Schneider 45mm APO or Leitz Focotar-2?

What's sharper? (I only make 6" x 9" prints, but I would like improved corner sharpness).

I print up to 8x12" with my V35 and in my testing I found the Schneider lens noticeably sharper than the Focotar. I gave up the autofocus when I switched to the Schneider lens, but I always focused manually with a grain magnifer, anyway.

If you go with the Schneider, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

You need to tell us more details. For example, why are your corners not sharp? Is your enlarger aligned? What lens are you using now? What enlarger?

BTW, Alan seems to be comparing the Schneider (which one?) to the 40mm Focotar which is different from the 50mm Focotar II.

Patrick Robert James said:

You need to tell us more details. For example, why are your corners not sharp? Is your enlarger aligned? What lens are you using now? What enlarger?

Click to expand...

Precisely!

It is difficult to understand, at that quite small size, why you have any problem with any lens you'd use.

As a rule, do you close the lens 2 stops? If you don't many lenses won't give sharp corners.
Do all four corners have the same problem. Be critical, because if they don't it is more likely your enlarger is out of alignment. Even a not well centered bulb can result in seemingly not sharp corners.

I can only speak for the Focotar-2 50mm and 100mm in Leitz Focomat 1c and 2c. I have many lenses, including a Rodagon-G 50mm and a Computar DL 50mm. Each lens has something special, also the older Focotars and even the still older Elmar.

Where the Focotars excel, apart from giving a sparkling beautiful image, is that they do not need to be closed 2 stops.

Sorry, I should have been more clear... I compared a Schneider HM 40/2.8 against the 40mm Focotar that came with my V35 and the Schneider lens was clearly better.

I have a 1c & a Durst M35 Micromat. Both are aligned well. I have a 50mm Focotar-2, and it's super sharp, but I don't like the look it gives. I love the 50mm Componon S look, but it's not as sharp, esp. in the corners.

You might have a lemon Schneider. I used to have one that wasn't all that great, but I took it apart to clean it and then it was really nice. My guess is the elements in yours are not centered properly if the corners aren't sharp.

The only lens I have compared the Focotar II to directly is the Fujinon EX 50mm I have on my Focomat. I picked up the Focotar II after I had adjusted the enlarger for autofocus with the Fujinon. I have printed images with both and there really isn't much of a difference so I keep using the Fujinon. I have used a whole bunch of enlarging lenses in my life, and in reality there isn't a ton of difference between them, just subtle ones.

What is it that you don't like about the Focotar?

I have a few Componons & Componon Ss, so they all can't be lemons. The Focotar is snooty, stuffy, w/no air in the shadows. I also have a Fuji EX (plus many more brands)--love it! A "giddy" lens.

I have a 45 that has very soft corners on a condenser enlarger, yet works very well on diffusion .

There are several samples of each enlarger in my darkroom, all are precision aligned, all use two sided glass carries for the test.

40 Focotar behaves the very same way, but worse. Perfect on my V35.

My advice is never use a WA lenses on condenser enlargers. So if you have a diffusion machine, it is a good lens. I condenser, get something else.
I can not explain this, but I assure you it is not experimental error.

Thanks, Ronald, I have all condenser enlargers, about 7 of them! I'll stick w/my 50 Comp. S.