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I have done specific testing of this question for sake of making slightly enlarged precision internegs and dupe chromes - a much fussier application than prints per session. My best lens would be a 360 Apo Nikkor, followed by the 305. Fuji A and G-Claron would be OK, but at even smaller working aperture. All my official enlarging lenses, including the huge 360 EL Nikkor would be so-so, but a working stop faster.
I too tend to 'overthink' things. It's an OCD issue. At 1:1 I'd think there's no discernible difference between the very best and 'so-so' lenses. I'd think even at 2-4X there isn't much difference. Beyond that, the difference will begin to show themselves. That stated, I suppose if one wanted the best lens for 2:1-1:2 then a repro lens is probably the solution. At larger magnifications a regular lens is better. At mural size, I'd think a Rodagon-G or G-Componon would have the edge... though I suspect a regular taking lens would do well for murals.
How big is the 360 Apo's mount thread? I take it you're using Durst or similar lens boards?Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew Wiley
The G-Clarons will all definitely fit the 5108, so I'll add them to the list of possible lenses.
240 Apo Rodagon on DeVere 5108 board.
Attachment 171384
In the enlargement size range you intend to use it would be hard to see any difference in quality from any of the major brand enlarging lenses of 300mm , 360mm. Some 240mm lenses perform well on 8x10 but not all. A lot of process lenses work OK but it`s good to be able to use the f5.6 and f8 of lenses like the EL Nikkor and Rodagon and be confident of good sharpness.
I have have Nikkor , Rodagon , Apo Rodagon and componon 360`s and the only major difference is the Rodagon `G` is noticeably better for big enlargements ( for which it is designed ) . Although I have a large range of suitable enlarging lenses I mostly use the 240mm and 300mm EL Nikkors for for most work on 8x10 , my choice has no real reason other than most of my negs are taken using Nikon lenses ( especially the 150mm SW Nikkor ).
The 360/9 Apo Nikkor is quite compact, with the same barrel diameter as the 240 and 305 Spos (72mm). But it would require quite a bellows ext for 1:1, so you might want to consider the 305 instead. By contrast, the 360/5.6 El Nikkor is a Brontosaurus - too big for even a Sinar lensboard.