Enlarger Lens repair

[bob carnie]

I would like to here about Repair service in North America . I have a lovely 180mm Apo Rodagon that I think has some issues within the elements and wonder if there are places that can evaluate/repair these types of lenses.
Willing to ship , I am not aware of any good vendors in my area.

[neil poulsen]

What issues are you seeing? I have one of these lenses.

[bob carnie]

one edge of print is always out of focus, I think previous owner dropped it. Not huge out of focus but enough to make it useless as it is.

[Richard Wasserman]

Maybe John Van Stelton at Focal Point? http://www.focalpointlens.com/fp_intro.html

[Bob Salomon]

Ask Amplis. They are tha Rodenstock distributor inCanada.

[Jim C.]

That must have been quite a drop to knock the lens elements out of whack without cracking,
have you checked all the usual suspects like the lens flange for cross threading, bent lens flange,
enlarger lens board out of parallel, etc etc ?

[Bob Salomon]

one edge of print is always out of focus, I think previous owner dropped it. Not huge out of focus but enough to make it useless as it is.

So your enlarger is properly aligned and you are using a glass carrier and are stopping down about 2 stops from wide open and printing within the optimization range of the lens?

[John Olsen]

Maybe Calumet in Chicago still does repairs. Jose did a wonder job on a Schneider lens for me a couple of years ago.

[Richard Wasserman]

Maybe Calumet in Chicago still does repairs. Jose did a wonder job on a Schneider lens for me a couple of years ago.

Unfortunately Calumet no longer exists

[Luis-F-S]

I would definitely take Bob's suggestion. He should know! Like Neil, I've had one for around 25 years, probably my favorite enlarging lens! L

[Ari]

Bob, try Roger at Camtech in Hamilton.
He fixes my shutters, MF cameras, and re-cemented a Protar for me once.
He does good work and offers excellent rates and turn-around times.

[StoneNYC]

When you rotate the lens, does the OOF issue move? If not, it's most likely a plane issue as Bob suggests.

[bob carnie]

Yes


So your enlarger is properly aligned and you are using a glass carrier and are stopping down about 2 stops from wide open and printing within the optimization range of the lens?

[bob carnie]

Not a bad idea I will move it as you suggest and if its the lens the focus issue will move accordingly.


When you rotate the lens, does the OOF issue move? If not, it's most likely a plane issue as Bob suggests.

[HMG]

Unfortunately Calumet no longer exists

Calumet (http://www.calumetphoto.com/) has risen from the ashes. New ownership - that were employees of the previous Calumet - IIRC. Whether they offer the same services, or have the same repair techs, is another question.

[Oren Grad]

Calumet (http://www.calumetphoto.com/) has risen from the ashes. New ownership - that were employees of the previous Calumet - IIRC. Whether they offer the same services, or have the same repair techs, is another question.

Calumet is now owned by these guys:

http://camarketing.com/brands/

No harm in asking, but anecdotal word has been that the repair service and parts stock were wiped out during the bankruptcy.

I'd ask at the Canadian Rodenstock distributor, or else any of the independent shops that work on large format lenses to find out which will deal with optical issues rather than just shutter repairs.

[bob carnie]

I believe it will be optical issues , diaphragm works just fine, this is a enlarger lens so no shutter to worry about.

Calumet is now owned by these guys:

http://camarketing.com/brands/

No harm in asking, but anecdotal word has been that the repair service and parts stock were wiped out during the bankruptcy.

I'd ask at the Canadian Rodenstock distributor, or else any of the independent shops that work on large format lenses to find out which will deal with optical issues rather than just shutter repairs.

[Bob Salomon]

So you are aware, in the USA, while we were the Rodenstock distributor, from 1986 till early this year, we sent any current lenses that were under warranty, directly to the factory in Germany for service. If it was an old, out of warranty lens, like yours, we advised the owner to send the lens, themselves, to the factory for service.
However, you should be aware that replacement parts, if needed, probably not available for old lenses. If you do send the lens yourself be sure that you follow all instructions from the German Consulate on the proper paperwork so that yo are not stuck with VAT taxes for importing a lens into Germany!
If service is really required on the lens, between shipping costs, repair costs and, if possible, replacement parts, it would be far better to just replace the lens. Especially if it isn't insured. Plus you could end up with the far better performing 150mm Apo Rodagon-N.

Contact Dieter at the following for the best advice:

http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/index.php/en/service-support#reparatur

[bob carnie]

You are probably right about just finding one to purchase here or online.

Thanks for your advice.


So you are aware, in the USA, while we were the Rodenstock distributor, from 1986 till early this year, we sent any current lenses that were under warranty, directly to the factory in Germany for service. If it was an old, out of warranty lens, like yours, we advised the owner to send the lens, themselves, to the factory for service.
However, you should be aware that replacement parts, if needed, probably not available for old lenses. If you do send the lens yourself be sure that you follow all instructions from the German Consulate on the proper paperwork so that yo are not stuck with VAT taxes for importing a lens into Germany!
If service is really required on the lens, between shipping costs, repair costs and, if possible, replacement parts, it would be far better to just replace the lens. Especially if it isn't insured. Plus you could end up with the far better performing 150mm Apo Rodagon-N.

Contact Dieter at the following for the best advice:

http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/index.php/en/service-support#reparatur

[Ginette]

Not a bad idea I will move it as you suggest and if its the lens the focus issue will move accordingly.

Curious about the result!
Are you on the Durst with this lens, is it a 50mm mount? On a Lapla mounted on an Unipla or Tripla. Maybe you can look to the specific mount that was different from your others lenses that work well.
To detect a specific mounting problem, is the lens perform badly on other enlargers you have?