Reduction using Repromaster lenses

AussieJoakim · Jul 23, 2018

Hi guys. Newbie on here but I have a very unusual problem. I need to reduce images by 50% while retaining all the detail and quality. Images are initially at the most 60mm circular size and I need them at half this size so I want to set up a lens system to do that.
I've dug through my shed looking for the box of Agfamaster Repromaster lenses I used to have to see if I could use any of these for this end. Haven't found them yet but if I do will any of these lenses do the job? Or should I track down other styles of lenses?
Regards
Joakim

Dan Fromm · Jul 23, 2018

They'll do the job. I've never seen specs so I'm not sure that Repromaster lenses are perfectly symmetrical. To be sure of getting the best results when making reductions, reverse the lens. If it is indeed perfectly symmetrical reversing it won't hurt, if it isn't perfectly symmetrical reversing it will help.

Mick Fagan · Jul 24, 2018

My Agfa Repromaster 150 f/9 lens was used for exactly that, for around 12 years before I went electronic in 1997. It was used to reduce all artwork to 50% of the original size, this was a standard practice to ensure clean lines with regard to line artwork in the graphic arts industry.

I still have my 150mm as well as a 240mm from the same camera. I had a three lens turret which switched seamlessly between three lenses, wonderfully sharp lenses. I think you'l find your lens is made in Germany, while the camera they came off originated in the Netherlands.

I also had a Berthold reprographic camera, German made and beautifully built, more solid than the Agfa cameras, but the Agfa units were able to do more things extension wise as their table almost dropped to the floor.

Mick.

Edit, welcome to the forum; Scandinavian name?

ic-racer · Jul 24, 2018

Your 50mm enlarging lens should work. Maybe you are not focusing correctly:
Cool enlarger trick...

AussieJoakim · Jul 25, 2018

Mick Fagan said:
My Agfa Repromaster 150 f/9 lens was used for exactly that, for around 12 years before I went electronic in 1997. It was used to reduce all artwork to 50% of the original size, this was a standard practice to ensure clean lines with regard to line artwork in the graphic arts industry.

I still have my 150mm as well as a 240mm from the same camera. I had a three lens turret which switched seamlessly between three lenses, wonderfully sharp lenses. I think you'l find your lens is made in Germany, while the camera they came off originated in the Netherlands.

I also had a Berthold reprographic camera, German made and beautifully built, more solid than the Agfa cameras, but the Agfa units were able to do more things extension wise as their table almost dropped to the floor.

Mick.

Edit, welcome to the forum; Scandinavian name?

Yeah. Awesome. Thanks for the info. Still can't locate my old lenses so I'm crossing my fingers they have not been tossed in one of my moves!
Name is Swedish heritage so you are correct.

AussieJoakim · Jul 25, 2018

ic-racer said:
Your 50mm enlarging lens should work. Maybe you are not focusing correctly:
Cool enlarger trick...

Cool. Thanks.

Reduction using Repromaster lenses

AussieJoakim

Dan Fromm

Mick Fagan

ic-racer

AussieJoakim

AussieJoakim

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