Thoughts on Minolta E-Rokkor 75mm f/4.5 & alternatives

robonfilm

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2024
Messages
62
Location
Italy
Format
Analog
I’m looking for a lens to print 6x6 negatives.
I’ve found a Minolta E-Rokkor 75mm f/4.5 and a Schneider Componar 75mm f/4.5, both for around $40.
Since the more refined six-element lenses (mostly 80mm) I’ve found are twice the price, does anyone have real-world experience with the Minolta? I’m leaning toward it because it seems to be a more sophisticated lens, but I’d love to hear about the differences between these two options.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,249
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Depending on how clean the optics are, the E-Rokkor is the better lens, the Componar is a cheep budget triplet lens. I've use E-Rokkor 50mm & 80mm lenses sinice the mid1970s. The Componar is not worth $40.

Ian
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,498
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
What about "comparon", "apo-componon", "g-componon"......???
 
OP
OP

robonfilm

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2024
Messages
62
Location
Italy
Format
Analog

What about the Nikon EL-Nikkor 75mm f/4? I found one in seemingly good condition for $60. I’d prefer not to spend more than that, but if it’s better than the alternatives, I’m willing to shell out the extra $20!

Thoughts?


 

Ian C

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
1,234
Format
Large Format
The 75 mm f/4 EL Nikkor is a well-made 4-element 3-group Tessar lens. It’s rated by Nikon for coverage up to 6 x 6 cm, but not larger. Mine does a good job.

The EL Nikkor uses 39 mm Leica mounting thread and 34.5 mm x 0.5 mm thread at the front for attaching filters and lens cap. The E-Rokkor’s barrel terminates just forward of the name ring, so you can only use a slip-on lens cap over the outside diameter. Mechanically, I prefer the EL Nikkor. Optically, if the glass and coatings are clean and undamged, they give the same results.

https://www.savazzi.net/download/manuals/El-Nikkor-enlarging-lenses.pdf

[Note: the “29 mm φ x 1/26 in.” attachment size listed in the PDF is a typo. It is the standard 39 mm dimeter Leica thread. It is correctly dimensioned in the accompanying drawing.]
 
Last edited:

naaldvoerder

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
703
Format
35mm
My advice would be to get the best enlarging lens you can affort. A six element lens with a 4.0 aperture. The wider aperture will aid in critical focusing. Consider that every piece of 6x6 art you will create, will pass through this lens in the end. A clean copy of a Rodagon 80/4.0 shouldn’t set you back more then 100$.
 
Last edited:

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,498
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
That Nikkor is a great lens and a good price, and like I said, if you don't do (or plan on doing) color work, you don't need a more expensive, six-element lens.
 
Last edited:

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
20,697
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
That Nikkor is my most-used enlarging lens. I use it mostly for 35mm, sometimes for 6x6cm as well, but I just don't shoot all that much 6x6cm. I use it for both color and B&W. Never noticed any problems w.r.t. color work with this lens.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,498
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
Beseler, Hoya, Omega, and Komura made/sold great 6-element 75mm EL lenses that you can find for amazing prices -- if you can find them. They're just not on anybody's "top" list.
 
Last edited:

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
51,951
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
xkaes said:
Beseler, Hoya, Omega, and Komura made great 6-element 75mm EL lenses that you can find for amazing prices -- if you can find them. They're just not on anybody's "top" list.
Click to expand...

FWIW, many of those lenses were simply re-badged lenses - same quality as when sold under the manufacturer's names.
My Beseler HD 90mm lens is excellent.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,501
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I have a Vivitar 150 5.6 which is a 6 element lens, which I think is a rebranded Componon-S 5.6/150.
 

Dali

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
1,830
Location
Philadelphia
Format
Multi Format
The OP question remains: Does anyone have real-world experience with the Minolta...?
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,249
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Paul Howell said:
I have a Vivitar 150 5.6 which is a 6 element lens, which I think is a rebranded Componon-S 5.6/150.
Click to expand...

I Have the same Vivitar 150mm VHE lens, it's essentially Componon S front and rear cells in a composite barrel made by Meopta.


Dali said:
The OP question remains: Does anyone have real-world experience with the Minolta...?
Click to expand...

see second post I have used Minolta 50mm & 75mm E-Rokkor lenses since 1975, although I tend to use more modern Componon S lenses.

Ian
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,501
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I Have the same Vivitar 150mm VHE lens, it's essentially Componon S front and rear cells in a composite barrel made by Meopta.

I was wrong about my lens, looking at it again an Anastigmatic made in Japan. I normally use my Wollenstake 162 pro raptar, enlarging so I had not looked the 150 in years. My Vivitar only stops down to F22, the later version to F45. Must be a 4 or 6 elements, just based on how heavy the lens feels, best guess is 4.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…