Best lenses for 1-4x enlargement off 8x10?

[Drew Wiley]

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.

[consummate_fritterer]

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.

[interneg]

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.

How big is the 360 Apo's mount thread? I take it you're using Durst or similar lens boards?

The G-Clarons will all definitely fit the 5108, so I'll add them to the list of possible lenses.

[Luis-F-S]

240 Apo Rodagon on DeVere 5108 board.

[ian leeden]

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 ).

[Drew Wiley]

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.