Schneider Componon or Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f4.0 ?

miha · Jan 3, 2024

My El-Nikkor 80mm was attacked by fungi. I will try to clean it but the outcome is not certain. I case I fail I will replace it with a Rodenstock 80mm f4.0 or a Schneider Componon 80mm f4.0. I guess they are of the same quality? I will not pick another Nikkor since I would like a faster lens (El-Nikkor 80mm is capable of 6x7 however the trade-off is its f5.6 max aperture).

Ian Grant · Jan 3, 2024

Both are excellent. But you might find an 80mm Anaret S locally which is actually Schneider Compon S cells in a Meopta barrel.

Ian

miha · Jan 3, 2024

Thanks. But isn't Anaret S a Schneider Componar in disguise?

chuckroast · Jan 3, 2024

miha said:
My El-Nikkor 80mm was attacked by fungi. I will try to clean it but the outcome is not certain. I case I fail I will replace it with a Rodenstock 80mm f4.0 or a Schneider Componon 80mm f4.0. I guess they are of the same quality? I will not pick another Nikkor since I would like a faster lens (El-Nikkor 80mm is capable of 6x7 however the trade-off is its f5.6 max aperture).

I have the Componon. It's a terrific piece of glass. Never used the Rodenstock so cannot comment.

Ian Grant · Jan 3, 2024

miha said:
Thanks. But isn't Anaret S a Schneider Componar in disguise?

Yes you are right, it's years since Martin Reed made this public.

Ian

brbo · Jan 3, 2024

Componon-S.

Of course, I only had one of each so... sample variation and personal use case apply. But, Componon-S was better in every way. Sharpness (not that I care too much about that at the max. enlargement that I can do in my drums), coverage, ergonomics...

xkaes · Jan 3, 2024

You won't notice any difference between the two -- just look for the features that you might like, such as pre-set apertures, illuminated f-stops, click-stop over-ride, thread size, filter size, etc.

And there are lots of other, great 80mm lenses as well: https://photocornucopia.com/1061.html

I use a Minolta Rokkor-X C.E. 80mm f5.6 myself.

miha · Jan 3, 2024

Thanks @brbo and @xkaes

How does the aperture pre-set work? The Schenider has such a feature, I think.

wiltw · Jan 3, 2024

miha said:
Thanks @brbo and @xkaes

How does the aperture pre-set work? The Schenider has such a feature, I think.

Preset aperture allows one to instantly use lens wide open for focusing, then instantly use pre-selected aperture for making the print...no clicks to open, then count clicks to desired aperture.

brbo · Jan 3, 2024

miha said:
How does the aperture pre-set work? The Schenider has such a feature, I think.

There might be different versions of both lenses. My Componon-S 80/4 has a lever at the back that allows you to go from full open to the selected aperture.

Rodagon 80/4 was weird. You pull down on the aperture ring to select the aperture and release the ring. Then you can turn the aperture ring all the way in one direction (I forgot which) to go to full open and turn all the way in the other direction to go to selected aperture so you don't need to count the stops.

ic-racer · Jan 3, 2024

I have two of the Componon-S 80/f4 with the aperture lever. Seems, though that everytime I use the lever, I forget to close it down again

I also have a tiny 80mm f5.6 Componon in 25mm mount. It is also a six-element lens and I think it is just as good as the other two.

If you are not buying new, I think it is getting harder and harder to find good enlarging lenses with clean optics.

xkaes · Jan 3, 2024

ic-racer said:
If you are not buying new, I think it is getting harder and harder to find good enlarging lenses with clean optics.

Yikes!!! Most of the used enlarging lenses I've run across look like they've spent most of their lives on a shelf -- because they have.

chuckroast · Jan 4, 2024

ic-racer said:
If you are not buying new, I think it is getting harder and harder to find good enlarging lenses with clean optics.

I've got a 50mm El-Nikkkor, 60mm, 80mm, 100mm, 105mm (don't ask) and 150mm Componons (or Ss). All were acquired or purchased used, the 60mm within the last 12 months. I've had no trouble sourcing quality used lenses. I stick to highly rated eBay vendors that accept returns to cover the risk of a bad buy.

Another good resource might be local adverts where people are giving away darkrooms they no longer want. That's how I got the 50mm El-Nikkor and 100mm Componon for free. Both were like new.

GregY · Jan 4, 2024

I have an assortment of Rodagon, Apo-Rodagon, Schneider Componon S and Fuji from 50mm to 75,80,105,150, 210. All are excellent lenses. There are lots of used ones available. Currently there are at least a dozen 80mm Componons on Ebay from $70 up, many look virtually new.

xkaes · Jan 4, 2024

Let's be very careful here. This discussion is going to end up creating a lot of GAS in unsuspecting FORUM members.

ic-racer · Jan 4, 2024

In 2020 I finally completed re-doing one of my turrets with clean lenses. Not something I'd want to do again. Took a few years to find all these lenses in pristine condition at a reasonable price. Can't say I have ever seen anything other than poor condition enlarging lenses in person at Photorama or any brick store either. Maybe it is a regional thing. Locating the lenses on the internet was just the beginning, then I had to track down the Durst mounting plates specific for the lenses.

150mm silver Componon (some scratches , some haze) -> Like new 135mm Componon-S
210mm silver Componon (some scratches, some haze) -> Like new 210mm Componon-S
240mm Componon-S (many scratches, otherwise clear) -> Like new 240mm Componon-S

gorbas · Jan 4, 2024

Miha, I did compare 80mm lenses I have, making 20" or 50cm long enlargement from 24x58mm negative. Winner was Componon S by tiny margin, being sharper, Rodagon was right behind and right with them was Meopta Meogon 4/80. If you compare all those enlargements without knowing which one was made with which lens, it will be very hard to figure it out. Older, smaller Componon in 25mm mount was much more inferior to all them.
I have seen many Componon's with preset iris. All Rodagons I have seen have just had click (upper position) or smooth iris scale (lower position), never preset, but maybe I never encounter newer ones?
xkaes is right, https://photocornucopia.com is excellent resource for enlarging lenses

miha · Jan 4, 2024

@gorbas thanks, most useful. Anyway I always had a soft spot for Schneider lenses - the two Durst enlarging lenses I have are also made by Schneider as is the taking lens on my monorail 4x5. Thanks, all.

gorbas · Jan 4, 2024

Ha, ha Miha, for years I only had Meopta Anaret's and Belars and only one brand name lens: Rodagon 2.8/50 and Rodagons were always on my highest pedestal until I did the test.

xkaes · Jan 4, 2024

gorbas said:
If you compare all those enlargements without knowing which one was made with which lens, it will be very hard to figure it out.

That's always the test for me. Give comparison prints to a few people, and none of them will know the difference. You or me -- with a loupe? That's different.

Schneider Componon or Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f4.0 ?

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