Want to Buy WTB: A better 50mm enlarging lens

bvy · Feb 26, 2017

Looking for something a step up from the El Nikkor 50mm f/4 I've been playing with. I don't need top of the line -- but something middle of the road would be nice. I rarely print to anything larger than 11x14 -- usually 8x10. I print black and white and color. Needs to fit an Omega C700 (threaded 39mm Leica mount, I think). Thanks.

Old-N-Feeble · Feb 26, 2017

How about a nice 50/2.8 Computar? You can't get much better than that for a general purpose (non-special-purpose) lens. BTW, I doubt you'll see much difference until you get to 11x14 or larger.

chip j · Feb 26, 2017

That 4.0 Nikkor is better than the original 2.8 Nikkor. I have a Hoya-branded 50mm 2.8 Computar you can have for $45 + $6 ship.

faberryman · Feb 26, 2017

Enlarging lenses are being given away these days. You should be able to get a top notch 50mm Componon or Rodagon for little outlay. Think of it this way: you may use many different lenses on your camera, but every images goes though your enlarging lens on its way to a print. Make it a good one. I think I paid $60 for my Componon-S.

chip j · Feb 26, 2017

BTW, the my Hoya is brand-new in the bubble.

Old-N-Feeble · Feb 26, 2017

I'd consider Chip's offer. It's $20 less than what I was going to offer my Computar for.

Hatchetman · Feb 26, 2017

Top of the line enlarger lenses still go for $250-$300. Makes me wonder, who is still using these things?

MattKing · Feb 26, 2017

Hatchetman said:
Top of the line enlarger lenses still go for $250-$300. Makes me wonder, who is still using these things?

Drew Wiley?

GRHazelton · Feb 27, 2017

Bargain time is here! I scored a Componon S 50mm f2.8 in its original packaging for about $80.00. It is apparently NOS as the box has a price tag of some $290.00! This lens was the stuff of dreams for me in the not too distant past.

NB23 · Feb 27, 2017

Hatchetman said:
Top of the line enlarger lenses still go for $250-$300. Makes me wonder, who is still using these things?

People that don't joke around when it comes to printing

Martin Rickards · Feb 27, 2017

I'd guess it's the law of diminishing returns with enlarger lenses; there may be a quality difference between the cheapest and the middle of the road and a moderate price differnce, but for the same difference in a top notch lens you¡re gong to have to pay a fortune. And unless your're in the habit of looking at big enlargements through a magnifier, it's not likely to be apparent. Even then, the quality differences between the same model can wipe out any difference.

Dali · Feb 27, 2017

So true, Martin.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 27, 2017

bvy said:
Looking for something a step up from the El Nikkor 50mm f/4 I've been playing with. I don't need top of the line -- but something middle of the road would be nice. I rarely print to anything larger than 11x14 -- usually 8x10. I print black and white and color. Needs to fit an Omega C700 (threaded 39mm Leica mount, I think). Thanks.

actually,the 6-element version of that lens is very good;hard to do much better;see 'post exposure' for details

bvy · Feb 27, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
actually,the 6-element version of that lens is very good;hard to do much better;see 'post exposure' for details

This one's mostly plastic and has a pretty flat profile. I doubt it's a 6-element lens (how could I tell?). But it's been a little workhorse, so I can't complain. I'm just printing larger these days...

GRHazelton said:
Bargain time is here! I scored a Componon S 50mm f2.8 in its original packaging for about $80.00. It is apparently NOS as the box has a price tag of some $290.00! This lens was the stuff of dreams for me in the not too distant past.

Were you offering that up or just sharing your good fortune? Good score in any case!

Thanks everyone. I haven't committed to anything yet, but I'm considering Chip's offer and another one offline...

GRHazelton · Feb 27, 2017

bvy said:
This one's mostly plastic and has a pretty flat profile. I doubt it's a 6-element lens (how could I tell?). But it's been a little workhorse, so I can't complain. I'm just printing larger these days...

Were you offering that up or just sharing your good fortune? Good score in any case!

Thanks everyone. I haven't committed to anything yet, but I'm considering Chip's offer and another one offline...

Noooo..... Not for sale!

RalphLambrecht · Feb 27, 2017

Hatchetman said:
Top of the line enlarger lenses still go for $250-$300. Makes me wonder, who is still using these things?

makes me wonder who is paying these prices?

Old-N-Feeble · Feb 27, 2017

Well... I admit I did buy a pricey 150mm Apo Componon HM but did so because I want to enlarge to mural size. I don't think I would have spent those precious extra funds otherwise. To add extra hurt to the wallet pain, I'm looking for a 150mm Rodagon-G so I can compare the two and will keep the best. After testing, I might keep the R-G for murals and the HM for smaller prints. However, I will compare the HM to some other lenses for 16x20 prints and will sell it if the R-G beats it for murals and any other lens matches it for smaller prints.

BVY, research that Hoya (Computar). According to all I've read, it's about as good as anything you're likely to find for $45 including Nikon, Rodenstock and Schneider.

NB23 · Feb 27, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
makes me wonder who is paying these prices?

Those who don't joke around with what it takes for quality prints.

jjphoto · Feb 27, 2017

Just putting it out there, I do NOT think the Hoya/Yashica/Osawa-Tominon (same lens under three different brands) is the same as the Computar/Kowa dL 2.8/50. Am I missing something?

Hoya Syper EL 2.8/50

Computar dL 2.8/50, also, Kowa 2.8/50

Not to be confused with an early 'Computar' 2.8/50 which preceded the 'dL' line of lenses (shown below). This is a rebadged Japanese lens (I've seen the same lens under another brand name).

Old-N-Feeble · Feb 27, 2017

I can't remember about the various name re-brands anymore but mine is a genuine Computar. In fact, I have two I should sell.

chip j · Feb 27, 2017

Yessir, that's my Hoya alright!

megido · Feb 27, 2017

I have a spare focotar 2 if you are interested.

Ron789 · Feb 27, 2017

The EL-Nikkor 50mm F/4 is a really good lens. I compared it to my Componon-s 50mm F/2.8 and my Leitz Focotars, including a Focotar-2..... at full aperture there are marginal differences; at F/5.6 or F/8 there is hardly any difference at all. I enlarge to approx. 16x24". There is a lot of hype around enlarging lenses (just like any other lenses) but in reality I find that the differences are really marginal. Now, the good thing is that excellent lenses are really cheap, so if you happen to run into one... just buy it. But be careful: I paid 30 Euros for my Componon-s 50 F/2.8 in mint condition; I paid 250 Euros for my Focotar-2 50mm F/4.5 with mint glass and overall good condition. Results from both lenses are very much the same, even when looking at test prints side-by-side. That was quite disappointing to me.... feels like I've waisted 250 Euros on that Focotar-2.

chip j · Feb 27, 2017

Yeah, I paid $430 for my new Focotar-2 in the mid-90s only to find out the "big element" Schneider Focotar is better--and I got one of those for FREE!

RalphLambrecht · Feb 28, 2017

Martin Rickards said:
I'd guess it's the law of diminishing returns with enlarger lenses; there may be a quality difference between the cheapest and the middle of the road and a moderate price differnce, but for the same difference in a top notch lens you¡re gong to have to pay a fortune. And unless your're in the habit of looking at big enlargements through a magnifier, it's not likely to be apparent. Even then, the quality differences between the same model can wipe out any difference.

It only costs a little more to go 1st class!

Want to Buy WTB: A better 50mm enlarging lens

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