Schneider APO WA 60mm vs Rodenstock APO 90mm

Hi all,

Happy New Year!

Currently I have a DeVere Dichrom Twin Lamp version and printing 6x6 negatives. However even at max height settings, with the lens I have (Rodenstock 105) I can’t get up to 20x24 prints.


So I’d like to buy a new enlarger lens for 6x6 prints have these both options. I believe Rodenstock APO is not N version, it is the old design. (pS I can also get brand new Schneider APO 90 HM for about the same price)

Which one should I pick? I read Schneider WA is not good with some certain kind of enlargers but wanted to ask first?

Many thanks,
Fatih

Any brand name 5 or 6 element 80mm lens should give excellent results.

If your problem is that the enlarger as configured with the lens you have doesn't print large enough, you have to change either the enlarger configuration, or the lens focal length.
Of the lenses you are asking about, the 90mm will give you some extra magnification, and the 60mm will give you a lot more extra magnification.

Thanks a lot. Can’t change enlarger config as my basement ceiling is low and enlarger is practically on the floor.

I know with 60 I can get a lot more magnification but is it a a good lens? Just to get more magnification I don’t want to sacrifice from print quality (compare to Apo Rodagon whether 80 or 90)

Hi Faith, I have a De Vere 504 with the same light head so would recommend from experience an 80mm lens from Nikon. Schneider or Rodenstock. If that doesn't provide enough enlargement there is the option of the 60mm WA lenses: Schneider, Rodenstock or Hoya/Bogen/Tominon. These are rarer, more expensive and vignette more than the more 'normal' 80-100mm options. The last option (Hoya/Bogen/Tominon) is probably the sharpest and most contrasty if you go that route. It's an 8 element Biogon design and quite special.

forgot to mention that with the colour head your enlarger has a diffused light source which works fine with all types of lenses: wide angle or regular. Your most cost effective solution is probably a Rodagon or Componon 80mm and for a little more a good El Nikkor. Let me know if you decide on any of these: I have several available.

If you anticipate printing as large as you stated, I would lean toward the APO solutions. I was fortunate to have a large number (20+) of upper level enlarging lenses fall into my lap some years back and ran them through the ringer to isolate the keepers. The 6 element lenses all did quite well at 8X10 and 11X14 with individuals having very subtle differences more than brand distinction. The Nikkors were just a hair less crisp but I only had 3 so limited samples could have been at play. The Fuji, Rodenstock and Schneiders were indiscernible to my eyes and equipment, The Rodagon and Schneider HM APO's had a slight edge at 11X14 but 16X20's showed their strengths. I also kept a 60 WA Rodagon that had proven handy on some 645's that I needed to greatly crop and this lens was also very capable. This is all hair-splitting, of course but while you're deciding, you may as well remove quality speed bumps where you can. 6X8 is the largest roll film that I shoot these days and the Schneider 90 APO handles those chores easily.

APO's tend to perform well close to wide open, at least in my experience. This adds extra importance to enlarger tuning and alignment along with paper flatness control.

I have purchased a 60mm Schneider APO f/4 lens, I beleive it is V1 and to my suprise it does cover 6x6 frames. Cannot find the tech sheet though. I am awaiting a 80mm APO lens and once that is delivered, 60mm will be fine when I need to crop.

According to a PDF I downloaded in 2011 the 60mm f/4 Apo Componon HM is specified to cover 6x4.5. It should work for you on 6x6 as long as you don't need the very corners, and you can always offset the negative a bit in the carrier if you need corner detail.

Send me a PM with your email address if you want a copy of the Schneider brochure. It's too big to attach.

FYI, the 60mm Rodagon WA is specified to cover the full 6x6 frame.

Steve Goldstein said:

According to a PDF I downloaded in 2011 the 60mm f/4 Apo Componon HM is specified to cover 6x4.5. It should work for you on 6x6 as long as you don't need the very corners, and you can always offset the negative a bit in the carrier if you need corner detail.

Send me a PM with your email address if you want a copy of the Schneider brochure. It's too big to attach.

FYI, the 60mm Rodagon WA is specified to cover the full 6x6 frame.

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot Steve, I'll do that as soon as I find out how to send a DM

Fatih Ayoglu said:

Thanks a lot Steve, I'll do that as soon as I find out how to send a DM

Click to expand...

They are called (Private) Conversations here on Photrio. Click on Steve's screen name and "Start a Conversation" should appear.