Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Teresa299@aol.com wrote: > > Alrighty folks, now that we've dispensed with PAWS, hookers and peanut > butter, here's a slight OT question for all of you Leica optical tech heads. > > I couple months ago I sought advice as to enlargers. As it turned out the > LUG info was very valuable and I finally managed to secure an enlarger (NOT a > leica one though). Unfortunately it didn't come equipped with an enlarging > lens. > > I sought out the archives, but many of the folks on the original enlarging > lens threads, are no longer active on the list, and I might wish to ask > follow-up questions, hence, my post. > > Which enlarging lenses (brands/models) do you guys and gals suggest for both > 35mm negative to (8x10 to 11x14) and 6x7 negatives (same)? Whichever brand, > is this something to risk getting used? There is no right answer. I learned to print at a friends house and I did not like the optics he owned. Considering the years I had spend at his place as a teen eating his food, using his chemicals, etc, I bought him the lens I wanted to use for 35mm work. I bought him the Rodenstock 80mm f/4 Rodagon. I picked this lens for a number of reasons: A: I, too, at the time printed only up to 11x14. With the 80mm, I was able to print over 16x20 with his Beseler 67XLD. B: I hated the short working distance with a 50mm when making prints 8x10 and smaller. C: My friends owned some 2 1/4 camera's that I borrowed from time to time and I wanted the lens for that, too. D: I have heard that lens get softer at the edges. By using a longer then normal lens on the enlarger, only the sharper center of the lens is used. I would recommend either a Rodenstock or Schneider 90mm. If you can afford the APO version, go for it, they are great lens! If you buy used, which I have and had good success with, I don't recommend an old version enlarger lens. Get a used one modern lens. Sam - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html