Quote Originally Posted by Pere Casals View Post
No...

Bob, the Rodagon R excels at 2x, it is in its sweet range, while Rodagon N is optimized for 10x and recommended for 2x to 15x: yes, it also works for 2x, but this is because enlargement is low and we are ok with 10lp/mm on the print.

Then if we inspect with a magnifier a x2 print made by Ansel Adams (the Clearing Storm in the MoMA is 15 1/2 x 19 1/8", https://www.moma.org/collection/works/52135) perhaps we won't see a detail better than 6 lp/mm, the required one to see a perfect print, but this is not because the 810 negative has 12lp/mm enlarged x2 !!!

If a 810 negative has say 30 lp/mm and we enlarged it x2 with a regular enlarging lens we wont obtain 15lp/mm on the print, if we want that we need a reproduction/duplication lens that excels at x2.


Of course if enlarging x8 a MF negative with a Rodagon D it would be pitfall, while a N would be a nice choice, no doubt.


So what I say is that those that juged Ansels' negatives from 2x prints are wrong, because regular enlarging lenses (at 2x) won't show in the print what enlarging potential the negative has.
Unlike you, I have received calls from people that thought like you about these lenses. The duplicating lenses are lousy enlarging lenses.