Will a process lens like a ronar work for an enlarger lens?

[bicycletricycle]

I was wondering if process lenses like ronars and apo nikkors will work for enlarger lenses as well. How would they compare to a regular enlarger lens? I guess that is kind of vague but any thoughts would help. I just think it would be pretty cool to use one for each step in the image making process.

 

[Donald Miller]

Yes they will work. The difference between an enlarger lens and a process lens is usually one of different maximum apertures.

 

[Claire Senft]

A lens like the Apo-Ronar is best at 1:1 but quite usable at other magnification ratios.

 

[papagene]

I am using a Rodenstock Apo-Gerogon 210mm f9 process lens to print 5x7 negs. It works just fine.

gene

 

[Dan Fromm]

Um, Gene, mounting that lens in shutter is very expensive if possible, hanging it in front of a shutter isn't easy. I've hung it in front of a Nikon with the usual (spit, baling wire, darkroom tape) and it is very very sharp at distance.

 

[Petzi]

As far as I know, Apo-Ronars were for a while even marketed as enlarging lenses.

 

[galyons]

The difference between a process lens and a purpose designed enlarging lens is the magnification ratio for which the optics are optimized. As stated above, process lenses are optimized for 1:1 reproduction. Depending on the focal length, (relative to film format), enlarging lenses are generally optimized for magnification ratios 1:2 or greater. The smaller the focal length, the greater the ratio required. Logically, it makes sense that an 80mm for 6x6 would be optimized closer to a ratio around 1:5, whereas a 300mm would be optimized for a ratio around 1:3 and a 360mm at 1:2. So the longer the focal length, the less the magnification ration deviates between the 2 types.

All of that aside, I use a 300mm Apo-Ronar for 8x10 work. It works great! It is sharp and contrasty. But if you are used to working with purpose built enlarging lenses, the lack of click stops and the orientation of the f-stop lettering is a user interface challenge.
Cheers,
Geary

 

[Donald Miller]

Even as I said that they will work, I came up with a personal experience that flies in the face of what I said. A 8 1/4 inch RD Artar will not work the same as a 210 Componan S on a Durst 138S (condenser) equipped for point light source enlarging. I am sure that other examples exist that are exceptions to the broad brush stroke that I made earlier.