Upgrading my 80mm Rodagon

[Slixtiesix]

I am currently planing to upgrade my 80/5,6 Rodagon enlarger lens. The lens is fine, but I want a faster lens, as its brighter and easier to focus. There is someone here in Germany who is currently selling new Rodenstock lenses for a really good price. He does not sell Apo versions though. I could choose the following options:
Rodagon 80/4 (non Apo)
Rodagon-WA 80/4
Rodagon-WA 60/4
My main film format is 6x6. I don't really need a WA lens but I have read about the Rodagon-WAs and how great they perform. On the other hand, light falloff and distortion are slightly higher. Would it make sense to buy the Rodagon-WA 80/4 for 6x6? As this lens covers 6x9, I would only use the "sweet spot". Or should I save my money for an Apo-Rodagon? I only do BW printing. Looking for some real life experience.

 

[halfaman]

WA versions are meant for people that need to reduce the enlarger head height. APO versions are useful for big enlargements (excellent perfomance closing diaphragm just one stop). If neither of them is your case, just go for the plain f/4 Rodagon.

 

[koraks]

Or should I save my money for an Apo-Rodagon?

You'll be hard-pressed to see any difference between APO and non-APO lenses even if you push them to their limits. I'd just get whatever you can get your hands on as long as it's a somewhat recent lens design (1980s onward or so) and the lens is in reasonably good shape (no loads of fungus, haze etc.)

 

[MARTIE]

An extra stop on the enlarger baseboard is a noticeable difference.
However, if it's about ease of focus as much as brightness, a really good focus finder such as the peak, is a revelation.

Naturally, the enlarger, light source and negative density all play a part too.

 

[DREW WILEY]

On the other hand, going to a somewhat longer than "normal" focal length of top quality (like a 90 or 105 Apo Rodagon N) often means you'll reach optimal performance at a wider aperture than with an ordinary lens.

The "normal" focal length for 6X9 is 105mm. I can't imagine using 80mm, WA or otherwise, unless you particularly enjoy a lot of edge and corner burning in. 6X6 is more realistic; but why WA at all unless you are column height limited? You'll have more illumination falloff with a WA design except right in the center.

Of course, everything has to be properly leveled and aligned; and all bets are off if you're not using a precision glass carrier. And a top quality Peak easel magnifier makes a big difference too.

 

[outwest]

I will just say that I thought my 80 Rodagon lens was pretty good, and it was decent, but with today's easy and inexpensive availability of other makers' used lenses in the 80 to 100 range, I conducted tests on several samples of the same lenses and finally came to empirical conclusions on some and returned the others back to the market. I won't say what my choices were for an 80 and a 100 because you must make the tests yourself as sometimes the differences between samples of the same model were greater than between those of different makers. I might also stress, as Drew mentioned, that a good alignment of the enlarger, using glass negative carriers, and a very good magnifier are essential for the best results.