[LargeFormat] Need recommendations for a 4X5 enlarger lens

[Rich Lahrson]

Hi Charlie,

     Those all sound like good lenses.  I've just setup an old Elwood
5x7 and I've successfully mounted a used 180mm Componon.  I've
also got an 80 Componon.  I haven't printed yet, that's going to be by
year's end.  But it looks like it will cover the 5x7 format.

     I use only black and white and the Componon is great and costs
about half of a used Componon-S.

Cheers,

Rich Lahrson
Berkeley, California
tripspud@transbay.net

Charles Thorsten wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Clive Warren" <cocam@blueyonder.co.uk>
>
> > Charlie,
> >
> > Just goes to show that there is probably not much difference between
> > the top brands when the lenses have been treated with at least a
> > little respect during their working lives. My Rodenstock experiences
> > were with lenses used at a local college darkroom that a friend
> > sneaked me into during the evenings - it was a stop gap measure used
> > years ago whilst I located a 4x5 enlarger. The equipment was to say
> > the least "well used" and relatively new at the time. I bet that if
> > the students had to buy their own lenses they would have been a
> > little more careful with them......
>
> How true.  I'm sure the lenses had seen better days.  One of the
> most common causes of a "bad lens" is simply dirt buildup on the
> rear element.  This causes significant reduction in contrast and
> edge definition in the final print causing much frustration to say
> the least.  Fingerprints on the coatings is also a problem in "well used"
> darkrooms, especially in colleges setups.  If the lenses were used
> in a B&W darkroom, chemical fumes can build up a haze on the
> elements that is difficult to clean once it sets in.  Unfortunately, I've
> also seen these problems in many professional labs where production
> takes priority over high quality.
>
> As a side note, I should mention that my experience with
> Rodenstock enlarging lenses has been with their APO-Rodagon
> series, whereas the Schneiders I've used have all been regular
> Componons.  I'm sure the APO-Componon-HM lenses are
> of the highest quality.
>
> > My main taking lens for 4x5 is a Rodenstock Sironar "N" 150mm - I
> > have recently been lent an APO Symmar 150mm and I bet it'll be hard
> > to tell the difference in terms of resolution. Colour balance may be
> > another story with the difference in coatings..... am fairly sure
> > that the Sironar is APO.
>
> I also use this lens, the APO-Sironar-N 150mm, purchased new about
> a year and a half ago.  I have a Schneider 210mm Symmar-S
> (not the new APO) and the results are very similar.  I'm sure the new
> APO-Symmar 150mm will be at least equal to the Rodenstock if not
> better.  Color balance probably won't be too different.  They are
> both outstanding lenses.
>
> -Charlie
>
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