Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Adrian, by any chance have you been able to compare your S-Biogon to a 105/5.6 APO EL-Nikkor ? Thanks Stephen apbbeijing wrote: > > DIfferences between the Focotar and Focotar-2? What focal > > lengths were available? For color, would I be better off with an APO if my > > enlargements typically don't exceed 10X? > > I am a bit of an enlarging lens junkie: I have the Focotar 50/4.5 and the > Focotar II. They are quite similar with the II having the edge for > enlargements in the corners. Neither is streets ahead of more modern lenses > such as the Nikon, Rodagon and Componon-S 50/2.8s. Very similar I would say. > However the supreme enlarging lens (which I happen to have) is the Zeiss > S-Biogon 40mm f5.6: this is as close to perfect as can probably be made. You > need a special lens mount and it does not really show its talents unless you > are making big enlargements (it is optimised for 360lpm for 10x-70x > enlargements). > > Back to earth: if you are not making bigger than 10x enlargements you should > just get a new, clean modern Nikon, Schneider or Rodenstock lens and not > worry too much about it: but make some test prints when you buy it to make > sure it is not a dud, for there are many sub-par examples. > > The Schneider Apo-Componons are probably the best range on the market now. > > As for the point light source: IMHO don't bother. Ugly prints, super > scratchy results and you may need an oil immersion carrier which is a > nightmare to handle. > > Bests > > Adrian > -- > Adrian Bradshaw > Corporate and Editorial Photography > Beijing, China > tel/fax +86 10 6532 5112 > mobile +86 139 108 22292 > e-mail apbbeijing@yahoo.com > OR adrianpeterbradshaw@compuserve.com > > website: http://www.apbphoto.com > http://www.liaisonintl.com/bradshaw.htm > http://www.liaisonintl.com/bradshaw_e.htm > > _________________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com