[Leica] enlarger lenses

[Erwin Puts <imxputs@knoware.nl>]

Bob noted he could not see any difference when using several enlarger 
lenses and wandered what may make a difference.

Hi Bob,

I understand your question marks. First of all: are you sure your 
enlargement is 40 x?
You mention:  6-1/4" x 9-1/2", which should be about 8 times 
enlargements. That is hardly enough for comparison goals.
You do not tell me what aperture you use for the enlargements, nor 
what film you have used. A 400 ISO grainy film will not be the ideal 
negative for testing. And what is the quality of the negative. 
Without this info it is very difficult if not impossible to make any 
proposals.
Let me tell you that any of the topclass enlarger lenses stopped down 
to 5.6 will produce outstanding results. Maybe you should stop 
looking for the ultimate here, as the differences are small. It is 
your exposure/development technique and  your stable hand/accuracy of 
focusing which are at stake. Try a Agfa APX 25 negative on a 
demanding subject that fills the frame completely and try an 
enlargement of 15 times. That may be discriminating.

Erwin