John Layton
9-Jan-2018, 06:27
I'm amazed...that my (new to me) little 150mm G-Claron performs at least as well (if not even a little better at the far edges) as my 180 Companon-S when enlarging 5x7 negs to 30x40 inches. Very motivated as this lens allows me to print this size with my (vertical) Zone-6 enlarger.
The Companon, being brighter wide open, is obviously a bit easier to initially focus - and I believe is also a bit sharper than the Claron when each is wide open - but the Claron, stopped to its acknowledged "best" aperture of f/22, is stunning...and plenty bright given the high output of my Heiland LED VC unit. The Heiland's coverage is also, thankfully, more than adequate for giving even illumination - which might otherwise be a little iffy given the relatively short FL.
At any rate...maybe I'm preaching to the choir here - but I was a bit skeptical...until now!
The Companon, being brighter wide open, is obviously a bit easier to initially focus - and I believe is also a bit sharper than the Claron when each is wide open - but the Claron, stopped to its acknowledged "best" aperture of f/22, is stunning...and plenty bright given the high output of my Heiland LED VC unit. The Heiland's coverage is also, thankfully, more than adequate for giving even illumination - which might otherwise be a little iffy given the relatively short FL.
At any rate...maybe I'm preaching to the choir here - but I was a bit skeptical...until now!