Using 240, 260, 300mm process lens as enlarger lens for 8x10

I may/may not acquire an 8x10 enlarger. This means I am searching for another lens or 2. I've been watching a couple of 300mm Rodagon listings and that may be the oldest lens that is practical unless I get really lucky. I've been curious about some of the older offerings from Wollensak, and also seeing the Konica Hexanon GRII series and the Apo-Nikkors being plentiful and somewhat budget friendly.

The vintage Wollensaks in near 300mm focal length command a reasonably high price if they're not beat up.

I cannot seem to find actual lens data for the Konica Hexanon GRII lenses. There are a ton of threads regarding their coverage in relation to use as a taking lens. I only found 1 or 2 in relation to use as enlarging lenses and both threads resulted in nothing.

I think there are a couple of folks using the Apo-Nikkor process lenses as enlarging lenses. The scarcity and cost of the APO EL-Nikkors rules that series out completely.

The process lenses would not have illuminated aperture markings (I'm unsure if the Rodagon does either) I don't know how important this feature is to me as I don't really think about it when printing. I just count the clicks on my EL-Nikkors.

So, thoughts or links to practicality of process lenses in 240,260 and 300mm for enlarging 8x10 negatives? If I've understood any of the reading, it looks like lens optimization for magnification range and usual f9 max aperture is where we run into problems in using a "non-enlarging" lens for printing. I'm willing to suffer a bit of inconvenience to save hundreds of dollars.

I guess a lot of the decision comes down to how large you plan to print, your level of acceptable print quality, and whether you would be able to see any practical differences between lenses at the sizes you plan to print.

I used a 305mm Schneider G-Claron for years to enlarge 8x10 negatives to 16x20 and I was fine with the results. I probably could have squeezed out just a tad more quality with a true enlarging lens, but since I didn’t enlarge these negatives all that much I was fine with what I got.

You might want to take a peak over on the LFPF. IIRC I saw a 240, maybe Rodagon, for sale there just the other day.

If you are on a budget, then process lenses can be a good alternative. A few years ago, a friend had a box of these. He gave me one. Works just great for enlarging 8x10 (see image of Eskofot-Ultragon 305/f9).

I don't know the current market. Can you still get process lenses for a few bucks? Otherwise get any six-element enlarging lens with clean glass; the usual players: EL-Nikkor, Componon, Rodagon, etc. Hard to find would be Zeiss, Komura, Fuji, Topcor but I don't know if they made 300mm anyway.

Wollensak, Ektar, B&L and others of that era are going to be so old, are there any clean examples left? It is essential to have clear, fog-free glass. Some flare in the camera is expected and can look very normal. If the enalrger lens flares, the dark areas bleed into the highlights. Its unnatural if you are not wanting 'experimental' imagery.


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The 300 f5.6 Rodagon looks like it will cost something near $400 on the low side based upon sold listings. KEH has a 360mm f9 Apo-gerogon for $205. The hexanon GRII lenses can be had for $200 and less depending.
The niceest Wollesak 11-7/8" Raptar I saw is listed at $500 but it's simply labeled "raptar," so I am unsure if it is meant for enlarging. I don't think Fuji went above 105mm in the ES,EP or EX series but I could be wrong.

I think this is another case where I will watch for the proper lens, but maybe try something "odd" if the deal is really good. If I do and up with an Elwood, at least I can make my own lens boards for it. I definitely don't have the skills to turn out Saunders LPL 4550 lens boards.

I would like to have the option of printing 20x24 if the mood strikes, but 16x20 will be the much more frequent size for me.

I have a set of symmetrical four-element Apo Nikkor process lenses for my 8x10 enlargers : 240/9, 305/9, and 360/9, and even longer. They are distinctly BETTER than any kind of official enlarging lens of equivalent focal length. These were originally quite expensive, but now can be found at bargain pricing. I got most of mine for free, cannibalized from an abandoned huge process camera.