Want to Buy WTB: 80 or 105mm Enlarging Lens

[jay moussy]

This is for my novice steps into printing 6x7's soon, on a Beseler 23C.

It does not need to be high quality, at my level, but, OTOH, I may want to future-proof this purchase, just in case I get to become a good printer...

 

[voceumana]

Buy this lens new for $35: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/110257-Meopta-Anaret-105mm-f-4.5-enlarging-lens

It's a 4-element, but I've read that the optics were built by Schneider and Meopta just mounted them--they are very nicely finished and I doubt you'd ever be sorry you bought it. It actually is a high quality lens, just 4 elements instead of 6.

 

[jay moussy]

@voceumana thanks, I have read your recommendation on this lens on other, threads. It seems like it would fit the purpose.

But who knows what may be sitting in some darkrooms, out here...!

 

[Pieter12]

Doubtful anything at that price.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I have a drawer full of lenses Jay. Send me a pm.

 

[voceumana]

While I would recommend the Schneider Comparon 105mm lens--it is also a 4-element design--it most commonly is found in a 32.5 mm lens mount. You'd either need a thread adapter or a custom lens board with it, and you might or might not have a retaining ring with the lens. Those little parts which used to be a fraction of the cost of the lens are now pretty expensive by themselves. And the Comparon would be a used lens.

Why not get the brand new Anaret in a 39mm mount at a truly bargain price instead? Who know what fungus or oxidation might going on with a used lens?

The 4-element design of the Comparon (and I expect the Anaret) was optimized for lower magnification ratios than the Componon 6-element lens. The lower ratio (2x to 6x) is very typical of what you'll do with a 6x7 negative in a home darkroom--6x enlargement on a 6x7 negative gets you about 13 by 16. The 6 element Componon lenses are optimized for a 10x enlargement ratio.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

I'd guess the Meopta lenses were made by Meopta. They had been making their own lenses for enlargers, cameras, professional movie equipment and the military (their biggest customer) for a very long time. Their lenses have always had a good reputation for performance at reasonable prices. Ditto their enlargers.

If there is a connection to Schneider it is probably Meopta supplying lenses to Schneider.

Meopta's current business is optics for military applications, some consumer binoculars and rifle scopes, and custom OEM optical assemblies. They are out of the consumer photography business.

The Anaret lenses from Freestyle are probably NOS from the 80's. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them. Most enlarger lens designs are from that era. The Anaret price is a bargain.

Also look at ebay for El-Nikkor, Minolta, Rodenstock and Schneider lenses. Unless you have money to burn I can't see buying any of these lenses new.

 

[waynecrider]

I've got a 150mm Rodenstock. Doubt I'll use it again. Drop a line.

 

[voceumana]

The Freestyle Anaret is new old stock, and on clearance. I bought the Meopta Meogon 50mm and 80mm lenses from Freestyle for a lot more than what they are charging for the Anaret. It appears to be the last of their Meopta inventory.

If you are considering the 150mm Rodenstock, your enlargement size will be somewhat limited and verify the thread size. Some of the 150 Rodenstocks have a larger than 39mm mount. I have nothing but good things to say about the Rodenstock lenses I have.

 

[alanbradford]

Rodenstock 150mm is 50mm thread mount not 39mm
I have Nikon 80mm and 50mm @ EUR 80 and EUR 50 if interested.both are 39mm.

The original suggestion from voceumana is a very good one - You cannot go wrong at that price, @ f8 it will no doubt be excellent for your needs..