W.A. Enlarger Lens for 5X7?

[John Layton]

While I continue to use a 180 Companon-S as my "standard" lens for printing from 5x7...which allows me to print up to 20x30 on my Zone VI series 2 enlarger - I'm wondering if there are any shorter focal length enlarging lenses (or perhaps process lenses appropriate for enlarging purposes) which would work for this format - so I could print larger without needing to go to a horizontal enlarger. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Steve Goldstein]

150mm G-Claron?

If you want a faster lens and can handle larger and heavier, there are plenty of f/5.6 taking lenses that might work, like 150mm Apo-Sironar N, S, or W. I think the 135mm Apo-Sironar S will cover, and maybe even the N since you'll be far from infinity. Also the single-coated "inside lettering" Fujinon-W lenses (125mm, 135mm, and 150mm) would all cover for enlarging 5x7. One of the Apo-Sironar series, either S or N, was optimized for 1:10, the other for 1:20, but I forget which is which.

But of all these, only the G-Claron was really designed for this sort of use. The others might not perform as well and you'll really have to try them. There's a guy in Portugal who sells very nicely made adapters for mounting a Copal 0 shutter into a standard 39mm enlarger lens hole.

[Luis-F-S]

150mm G-Claron?

Yup, that's about the only one I can think of. L

[xkaes]

The G-Clarons are flat field, but designed for 1:1.

One possible option is to add a good quality, low diopter supplementary lens (AKA close-up filter), such as a #0.5 or #1. Try it out first with a cheap one you have lying around first to see if it works -- and what diopter is best for your needs. Sounds crazy, but it might work for you.

Check out:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

and:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm

[ic-racer]

I don't know if 60 degrees and 150 focal length will get you there (Wide Angle Apo-Nikkor 150mm)
169795

[John Layton]

Am guessing that a 150 G-Claron might actually do well...and I've been thinking of adding one as a compact, semi-wide for 5x7 work...especially working in close. So I may as well at least try this route.

But that 150mm W.A. Apo-Nikkor has me just a little intrigued! Guessing that they might be a bit rare?

[Leigh]

You're going to have the same problem using a WA lens for enlarging as you do using it for taking...

light fall-off.

The laws of optics have no regard for the usage of the lens.

Also, understand that taking lenses are optimized for reproduction ratios of about 1:20.
Enlarging lenses are optimized for ratios like 1:4.

Any lens will work for any purpose, but those optimized for a particular task will do it better.

- Leigh

[Luis-F-S]

delete-duplicate

[Luis-F-S]

The G-Clarons are flat field, but designed for 1:1.

One possible option is to add a good quality, low diopter supplementary lens (AKA close-up filter), such as a #0.5 or #1. Try it out first with a cheap one you have lying around first to see if it works -- and what diopter is best for your needs. Sounds crazy, but it might work for you.

Check out:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

and:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm

The G-Claron may be designed for flat field (ever use a 3D negative?) 1:1, but it's usable from 5:1 to 1:5 and probably beyond. If the close up filter option sounds crazy, it probably is. The G-Claron would get you a little larger print size, which may or may not work on the Zone VI; or you could just get a real enlarger like a Durst 138 or a Devere and then your problem goes away! But I'd sure try the G-Claron first! Good luck!

[xkaes]

If the close up filter option sounds crazy, it probably is.

169818

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharknado

[Luis-F-S]

169818

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharknado

Whatever cranks your tractor. It's your time and money you'll be wasting, not mine! It's still dumb IMHO!

[xkaes]

169828

And, by the way, you're crazier than Mr. Bean if you think you can possibly put a true circular fisheye lens on a 4x5" camera! You'll just be wasting your time and money, not mine -- IMHO.

169829

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/gonefishin.pdf

[Luis-F-S]

Gee and I thought we were talking about enlarging lenses!

[dasBlute]

I may be just a noob, but I use a Rodenstock 150mm on a Durst 138s, and it works fine.
Does it fall-off in the corners? Not that I could tell. But I only print up to 11x14.

[xkaes]

My mistake. I thought we were talking about tractors!

[xkaes]

I may be just a noob, but I use a Rodenstock 150mm on a Durst 138s, and it works fine.
Does it fall-off in the corners? Not that I could tell. But I only print up to 11x14.

Light fall-off happens with enlarging lenses too -- especially the ones marked, "W", "W.A.", etc. or are shorter than you would expect. That's one of the reasons some use lenses longer than you might expect, like a 150mm for 4x5" vs a 135mm lens. It occurs no matter what size print you make, but the original poster wants to make prints larger than 20x30" without going horizontal.

[John Kasaian]

I considered using a 240 G Claron to enlarge 8x10, but even wide open at f/9 it is pretty dim on an enlarger.
If you've got one, give it try.
I found that for my use, Copy Paragons are excellent performers as well as being quite a bit faster and far less expensive.

[consummate_fritterer]

Why not try reversing a 'taking' lens such as a 150mm Apo Sironar or 135mm Fuji-W or 110mm Symmar-XL... or whatever you have on hand? It can't hurt to try. Reversing a taking lens should (I think) make an excellent mural enlarging lens.

[Bob Salomon]

Light fall-off happens with enlarging lenses too -- especially the ones marked, "W", "W.A.", etc. or are shorter than you would expect. That's one of the reasons some use lenses longer than you might expect, like a 150mm for 4x5" vs a 135mm lens. It occurs no matter what size print you make, but the original poster wants to make prints larger than 20x30" without going horizontal.

Obviously you have no experience with the WA Rodenstock lenses. The 120 Rodagon WA out performs the 135 and 150mm Rodagon lenses without falloff. You should try one sometime.

[xkaes]

Obviously you have no experience with the WA Rodenstock lenses. The 120 Rodagon WA out performs the 135 and 150mm Rodagon lenses without falloff. You should try one sometime.

You are absolutely right that I have no experience with the WA 120mm. I'll have to trust you on the other part, since all I have is a 135mm Fujinon EX and a 150mm G-Componon -- so I have no reason to "try out" the WA 120mm, anytime soon.

But the original question was about a wider lens for 5x7 -- and the Rodenstock literature lists the WA 120mm for 4x5".

[Bob Salomon]

You are absolutely right that I have no experience with the WA 120mm. I'll have to trust you on the other part, since all I have is a 135mm Fujinon EX and a 150mm G-Componon -- so I have no reason to "try out" the WA 120mm, anytime soon.

But the original question was about a wider lens for 5x7 -- and the Rodenstock literature lists the WA 120mm for 4x5".
You brought up the 135 and 150mm 45 lenses.

[xkaes]

You brought up the 135 and 150mm 45 lenses.

Yes, only as an example of using different lenses for a particular format -- and some reasons to use one over the other. I could have used 40mm vs 60mm lenses for 35mm, just as well. Computar made enlaring lenses for full frame 35mm film from 25mm f2.8 (9 elements in 7 groups) to 65mm f3.5 (6 elements in 4 groups). Of the 25mm (no, it is NOT designed for half-frame), they state:

"The severe illumination fall off, common with most wide angle lenses, is not present with the Computar 25."

But what do they know? They only make enlarging lenses!

I was not trying to suggest using lenses designed for 4x5" with 5x7".