What enlarging lens for 6x9?

[images39]

I'm in need of an enlarging lens for 6x9 negatives. Which enlarging lens do I need? I've seen 90, 100, 105 and 135mm focal lengths, are any or all of these okay for 6x9?

Thanks,
Dale

 

[KN4SMF]

A 105or135 would do. The 135 would likely give better light eveness center to corner at the expense of maximum print size.i wouldn't go 90. It might cover, but exhibit noticable falloff

 

[MattKing]

A 105 is ideal.
A 100 is most likely designed to work well with 6x9.
A 90 may be designed to give satisfactory results with 6x9.
A 135 should certainly work well with 6x9, but depending on factors like column length, might limit the maximum size of enlargements on the baseboard.

 

[Ian Grant]

I use a 105mm or 100mm for 6x9, a 135mm significantly limits the size of enlargement, unless you have a drop base board. As Matt says some shorter focal length enlarger lenses like 90mm'smay be designed to cover up to 6x9 as well.

Ian

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I'm in need of an enlarging lens for 6x9 negatives. Which enlarging lens do I need? I've seen 90, 100, 105 and 135mm focal lengths, are any or all of these okay for 6x9?

Thanks,
Dale

I use an EL 105mm Nikkor but he others work too;try before you buy.

 

[Ian C]

The best enlarging lens is any high-grade lens SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED for the intended format and used within the manufacturer’s specified magnification range.

The shorter the focal length, the greater the magnification for a given projection distance. While 105 mm and 100 mm enlarging lenses are often cited, there are shorter, higher-magnification lenses specifically designed for the 6 x 9 cm format as well.

One example is the 80 mm f/4 Rodagon WA.

Here’s an idea of the magnification differences. Suppose you have a maximum distance of 1000 mm from negative to the print with a particular enlarger. That gives the following combination of focal length, magnification, and projection size assuming a 56 mm x 82.6 mm negative (say, Fuji 690). The following calculated results ignore the nodal distances, which generally make only a small difference in the outcomes.

f = 80 mm, 10.4X, 582.6 mm x 859 mm (22.9” x 33.8”)

f = 100 mm, 7.87X, 440.9 mm x 703.8 mm (17.4” x 27.7”)

f = 105 mm, 7.39X, 413.75 mm x 610.3 mm (16.3” x 24”)

f = 135 mm, 5.21X, 292.0 mm x 429.8 mm (11.5” x 16.9”)

I use a 105 mm f/5.6N EL Nikkor for the 6 x 9 cm format and find the results excellent.

A standard-design 90 mm enlarging lens doesn’t see and project a sufficiently wide angle for the 6 x 9 cm format, particularly at large magnifications (which requires moving the lens relatively closer to the negative). I don’t know of any 90 mm wide-angle enlarging lenses.

 

[Paul Howell]

Another vote for a 100 and 105, I have a Kodak 100 enlarging ektar that works as well as my Schneider Comparon.

 

[Alan9940]

To keep things simple, I use the same lens I use for 4x5--150mm. But, I don't make huge enlargements so that longer focal length is not an issue for me. To provide maximum flexibility I'd go with a 100mm or 105mm, as others have already suggested.

 

[jtk]

Another vote for a 100 and 105, I have a Kodak 100 enlarging ektar that works as well as my Schneider Comparon.

Ektars are generally very good optics. Schneider Comparon (...aRon, not aNon) are not nearly as good as CompaNONs.

 

[jtk]

Fuji 105.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I usually use a 105mm to enlarge medium format. That would cover no problem. I accidentally enlarged 6x12 once with a 105mm Nikkkor. Covered the neg without issues for the smaller print I made. I didn't even notice it.

I have some extra lenses I need to sell if you are interested.

 

[Pioneer]

I use a nice 105mm f/5.6 El-Nikkor that seems to produce pretty good enlargements on my Beseler.

But I also have a 105/4.5 SK Comparon that I only paid $20 for that seems to work just as well. If I had it to do over again I would not have paid so much for the El-Nikkor though I do like it. I'm just not sure it was really worth the $100 + I paid for it over the Comparon.

Anyway, anything around 105mm should do what you want but I have even forgotten once or twice and left my 150mm lens attached and still came out with some prints I liked.

 

[images39]

Thanks everyone for the help/information on this. I'll look for a 100 or 105mm lens. All of my enlarging lenses are Nikkor EL or Schneider Componon, and I'm very happy with them, so I'll look for a 100/105 in either of those brands.

Dale

 

[DREW WILEY]

I generally use a 105 Apo Rodagon N. But if I want perfectly even illumination I use a 150 version of the same. Both are expensive. In the past I've used a 135 regular Rodagon. An El Nikkor or Componon S would also work.

 

[dynachrome]

Years ago I used a 50/4 EL Nikkor for 35mm and an 80/5.6 EL Nikkor for 6X6. Both were the 1st versions and the enlarged was a Bogen 22A Special. If I didn't need the far edges of a 6X6 frame I could print with the 50. More recently I would use Minolta 50/2.8 and 80/5.6 CE Rokkor-X lenses with the 80 being used for up to 6X7. I have one 6X9 camera, a Mamiya Super 23. For larger prints without having to use a taller enlarger I like the 40/3.5 and 60/4 Bogen Wide Angle lenses and the 60/5.6 W.A. Componon. I recently added a late model 150/5.6 EL Nikkor for 4X5 enlarging later and for use as a taking lens on a bellows now.
I plan to use a 105/5.6 (later version)

 

[dynachrome]

Make that enlarger.

 

[dynachrome]

Oops. I plan to use a 105/5.6 EL Nikkor (later version) for 6X9 negatives.

 

[M Carter]

The 105 Nikkor is an excellent lens - I got a mint one for $60 recently.