 105 Apo EL Nikkor is the pick of the litter; but are you going to search the whole world over and pay several thousand dollars for one of those when you can get a regular EL Nikkor used for around fifty bucks? Since I do mostly large format work, I take the middle of the road - Apo Nikkors from the printing industry. They cost a lot originally, but now can be obtained at quite a discount, and will outperform any official enlarging lens as long as you don't need the speed of a large aperture. Unfortunately, they don't come in any shorter focal length than 180. So I opted for Apo Rodagons; but they never seem to come up for sale affordably. So the best bang for the buck in terms of high quality MF printing would seem to be El Nikkors or Fuji EX enlarging lenses.

 

[Johnkpap]

I found this link the other day about this lens

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0064/index.htm

Enjoy

Johnkpap