Rodagon-WA 120mm

[mark e mark]

Thanks Bob. It looks like I have just 'won' the lens. I will compare it to my 135mm and 150mm and report back sometime in the future.

[LF_rookie_to_be]

Where did you find it (if the answer isn't obvious)? It's becoming very hard to find.

[mark e mark]

I won it on Ebay-for a song. I have not compare it yet, but have put my 'test, neg in, and at f5.6 aperture the grain looks sharp (unlike a 150mm Schneider componon I tested recently)

[Bob Salomon - HP Marketing]

I won it on Ebay-for a song. I have not compare it yet, but have put my 'test, neg in, and at f5.6 aperture the grain looks sharp (unlike a 150mm Schneider componon I tested recently)

Remember, all enlarging lenses need a properly aligned enlarger and a glass negative carrier to deliver their optimal perfor,ance. You also need to be withinh the optimal magnification range and f-stop.

Otherwise you will not see the real difference between lenses.

[Bob Salomon - HP Marketing]

I won it on Ebay-for a song. I have not compare it yet, but have put my 'test, neg in, and at f5.6 aperture the grain looks sharp (unlike a 150mm Schneider componon I tested recently)

Remember, all enlarging lenses need a properly aligned enlarger and a glass negative carrier to deliver their optimal performance. You also need to be withinh the optimal magnification range and f-stop. And none of your lenses were designed to be used wide open or close to wide open.

Otherwise you will not see the real difference between lenses.

[LF_rookie_to_be]

Bob, what about the usage of a lens which has these two characteristics that don't comply with the usual standards of darkroom work:
- Not designed as a flat-field lens per se
- Wider angle than standard/recommended for the format (say, 110mm for 4x5")
But has some other point going for it:
- Significantly larger coverage (say, using a lens that covers 8x10" to enlarge 4x5")
- Easy mounting (because of rear filter thread)
Is it realistic to expect a visible decrease in sharpness compared to a flat-field lens used very near the optimum magnification range?

LF_rtb

[Bob Salomon - HP Marketing]

Bob, what about the usage of a lens which has these two characteristics that don't comply with the usual standards of darkroom work:
- Not designed as a flat-field lens per se
- Wider angle than standard/recommended for the format (say, 110mm for 4x5")
But has some other point going for it:
- Significantly larger coverage (say, using a lens that covers 8x10" to enlarge 4x5")
- Easy mounting (because of rear filter thread)
Is it realistic to expect a visible decrease in sharpness compared to a flat-field lens used very near the optimum magnification range?

LF_rtb

Not sure what lens you are speaking about. A non-enlarging lens of a given quality will never equal an enlarging lens of the same quality.

[LF_rookie_to_be]

@ Bob Salomon

Super Symmar XL 110/5,6. Supposedly absolutely brilliant for 4x5" camera use.
What would be its main throwback for darkroom use, apart from what was mentioned and, maybe, risk of elements becoming separated from heat? And I mean ONLY for mural use, approx. 20x enlargement (in a very small darkroom). Don't the camera lenses, macros excluded, approach such magnification factors by design?

@ mark e mark

Please check PM.

[Bob Salomon - HP Marketing]

@ Bob Salomon

Super Symmar XL 110/5,6. Supposedly absolutely brilliant for 4x5" camera use.
What would be its main throwback for darkroom use, apart from what was mentioned and, maybe, risk of elements becoming separated from heat? And I mean ONLY for mural use, approx. 20x enlargement (in a very small darkroom). Don't the camera lenses, macros excluded, approach such magnification factors by design?

@ mark e mark

Please check PM.

Simply will not perform as an enlarging lens other then to make an image. Additionally the lens construction may not stand up to the heat generated in an enlarger. It is just a 110mm taking lens. Tho reach 20x magnification from 4x5 only a G series lens will do it propoerly.

[LF_rookie_to_be]

Bob, thanks for the clarification. I was wondering if a 120/5,6 Eurygon definitely and without a doubt is exactly the same as 120/5,6 WA? It appears "WA" is just a different name for a later run of the very same lens.