Lens for both 4x5 and MF

[Don Wallace]

Is there a focal length enlarger lens that will allow me to do both 4x5 and medium format? Is this a stupid idea?

[Nick_3536]

Which MF? How bad of an idea depends on your enlarger and how big/small you want to print. If you're shooting 6x9 and 4x5 then a 135mm lens won't be a big problem. You'll end up limiting the max size print you can make from 6x9. OTOH if you're shooting 6x6 then using a 135mm will be a bigger tradeoff. Considering how cheap enlarger lenses are today I'd just get one of each but that's me.

[Jim Rice]

A 105 EL-Nikkor won't cover 4x5, and won't give 16x20 on a D-2 from 6x7. Sucks doesn't it?

[Donald Hutton]

You should be able to pick up both a componon-S 150 and a 100mm for under $200 on Ebay on any given week. These are both outstanding lenses. You could always use a 150mm for 6X9 but remember that enlarging lense are typically designed with an opitmum enlarging ratio in mind and if you used the same lens for both formats, you would definitely not be working at optimum enlargement ratios for both. Given how cheaply great darkroom optics are changing hands, I'd avoid trying to cut costs here and gleefully pick up both! (good prints are tough enough to make without added complications)...

[Brian Schall]

I have to agree with Nick, buy two, they're cheap. I just upgraded my enlarger lenses off Ebay. Got a EL Nikkor 80 for $40 buy it now price and a 135 Rodagon for $37. I wasn't in a hurry and found good deals. That's the trick. Also picked up a EL Nikkor 50 f2.8 for $28. Three quality lenses for barely $100.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'll concur with the others. 135 would be the best compromise, but with darkroom equipment so cheap now, there's no reason not to have both.

[Paul Schilliger]

120 mm Rodagon-WA. An additional 80 mm should be required for larger prints from 6x7, or 105 from 6x9.

[Jim Galli]

Computar / Beseler Color Pro 105mm will cover 4X5.

[Don Wallace]

I took the advice of looking on ebay and was pleasantly surprised to find that enlarging lenses have come down quite a bit, as some of you have said. So here is a followup question. Is there a major difference between the Componon and the Componon-S? Also, what about apo lenses (I print only black and white)?

Thanks for the advice, btw.

[Donald Hutton]

The Componon-S series are modern lenses with excellent coatings - these are the one's to buy. For a lot more money, you could get an APO Componon - you're not going to see a whole lot of difference (all the other factors involved will probably be noticable first). However, a big advantage is that they generally hit their "sweet"spot at larger apertures enabling you to use shorter exposure times (this can be key if you do a lot of big prints).

[Nick_3536]

I'd basically agree but add don't rule out the Nikon or Rodenstock lenses.

[David A. Goldfarb]

The Apo lenses are noticably better, in my experience, and if you can afford them (figure 40-60% of the new price), they are real bargains. I've upgraded to 50/2.8 and 90/4.0 Apo-Rodagons and a 150/4.0 Apo-Componon from various EL-Nikkor, Rodagon, and Componon-S lenses. That said, you can hardly go wrong with any of the 6-element Componon-S, Rodagon, or EL-Nikkors. Even the 75mm 4-element EL-Nikkor is a pretty sharp and contrasty lens.

[Karl]

I am a little confused as to what enlarging lens I should use for 6x7 negatives be it a 80mm or 105mm.

Could someone please explain the best lens for printing and what the difference if any in the focal lengths are for this format.

Thanks

[Mark Sampson]

105mm would be the best focal length for enlarging from 6x7cm. 80mm would give greater magnification, allowing larger prints. But those lenses are (nominally) designed for 6x6cm, so you might find less sharpness in the corners as well as illumination falloff when printing a 6x7 neg. It might work, but a 100mm or 105mm lens is the safe choice.