unknown enalrger lens

mbelsis · Dec 5, 2017

Hi Forum ,

When I bought my Vivitar Vi enlarger I also received an enlarger lens. The Lens is on a holder box that says minolta , but the lens itself does not have any brand , mm, or any other information.

Strangely (at least for me) is that the aperture values are 1,2,4,8,16,32

Any information would be most welcomed, See also the Screenshot ...

thx

AgX · Dec 5, 2017

It is an arithmetical scale with the figures representing x -1 .

Thus 1 , 1/2 , 1/4 ...

Such scale is more intuitive for a beginner.

mbelsis · Dec 5, 2017

Hi,

Thank you for the answer... have you seen this lens before ? any idea of the brand?

BR

AgX · Dec 5, 2017

No, I already googled it, in the belief to find it within minutes. In vain...
Actually I found no lens at all with such scale.

Still I assume it is a beginner lens of the triplet design.

gary in nj · Dec 6, 2017

I found it in a Google Search. It appears to be a Wray London Supar. You can find it on the attached link about 2/3rds down the page (search on the page Supar)

http://www.savazzi.net/photography/enlarger_lenses.htm

AgX · Dec 6, 2017

But the author did not realize that unique scale...

EDIT:
At downloading that page I realized that I already got it in my archive. The above thus applies for me too...

AgX · Dec 6, 2017

I found at least two different Wray lenses with such scaling.

51mm and 108mm

mbelsis · Dec 6, 2017

Thank you!!!!!! it would be interested to try it.!!!!

AgX · Dec 6, 2017

Here is a Ross lens with such scale:
https://i.pinimg.com/236x/00/4a/8a/004a8a97a212eaac00ffdf34b04a977f--leica-cameras.jpg

jjphoto · Dec 6, 2017

Ross and Taylor Hobson used this aperture scale, probably other British ELs too.

BMbikerider · Dec 10, 2017

I will go along with a Wray lens. I had a 50/4.5 when I first started out with developing and enlarging and I still have the original box whit curiously enough almost the same image as yours. It was a mediocre lens (actually awful) and soon replaced.

AgX · Dec 11, 2017

As I said, I guess it were only triplet lenses that got this type of scale.

Ian Grant · Dec 11, 2017

jjphoto said:
Ross and Taylor Hobson used this aperture scale, probably other British ELs too.

Yes my Dallmeyer 6" f4.5 Dallcoated enlarger lens uses the same scale, as does another Supar. It makes sense as you really don't need a conventionally marked on an enlarger lens but you do need a scale for relative exposure. aperture.

Ian

AgX · Dec 11, 2017

But used in the UK on various types of enlarger lenses or as I guessed only on beginners lenses?

Saganich · Dec 11, 2017

My old Leitz Varob has same scale as well; 1 - 10

AgX · Dec 11, 2017

Not the same. Leitz Varob:

1 2 3 4 6 10

But what does THAT mean ?

AgX · Dec 14, 2017

Nobody got an idea?

youngrichard · Dec 17, 2017

BMbikerider said:
I will go along with a Wray lens. I had a 50/4.5 when I first started out with developing and enlarging and I still have the original box whit curiously enough almost the same image as yours. It was a mediocre lens (actually awful) and soon replaced.

I too had a Wray Supar 50mm f4.5 when I started wet photography aged 13 in 1955. I thought it was the bee's knees; it certainly wasn't awful. I must have used it for at least15 years. I just went to check it but I think I must have let it go when I sold a surplus enlarger a few months ago.
Richard

unknown enalrger lens

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