What's the advantage of a 63mm enlarging lens?

[Rick Jones]

My 63mm El-Nikkor eliminates the need for a recessed lens board when enlarging 35mm on my Omega D2V.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

There's also this little Japanese gem, a real sleeper:

http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=19767

I've had a 60mm WA Bogen sitting around for many years... just never got around to selling it. Before anyone asks, I don't sell through forums... only eBay. I also have a 63mm EL Nikkor laying around but it's not for sale either.

 

[ac12]

One use for the 63mm Nikkor is for use on an Omega D series, 3-lens turret.

• The 50mm lens sticks too far back from the mount to be able to rotate the turret. So the 50 is not usable on the turret.
  
• The 63mm lens does not stick so far back, so the turret can be rotated.

That is the reason that I got my 63.
But I also got a 50/2.8 Fuji that does not stick back, so I can use that on the turret.

But, unlike a pro lab, I don't print many different film formats during a single printing session. So, I came to the conclusion that a single lens board is more practical for me. And using the single lens board eliminates the additional alignment variable of the turret.

 

[MattKing]

The 50mm lens sticks too far back from the mount to be able to rotate the turret. So the 50 is not usable on the turret.

FWIW, there are two different versions of the three lens turret.
The older one - Part No. 404-866 - had this problem with several different 50mm lenses.
The more recent one - Part No. 404-867 - does not have this problem with most 50mm lenses.
The original version of the D6 was redesigned in order to accommodate the change in turrets.
Here is KHB's memo on the issue: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D6Turretmemo.htm
If you have a D6, you need to check which turret will fit.

 

[ac12]

I have a D5.
But it is not yet setup so I could not test the turrets.
I "think" both of my turrets are the early model . . . DRAT.

 

[OzJohn]

I had a 63mm which was either a Schneider or Rodenstock, can't remember. I think it was f5.6, something not so sexy, but it did cover 645 negs. I gave it to someone who had graduated to a 645 but didn't have a lens to enlarge with.

I've owned an El-Nikkor 63mm for years and all it has ever been used for is to print 4.5x6cm negs at maximum magnification on the baseboard. Yes it's great too for odd formats like 127 but anyone I know who acquired one got it specifically for 4.5x6cm. There were a few versions of the lens but the one I have will cover the entire 4.5x6 frame even though the FL would seem to be a bit short - not unlike certain 40mm enlarging lenses that will cover 35mm.